Paris to Bruges Bike and Barge

Paris to Bruges Bike and Barge

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Paris to Bruges Bike and Barge

15 Days Starting in Paris, France and ending in Bruges, Belgium

Visiting: Paris, Auvers-sur-Oise, Chantilly, Compiegne, Compiègne, Peronne, Somme, Cambrai, Doornik (Tournai), Oudenaarde, Ghent, Bruges

Tour operator:

UTracks

Tour code:

BUX

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

18 - 24

Physical rating:

moderate

Tour operated in:

English

Trip Styles:

Sailing, Small Group

Interests:

Cultural, History

This tour is no longer available

Tour Overview

Embark on an unforgettable journey from Paris to Bruges with our "Paris to Bruges Bike and Barge" tour. This unique adventure combines the relaxation of barge travel with the excitement of daily cycling routes through the picturesque landscapes of northern France and Flanders in Belgium. Discover charming cities like Paris, Ghent, and Bruges, explore the splendid Chantilly Chateau, and cycle along the scenic river Somme. Enjoy 14 nights aboard a comfortable barge with twin-share cabins and ensuite facilities, and savor delicious meals prepared onboard. With guided cycling tours, city walks, and visits to historical sites, this tour offers a perfect blend of cultural exploration and active adventure.

Highlights

  • Discovering the charming cities of Paris and Bruges

  • Cycling through scenery that has inspired many famous painters

  • Exploring the diverse regions of northern France and Flanders in Belgium

  • Visiting the splendid Chantilly Chateau with its impressive art collection

  • Cycling along the river Somme and through picturesque villages to Peronne

  • Exploring the lively university town of Ghent with its rich history

  • Cycling through wooded areas and fields to the picturesque city of Bruges

  • Visiting the cathedral of Notre Dame and the Belfort in Doornik (Tournai)

Itinerary

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Day 1 : Embarkation In Paris Mid Afternoon, Cruise To Bougival

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Location: Paris

Accommodation Name: barge

Meals Included: Dinner

Embarkation and check-in is at 2pm in the centre of Paris. After a welcome by the captain, crew and tour guide the barge will cruise right through the city. The mooring place for the night is a suburb of Paris. After the sailing dinner there is time for a short walk. We recommend coming to Paris one or more days earlier, so that you will have plenty of time to discover this interesting city.
If you arrive early you can leave your luggage on board from 11.00 am.

Day 2 : Cycle Bougival To Auvers-Sur-Oise (42 Or 46Km/26 Or 28 Mi)

Location: Auvers-sur-Oise

Accommodation Name: barge

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast we will cycle along quiet towpaths along the river Seine and up to St Germain, where the gardens of Le Nôtre provide a magnificent view across Paris. Next we will ride through a forest area to Conflans for a picnic on the pier amongst the terraces. After a short stop at the Pontoise Bridge, we continue cycling across the picturesque Chemin des Monts to the church of Auvers, famous for Van Gogh’s paintings. You can visit Van Gogh’s grave in the local cemetery during a short evening walk.

Day 3 : Cycle Beaumont To Creil Via Chantilly Chateau (43Km/26Mi)

Location: Chantilly

Accommodation Name: barge

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

During breakfast the barge will cruise to Beaumont. The day's cycle begins by following the Oise River upstream. Along the way we will pass the Royaumont abbey, which is one of the best preserved abbeys from the 13th century. During the afternoon we will visit the splendid Chantilly Chateau, a luxurious castle with a horse dressage and an impressive art collection, the Musee Conde, that houses one of the finest collections of paintings in France. The bike tour ends in Creil, from where the boat will take us to today's destination, Pont-Ste-Maxence.

Day 4 : Cycle Pont Saint Maxence To Compiegne (44 Or 54Km/28 Or 34Mi)

Location: Compiegne

Accommodation Name: barge

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Pont Saint Maxence owes its name to the fact that in the Middle Ages it had one of very few bridges over the Oise River, becoming the place to stay the night for kings and merchants who were on their way to Flanders. From here we will cycle past the abbey of Moncel, founded in 1309 by King Philip le Bel, and through little, charming towns. Continue cycling through the forest "Foret de Compiegne", where French kings once loved to hunt, and on to to our destination, Compiegne. The longer cycle option today takes in more of the forest as well as the small town of Pierrefond, where you can admire the exterior of its impressive Castle Pierrefonds. Compiegne owes its architectural wealth to its proximity of Paris. In the evening you may wish to explore the historical centre .
Dinner is not included tonight, you can choose to eat at one of the local restaurants.

Day 5 : Cycle From Compiègne To Pont L’Évêque (42 Or 51Km/26 Or 31 Mi)

Location: Compiègne

Accommodation Name: barge

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we will leave the river Oise to continue our cycle via the canal system connecting France and Belgium. In the morning we cycle into the most northern part of the forest of Compiegne, where we visit the “Clairière de l’Armistice"/Glade of the Armistice, the forest clearing and the carriage where the First World War armistice was signed. You can also visit its small but interesting museum. We then cross the river Aisne and cycle through the forest of Ourscamp. In the afternoon we will spend some time in Noyon, where you can visit its imposing cathedral, one of the oldest in the country. We will then cycle back to the canal at Pont l'Eveque, where we will board the barge.

Day 6 : Cruise To Haudival, Cycle Through Ham To Peronne (47 Or 56Km/29 Or 34Mi)

Location: Peronne

Accommodation Name: barge

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The day begins with a cruise along the Canal du Nord. The construction of this canal was planned in 1903, but it took until 1966 to complete the works. It was built to replace the older and smaller Canal de St Quentin, constructed by Napoleon in 1801 to transport coal from the mines to the north. During breakfast the barge will bring us to Haudival. From here the cycling begins through gently rolling, open countryside, to the art deco town of Ham, continuing along the river Somme and through the picturesque surrounding villages to Peronne. We will find the barge moored just outside of this charming town with its compact square and church as well as a castle and the fascinating Grande Guerre museum.

Day 7 : Rest Day In The Charming Town Of Peronne

Location: Peronne

Accommodation Name: barge

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

The barge will be moored just outside the charming town of Peronne with its intimate square and church as well as a castle and the fascinating Grande Guerre museum. You are free to spend the day resting or exploring the area.

Day 8 : Cycle Along The Somme River To Ruyaulcourt, Cruise To Moeuvres (40 Or 52M/24 Or 33Mi)

Location: Somme

Accommodation Name: barge

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We will continue cycling along the river Somme and then through the sparsely populated open and rolling landscape to Ruyaulcourt. At the end of World War I this area was the frontline of the battle around the Somme. We will then join the barge for a cruise through the Canal du Nord, which has two tunnels. The longest one is the tunnel of Ruyaulcourt, which is 4,350m (2,700 mi) long. Above the tunnel is the watershed between the rivers Somme and Escaut (Scheldt). From here the barge goes downhill in the direction of Arleux, to our mooring in Moeuvres, an outskirt of this town.

Day 9 : Visit Cambrai, Pass The Marshlands Of Chantraine And To Arleux (35 Or 50Km/21 Or 31Mi)

Location: Cambrai

Accommodation Name: barge

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we will visit Cambrai, once a Roman provincial capital, now a lively town with a beautiful park to picnic in and many historical monuments such as the impressive restored buildings of the city fortress built under King Charles V. We will continue cycling past the marshlands of Chantraine and on to the rural town of Arleux. The boat then cruises to the lock of Pont Malin.

Day 10 : Cruise To Denain, Cycle Across The Border Into Belgium To Doornik (Tournai) (47 Or 51Km/29 Or 31Mi)

Location: Doornik (Tournai)

Accommodation Name: barge

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

While the barge will sail the Canal du Grand Gabarit, passing through a former industrial area of northern France and old coal mines and steel bites bordering the canal, we will start our day's cycle in Arleux. Today is a long day of cycling through open farmland and former mining towns towards Lewarde, where you have the opportunity to visit a mining museum. Once we have corssed into Belgium we will cycle through the so-called "white land". The charming little fortress town Antoing lies at the heart of this region and since the Roman days, white limestone has been mined here. Today's destination is Doornik (Tournai in French), one of the oldest cities of Belgium, and part of Wallonia, a French-speaking area of Belgium where all towns and villages have both a French and Flemish name. Up until the beginning of the 17th century Doornik was ruled by the French. Tapestry weaving gained in importance here while the cloth industry became less important. You can see excellent examples of this in the various museums of the town. In 1940 the entire city was destroyed after a German air-raid, however the town has since been wonderfully renovated. The cathedral of Notre Dame, from the 12th and 13th century, and the Belfort, built around 1200, are well worth visiting.
Dinner is not included tonight, you can choose to eat in one of the local restaurants.

Day 11 : By Bike To Oudenaarde In The Flemish Region (41 Or 43Km/26 Or 27Mi)

Location: Oudenaarde

Accommodation Name: barge

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

While the barge sails downstream on the river Scheldt, we set off by bike crossing the language barrier to enter the Flanders region where Flemish is the spoken language. Our destination for today is Oudenaarde. In former days this small town was situated on the border of the French and German empires and as a result it was frequently involved in wars. Since Oudenaarde was in the firing line, there was always a watchman. You can find a statue of the most famous watchman, Hanske de Krijger, in the splendid town hall which also displays a magnificent collection from the 16th and 17th Century as well as the Tour of Flanders Centre. The town hall was built in the first half of the 16th century with sandstone in Brabantine late Gothic style and is one of the most beautiful town halls of Flanders. Oudenaarde is also known as the town of the tapestry weavers, with their tapestry famous around the world. After dinner you might like to enjoy a Belgian beer at the atmospheric Market place.

Day 12 : Cycle Along The Scheldt River Through Idyllic Scenery To Ghent (45Km/27Mi)

Location: Ghent

Accommodation Name: barge

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We commence cycling from Oudenaarde and shortly after will briefly stop at the ruins of the old abbey of Ename, located on the river Scheldt. We continue following the river through the idyllic Ooidonk landscape towards Ghent, today's destination. Ghent is a lively university town with a rich history. It arose in Roman days at the confluence of the rivers Scheldt and Leie. Its favourable location brought great wealth, peaking in the late 13th and early 14th Centuries when it became a trade and textile city. The cloth industry was a source of great richness in the Middle Ages, and traders gathered in the "Lakenhal" (Cloth Hall) in 1425. Many patrician residences have been preserved in the city. The most important church is Saint Bavo's Cathedral, constructed in different centuries and in different styles. Here you can find several masterpiece paintings from the Middle Ages, the most famous of which is "The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb" by Jan van Eyck. In the evenings the city centre is a very atmospheric. There is the option of joining a canal tour to the centre (included) and visiting the castle Gravensteen.

Day 13 : Cruise To Aalterbrug Then Pass Villages And Castles To Bruges (34 Or 44Km/21 Or 28Mi)

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Location: Bruges

Accommodation Name: barge

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

During breakfast the barge will take us along the Ghent Canal to Aalterbrug. From here we cycle through wooded areas and fields and past quiet villages in the flat countryside of western Flanders before arriving in Bruges. Known as the "Venice of the North", you will have time to discover the most picturesque city in Flanders. From the 14th to the 16th Century it was renowned as one of Europe’s most important centres of banking and art, with its old centre dating from the Middle Ages almost completely intact.

Day 14 : In Bruges (22 Or 38Km/13 Or 23 Mi)

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Location: Bruges

Accommodation Name: barge

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today the barge will stay in Bruges. An optional bicycle ride through the pleasant countryside around Bruges will be offered, but you can also choose to spend your time in beautiful Bruges and eg visit a museum or do some shopping.

Day 15 : Trip Concludes In Bruges

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Location: Bruges

Meals Included: Breakfast

The trip concludes this morning in Bruges, with disembarkation by 9:30am.
Note: the trip operates in the reverse direction, from Bruges to Paris, every alternate departure. See below for details.

What's Included

  • Accommodation
    14 nights twin cabin

  • 14 breakfasts, 13 picnic lunches, 12 dinners Continental breakfasts are served and will usually consist of breads, cheese, ham, tea, coffee & juices. At breakfast you will prepare your packed lunch for the day which will be sandwiches, fruit & juice. Di

  • 14 nights accommodation aboard a comfortable barge in a cabin with ensuite facilities on a twin share basis. The compact cabins are configured with twin lower beds and have air conditioning

  • Experienced multilingual tour guide for fully guided cycling tours (two guides for group sizes of 18 passengers or more), daily briefings and several city walks

  • E-bike rental included plus helmet, pannier, lock, water bottle

  • Cycling Map (1 per cabin) plus navigational App with GPS tracks

  • Welcome drink and briefing on the first evening

  • Tea and coffee onboard

  • Daily cleaning of the cabin, 1x change of bed sheets

  • Ghent canal tour

  • Entrance to Clairiere de l'Armistice (Glade of the Armistice museum), Chateau Chantilly and Oudenaarde city hall

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What's Not Included

  • Drinks other than afternoon tea and coffee on board

  • 1 dinner (not in Peronne)

  • Entrance fees and excursions not specified

  • Transfers and public transport not specified

  • Tips - while tipping is not obligatory, it is customary to offer a tip if the guide and crew have done a good job. As a guide we would recommend EUR30-60 per person (to be distributed between the guide/s, captain and crew).

  • Items of a personal nature such as phone calls, laundry etc.

  • Catering for special diets (except Vegetarian). A supplement is payable for lactose or gluten free diets - EUR50pp (subject to change) - See below for further details regarding catering for dietary requirements.

  • Catering for special diets (except Vegetarian). A supplement is payable for example lactose or gluten free diets - EUR65pp (subject to change) paid locally on board.

Grading

This is an e-bike only trip. The cycling is graded moderate, with 13 days of cycling and distances from 18 to 66km/11 to 41mi along undulating usually well graded low traffic roads. There are some short stretches on some busier roads and off-road bike paths. There are some sections with short slopes with heights of up to 100m. You will spend approximately 5 hours cycling each day. The accent is on keeping a relaxed pace to take in all of the attractions, with time to stop and take photos. A good level of fitness and cycling experience is required to fully participate in this trip.

What You Carry

During the cycle day you will carry your daily requirements in the pannier provided with the bike. This may include your lunch, wet weather gear, mobile phone and water. A small daypack which can be kept inside the pannier is useful for sightseeing.

Mode of Transport

Travel by barge and bicycle, with daily cycling routes and scenic cruises along rivers and canals. The barge provides a relaxing mode of transport, while the cycling routes offer an active way to explore the picturesque landscapes.

Accommodation

Enjoy 14 nights aboard a comfortable barge in a twin-share cabin with ensuite facilities. The compact cabins are configured with twin lower beds, ensuring a cozy and pleasant stay throughout your journey.

Check out our Q&As

  • What type of accommodation is provided during the tour?

    The tour provides 14 nights aboard a comfortable barge in a twin-share cabin with ensuite facilities. The compact cabins are configured with twin lower beds, ensuring a cozy and pleasant stay throughout your journey.

  • What meals are included in the tour?

    The tour includes 14 breakfasts, 13 picnic lunches, and 13 dinners (12 dinners in 2025). Continental breakfasts are served and usually consist of breads, cheese, ham, tea, coffee, and juices. At breakfast, you will prepare your packed lunch for the day, which will be sandwiches.

  • What kind of bike is provided for the cycling tours?

    For the 2024 tour, a 21-speed trekking bike with a pannier, helmet, and water bottle is provided. An electric bike is available on request for an additional supplement. For the 2025 tour, it is an e-bike only tour, and the e-bike rental is included along with a helmet, pannier, and lock.

  • Are there any guided tours included in the itinerary?

    Yes, the tour includes one or two experienced multilingual tour guides for fully guided cycling tours (two guides for group sizes of 18 passengers or more). There are also daily briefings and several city walks.

  • What are some of the key highlights of the tour?

    Some key highlights include discovering the charming cities of Paris and Bruges, cycling through scenery that has inspired many famous painters, exploring the diverse regions of northern France and Flanders in Belgium, visiting the splendid Chantilly Chateau with its impressive art collection, and exploring the lively university town of Ghent with its rich history.

  • What is the difficulty level of the cycling routes?

    The cycling is moderate (3) grade with daily cycling distances from 18 to 66km/11 to 41mi along undulating usually well-graded low traffic roads. There are some short stretches on busier roads and off-road bike paths, with some sections having short slopes with heights of up to 100m. A good level of fitness and cycling experience is required to fully participate in this trip.

  • What should I carry during the cycling days?

    During the cycle day, you will carry your daily requirements in the pannier provided with the bike. This may include your lunch, wet weather gear, mobile phone, and water. A small daypack that can be kept inside the pannier is useful for sightseeing.

  • Is there WiFi available on the barge?

    Yes, WiFi is available on the barge.

  • Are there any additional costs not included in the tour price?

    Yes, additional costs not included in the tour price are travel to and from Paris/Bruges, meals not listed as included, drinks other than tea and coffee, travel insurance (mandatory), entrance fees and excursions not listed as included, transfers and public transport not listed as included, tips, car parking, bike insurance, and catering for special diets (except Vegetarian).

  • What happens on the first day of the tour?

    On the first day, embarkation and check-in are at 2pm in the center of Paris. After a welcome by the captain, crew, and tour leader, the barge will cruise right through the city. The mooring place for the night is a suburb of Paris. After a sailing dinner, there is time for a short walk.

  • How fit do I have to be?

    Our adventures are first and foremost holidays and can be undertaken by anyone in a reasonable state of health and fitness - however, please carefully read our Terms & Conditions when booking and view the trip grading. We rank our trips according to our honest Trip Grading System. We recommend that you familiarise yourself with our grading system by reading our detailed trip notes (which you can order through this site) and to speak with us about the physical requirements of your chosen trip.

  • What happens if something goes wrong?

    On our guided tours, you travel in small groups with a local multi-lingual guide whose knowledge of the terrain, flora, fauna and history of the region is exemplary. Our self guided tours give you the freedom to explore at your own pace - but they're not unsupported. We provide detailed route notes and maps and our local partners are on hand throughout the day in the unlikely event that something goes wrong. All we request is that you select a program that matches your level of fitness to ensure that you have a comfortable experience.

  • I'm travelling solo on a self-guided trip. Do I pay the single supplement or the single traveller surcharge?

    Most of our self guided trips are priced based on twinshare. If you are travelling solo the single traveller surcharge will apply. The single supplement would apply if you were travelling in a party with others and you had chosen to book a single room. You would never pay a single traveller surcharge and a single supplement.

Reviews from travellers on this tour

N. Haworth(Indooroopilly, Australia)  

Paris to Bruges Bike and Barge

23 Aug 2022

Zwaantje is a wonderful small ship with a great crew which made for a really enjoyable bike'n'barge experience.

J. Anderson(Wangaratta, Australia)  

Paris to Bruges Bike and Barge

18 Oct 2023

The barge Fleur was very comfortable and the crew was fantastic, very organised, polite and helpful. The bikes were well maintained and suitable for the riding conditions and the tour guides were professional. We enjoyed Karline's research about the towns and areas we travelled through. The chef Frank and his meals were a highlight, absolutely delicious. We had a great time, passing through rural countryside, small villages and staying in and near larger cities. The 40-60kms rides each day were relaxed and suitable for those with a moderate level of fitness. Serious cyclists would probably be frustrated with the pace.

Book with Confidence

  • Transfer as credit to Future Tours

    UTracks allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform utracks, 70 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    UTracks requires a minimum deposit of 250 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of utracks charges.

    Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 69 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.

    At 35 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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