Freewheel - Loire by Bike & Boat Clair de Lune

Loire by Bike & Boat Clair de Lune

France

From £1,035 P/P

The Loire Valley between the cities of Nevers and Briare in the heart of France is a very well suited region for a relaxing bike and barge holiday. Following the flow of the Loire River you gently ride through the green countryside with charming little villages and old castles and palaces. The rich landscape boasts many fruitful vineyards. Especially well known are the Sancerre and Pouilly Fumé wines. Both wines are reckoned to be among the most prestigious in the world. You will also see impressive examples of canal building engineering along the Canal lateral du Loire.

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Itinerary
Itinerary

Day 1: Nevers
Make your own way into Nevers, in good time for the start of the tour. Embarkation will be from approx. 2 pm. Tesst bike ride, on your rental bikes in the surrounding countryside. After diner you can enjoy an evening stroll through the historic old town of Nevers.This city is famous for its production of ceramics and is also one of the major pilgrimage centres of France because the city hosts the body of Bernadette Soubirous (1844-1879). The Old Town, with its narrow and winding streets, is full of buildings and palaces that date back to the 17th century.

Day 2: Nevers – Gimouille, approx. 25 km
The first ride of the week will be a short cycle in the heart of France. You will head to the sleepy village of Gimoulle on the Canal lateral du Loire. But first, if you didn't have time to do so yesterday, you can explore the town of Nevers. There is so much to see here, including the winding streets of the old town, that are filled with houses dating back from the 14th to 17th century. The origins of Nevers go all the way back to Roman times. Nevers has been since the 5th century, the seat of the bishop and has among its many historic buildings a castle and a few interesting churches.

Day 3: Gimouille – Cours-les-Barres, approx. 40 km
Today will start with a visit to the aqueduct over the Allier River. Here you will find two impressive locks, both measuring about 9 meters high, they really are a must see feature! With some luck and good planning you might see the Clair de Lune pass through here, high above the river. Later, you will end up in the small town of Apremont, where you will have the opportunity to visit the 12th-century castle and surrounding fabulous gardens. Riding north from Apremont you pass wooded areas with nice villages, castles and country estates.

Day 4: Cours-les-Barres – Sancerre, approx.45 km
Right after breakfast you will hop on your bikes and begin this days cycling tour through the region of the Pouilly Fumé wines to La Charité-sur-Loire, an ancient Roman town. Crossing the 16th century stone bridge to the center, there is a splendid view overlooking the town and its Notre Dame church. Continue towards the final destination of today, the wine town of Sancerre. In Ménétréol, situated under the Sancerre vineyards, there will be an opportunity to try some wine before returning to the ship.

Day 5: Sancerre – Belleville-sur-Loire, approx.50 km
Sancerre wines, and especially the white wines, are famous all over the world. The first mentioning of winegrowing in this region dates back to the 6th century. Until the 19th century the region mostly grew Pinot grapes, but after a disease that devastated the grapes Sauvignon is now mostly grown. And with success! The ride today takes you on a picturesque route right across the Sancerre vineyards and through the surrounding villages to the charming village of Belleville-sur-Loire.

Day 6: Belleville-sur-Loire – Briare, approx. 45 km
Todays bike ride to Briare leads you through typical French countryside with rolling hills, country estates and small villages. On the way you will pass the historical locks of Châtillon-sur-Loire and ride on to St. Brisson, where you will see the impressive medieval castle. We end the day with a visit to the magnificent aqueduct over the Loire River in Briare. We spend the last two nights moored in the typical French small-town of Briare

Day 7: Briare – Rogy-les-sept-Écluses- Briare, approx. 50 km
Your last bike ride this week will lead you to the castle of ’Pont Chevron,’ situated on a small, picturesque lake. Around lunchtime you will be in the village Rogny-les-Sept-Écluses, known for its historical seven locks. Via the 16th-century castle near Bléneau you will cycle through a region of lakes to Ouzouer-sur-Trézée and eventually back to Briare. A worthy ending of your bike adventure in the heart of France.

Day 8: Briare
Individual trip home or extended stay in France. Disembarkation before 10 a.m.

Itinerary Briare - Nevers

Day 1: Briare
Individual arrival and embarkation at approx. 2 pm. Tryout bike ride in the surrounding countryside.

Day 2: Briare – Rogny-les-sept-Écluses – Briare, 50 km
Our first real bike ride this week will lead us to the castle of ‘Pont Chevron,’ situated on a small, picturesque lake. Around lunchtime on this first cycling day you will be in the village Rogny-les-Sept-Écluses, known for its historical seven locks. Via the 16th-century castle near Bléneau you will cycle through a region of lakes to Ouzouer-sur-Trézée and eventually back to Briare.

Day 3: Briare – Belleville-sur-Loire, 45 km
Today we start with a visit to the magnificent aqueduct over the Loire River in Briare. With some luck and good planning you might see the Clair de Lune pass through here, high above the river. Later you ride to St. Brisson, where you will see the impressive medieval castle. Further on you will pass the historical locks of Châtillon-sur-Loire. The bike ride towards Belleville-sur-Loire leads you through typical French countryside with rolling hills, country estates and small villages.

Day 4: Belleville-sur-Loire – Sancerre, 50 km
Sancerre wines, and especially the white wines, are famous all over the world. The first mentioning of winegrowing in this region dates back to the 6th century. Until the 19th century the region mostly grew Pinot grapes, but after a disease that devastated the grapes Sauvignon is now mostly grown. And with success! The ride today takes you on a picturesque route right across the Sancerre vineyards and through the surrounding villages. In Ménétréol, situated under the Sancerre vineyards, there will be an opportunity to try some wine before returning to the Clair de Lune.

Day 5: Sancerre – Cours-les-Barres, 45 km
Right after breakfast you will hop on your bikes and begin this days cycling tour through the region of the Pouilly Fumé wines to La Charité-sur-Loire, an ancient Roman town. Crossing the 16th century stone bridge to the center, there is a splendid view overlooking the town and its Notre Dame church. Continue towards the destination of today, Cours-les-Barres.

Day 6: Cours-les-Barres – Gimouille, 40 km
Riding south from Cours-les-Barres you pass nice wooded areas with again many nice villages and country estates. Later in the day you will end up in the small town of Apremont, where you will have the opportunity to visit the 12th-century castle and surrounding fabulous gardens. After, you will continue to the sleepy village of Gimouille on the Canal Lateral du Loire. On the way a visit to the aqueduct over the Allier River with its two impressive locks both measuring about 9 meters high is a must do!

Day 7: Gimouille – Nevers, 25 km
We end this week in the heart of France with a short ride to the town of Nevers where there are many sites to see including the winding streets filled with houses dating back from the 14th to 17th century. The origins of Nevers date back to Roman times. Nevers is since the 5th century the seat of the bishop and has among others a castle and a few interesting churches. To celebrate the end of your cycling week you can of course also take a well-earned rest on the several terraces in town and enjoy the local wine.

Day 8: Nevers
Individual trip home or extended stay in France. Disembarkation before 10 a.m
Route Overview

Route Overview
Getting There

Getting There
What’s Included?

What’s Included?

Included services:

7 nights on board in cabin with private facilities full board (breakfast, packed lunch for bike days, dinner)

coffee & tea on board

cycling tour guide min. 3 city walks with tour guide

all port, bridges and dock charges

ferry fares on the route

free WiFi , up to 100 MB limited available in lounge and on deck

GPS Tracks (on request)

maps and information material per cabin
Bike Hire
Bike Hire

Bicycles inclusive panniers:

The offered bikes are hybrid bikes with an aluminium frame and kitted with responsive brakes and gears. Plus: mudguards, trip computers, comfort gel saddles, flat-palmed grips, Schwalbe Marathon anti-puncture tyres. E-bikes are also available for this tours, while kids’ bikes and accessories are at hand for all family-friendly holidays.

You can choose between the following bikes:
- 24-speed-hybrid-bike
- E-bikes unisex
- children seat, children trailer, Child bike
E-bikes
By popular demand, we have now invested in a considerable number of e-bikes, much favoured by cyclists who love the Great Outdoors, but prefer to let the bike take the strain. Our research has led us to:

With an electro bike every bike tour is a breeze! The shiftable, low noise electric drive of our modern E-bike relieves you of some of the work and increases the pedal force up to 3 times ... Acclivity can be handled easily.

Your bike has 24 gears, a detachable lithium-Ion battery, hand brakes, pannier bags, bike helmet, a good lock, water bottle and you can get a repair kit. We draw your attention to the fact that you will be held responsible for damage to or theft of the bike, as long as the bike is not on board. (the E-bike has a value of more than € 2000,-). Never leave it unattended. Always lock it and fasten it to a fixed object, and don’t forget to remove the information panel.

A note to our customers: Electric bikes are a great thing! However, due to their characteristics (high weight + high speed) they should only be booked by very experienced and safe cyclists with a good sense of balance. E-bikes are not appropriate for persons who do not ride bikes frequently.

Private bicycles

You are welcome to bring your own bicycle. This is adapted especially to your needs. Do not forget to bring a repair kit with all necessary tools such as: keys, reserve tube and lock. Please check your own bicycle for operability upon arrival.

Date & Prices

Seasonal Dates:

Season	Dates	Direction
Season 2	14.08. - 21.08.21	Briare - Nevers
Season 2	28.08. - 04.09.21	Briare - Nevers
Season 3	11.09. - 18.09.21	Briare - Nevers
Season 2	25.09. - 02.10.21	Briare - Nevers
Season 1	09.10. - 16.10.21	Briare - Nevers
Season 2	21.08. - 28.08.21	Nevers - Briare
Season 3	04.09. - 11.09.21	Nevers - Briare
Season 3	18.09. - 25.09.21	Nevers - Briare
Season 2	02.10. - 09.10.21	Nevers - Briare
Season 1	16.10. - 23.10.21	Nevers - Briare

Information:

Season	Prices per person excluding bike hire
2-bed-cabin - Season 1	£1035.00
2-bunk-bed-cabin - Season 1	£1035.00
1-bed-cabin - Season 1	£1160.00
2-bed-cabin - Season 2	£1135.00
2-bunk-bed-cabin - Season 2	£1135.00
1-bed-cabin - Season 2	£1240.00
2-bed-cabin - Season 3	£1230.00
2-bunk-bed-cabin - Season 3	£1230.00
1-bed-cabin - Season 3	£1390.00

Bicycles & equipment:

Bicycles & equipment
24-speed-bike incl. helmet	£115.00
E-bike incl. helmet	£215.00
Children bike	£75.00
Children seat	£20.00
Tagalong	£70.00
Children trailer	£240.00
special diet (gluten free)*	£60.00

Date From	Date To
14 August 2021	23 October 2021

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