Loire Valley, Briare – Nevers

Travel Dates

Tour prices

Rent a bike

• 2021

Image	Name	Type	Price per week
	Hybrid bicycle, 24-gears	Batavus Boulevard, incl. bike helmet	€95
	Electric bicycle, unisex	Batavus, step-through bicycle incl. bike helmet	€180
	Cycletours bicycle insurance	No own-risk	€20
	Cycletours bicycle insurance E-bike	No own-risk	€40

Included

• All nights on board, (Sat.-Sat. 8 days / 7 nights), cabin in the booked category;
• Full board (7 x breakfast, 6 x self-made picnic lunch for bike tours, 7 x three course dinner)
• Use of bed linen and 2 towels (change of towels possible)
• Coffee and tea on board
• Tour guide, cycles with the group
• Min. 3 city walks with the tourguide
• Free WiFi is limited available in lounge and on deck
• Road book, 1x per cabin
• Ferry fares on the route

Not included

• Reservation costs € 20,- per party
• Bicycle rent
• Bicycle insurance (optional) € 15,- per bicycle
• Bicycle insurance electric bike (optional) € 40,- per bicycle
• Entrance fees to museums; approx. € 45,-
• Personal insurance/ Cancellation insurance (optional)

Special Details

• Please take good notice of our Terms & Conditions.
• If you have special meal requirements we ask you to mention this when booking, but at the latest until 14 days before arrival. Diets which need a special preparation or special ingredients can only be offered in limited form. We will do our best  to meet your needs, but we also ask for your understanding as due to limited logistic possibilities on a barge we are not able to prepare complete specialized menus. In case of Celiac; gluten free diet; vegan meals there is an additional charge of € 50, – per week.
• Cycletours Holidays reserves the right to cancel tours with fewer than 12 participants up to 21 days prior to the date of departure.
• The program is subject to change without notice.

Arrival info

You are expected at the barge on Saturday afternoon, between 12.00 AM and 14.00 PM. You can bring your luggage earlier to the barge, but not
before 11.00 AM. We are busy cleaning the barge, but we can provide you with suggestions to have a nice walk into town.

The mooring place of the barge in Briare: in the Canal Lateral á la Loire, at the Rue du Pont Canal

Airport

The nearest airport to the embarkation point of the barge is Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) By train it is about 2,5 hours to the railway station in Briare. Walking distance from the train station to the barge is about 20 minutes. A taxi from the airport in Paris to the mooring place will take about 2,5 hours.

Train

The nearest train station to the embarkation point of the barge is the Briare railway station. Walking distance to the barge is about 20 minutes. A taxi will take about 10 minutes and will cost around 30 euro.

Car

Should you arrive by car, we strongly advise to arrive earlier to unload your luggage.

End of the tour

The tour ends one week later in Nevers on Saturday morning after breakfast at 10 AM. You will spend the night from Friday to Saturday on board in Nevers. The mooring place of the barge in Nevers: Embranchement de Nevers, Chemin de Halage.

Our ship, your hotel

Imagine a floating hotel sailing to the next stage, while you are calmly pedalling along. No lugging of luggage: that is exactly what Bike & Barge is all about! In the pleasant atmosphere on board you can have a chat, go through the day with the others, and enjoy the meals prepared specially for cyclists. In the evenings you can enjoy a drink in the salon or admire the setting sun on deck. Do not expect a cruise ship with its passive luxury. The Bike & Barge Holidays are for people who really enjoy the physical activity of cycling and who value sociability more than wholesale luxury. Free WiFi is (limited and subject to availability of connections) available in lounge and on deck.

What are the cabins like?

Your barge has can hold a maximum of 17 passengers and has 9 cabins. 3 with a 2-persons bed, 5 with a split level bed and 1 with a single bed. All cabins have their own private shower, toilet & sink, 220 voltage, central heating and air-conditioning. There is limited storage space in the cabin. We recommend 1 suitcase per person. You can slide the suitcase under the bed.

The team, hospitality comes first

The captain/skipper, the chef and your tour guide all welcome you warmly. They are prepared specifically for these trips and will provide good and safe passage, good meals, and a friendly, pleasant atmosphere. They will, of course, also give you a great deal of interesting information during and after the cycling and sailing.
The skipper is responsible for the smooth running of things on board; the cook is in charge of the catering. A tour leader accompanies you during the bike ride and can assist in case of breakdowns. He/She will be your guide to point out the things of interest along the way and is multi-lingual (Dutch/English/French, some speak German and/or Spanish).

The meals

Your chef is used to cook delicious meals for hungry cyclists. Besides an extensive breakfast, you will also be offered a packed lunch for on the road. It consists of different types of bread and sandwich fillings, juice, a snack and a piece of fruit. Lunch package needs to be prepared by yourself after breakfast. Dinner is different every day. There is a first course, main course and dessert The meals on board are included in the price, as are coffee and tea. Soft drinks and alcoholic drinks can be obtained at a reasonable charge. When you return on board after the day’s cycling, a cup of tea or coffee with a biscuit will be waiting for you.
If you have special meal requirements we ask you to mention this when booking, but at the latest until 14 days before arrival. Diets which need a special preparation or special ingredients can only be offered in limited form. We will do our best to meet your needs, but we also ask for your understanding as due to limited logistic possibilities on a barge we are not able to prepare complete specialized menus. In case of Celiac; gluten free diet; vegan meals there is an additional charge of € 50, – per week.

You and the group, new friends from around the world!

One of the most attractive aspects of the Bike & Barge holidays is that you encounter an international company on board, including people from e.g. USA, Canada, Australia, France and United Kingdom. It’s a great opportunity for you to get to know various cultures at the same time! We have people of all ages, solo travelers, couples and also families with children (during the school holidays).

The most beautiful cycling routes

Our carefully selected routes will lead you along the most beautiful spots of the country. The average daily distance is around 40/45 kilometers. Most participants prefer riding in a group with the cycling guide, but you can also ride individually. A road book is included (1x per cabin). Bike maps can be purchased when booking and will be handed over to you on board.