Bruges to Paris by Bike and Boat (and reverse)

4/5 (12)
7 nights
30 miles/day
Guided from EUR € 1225
Countries: Belgium and France
Rider Level: Recreational Electric bike tours Bike and boat tours

Bruges to Paris by Bike and Boat (and reverse)

4/5 (12)

Rider Level: Recreational Electric bike tours Bike and boat tours

7 nights
30 miles/day

Guided from EUR € 1225
Bike and Boat Tour aboard Feniks
Countries: Belgium and France

Tap above to jump to different sections of this tour

  • Enjoy a treasure trove of experiences between the Pearl of Flanders and City of Light

    Along this route, you can choose programs of 7 or 14 nights. The full 14 night program will take you from Bruges to Paris, or from Paris to Bruges. If there is enough interest, excursions to memorials and interesting sites of the Great War may be organized.

    Aboard the Feniks, this tour takes you through Belgium and France. On every tour, your guides and crew will introduce you to the famous attractions that have earned these towns and cities their illustrious reputations and to the undiscovered treasures of each country that will make your experience unique, authentic, and unforgettable.

    From the well-preserved historical towns of beautiful Belgium to the little villages and the iconic capital of fabulous France, you'll cycle along quiet country roads, scenic towpaths, paved forest trails, and the occasional cobblestone road. Along the way, you'll visit several castles, a town where Van Gogh lived and painted, the well-known war museum in Péronne, a mining museum in Lewarde, and two iconic cities: Bruges - 'Pearl of the Flanders' - and Paris - 'City of Light'.

    Each day, your guide will take you on a captivating tour of around 25-30 miles, though, if you'd prefer a longer or shorter distance, they can provide you with maps and all the information you'll need. You can also stay on the boat and enjoy the passing landscapes from the comfort of the sundeck. In the evenings, your guide will usually lead a stroll around town, providing you with an overview of its attractions and history. You'll be served delicious meals that introduce you to a country's specialities, and your guide will be on-hand to ensure you have the holiday of a lifetime.

    • View of Paris, France from Notre Dame Cathedral. Pedro Lastra@Unsplash
    • Fancy shopping in Paris, France! Marcel Linbric@Unsplash
    • Eiffel Tower, Paris, France. Dexezekiel, Unsplash
    • The Louvre, Paris, France. Michael Fousert, Unsplash
    • Ghent, East Flanders, Belgium. ©Hollandfotograaf
    • Paris, France. Leonard Cotte@Unsplash
    • Château de Versailles & Gardens. Armand Khoury, Unsplash
    • Lots of canals in Bruges, West Flanders, Belgium. ©Hollandfotograaf

    View more photos

    Highlights

    • Bruges, known for its open-air museum feel
    • Ghent, with its lively and cozy historical center
    • Tournai, one of the oldest cities in Belgium
    • Péronne, near a famous battleground from World War I
    • Pierrefonds, one of the most majestic fortified castles in France
    • Auvers sur L'oise, a village where Van Gogh produced over 70 paintings and now home to a small museum in his memory
    • Versailles, one of the largest palace complexes in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site
    • Paris (Notre Dame, Eiffel Tower, and more)

    Learn More

    Learn more about guided tours.

    Interested in adding to your itinerary? Take a look at our cycling day tours in Bruges and Paris.


    Bruges to Paris

    Photos 

  • Traveler photos

    • American military cemetery in France (photo by David Baker)
    • Typical group riding day (photo by David Baker)
    • Photo 1 (photo by Oddly)
    • Mail carrier, typical street in Bruges (photo by Oddly)
    • Mooring spot (photo by Oddly)
  • Daily program

    Along this route, you can choose programs of 7 or 14 nights. The full 14 nights will take you from Bruges to Paris, or from Paris to Bruges. The program details are listed below. If there is enough interest, excursions to memorials and interesting sites of the Great War may be organized.

    • Bruges to Péronne to Paris

      Day 1: Bruges (11 miles/18km)
      At 2:00 pm, you'll be welcomed aboard the boat in beautiful Bruges. There'll be an opportunity to test your bike on a ride into the surrounding countryside, and to enjoy a guided walk around town in the evening. Bruges, the 'Pearl of the Flanders', is an exceptional city well worth the visit.

      Overnight in Bruges.

      Day 2: Bruges – Ghent (37 or 25 miles/60 or 40km)
      Today's ride into the typical Flanders countryside will see you discovering small villages, atmospheric patches of forest, and rich fields and pastures before you approach the thriving city of Ghent. Ghent boasts a fascinating history, visible in the layout and buildings in the center, which is home to such highlights as St. Bavo's Cathedral (containing the famous painting The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb by the van Eyck brothers), a castle, the Museum of Fine Arts, and more. In the evening, sparkling lights and the warm glow emanating from bustling restaurants give Ghent a cozy, intimate feel. Today, you'll have the option to cover the first leg of the tour aboard the ship and join the group by bike a little later.

      Overnight in Ghent.

      Day 3: Ghent – Oudenaarde (28 miles/45km)
      Today features another lovely ride through the Flanders countryside, partially following the River Schelde. Today's goal is Oudenaarde, famous for its town hall, church, beer breweries, and the Tour of Flanders Center (by bike). You'll enjoy a walk in town after your arrival.

      Overnight in Oudenaarde.

      Day 4: Oudenaarde – Tournai (28 or 34 miles/45 or 55km)
      There's the option to visit the center this morning whilst the museums are open. The tour continues onwards through the Schelde River Valley. After crossing the Flemish/French language border, this river is called the Escaut! To the left, grand hills dominate a beautiful horizon. The ancient cobblestone roads snaking around these are famous for being part of the Tour of Flanders speed cycling race. Diehard fans can try one or two themselves!

      Stop for lunch in a charming little village. The afternoon goal is to reach Tournai, where you can watch large ships sailing through the medieval watergate. The town center is on the UNESCO World Heritage Site list, dominated by an immense cathedral with 5 towers!

      Overnight in Tournai.

      Day 5: Tournai – Arleux (50km)
      Today's tour begins with an early sail - the ship has to cover quite a distance today due to a large loop in the river. Lovely riding will follow as you venture into atmospheric forests and visit St. Amand-Les-Eaux, home to a grand abbey tower.

      You'll explore the relatively narrow belt of land between the English Channel and the German Ruhr area next, an area that once supported major coal mining in the 19th and early 20th centuries, with relics of the industry still visible in the landscape, including in the vibrant red brick buildings.

      Overnight in Arleux.

      Day 6: Arleux – Moislains (31 miles/50km)
      Arleux is at the beginning of the Canal du Nord, and the sail today may be a little longer depending on shipping traffic and how easily the many locks can be navigated. The plan will be to moor near the village of Moslains, where a night in the quiet French countryside boasts a charm of its own.

      Today you'll enter the agricultural landscapes of Northern France, and you may encounter a few slopes along the way. The town of Cambrai (once a part of the Netherlands during the 16th century) is nearby, and you may have time to visit depending on the today's cycling start time.

      Overnight in Moislains.

      Day 7: Moislains – Peronne (12 or 28 miles/20 or 45km)
      Enjoy a short ride today into the town of Péronne, following the canal, and with at least one serious slope. In the afternoon, you'll have the option for another ride with a lovely halfway point.

      Overnight in Péronne.

      Day 8: Péronne
      In Péronne, the Historial - the war museum in the castle - is well worth visiting. There is another local museum in the center, and guests who are interested in the history of the Great War of 1914-18 can use their day off to explore one or more places connected with World War I. To the west, for example, in the direction of Amiens, you'll find the Australian sector. Your guide can give you more information at the beginning of your journey, which you'll set out on independently via taxi, for example (not included in tour price).

      Overnight in Péronne.

      Day 9: Péronne – Pont l'Eveque (31 or 40 miles/50 or 65km)
      An early sail or an afternoon sail will be part of the itinerary today. Between Péronne and Compiegne there will be a few hills to conquer. This is a landscape typical of Northern France, featuring undulating fields and quaint little villages. Noyon has a very old, intriguing cathedral to discover, around 3 km away from the mooring point near Pont l’Eveque.

      Overnight in Pont l'Eveque.

      Day 10: Pont l'Eveque – Compiegne (25 or 31 miles/40 or 50km)
      Enjoy an atmospheric ride through the forest, one serious slope, and a glide through the verdant valley of St. Crépinaux-Bois. You'll pay a visit to the forested Clairiere de l’Armistice (armistice site, 1918/1940) before continuing along the rivers of Aisne and Oise into Compiegne. After your arrival in Compiegne, you'll have time to spend in the historic town, where you can discover the Palace Museum and the town's links to Joan of Arc.

      Overnight in Compiegne.

      Day 11: Compiegne – Creil (25 or 31 miles/40 or 50km)
      Today's ride begins with a fun venture into the immense forest east of town, including a visit to the castle of Pierrefonds, restored and rebuilt in the 19th century by the famous architect Violet le Duc. Between the trees, you'll discover the village of St. Jean-aux-Bois and the Roman ruins just to the south, whilst a short ride along a new bike path next to the river brings you to Béthisy-St. Pierre. From here, you'll cycle to the ship for the sail to the mooring place on the Oise river in Creil.

      Overnight in Creil.

      Day 12: Creil – Cergy-Pontoise (31 miles/50km)
      Today's ride ventures into a wooded area with lovely bike paths. There are a few options for sites to visit: the town of Senlis, the Chantilley Castle, and Royaumont Abbey. Part of the distance today will be covered by the sail between mooring places.

      En route to Pontoise, you'll make a stop near the little town of Auvers, connected with the famous Dutch painter Vincent Van Gogh, who spent some of his last months here producing a number of paintings. Enjoy a guided walk to hear about the history of this sweet town.

      Overnight in Cergy-Pontoise.

      Day 13: Cergy-Pontoise – Bougival (12 or 28 miles/20 or 45km)
      Sailing downstream along the River Oise and then upstream along the Seine is one of the highlights of this tour! As you cycle today, you'll find many interesting things to visit in a short distance. The bike ride can begin in Pontoise or Conflans-St. Honorine, an old river port where the Seine and Oise meet. Between Conflans and Bougival, the distance is less than 30 km.

      Discover a center for horse riding in Maisons Lafitte. In the next town, St. Germain-en-Laye, discover a museum with an impressive collection of human artifacts from the early days of man until the early Middle Ages. Just 4 km away from Bougival, mainly following bike paths, you'll find the Chateau Museum of Malmaison with its beautiful park, once the dwelling place of Napoleon and his first wife, Joséphine. It's an intimate alternative to a visit to the grand but crowded chateau at Versailles.

      Overnight in Bougival.

      Day 14: Bougival – Paris (25 or 28 miles/40 or 45km)
      Today you'll find yourself in the suburbs of Paris, surrounded by some of its lovely, greener areas. Some serious hills are involved in part of this day trip. The first appear as you approach the world-famous Palace of Versailles, an unmissable icon of the City of Light. You can visit the park, but a visit to the chateau itself is quite time-consuming, and deserves a whole or half day reserved for exploration (take a look at our cycling day tours catering to this exact purpose). Today, though, you will be able to explore the exquisite gardens before taking in the highlights of Paris. The traffic will be more intense than you've previously experienced on the tour, but there is also the option to stay on board the boat and see Paris from the river.

      Day 15: Paris, departure
      Departure from the boat in Paris after breakfast.

      Don't want the adventure to end? Take a look at our cycling day tours in Paris.

      Paris to Péronne to Bruges

      Overview
      Day 1: Paris, 10 mi. (1 km)
      Day 2: Paris - Bougival, 24 mi. (39 km)
      Day 3: Bougival - Auvers sur Oise, 22 mi. (35 km)
      Day 4: Auvers sur Oise - Creil, 31 mi. (50 km)
      Day 5: Creil - Compeigne, 28 mi. (45 km)
      Day 6: Compiegne - Noyon, 28 mi. (45 km)
      Day 7: Noyon - Péronne, 31 mi. (50 km)
      Day 8: Péronne
      Day 9: Moislains - Arleux, 34 mi. (55 km)
      Day 10: Arleux – Valenciennes, 31 mi. (50 km)
      Day 11: Valenciennes - Tournai, 38 mi. (60 km)
      Day 12: Tournai - Oudenaarde, 21 mi. (50 km)
      Day 13: Oudenaarde - Ghent, 28 mi. (45 km)
      Day 14: Ghent - Bruges, 34 mi. (55 km)
      Day 15: Bruges

    • Bruges to Péronne

      Day 1: Bruges (11 miles/18km)
      At 2:00 pm, you'll be welcomed aboard the boat in beautiful Bruges. There'll be an opportunity to test your bike on a ride into the surrounding countryside, and to enjoy a guided walk around town in the evening. Bruges, the 'Pearl of the Flanders', is an exceptional city well worth the visit.

      Overnight in Bruges.

      Day 2: Bruges – Ghent (37 or 25 miles/60 or 40km)
      Today's ride into the typical Flanders countryside will see you discovering small villages, atmospheric patches of forest, and rich fields and pastures before you approach the thriving city of Ghent. Ghent boasts a fascinating history, visible in the layout and buildings in the center, which is home to such highlights as St. Bavo's Cathedral (containing the famous painting The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb by the van Eyck brothers), a castle, the Museum of Fine Arts, and more. In the evening, sparkling lights and the warm glow emanating from bustling restaurants give Ghent a cozy, intimate feel. Today, you'll have the option to cover the first leg of the tour aboard the ship and join the group by bike a little later.

      Overnight in Ghent.

      Day 3: Ghent – Oudenaarde (28 miles/45km)
      Today features another lovely ride through the Flanders countryside, partially following the River Schelde. Today's goal is Oudenaarde, famous for its town hall, church, beer breweries, and the Tour of Flanders Center (by bike). You'll enjoy a walk in town after your arrival.

      Overnight in Oudenaarde.

      Day 4: Oudenaarde – Tournai (28 or 34 miles/45 or 55km)
      There's the option to visit the center this morning whilst the museums are open. The tour continues onwards through the Schelde River Valley. After crossing the Flemish/French language border, this river is called the Escaut! To the left, grand hills dominate a beautiful horizon. The ancient cobblestone roads snaking around these are famous for being part of the Tour of Flanders speed cycling race. Diehard fans can try one or two themselves!

      Stop for lunch in a charming little village. The afternoon goal is to reach Tournai, where you can watch large ships sailing through the medieval watergate. The town center is on the UNESCO World Heritage Site list, dominated by an immense cathedral with 5 towers!

      Overnight in Tournai.

      Day 5: Tournai – Arleux (50km)
      Today's tour begins with an early sail - the ship has to cover quite a distance today due to a large loop in the river. Lovely riding will follow as you venture into atmospheric forests and visit St. Amand-Les-Eaux, home to a grand abbey tower.

      You'll explore the relatively narrow belt of land between the English Channel and the German Ruhr area next, an area that once supported major coal mining in the 19th and early 20th centuries, with relics of the industry still visible in the landscape, including in the vibrant red brick buildings.

      Overnight in Arleux.

      Day 6: Arleux – Moislains (31 miles/50km)
      Arleux is at the beginning of the Canal du Nord, and the sail today may be a little longer depending on shipping traffic and how easily the many locks can be navigated. The plan will be to moor near the village of Moslains, where a night in the quiet French countryside boasts a charm of its own.

      Today you'll enter the agricultural landscapes of Northern France, and you may encounter a few slopes along the way. The town of Cambrai (once a part of the Netherlands during the 16th century) is nearby, and you may have time to visit depending on the today's cycling start time.

      Overnight in Moislains.

      Day 7: Moislains – Peronne (12 or 28 miles/20 or 45km)
      Enjoy a short ride today into the town of Péronne, following the canal, and with at least one serious slope. In the afternoon, you'll have the option for another ride with a lovely halfway point.

      Overnight in Péronne.

      Day 8: Péronne
      Disembarkation from the boat in the morning following breakfast. We recommend that you spend some extra time in Péronne to visit the Historial - the war museum in the castle. There is another local museum in the center, and guests who are interested in the history of the Great War of 1914-18 can use their day off to explore one or more places connected with World War I. To the west, for example, in the direction of Amiens, you'll find the Australian sector.

      Péronne to Bruges

      Overview
      Day 1: Péronne
      Day 2: Moislains - Arleux, 34 mi. (55 km)
      Day 3: Arleux – Valenciennes, 31 mi. (50 km)
      Day 4: Valenciennes - Tournai, 38 mi. (60 km)
      Day 5: Tournai - Oudenaarde, 21 mi. (50 km)
      Day 6: Oudenaarde - Ghent, 28 mi. (45 km)
      Day 7: Ghent - Bruges, 34 mi. (55 km)
      Day 8: Bruges

      Péronne to Paris

      Day 1: Arrival in Péronne
      Embarkation takes place in the afternoon. We recommend that you spend some time in Péronne, prior to boarding the boat. The Historial - the war museum in the castle - is well worth visiting. There is another local museum in the center, and guests who are interested in the history of the Great War of 1914-18 can use their day off to explore one or more places connected with World War I. To the west, for example, in the direction of Amiens, you'll find the Australian sector.

      Day 2: Péronne – Pont l'Eveque (31 or 40 miles/50 or 65km)
      An early sail or an afternoon sail will be part of the itinerary today. Between Péronne and Compiegne there will be a few hills to conquer. This is a landscape typical of Northern France, featuring undulating fields and quaint little villages. Noyon has a very old, intriguing cathedral to discover, around 3 km away from the mooring point near Pont l’Eveque.

      Overnight in Pont l'Eveque.

      Day 3: Pont l'Eveque – Compiegne (25 or 31 miles/40 or 50km)
      Enjoy an atmospheric ride through the forest, one serious slope, and a glide through the verdant valley of St. Crépinaux-Bois. You'll pay a visit to the forested Clairiere de l’Armistice (armistice site, 1918/1940) before continuing along the rivers of Aisne and Oise into Compiegne. After your arrival in Compiegne, you'll have time to spend in the historic town, where you can discover the Palace Museum and the town's links to Joan of Arc.

      Overnight in Compiegne.

      Day 4: Compiegne – Creil (25 or 31 miles/40 or 50km)
      Today's ride begins with a fun venture into the immense forest east of town, including a visit to the castle of Pierrefonds, restored and rebuilt in the 19th century by the famous architect Violet le Duc. Between the trees, you'll discover the village of St. Jean-aux-Bois and the Roman ruins just to the south, whilst a short ride along a new bike path next to the river brings you to Béthisy-St. Pierre. From here, you'll cycle to the ship for the sail to the mooring place on the Oise river in Creil.

      Overnight in Creil.

      Day 5: Creil – Cergy-Pontoise (31 miles/50km)
      Today's ride ventures into a wooded area with lovely bike paths. There are a few options for sites to visit: the town of Senlis, the Chantilley Castle, and Royaumont Abbey. Part of the distance today will be covered by the sail between mooring places.

      En route to Pontoise, you'll make a stop near the little town of Auvers, connected with the famous Dutch painter Vincent Van Gogh, who spent some of his last months here producing a number of paintings. Enjoy a guided walk to hear about the history of this sweet town.

      Overnight in Cergy-Pontoise.

      Day 6: Cergy-Pontoise – Bougival (12 or 28 miles/20 or 45km)
      Sailing downstream along the River Oise and then upstream along the Seine is one of the highlights of this tour! As you cycle today, you'll find many interesting things to visit in a short distance. The bike ride can begin in Pontoise or Conflans-St. Honorine, an old river port where the Seine and Oise meet. Between Conflans and Bougival, the distance is less than 30 km.

      Discover a center for horse riding in Maisons Lafitte. In the next town, St. Germain-en-Laye, discover a museum with an impressive collection of human artifacts from the early days of man until the early Middle Ages. Just 4 km away from Bougival, mainly following bike paths, you'll find the Chateau Museum of Malmaison with its beautiful park, once the dwelling place of Napoleon and his first wife, Joséphine. It's an intimate alternative to a visit to the grand but crowded chateau at Versailles.

      Overnight in Bougival.

      Day 7: Bougival – Paris (25 or 28 miles/40 or 45km)
      Today you'll find yourself in the suburbs of Paris, surrounded by some of its lovely, greener areas. Some serious hills are involved in part of this day trip. The first appear as you approach the world-famous Palace of Versailles, an unmissable icon of the City of Light. You can visit the park, but a visit to the chateau itself is quite time-consuming, and deserves a whole or half day reserved for exploration (take a look at our cycling day tours catering to this exact purpose). Today, though, you will be able to explore the exquisite gardens before taking in the highlights of Paris. The traffic will be more intense than you've previously experienced on the tour, but there is also the option to stay on board the boat and see Paris from the river.

      Day 8: Paris, departure
      Departure from the boat in Paris after breakfast.

      Paris to Péronne

      Overview
      Day 1: Paris, 10 mi. (1 km)
      Day 2: Paris - Bougival, 24 mi. (39 km)
      Day 3: Bougival - Auvers sur Oise, 22 mi. (35 km)
      Day 4: Auvers sur Oise - Creil, 31 mi. (50 km)
      Day 5: Creil - Compeigne, 28 mi. (45 km)
      Day 6: Compiegne - Noyon, 28 mi. (45 km)
      Day 7: Noyon - Péronne, 31 mi. (50 km)
      Day 8: Péronne


    Bruges to Paris

     Photos Accommodation 

  • Accommodation

    Boats

      Feniks

      The Feniks is a former freight barge reconstructed to a hotel passenger ship, making it perfect for sailing vacations. This comfort class boat is welcomes you with its warm and laid back atmosphere. Read more

      • Feniks
      • Feniks
      • Feniks
      • Feniks
      • Feniks

      Bruges to Paris

       Daily program Bikes 

    • Bikes

      Standard touring bike

      Batavus Boulevard

      The standard touring bikes available are 21-speed bikes with handbrakes. They are equipped with a pannier, water bottle, and lock. It is possible to bring your own pedals and saddle.


      Electrically-assisted bikes

      Betavus Fuze E-go or Freebike Urban Soho

      For those bikers who like to have some support while biking in the hills, there are different styles of electric bikes. They are equipped with a pannier, water bottle, and lock. It is possible to bring your own pedals and saddle.

      *More about electrically-assisted bikes >


      Bikes will be equipped with:

      • Lock
      • Pannier bag

      On the first day of your tour you will be allocated a bicycle suitable for your height. This bicycle is at your disposal during your trip.

      The tour guide has all the necessary tools with him on the ride and a first aid kit. When you prefer to go biking by yourself, the tour operator can provide you with maps and a repair kit.

      Helmets:
      There are helmets aboard; however, for safety and hygiene purposes, we recommend you bring your own helmet or plan to purchase one upon arrival.

      Bike Protection:
      Bike protection can be purchased at the time of booking. You can read more about that HERE.

    • Dates & Prices

      Questions about pricing or options? Call +1-215-613-0874 to talk to a Tour Advisor now.

      May 12, 19, 26; Jun 2, 9, 16; Jul 7, 14; Aug 18, 25; Sep 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; Oct 6, 2025

      7-night packages:
      Bruges to Péronne (7-night): May 12; Jun 9; Aug 18; Sep 15, 2025
      Péronne to Paris (7-night): May 19; Jun 16; Aug 25; Sep 22, 2025
      Paris to Péronne (7-night): May 26; Jul 7; Sep 1; Sep 29, 2025
      Péronne to Bruges (7-night): Jun 2; Jul 14; Sep 8; Oct 6, 2025

      14-night packages:
      Bruges to Péronne to Paris
      (14-night): May 12; Jun 9; Aug 18; Sep 15, 2025
      Paris to Péronne to Bruges (14-night): May 26; Jul 7; Sep 1; Sep 29, 2025

      Included services

      • Accommodation on board the Feniks in a cabin with private bathroom (includes bed linens and fresh towels; daily check of your cabin)
      • 7x breakfast, 7x packed lunch and 6x dinner per week (not including drinks), served with wine and cheese
      • Multilingual tour guide
      • Route program with city maps
      • Every day care of personal laundry
      • Coffee, tea, and biscuits; afternoon snacks

      Not included: entrance fees to museums and attractions, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Special diets may be accommodated upon request; please make dietary restrictions known at time of booking.


      Tour Company


      Bruges to Paris

       Bikes Other Details 

    • Map

      Maps are for information purposes only and reflect typical routes between overnight locations. They may not reflect your actual route.

      Surface and terrain

      The terrain starts flat in Belgium, but you will climb some hills in France. The daily routes average about 30 miles (50 k) per day.

      Participants should be in physically good shape and are advised to practice some 40 km rides before the tour. Most of the cycling is on relatively flat roads and in river valleys. However, to enjoy the tour fully, you should be able to manage (moderate) slopes of up to around max. 2 km.


      How to get there

      Tour start and end
      Paris
      Nearest airport: Paris (Charles de Gaulle Airport)
      Nearest train station: Paris

      Bruges
      Nearest airport: Ostend-Bruges International Airport (Bruges)
      Nearest train station: Bruges

      Péronne
      Péronne is easily reached by train and taxi from several nearby major airports.

      Tips on getting to and from your tour.


      Bruges to Paris

       Dates & Prices Tour Reviews 

      • Margaret Farran October 23, 2023

        Not Really What We Expected

        We are seasoned bicyclists and have taken many bike tours. This tour was disappointing on a few fronts. The course of the tour had to change due to construction on the canal. This would have been fine except the guide, Harm, frequently did not seem to know where he was going. There were a couple of visits to places of interest (mining museum and a short stop at a WWI cemetery) but most times it felt like we were putting in time so as to not arrive hours before the boat arrived at its destination for the night. Our guide never led strolls around a town or provided much history. One evening when I asked if he could show us a pub to have a drink before dinner he said it was not his responsibility. We asked if we could bike on our own (as we have done on many other boat/bike tours in Europe) and were turned down. I pressed on quoting the description for the tour which read: "provide us with maps and all the information you'll need" to do a different distance. At that point Harm back tracked and said he'd provide this info. He never did. I've been biking for over 20 years on tours around the world and I have never had a guide so unhelpful and disengaged.
        The food was adequate. Nice dinners but breakfast and lunch were lacking. We needed more sustenance for biking in October. Most tours provide a snack after a day of biking but we could not rely on one each day on this tour. The group bought our own snacks when we could but it was all rather odd. As if this tour had never hosted bikers before.
        There was no wi-fi although the description said there would be. We at least had a data package, other people did not. What really gave us all pause was the captain's comments (1) it was too difficult to install wi-fi (I've never found that to be true on a boat) and (2) we really did not need it as we should not be on our phones during a tour. Rather presumptuous I thought. Don't advertise you have wi-fi when you don't.
        We had some rain which was to be expected in October. One day it was just too wet to bike. We all stayed on the boat - no wi-fi, cabins too small to lounge in them, and while there was a large library of DVDs the captain announced the monitor did not work, therefore no video watching.
        It felt like the boat was tired and the tour and crew either winding down for the season or going out of business.

        What was the date of your tour?
        October 2023
        How many tours have you completed?
        20+
        Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
        Somewhat easier
        Do you recommend this tour?
        No
        • BikeTours.com staff reply from bozena_kusovac October 24, 2023

          Hello Margaret! We're so sorry to hear about your disappointing experience. We deeply regret that it did not meet your expectations, and we sincerely apologize for any inconvenience you encountered. We truly value your feedback and are committed to improving our services. Your input is crucial in helping us refine our services. Your comments about the tour route, lack of historical information, and guide foremost, are duly noted. We will address these concerns diligently and work on providing a better experience in the future. Thank you very much for bringing this to our attention. We value your 20 years of biking experience and hope to have the opportunity to provide you with a more engaging and rewarding tour in the future.

        • 2/5 Value
        • 2/5 Included meals
        • 5/5 Bikes + equipment
        • 3/5 Hotels or boat
        • 3/5 Scenery
        • 1/5 Route selection
        • 1/5 Guides (if applicable)
      • David Baker October 2, 2023

        First time bike-barge touring

        This was our first time doing a bike-barge tour. We chose this tour based on positive recommendations from friends who had been on it before. Their recommendations and suggestions were spot on so when we took the tour we were well prepared. The crew of the barge were very pleasant and accommodating. If you're expecting five star cruise accommodations you'll be disappointed, but the dinners were outstanding and the cabins fulfilled our needs. There was maintenance on our original route so the captain had to take another route which meant all our rides had to be redone by the ride leader. We still had interesting and enjoyable rides. It's important to be a flexible traveler in order to truly enjoy this type of tour. We stayed in Bruge two days before the trip and we stayed two more days in Belgium after the tour and would recommend anyone taking this trip to do likewise.

        What was the date of your tour?
        September 2023
        How many tours have you completed?
        1
        Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
        As expected
        Who is this tour suitable for?
        First-time bike tourists, Solo travelers
        Do you recommend this tour?
        Yes
        • American military cemetery in France (photo by David Baker)
        • Typical group riding day (photo by David Baker)
        • 5/5 Value
        • 5/5 Included meals
        • 5/5 Bikes + equipment
        • 4/5 Hotels or boat
        • 5/5 Scenery
        • 5/5 Ease of navigation
        • 5/5 Tour documents
        • 5/5 Local tour company services
        • 5/5 Route selection
        • 5/5 Guides (if applicable)
      • David Baker September 27, 2023

        Great experience for first time bike tourists

        The tour met and exceeded our expectations for a first time bike tourists. The barge captain had to make a detour due to construction which required changes in the itinerary but the crew and guide took it in stride and still gave a great experience.

        What was the date of your tour?
        September 2023
        How many tours have you completed?
        One
        Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
        As expected
        Who is this tour suitable for?
        First-time bike tourists
        Do you recommend this tour?
        Yes
        • 5/5 Value
        • 4/5 Included meals
        • 4/5 Bikes + equipment
        • 4/5 Hotels or boat
        • 5/5 Scenery
        • 5/5 Ease of navigation
        • 5/5 Tour documents
        • 5/5 Local tour company services
        • 4/5 Route selection
        • 5/5 Guides (if applicable)
      • David Reynolds November 9, 2022

        Wonderful Bike and Barge Trip from Perrone to Bruges

        This was our first bike and barge trip. A couple of our good friends were also on the trip. We were so fortunate that there were only seven guests on the barge and four crew members! The barge could accommidate 14 guests. All seven of us became good friends and enjoyed all parts of the trip together.
        The crew was fantastic! Our guide, Sietse, made sure that we had a safe and memorable biking trip. He is very knowledgable about the route and the history of the region. Our chef cook, Hilde, is a gourmet cook and made every meal special. Henk, the mate is a jack of all trades helping navigate, take care of the barge and help Hilde in the kitchen. Marius, the captain, is a very knowledgable navigator and made sure that all aspects of the trip were comfortable.
        Our cabin was small but comfortable and very clean. Each cabin has its own bathroom with a walk in shower.
        The bikes were well maintained and if there was a problem, Sietse took care of it.
        We did have rain off and on for a couple of days so make sure to take rain gear. The biking was not difficult but e-bikes are available.
        We'd highly recommend this trip.

        What was the date of your tour?
        September 2022
        How many tours have you completed?
        This was our first bike and barge trip.
        Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
        As expected
        Who is this tour suitable for?
        First-time bike tourists, Solo travelers, Families with teens
        Do you recommend this tour?
        Yes
        • 5/5 Value
        • 5/5 Included meals
        • 5/5 Bikes + equipment
        • 4/5 Hotels or boat
        • 5/5 Scenery
        • 5/5 Ease of navigation
        • 5/5 Tour documents
        • 5/5 Local tour company services
        • 5/5 Route selection
        • 5/5 Guides (if applicable)
      • David Reynolds September 14, 2022

        Met our expectations!

        This was our first bike and Barge trip. We enjoyed all aspects of the journey from Perrone to Bruges except for the rain the last day of biking. The crew was excellent!e was an excellent cook and provided a variety of excellent meals. The captain Marius took good care of us as did Henk the first mate. Our guide Sietse was excellent. He enjoys history and was able to tell us many things about the history of the countries we traveled through.
        The Feniks can accommodate 14 guests but during this trip there were only seven guests. This allowed us to make good friends and be able to stay together while we were biking. It would have been crowded if there had been 14 guests on board.

        What was the date of your tour?
        September 2022
        How many tours have you completed?
        This was our first bike and barge trip.
        Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
        As expected
        Do you recommend this tour?
        Yes
        • 5/5 Value
        • 5/5 Included meals
        • 4/5 Bikes + equipment
        • 4/5 Hotels or boat
        • 5/5 Scenery
        • 5/5 Tour documents
        • 5/5 Local tour company services
        • 5/5 Guides (if applicable)
      • Debby October 4, 2019

        Great trip

        This was the perfect way to see the countryside, small villages and historical sites of northeastern France and northwestern Belgium. The barge was very adequate and the staff on the barge was great. The daily biking was very manageable and fun. I would definitely like to find another bike and barge tour. Two weeks seemed the perfect length.

        What was the date of your tour?
        9/14/2019--9/28/2019
        How many tours have you completed?
        4
        Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
        Somewhat easier
        Who is this tour suitable for?
        Solo travelers, Families with teens
        Do you recommend this tour?
        Yes
        • 5/5 Value
        • 5/5 Included meals
        • 3/5 Bikes + equipment
        • 4/5 Hotels or boat
        • 5/5 Scenery
        • 4/5 Ease of navigation
        • 4/5 Tour documents
        • 5/5 Route selection
        • 3/5 Guides (if applicable)
      • Whydoyouneedthis June 13, 2019

        France between Bruges and Paris is pretty flat and not to scenic. Very historic. Small towns are pretty well deserted and therefore not very interesting. The agriculture is industrialized. Canals, locks and industry of the canals was interesting. Two weeks is a long time seeing castles, churches and industrial farms.

        What was the date of your tour?
        May 2019
        How many tours have you completed?
        50+
        Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
        Somewhat easier
        Who is this tour suitable for?
        Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists
        Do you recommend this tour?
        Yes
        • 3/5 Value
        • 4/5 Included meals
        • 4/5 Bikes + equipment
        • 3/5 Hotels or boat
        • 2/5 Scenery
        • 3/5 Ease of navigation
        • 3/5 Tour documents
        • 3/5 Local tour company services
        • 3/5 Route selection
        • 4/5 Guides (if applicable)
      • bonnie100 October 9, 2018

        So So Vacation

        Good bike trip if you like a slow pace. Lots of time wasted at not very interesting sites. Had to "kill" time in order not to get to the barges anchoring site before the barge got there which was usually between 4-6 PM. The barge itself was fair. But some of the scenery in Belgium and France was beautiful making the trip tolerable. Food was average. Bikes were very good.

        What was the date of your tour?
        Sept. 14-31
        How many tours have you completed?
        6
        Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
        Much easier
        Who is this tour suitable for?
        Solo travelers
        Do you recommend this tour?
        No
        • 3/5 Value
        • 3/5 Included meals
        • 4/5 Bikes + equipment
        • 1/5 Hotels or boat
        • 4/5 Scenery
        • 3/5 Ease of navigation
        • 3/5 Tour documents
        • 3/5 Local tour company services
        • 2/5 Route selection
        • 3/5 Guides (if applicable)
      • Joey September 29, 2018

        What was the date of your tour?
        Late September
        How many tours have you completed?
        7
        Do you recommend this tour?
        No
        • 3/5 Value
        • 3/5 Included meals
        • 5/5 Bikes + equipment
        • 2/5 Hotels or boat
        • 3/5 Scenery
        • 4/5 Ease of navigation
        • 3/5 Local tour company services
        • 3/5 Route selection
        • 3/5 Guides (if applicable)
      • JEC65 June 25, 2018

        A different biking experience

        Thirteen days of easy to moderate biking. The crew were friendly and helpful. The food was excellent! Lots of extra sightseeing excursions to choose from. Very old boat with very small cabins was the only drawback but price was reasonable.Generally the routes were on quiet roads on all types of surfaces.

        What was the date of your tour?
        June 9-23
        How many tours have you completed?
        7
        Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
        Much easier
        Who is this tour suitable for?
        Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists, Families with teens
        Do you recommend this tour?
        No
        • 4/5 Value
        • 5/5 Included meals
        • 5/5 Bikes + equipment
        • 1/5 Hotels or boat
        • 5/5 Scenery
        • 3/5 Ease of navigation
        • 3/5 Tour documents
        • 4/5 Local tour company services
        • 3/5 Route selection
        • 2/5 Guides (if applicable)
      • Jane3538 August 6, 2016

        Great way to see a country

        The crew was amazing,catering to every need. The food was 5 star and the Barge has a homey comfortable feel. The guide took us expertly on tours thru back roads which took us to places that rival Versailles and Notre Dame.
        We were not seasoned bikers and found we were doing more than the advertised average miles per day but the terrain is mostly flat. The itinerary on the website was quite different from what we actually did. I would suggest contacting the Feniks directly for the actual itinerary prior to signing on. This trip would be recommended to others.

        What was the date of your tour?
        May 2016
        How many tours have you completed?
        This was our first.
        Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
        Somewhat harder
        Who is this tour suitable for?
        Solo travelers
        Do you recommend this tour?
        Yes
        • 5/5 Value
        • 5/5 Included meals
        • 5/5 Bikes + equipment
        • 5/5 Hotels or boat
        • 5/5 Scenery
        • 5/5 Ease of navigation
        • 5/5 Local tour company services
        • 5/5 Route selection
        • 5/5 Guides (if applicable)
      • Oddly July 10, 2016

        History, Art and Backroads

        Wonderful, dedicated owners and crew, food was amazing and our guide adjusted our tour to the group members interests and cycling abilities. The small group (max 12) made for a supportive, friendly group and allowed for stops in small cafes and sites. I loved historic Bruges, Oedenaarde, Compiegne, the villages, old churches filled with art, wine, Trappist beers, cheese shops, pattiseries, back roads and bike paths, and visiting a cobblestone hill section of the Paris-Roubiex. Great way to see Europe!

        What was the date of your tour?
        May 2016
        How many tours have you completed?
        3
        Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
        As expected
        Who is this tour suitable for?
        Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists
        Do you recommend this tour?
        Yes
        • Photo 1 (photo by Oddly)
        • Mail carrier, typical street in Bruges (photo by Oddly)
        • Mooring spot (photo by Oddly)
        • 4/5 Value
        • 5/5 Included meals
        • 5/5 Bikes + equipment
        • 4/5 Hotels or boat
        • 5/5 Scenery
        • 5/5 Ease of navigation
        • 5/5 Local tour company services
        • 5/5 Route selection
        • 5/5 Guides (if applicable)

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