Freewheel - Epernay to Paris

Epernay to Paris

France

From £1,250 P/P

Enjoy a journey along the shores of the Marne, on this wonderful Bike and Barge tour from Epernay, through the Champagne Region, to the French Capital, Paris. You will spend much of this tour in the iconic Champagne region, where Brie cheese is produced and many of the battles of the first World War were fought. The tour will finish in the 'City of Light', Paris, where you can take a stroll down the legendary Champs d' Elysees; the final sprint of the Tour de France.

The highlight of the tour is Paris, “la ville lumière”, where you can discover the city in style, with a guided tour.

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Itinerary
Itinerary

Day 1. Arrival into Epernay

Make your own way to Epernay. Embarkation and check-in will be from 2 pm. There will be a welcome meeting, with rental bike fitting, distribution, and test ride. Dinner tonight will be on board. There will also be a presentation of the tour program.

Day 2. Round Tour of Epernay (25 km - 16 miles)

The first half of your first bike tour will guide you along the quiet canal, which runs parallel to the Marne river, until you reach Ay and Mareuil-sur-Ay. You will return via Dizy and get the chance to visit Hautvillers; the legendary home of Champagne pioneer Dom Pérignon. After a somewhat challenging first ascent of the slopes up to the vineyards you will reach this picturesque village of Champagne, where you should look out for wine growers on the southern slopes of the Montagne de Reims.

A highlight of the morning is sure to be a visit to the chapel that houses the tomb of Dom Pérignon. According to the local tradition, local monk Dom Pérignon (1638-1715), who was in charge of the wine cellars of the abbey of Benedictine monks, was the first to succeed in blending various kinds of wine into a wine of superb quality.

After lunch, there is time for a stroll around the center of Epernay, which along with Reims, is a major wine center of the Champagne region. Epernay is characterized by town houses built in neo-renaissance style or classical style, dating from the 19th century.In Epernay, enjoy a Champagne tasting session and tour in a Champagne house on the famous Avenue de Champagne.

Day 3. Epernay– Château-Thierry (35/50 km - 19/35 miles)

Today is your first full day of cycling, and you will set out along the canal and Marne river. You will see the Château de Boursault, a large castle built in 1848 by the widow of Mr. Cliquot (Veuve Cliquot).She now lends her name a famous Champagne wine. After a ride up the northern valley slope to the village of Châtillon-sur-Marne, you will be rewarded with a stunning view over the Marne valley and the Champagne vineyards.

Today you will leave the official Champagne area. You will continue along the Marne river (or cruise) to Dormans, a quiet village on the Marne, where a castle and chapel stand in memory to the battle of the Marne. The shorter ride option ends in Dormans, where you can join the boat. For the longer ride, continue to the lock of Mont St. Pierre. Today’s destination is Château-Thierry, a town that takes its name from the castle that once stood proudly on the slopes above the Marne. The town was the site of the Battle of 1814 in the Napoleonic Wars between France and Prussia and of 1918

Day 4. Château-Thierry – La-Ferté-sous-Jouarre (45 km - 26 miles)

Today you will tackle a fairly challenging bike tour from Château-Thierry to La-Ferté-sous-Jouarre. The first part will lead you along the Marne river. Soon after, you will ride into a valley characterised by the quiet villages nestling there, and the pleasant country roads. En route today, you can make a stop at the large WW1 American War Cemetery and Monument near Belleau. Later, your route will take you along the route of the small river Clignon, where you will ride uphill, until finally you come to the plateau above the northern part of the Marne valley. The sides of the valley are covered mainly in woodland, while on the plateau, you will find a predominantly agricultural landscape. Now for the descent along the small river Ru de Bouillons, until you reach La-Ferté-sous-Jouarre, where you meet the barge. You will spend one night in La-Ferté-sous-Jouarre, or in one of the villages nearby.

Day 5. La Ferté-sous-Jouarre – Meaux (30/50 km - 18/32 miles)

This morning, the tour will lead you over the hills and slopes of the Marne valley. You will cycle through forests and small villages on the banks of the river. On the way you may wish to make a stop at the Château de Montceau, which was Catherine de Médicis residence in the 16th century. Today’s destination is the city of Meaux , famous for its cheeses (“Brie de Meaux”)and the magnificent Cathedral St.-Etienne. This afternoon, you can enjoy a tasting of the famous Brie de Meaux and Brie noir cheeses, and take a stroll through the historical city center of Meaux. Tonight, you will dine at one of the many restaurants in Meaux (not included) and spend the night on board.

Day 6. Meaux – Lagny-sur-Marne (20/45 km - 13/26 miles)

Take time this morning to visit the beautiful city center of Meaux. Today your ride will take you mainly along the Marne river and its parallel canal. The last challenge on the tour is the hill near Chalifert. The barge will go through the tunnel crossing this hill, and later this afternoon, you will meet the barge in Lagny-sur-Marne, where you will spend the night.

Day 7. Lagny-sur-Marne – Paris (35 km - 21 miles)

Today we will head out, once again, along the river Marne. After about 10 km you will pass the castle of Champs-sur Marne. The Château de Champs-sur-Marne is a prime example of the leisure residences built in the countryside in the 18th century, that gave rise to a new style of living. It is one of the most magnificently furnished châteaux in the Ile-de-France. Zwaantje will wait for you just outside Paris to cover the last kilometers by ship to the mooring in the heart of Paris.

Day 8. Paris: end of tour.

After breakfast at 09:00 am, your tour will come to an end. Disembarkation in Paris.
Route Overview

Route Overview

Route Overview:

The tour winds along the valley of the Marne and through the world famous Champagne wine region. Even if most part of the route follows the river and its tributaries, the itinerary will also take you on some countryside roads in a hilly territory, and there are some difficult ascents. You will rarely cycle on bike paths and mainly on paved low traffic roads.

Total Distance: 250 km (approx)

Difficulty: Medium/Challenging

Route Map (For guidance only):

Routes maybe subject to change or alteration. All route notes, maps and day-by-day information will be given to you upon arrival at the first hotel or at the welcome meeting. GPS/GPX Files are available for most our the cycling holidays we offer. Please ask us for details.

This tour is not suitable for persons with reduced mobility.
Getting There

Getting There

By plane
The best way to reach Epernay is by flying to Paris, which has 3 airports, Charles de Gaulle (30 km away from the point of embarkation), Orly (15 km away from the point of embarkation) and Beauvais (80 km away from the point of embarkation).

- From the airport Charles de Gaulle:
Take a train RER from Charles de Gaulle to reach directly Epernay. For further information please visit the website: www.voyages-sncf.com

- From the airport Orly:
Take the subway to Gare de L’Est. From here take a train to Epernay. For further information please visit the website: www.voyages-sncf.com

- From the airport Beauvais:
Take the bus line 30 to the centre of Beauvais. Here take a train to Epernay (1 or 2 changes). For further information please visit the website: www.voyages-sncf.com.

By train
You can take a train to Paris and from the station Gare de l’Est take a train to Eperay. Visit the website www.voyage-sncf.com for further information.

By car
You can park you car for the whole week at:
- parking Gare d’Epernay, address Cour de la Gare (near the station). Price for 7 days ca. 30 €. For further information: https://www.effia.com/en
- parking Rempart Perrier, 10 Place Léon Bourgeois, Epernay (near the station). Price per day ca. 15 €.
What’s Included?
What’s Included?

Included
- 7 overnights
- full board (breakfast, packed lunch and dinner - excluding drinks)
- accompanying material
- english speaking tour leader
- Champagne and Brie tasting
- use of bed linen and towels
- hotline service
Not included
- Transport to and from departure point
- 1 dinner in Meaux
- All drinks on board
- Entrance fees to tourist attractions
- Anything that is not mentioned under included
Bike Hire

Bike Hire
Hotels
Hotels

ZWAANTIJE

The Zwaantje (little Swan) is a new built passenger barge.

The cabins
On the lower deck, the Zwaantje has 12 comfortable guest cabins.
- 10 twins (7 m² – 75 sq.ft.) with two separate single beds
- 2 doubles (6 m² – 65 sq.ft.) with one double bed.
Each cabin has a private shower, toilet and basin. All cabins have ventilation, central heating, air-conditioning and a window. Furthermore, in each cabin you will find a mini safe and hair dryer.

The windows in the doubles can be opened, the windows in the twins are fixed for safety reasons.

Common areas
On the upper deck you will find the nice and cozy salon with heating, air conditioning, large panoramic windows, a restaurant area, lounge corner and a small bar. Wi-Fi is available.

The Zwaantje also has a very spacious sun deck with chairs and tables where you can relax, enjoy the scenery while sailing or join the skipper in the wheel house.

In brief:
- Passengers (max): 24
- Private bathroom
- Towels
- Air conditioning
- Wi Fi
- Hair dryer

Date & Prices

You can find out more about this cycling holiday by completing a Contact Form or call 0161 703 8161 to speak to one of the team.

2021 Cycling Holiday Prices:

Trip	Date Band	Arrival Day
Trip 1:	05.06. to 12.06.2021	Saturday
Trip 2:	19.06. to 26.06.2021	Saturday

Category A Information:

Season	Prices per person excluding bike hire
Season 1:	£1250
Single Room Supplement:	£615
Rental Bike:	£80
Electric Bike Upgrade:	£175

Date From	Date To
05 June 2021	12 June 2021
19 June 2021	26 June 2021

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