Cycle through the beautiful landscapes of Northern France and Flanders, from Paris to Bruges. Through forests and farm lands along the River Seine, Oise, Somme, Scarpe and Scheldt.
Travel through Oudenaarde and Ghent, past the cathedrals, towns and cities inspiring many famous painters including Van Gogh and Van Eyck.
The tour will take you through many settings from the First and Second World Wars, such as the Armistice Museum and the Péronne museum.
Day 1: Paris
The embarkation is at 14.00 in the center of Paris. After the welcome by the captain, the crew and the tour guide will have some time left for a walk to the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Ile de la Cité.
Day 2: Paris - Bougival, approx. 35 km
During breakfast, the ship travels across the Seine through the center of Paris. At 10.30 you can go on board for a nice bike ride. Of course you can also stay on board and enjoy the view while the ship leaves the city of Paris. The ship Zwaantje is located outside the city.
Day 3: Paris (Bougival) - Auvers-sur-Oise, approx. 42-46 km
After breakfast you will cycle along quiet country roads along the Seine to the higher altitude St. Germain, where you have a magnificent view of the gardens of Le Nôtre. After that Forest area to Conflans with picnic in beautiful place. It continues after a short Stop at the bridge of Pontoise, over the picturesque Chemin des Monts to the small church from Auvers, which is known by Van Gogh’s paintings. During an evening walk we visit his grave.
Day 4: Auvers-sur-Oise - Beaumont - Creil - Pont-Ste- Maxence, approx. 43 km
During breakfast, the ship travels to Beaumont. In Beaumont we get on the bike, where we follow the Oise upstream. By bike you will pass the abbey of Royaumont as one of the best preserved from the 13th century applies. At noon we reach the magical Chantilly, a magnificent castle with an impressive art collection and a big name in the equestrian world.
Day 5: Pont-Ste-Maxence - Compiègne, approx. 39-49 km
During breakfast the Zwaantje takes us to Pont Sainte Maxence. This city owes its name to the long-built bridge over the Oise, Pont-Ste-Maxence. This made the place a favorite lodging spot for kings and merchants along the way were to Flanders. From here begins your bike ride. Not far from here you pass the Abbey of Moncel, founded in 1309 by King Philips le Bel. Before you reach today’s destination Compiègne, you cross the forest of the same name "Forêt de Compiègne ". This was a popular hunting ground of the French kings. At the longer Tour is even longer in the woods on the way and also visits the city of Pierrefond, which offers a fantastic view of the imposing castle. Compiègne owes its architectural wealth close to Paris. The green areas of the castle Compiègne are certainly worth a visit.
Day 6: Compiègne – Pont l’Évêque, approx. 42-51 km
Today you leave the Oise to continue your journey on the canal system, which connects France and Belgium. In the morning you cycle through the northernmost part of the forest of Compiègne. The first stop is l’Armistice de la Clairière, an important city in the first World War, in which the end of the war was signed. After the river Aisne Crossing, you drive directly through the forest of Ourscamp. In the afternoon you spend some time in Noyon, where you can visit one of the oldest cathedrals in the country. After this tour you will cycle back to the canal at Pont l’Évêque, where the boat is already waiting for you.
Day 7: Pont l’Évêque – Haudival Haudival – Péronne, approx. 47-56 km
Today you continue your journey on and along the Canals du Nord. The construction of this canal was already planned in 1903, but only in 1966 the work could be completed. He should be the old one Replace Canal de St. Quentin to better transport coal from the mines to the north. The old canal was built in 1801 on behalf of Napoleon. During breakfast the boat drives to Haudival where the next bike ride starts. It leads through a gentle sweeping open terrain over the Art Deco town Ham and further along the Somme with its picturesque villages to Péronne. The Zwaantje is outside of this charming little town with its secluded market square, the church, a fort and the captivating Musée de Grande Guerre.
Day 8: Péronne
Today the Zwaantje remains in Péronne. You have time to visit the museum strolling through the village or doing some shopping. Dinner in a restaurant of your choice (not incl., restaurant recommendations available on board).
Day 9: Péronne – Ytres – Moeuvres, approx. 40-52 km
The first part of your tour takes you through the Somme river valley. We continue cycling on the Somme along through a sparsely populated, open hills to reach Ruyaulcourt. The Canal du Nord has two tunnels through which the ship has to pass. Of the Tunnel of Ruyalcourt is the larger tunnel with 4350 m length. Once everyone is on board, the Zwaantje drives through this tunnel. Above this tunnel is the watershed between the rivers Escaut (Scheldt) and Somme. From there, the ship will sail again downhill towards Arleux. Mooring in the outskirts of Moeuvres.
Day 10: Moeuvres – Cambrai – Arleux - Pont Malin, approx. 37-54 km
Today we will visit Cambrai, a lively provincial town with historic monuments and a beautiful park to picnic in and then past the marshlands of Chantraine on to rural Arleux.
Day 11: Pont Malin – Doornik (Tournai), approx. 47-51 km
Today, the Zwaantje follows the Canal du Grand Gabarit for a few hours, passing the former industrial region of Northern France. Old coal mines and steelworks line the canal. Today’s bike tour starts in Arleux. It leads you through over wide agricultural areas through small mining towns to Lewarde, where you can visit a mining museum. Arriving in Belgium, you drive through the so-called "white land". The charming little one Fortress town Antoing is located in the heart of this region, in limestone since Roman times was dismantled. Today’s destination is Doornik (French: Tournai), one of the oldest Cities of Belgium. You are now in Wallonia, the French-speaking part of Belgium, in which all places have both a Flemish and a French name. Until the beginning of the 17th century, Doornik was ruled by France. Here reached the Carpet weaving has become increasingly important, while the textile industry has lost its influence. In the City there are several museums that show beautiful examples from this period. 1940 became the city center was completely destroyed by a German air raid and became afterwards again constructed with great care. Here is especially the Notre Dame Cathedral (12th -13th century) worth a visit, as well as the Belfort, which was built around 1200.
Day 12: Doornik (Tournai) - Oudenaarde, approx. 41-43 km
The ship travels downstream over the Scheldt, where you cross the language border to reach Flanders region. From here on Flemish is spoken. Your today’s destination is called Oudenaarde. In earlier times, this small town was on the border between the French and German Empire and was thereby repeatedly drawn into wars. Since it was exactly in the line of fire, there was a permanent lookout. The figure of most famous watch post, "Hanske de Krijger", stands on the dome of the magnificent town hall. In the first half of the 16th century this counts with sandstone in later Brabant gothic Built building among the most beautiful town halls in Flanders. Oudenaarde was also called a city the carpet weaving known. The carpets were world famous.
Day 13: Oudenaare - Gent, approx. 41 km
Shortly after you leave for your next tour in Oudenaarde, you can take one short stop at the ruins of the old abbey Ename, which lay on the Scheldt. You continue towards Ghent, your destination today. Ghent is a living one University city with a rich history. Originally Roman, and at the confluence Ghent and Leie, Ghent was rich in the late 13th and early 14th centuries Commercial and textile town; of which the Lakenhal, the cathedral and the town hall bear witness. In the Lakenhalle (1425) substances were traded. The most significant church is the St. Baafs Cathedral, which was built in several centuries and different architectural styles. In the Cathedral are some masterpieces of medieval artists to visit. The most famous Painting is probably "The Adoration of the Lamb of God" by Jan van Eyck. Possibility to take a tour to the city center or visit the old castle Gravensteen.
Day 14: Gent - Alterbrug - Bruges, approx. 34-44 km
During breakfast the MS Zwaantje will take us to Aalterbrug where we will get on our bikes and cycle through wooded areas and fields, past quiet villages and castles to the Hertsberge estate, where there is an interesting agricultural museum to visit. Timely arrival in Bruges, the most picturesque city in Flanders and from the 14th to the 16th Century renowned as one of Europe’s most important centers of banking and art, and during the romantic period rediscovered for time travel in the Middle Ages.
Day 15: Bruges
After breakfast you will leave the ship. Disembarkation till 09.30.
We recommend flying to Charles de Gaulle, Paris Orly or Paris Beauvais airport to reach the starting point of this cycling holiday.
Flights: are available with a number of airlines to your required airport or you can travel to the start using alternative methods such as rail or road.
We recommend using Skyscanner to find the best flight prices by date or Rail Europe for European rail travel. Please contact us for more details.
Please use local transport to arrive at the starting point or call us on 0161 703 8161 for more specific travel advice.
Important: Please book your flights only after the cycling holiday has been confirmed by invoice or email. Flights and transfers are not included in the advertised holiday price.
Included services:
The MV Fleur started cruising in 2002. This tasteful passenger barge with its sleek lines was built to fit the smaller locks and canals in France and has been cruising the French waters ever since. Reint Dragt has been the owner for many years now. These years of experience and commitment are reflected in every detail and guarantee that your vacation will be a pleasant one. The Fleur can accommodate a maximum of 20 guests on her trips on the French waterways.
The Fleur has two decks. On the top deck there is a lounge with large windows, a roomy sitting area, a cozy bar and a half-covered sun deck. The sundeck is the ideal place to drink a cup of coffee or an aperitif. In the lounge the Fleur offers free Wi-Fi. Please note that due to the mobile network connection, the quality is not always stable. The salon has central heating and air-conditioning.
On the lower deck the Fleur has 10 comfortable guest cabins (8 m², single beds). Each cabin has a private shower, toilet and basin. Also the cabins have central heating and air-conditioning. In each cabin you will find a small safe and hair dryer.
You can find out more about this cycling holiday by calling 0161 703 8161 to speak to one of the team.
Ship | Departure Date |
MV Fleur: | 25.09.2021 to 09.10.2021 |
Room Type | Prices per person excluding bike hire |
2 Bed Cabin: | £2305 |
2 Bed Cabin Single Use: | £3450 |
Rental Bike 21 Gear Unisex: | £180 |
Electric Bike Upgrade: | £400 |
Date From | Date To |
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25 September 2021 | 25 September 2021 |