Northern Burgundy by Bike and Boat: Paris to Joigny (and reverse)

Day 1: Paris - Samois Sur Seine,
10 miles/16 km or 22 miles/35 km

Your luxury bike and boat tour begins in charming Samois Sur Seine on the banks of the Seine River after an included transfer from Paris. You will be welcomed on board the Aurora with champagne and petits fours.

If you have time, and would like to bike, you can explore the village and surrounding beauty of the forest of Fontainebleau. You can also visit the world-renown Chateau of Fontainebleau, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is one of the largest royal castles in France and today a national museum. It is important to keep in mind that the Chateau is open until 5 pm so it will be crucial to leave the ship as soon as possible in order to visit it.

For those who really want to earn the delicious dinner that will be presented on board, there is a longer route through the forest, past the chateau, and into Barbizon, “the village of painters”, onward through Chailly en Biere, Fay, Brolles, then Bois le Roi and finally back to Samois sur Seine.

Day 2: Samois Sur Seine - Montereau Fault Yonne,
11 miles/17 km or 21 miles/34 km

The morning cycling itinerary features medieval Moret Sur Loing, the village of the impressionists. Alfred Sisley lived and painted here and you will have the opportunity to visit Villa Sisley (the artist’s home) as well as enjoy other highlights.

Continuing on, the Aurora will be moored and waiting in the village of Mammes where you will enjoy lunch on board.

You can stay on board as the ship navigates through Montereau Fault Yonne to moor at the Cannes Ecluse Lock or you can opt to cycle which will include sections of the Euroveloroute.

Montereau-Fault-Yonne is a beautiful village, small, charming, and authentic France. Tomorrow you will have more time to explore!

Day 3: Montereau-Fault-Yonne/Cannes ecluse - Courlon sur Yonne,
20 miles/32 km

You will begin your cycling in the morning in the direction of Montereau and can explore the historical highlights of this village including the Notre-Dame-et-Saint-Loup Collegiate Church classified as a Historic Monument and constructed in flamboyant Gothic and Renaissance style. The cycling then begins in earnest, heading south. You will arrive in Courlon sur Yonne before lunch which will be served on board. The Aurora will remain moored here for the overnight.

In the afternoon there will be a visit scheduled to Provins, a magnificent medieval fair town, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Champagne region with 12th and 13th century fortified walls, medieval ramparts, the historic upper town and typical picturesque wooden houses.

There are plenty of choices for shopping available.

Day 4: Courlon sur Yonne - Sens,
22 miles/36 km

You follow the Yonne River from Courlon sur Yonne to Sens at the confluence of Yonne and Vanne Rivers.

Sens is known as the gateway to Burgundy. The “Cathedrale St-Etienne” is Sens’ outstanding glory. The exquisite stained-glass windows from the 12th-16th centuries show biblical scenes, including a tribute to Thomas Becket, who was exiled here. The Gardens of the Oragnery with colorful flowers on the south side of the Cathedral is not to be missed.

The cycling includes the 10-hectare Parc du Moulin with its a rose garden, an animal enclosure, an arboretum, and a playground.

Day 5: Sens - Villeneuve Sur Yonne, (11 miles/17 km or 34 miles/55 km)

Two options for today:

1. Enjoy a picnic and extensive visit and wine tasting of the famous Chardonnay in the pretty village of Chablis called the “golden gate” of Burgundy with narrow stone streets and houses dating from the 14th to 16th century. A must for all wine enthusiasts and connoisseurs!!!! If all agree to a wine tasting in the afternoon, you can either take a day off from your bike, enjoy a three hour morning cruise on the Aurora or you can cycle at a leisurely pace mostly following the paths along the river and go for a stroll in the town before the ship arrives in the port. You will enjoy a prepared picnic lunch!

2. If there is a group consensus that there is no wish to do any wine tasting, you can venture out into the countryside and go for a long bike ride of about 55 km: Sens-Saligny – Fontaine-la-Gaillarde – Les Clerimois – Foissy-sur-Vanne – Molinons – Villeneuve l’Archeveque (pretty place with old fortifications and Notre-Dame church) and then head back via Molinons – Chigy – Vareilles – Thell – Les Bordes – Talouan and finally end up in Villeneuve sur Yonne. There will still be time to go for a stroll around the picturesque town. Lunch will be en route at a carefully selected restaurant.

Villeneuve is off the beaten track as far as tourism is concerned which is part of its charm. Located on the banks of the river, the village of Villeneuve houses are nestled together around the Bell Tower of Notre-Dame church. The houses date mostly from the 17th and 18th century but the area was inhabited as early as the Palaeolithic period.

Day 6: Villeneuve Sur Yonne - Joigny, (14 miles/22 km)
First up is the town of Saint-Julien-du-Sault just outside of Villeneuve. Here you can visit the 13th-century Saint-Pierre church with magnificent stained-glass windows, then head south through La-Petite-Celle, La-Celle-Saint-Cyr, Cezy, and Saint Aubin- sur- Yonne before you the day's destination, Joigny. Joigny is a picturesque quaint town, spilling down the terraces and slopes of Côte St-Jacques, overlooking the river.

The Aurora will arrive to Joigny around 1 pm and lunch will be served on board.

In the afternoon a trip to beautiful, medieval Auxerre is on the agenda. Once a busy port on the wine route, this City of Art and History boasts exceptional heritage with a number of majestic religious buildings and treasures.

Of course, we mustn’t forget the gastronomical specialties of the region, gougeres, sausage of Chablis, Burgundy snails, beef Bourguignon, kir, and the Burgundy truffle.

Day 7: Joigny, breakfast on board, and late morning return to Paris (hotels or airport) by private van.

Joigny to Paris

Jul 10, 24; Aug 7, 21, Sept 4, 18; Oct 2, 2022

Day 1: Arrival in Paris. Group transfer to Joigny

Day 2: Joigny - Villeneuve Sur Yonne

Day 3: Villeneuve Sur Yonne - Sens

Day 4: Sens - Courlon sur Yonne

Day 5: Courlon sur Yonne - Montereau

Day 6: Montereau - Samois Sur Seine

Day 7: Group transfer to Paris

Cruise routes are subject to change without notice. Some waterways may be subject to occasional closures due to drought, storms, floods, canal or lock repairs, or other unforeseen circumstances that make navigation unsafe or impossible. The captain reserves the right to any make changes necessary.