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 2:00 p.m., near the Seine. After a welcome from the captain, crew, and guide, your trip will begin with a cruise through Paris. Heading to Lagny-sur-Marne, located on the border between the bustling urban area and the French countryside. During the cruise, the guide will present the week's program. After dinner, you will have free time to stroll around the city.
Day 2: Lagny-sur-Marne Loop (22 or 42 km)
In the morning, bikes will be adjusted, and once everyone is comfortable, you will set off on your first bike ride along the Marne. You will have the choice between a route that follows the river and a more challenging one. Along the way, you will pass the Château de Champs-sur-Marne and walk through the surrounding gardens. This château perfectly embodies the style of 18th-century country residences, illustrating a new art of living for the time. It is one of the most lavishly furnished châteaux 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 section is also quite hilly, as you will have to leave the Marne Valley. You will then follow the small Canal de l'Ourcq, built by Napoleon to transport wood, grain, and drinking water to Paris.
Today's destination is the city of Meaux, famous for its Brie de Meaux cheese and its magnificent Saint-Étienne Cathedral.
Day 4: From Meaux to La Ferté-sous-Jouarre (30 or 66 km)
As the day before, you have a choice of two stages:
- The shorter option 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 option remains in the valley during the morning, with a route passing through Trilport and Lizy-sur-Ourcq. Later, you will have to climb some challenging hills as you leave the valley towards Jouarre.
Whichever option you choose, in Jouarre, you can enjoy a beautiful presentation and tasting of the famous Brie de Meaux and Brie Noir cheeses at the Ganot Cheese Factory, a family business. Dinner on board and overnight stay in La-Ferté-sous-Jouarre or a neighboring village.
Day 5: From La Ferté-sous-Jouarre to Château-Thierry (40 or 57 km)
Enjoy a slightly more challenging bike ride from La-Ferté-sous-Jouarre to Château-Thierry. The first part of the route runs along the Marne River. After a few kilometers, you'll enter a secondary valley and follow country roads through small villages and hamlets. Continue climbing until you finally reach the plateau in the northern part of the Marne Valley.
These valleys are mainly covered with forests, while the plateau is dominated by agriculture. You then follow the valley of the small Clignon River. Along the way, you can visit the large American cemetery from World War I near Belleau.
Then begin your descent to Château-Thierry. The town of Château-Thierry takes its name from the castle, of which some remains still remain. The town was the scene of two important battles: the Battle of 1814 during the Napoleonic Wars between France and Prussia, and the Battle of 1918 at the end of World War I. Château-Thierry is also known as the birthplace of the famous fable writer, Jean de La Fontaine.
Day 6: From Château-Thierry to Dormans 🚢 | From Dormans to Épernay (35 or 55 km)
During breakfast, the boat sails to the Mont Saint Pierre lock or to Dormans.
Today, you enter the official Champagne region. Dormans is a peaceful village on the Marne River, with a castle and chapel commemorating 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 offer cyclists spectacular panoramic views of the Marne Valley and the Champagne vineyards. During your bike tour, you'll see the Château de Boursault, a grand château built in 1848 by the widow of Monsieur Cliquot. She gave her name ("Veuve Clicquot") to a famous champagne. Tonight, there will be no dinner on board. You can choose one of the local restaurants in Epernay.
Day 7: Loop around Epernay (17 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 then return via Dizy to visit Hautvillers.
After a somewhat demanding climb, you will reach this picturesque Champagne winegrowing village, 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. Responsible for the cellars of a Benedictine abbey, Dom Pérignon revolutionized winemaking techniques, being the first to blend grape varieties in such a way as to enhance regional wines into wines of exceptional quality. Double fermentation, a characteristic of Champagne production, was also introduced by Dom Pérignon.
You will return by bike to Épernay. After lunch, you will visit the center of Épernay. Along with Reims, Épernay is one of the main winemaking centers of the Champagne region, where three major wine-growing regions meet: the Montagne de Reims, the Côte des Blancs, and the Vallée de la Marne. Épernay is famous for its 19th-century neo-Renaissance and classical mansions, particularly around the magnificent Avenue de Champagne, where prestigious Champagne houses such as Moët & Chandon and Mercier are located. Enjoy a champagne tasting and a visit to one of the great champagne houses.
Day 8: Épernay
Disembarkation after breakfast, before 9:00 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.
