Champagne by Bike and Boat, from Paris to Épernay
Immerse yourself in the heart of France with this 8-day, 7-night Bike & Boat tour from Paris to the Champagne region. Discover two French icons from a unique perspective:
- Paris, the City of Light, explored differently, by bike and boat.
- Champagne, the birthplace of the most prestigious sparkling wines, created by the expertise of Dom Pierre Pérignon in 1670 at the Abbey of Hautvillers.
Each day, cycle along small country roads winding through the hills and vineyards of the Marne Valley. This tour, accessible with an Electric Assist Bicycle (included), invites you to savor the varied landscapes and discover the natural and cultural treasures of this region, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
On the agenda: champagne tastings at local producer, discovering emblematic cheeses (like Brie), and delving into the history of towns such as Meaux, famous for its cheese, or Château-Thierry, a key site of memory from World War I. Your trip ends in Épernay, the undisputed capital of Champagne, with a visit to its impressive wine cellars.
This trip promises an unforgettable experience, blending heritage, gastronomy, and nature, in one of the most beautiful settings France has to offer.
Day 1: From Paris to Lagny-sur-Marne
Boarding at 2 p.m. near the Seine. After a welcome by the captain, crew, and guide, your journey begins with a cruise through Paris towards Lagny-sur-Marne, located at the border between the lively urban area and the French countryside. During the cruise, the guide will introduce the week's program. After dinner, you'll have free time to explore the town.
Day 2: Loop around Lagny-sur-Marne (22 or 42 km)
In the morning, bikes will be adjusted, and once everyone is comfortable, you'll set off for your first ride along the Marne River. You can choose between a route that follows the river and one that is slightly more challenging. Along the way, you'll pass by the castle of Champs-sur-Marne and cycle through the surrounding gardens. The Château de Champs-sur-Marne is typical of country residences built in the 18th century, which introduced a new way of living. It is one of the most richly furnished castles in the Île-de-France region.
Day 3: From Lagny-sur-Marne to Meaux (22 or 42 km)
From Lagny-sur-Marne, two cycling options are available. The first few kilometers of both routes are uphill. If you choose the shorter route, the first challenge will be the hill near Chalifert.
On the longer route, the first part is also quite hilly, as you leave the Marne Valley. Later, you will follow the small Canal de l'Ourcq, built by Napoleon to transport wood, grain, and drinking water to Paris.
Today's destination is the town of Meaux, famous for its "Brie de Meaux" cheese and the magnificent Saint-Étienne Cathedral. Night in Meaux.
Day 4: From Meaux to La Ferté-sous-Jouarre (27 or 52 km)
As with the previous day, you can choose between two options:
The shorter route will take you over the hills and slopes of the Marne Valley, on the south bank of the river, through forests and small villages.
The longer route stays in the valley in the morning, passing through Trilport and Lizy-sur-Ourcq. Later, you will need to climb a few challenging hills as you leave the valley towards Jouarre.
Regardless of the option chosen, in Jouarre, you can enjoy a nice presentation and tasting of the famous Brie de Meaux and Brie noir cheeses at the family-run Fromagerie Ganot. Dinner on board and night in La Ferté-sous-Jouarre or a nearby village.
Day 5: From La Ferté-sous-Jouarre to Château-Thierry (40 or 44 km)
Enjoy a slightly more challenging bike ride from La Ferté-sous-Jouarre to Château-Thierry. The first part of the route follows the Marne River. After a few kilometers, you'll take a side valley and follow country roads through small villages and hamlets. Continue uphill until you reach the plateau above the northern part of the Marne Valley.
These valleys are mainly forested, while the plateau is dominated by agriculture. Then follow the valley of the small Clignon River. Along the way, you can visit the large American World War I cemetery near Belleau.
Then, begin your descent to reach Château-Thierry. The town gets its name from a castle, of which some remnants still remain. It was the site of two important battles: the 1814 battle during the Napoleonic Wars between France and Prussia, and the 1918 battle at the end of World War I. Château-Thierry is also known as the hometown of the famous fable writer Jean de La Fontaine.
Day 6: From Château-Thierry to Dormans 🚢 | From Dormans to Épernay (35 or 50 km)
During breakfast, the boat will sail to the lock of Mont Saint Pierre or Dormans.
Today, you enter the official Champagne region. Dormans is a peaceful village on the Marne, with a castle and a chapel in memory of the Battle of the Marne. During World War I, this region was the scene of intense fighting.
A climb to the village of Châtillon-sur-Marne will reward cyclists with a stunning panoramic view over the Marne Valley and Champagne vineyards. During your bike tour, you'll see the Château de Boursault, a large castle built in 1848 by the widow of Mr. Cliquot. She gave her name ("Veuve Clicquot") to a famous champagne. Tonight, there is no dinner on board. You can choose one of the local restaurants in town.
Day 7: Loop around Épernay (19 or 26 km)
This final day of cycling takes you along a canal parallel to the Marne River, towards Aÿ and Mareuil-sur-Aÿ. You will return via Dizy to visit Hautvillers.
After a somewhat challenging ascent, you'll reach this picturesque village of Champagne winemakers, located on the southern slopes of the Montagne de Reims. The highlight of the visit will be the chapel where Dom Pérignon (1638-1715) is buried. As the cellar master of a Benedictine abbey, Dom Pérignon revolutionized winemaking techniques, being the first to blend grape varieties in a way that improved regional wines into one of superb quality. He also introduced the double fermentation, characteristic of champagne production.
Return by bike to Épernay. After lunch, you'll visit the center of Épernay. Along with Reims, Épernay is one of the main wine centers of the Champagne region, where three major wine regions meet: the Montagne de Reims, the Côte des Blancs, and the Vallée de la Marne. Épernay is known for its 19th-century townhouses in neo-Renaissance or classical styles, particularly around the beautiful Avenue de Champagne, where prestigious champagne houses such as Moët & Chandon and Mercier are located. Enjoy a champagne tasting and a tour of one of the major champagne houses.
Day 8: Épernay
Disembarkation after breakfast, before 9 a.m.
Good to know:
- For fewer than 18 participants, there is only one guide on board. In this case, the group is consulted as to which route is taken each day.
- For 18 participants or more, 2 guides on board. Each guide leads 1 group on the short itinerary and one group on the long itinerary.
- The program is subject to change for nautical, technical, meteorological or other unforeseen reasons.
- If you do not wish to cycle a stage, you can rest on board the boat.
