Mosel by bike and boat from Metz to Cochem - Magnifique III

The Moselle River Trail

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Day 1: Metz
 

Boarding and check-in in Metz at 2pm aboard Le Magnifique. After a welcome meeting with the crew and an initial chat with the other passengers, you can test your rental bike.

After lunch, the guide will take you on a walking tour of Metz. Metz is a beautiful old city, strategically located on a Roman trade route.

The Cathedral of Saint-Etienne is the third-largest Catholic church in France, with flying buttresses and stained-glass windows by Marc Chagall. 
Don't hesitate to come to Metz one or more days early to take the time to discover this beautiful city.

Day 2: Metz to Remich - 41 or 49 km

 
Over a delicious breakfast, you sail towards Thionville, the industrial center of steel since the 1980s. Your bike tour starts nearby. The historic center is guarded by medieval ramparts, boasts magnificent gardens and is home to the famous Saint-Maximin basilica.
You ride through the pretty French countryside, passing through charming villages. You can admire the fortress of Sierck-les-Bains, once inhabited by the powerful Dukes of Lorraine. You then cross the French-Luxembourg border at Schengen.
Here, you can enjoy the benefits of the "Schengen Agreement", which involves no border controls! Arriving near Remich, you'll visit the small village of Nennig, home to a superb ancient Roman villa housing one of the most famous examples of mosaic art.

Day 3: Remich to Sarrebourg - 40 or 48 km

 
Here, the Moselle forms the border between Germany and Luxembourg. You start your cycle tour along the Moselle on the German side, before joining the Luxembourg side. You'll visit a wine cooperative specializing in the famous "Crémant", the Champagne of the Moselle.

You can choose between two options for the bike tour: one is easy, but longer, and the second is shorter, but a little more challenging through the hills.
Both routes take you to Sarrebourg, an ancient town located on the most beautiful part of the Saar Valley, where the river banks are entirely wooded. You'll see the Sarrebourg castle, built in the middle of the 10th century. In the center of town, you can admire a 20-meter-high waterfall and an old mill, irrigated by a small river. 
Most of the houses in this part of town date from the 17th and 18th centuries and are very well preserved, giving Sarrebourg its picturesque appearance.

Day 4: Sarrebourg to Trier - 32 km

 
After breakfast, your guide accompanies you on a bike tour to Trier. 
You join the city for lunch. After a pleasant guided walk, you'll visit Germany's oldest city.
Trier was founded around 15 BC by Caesar Augustus and boasts an exceptional heritage. The most authentic monument not to be missed is the famous Black Gate, built in 18 BC.

Day 5: Trier - Schweich / Schweich - Neumagen - Bernkastel-Kues - 27 or 53 km

 
After breakfast, the cycling tour starts in Schweich. You're in the "Romantic Moselle", the nickname for the middle of the Moselle. Endless vineyards stretch over several hectares.
Your Moselle bike tour continues through the world's most famous vineyards: Trittenheim and Piesport.
Trittenheim lies close to the river and offers a panorama of vine-covered mountains.
Piesport is particularly well-known and appreciated by the British for its "little golden droplets".
You arrive in Neumagen for lunch. The town already produced a lot of wine during the Roman Empire.

You can reach Le Magnifique from here, or continue the bike tour to Bernkastel-Kues. This picturesque tourist town is the production centre for the finest wines from the middle Moselle. The half-timbered houses surrounding the Bernkastel-Kues market date back to the Middle Ages. A stroll up to the castle offers superb panoramic views.

Day 6: Bernkastel-Kues - Traben-Trarbach - Zell-sur-Moselle - 45 km

 
Cycle to the romantic village of Traben-Trarbach, located on the left bank of the Moselle and famous for its Art Nouveau architecture (Jugendstil in German). Your destination for the day is Zell-sur-Moselle, renowned for the Zeller Schwarze Katz wine industry. In Zell, a tasting of the Moselle Valley's great wines is highly recommended.

 
Day 7: Zell - Beilstein - Cochem - 39 km

 
Beilstein is a well-preserved historic village with charming houses set between two vineyards. Its half-timbered houses adorned with flowers and linked by arcades have earned it the nickname of the "Sleeping Beauty of the Moselle". 
You can then explore the ruins of Metternich Castle, nestling high above the village. Finally, you reach Cochem, a town of character surrounded by beautiful vineyards, wooded hills, a castle and picturesque streets with half-timbered houses. It's the ideal place to enjoy a glass of local wine. A visit to Reichsburg Castle is also on this day's program.

 
Day 8: Cochem

General information:

• 8 days and 7 nights
• Level of comfort of the boat : Premium comfort
• Languages spoken on board : German and English
• Children's rates : contact us

Dates:

Departure dates 2024 : from Metz on Tuesday 17/09

FULL BOOKED

Included : 

• Full board stay (picnic lunch) except on day 5
• 7 nights on board
• coffee and tea on board
• welcome cocktail
• bed linen and towels
• daily cleaning of the cabins
• air conditioning
• daily briefing on the itinerary
• some guided walking tours
• ferry fees
• waterproof bag
• helmet
• biodegradable water bottle
• port taxes
• entrance to Reichsburg Castle in Cochem
• tasting of local wines
• wifi on board
• Online guided tour (2 guides and 2 groups)

Not included:

• Transportation to the place of departure
• Personal expenses
• Visits other than those included

Options :

• Renting of VTC or VAE
• Personal bike space (mandatory if no bikes are rented)
• Bike theft insurance (for rented bikes)
• Cancellation insurance

What you should know :

• The distances of the bike routes in the program are approximate.
• On some days, you can choose between a longer or shorter route. Please note that you may not be able to see all the highlights of the destination on the shorter routes.
• If you prefer not to cycle for a day, you are welcome to relax on board while the boat sails to the next stop.
• The itinerary can be modified for nautical, technical or meteorological reasons, or for any other unforeseen event.
• On the day of your arrival, you can leave your luggage on board from 11am.
• Maps, descriptions, and detailed GPS tracks are available for clients wishing to cycle freely. The guide remains reachable at all times by phone for any questions, incidents, or emergencies.

Levels :

1 2 3 4 5 6

Terrain :

Flat, very rolling roads and paths. 90% of the program is on bike paths.

Climate:

Temperatures in the Moselle Valley are relatively mild. It can be very hot in summer, with dry weather.

Technicality :

- 0 to 50 km of riding per day, or 3 to 5 hours of cycling.
- Itinerary easy to follow. No difficulties, accessible to all.

Bibliography :

- Guides on the Moselle by bike
- Hiking maps on Germany

Participants:

You will meet on board an international community of all ages, men, women, singles and couples with children. We offer a maximum of 65 seats in 2- and 3-person cabins on this boat.

Accompaniment :

Here are the people in charge of your vacation on the bike boat:
On board, the captain and his crew. They are in charge of the good progress of the vacations on the boat, and bring the boat from stage to stage. The cook prepares the meals.
There is a daily briefing on the route. 

The crew speaks German and English. 

Meals :

• Breakfasts: on the boat you will find a hearty, Dutch breakfast, worthy of a cyclist.
• Lunches: After breakfast, you will prepare your own lunch (sandwiches, fruit, snacks, drinks).
• Dinners: at least three dishes of very good quality. After dinner, you will have the choice between coffee and tea.

Other drinks, such as wine, beer, lemonade and mineral water, are not included but can be purchased on board at a reasonable price.

Cycling:

Upon departure on Saturday afternoon, you will be assigned a bike that matches your size. After a test ride, you will sign a receipt.
The bikes will be equipped with panniers, an anti-theft device, a water bottle and a tire repair kit. 
If you take your own bike, it cannot be insured against theft by our company, you will have to make the necessary arrangements with your usual insurance company. Do not forget your anti-theft device. You will be responsible for the return of your bike.

Transportation :

By plane: Metz airport.

Cancellation insurance : 

In order to guarantee the reimbursement of expenses in case of cancellation of your stay, you can take out a cancellation insurance. To know more about it, click here.

Boat description : click here.