Reviews

What a great trip! The accommodations were comfortable, the food tasty, the staff skilled and supportive, and the bikes easy to use. Learning about this region in France with its focus on champagne production, World War I history, local agriculture, Van Gogh, and so much more was illuminating. Our bike guides took us on a variety of terrains – from small villages to lots of time in the forest (who knew there were so many trails in the woods near Paris!), by castles and along rivers. The biking distances were comfortable – especially with e-bikes! – and the variety of what we saw and did during the day fun. It was a great trip!

My first barge&bike (ebike) experience…and it was wonderful beyond expectations! Everyone on the staff was terrific – professional, prepared, charming, helpful. A last-minute change of itinerary (departure from Epernay changed to Soissons due to unavoidable issues with the Epernay route) was handled in a timely and transparent manner, and we loved the new itinerary. Bike guides Marcel and Hugo were extremely helpful (especially for this novice e-biker) as we navigated bike paths, villages and city streets; their complementary styles really worked to create a sense of community and friendship. Group singing at the cemetery where Vincent and Theo Van Gogh are buried (thanks, Hugo) and lessons on French music (thanks, Marcel) were a highlight, as were the very moving visits to cemeteries of US soldiers killed in WWI. We visited a number of spectacular chateau — including Pierrefonds, Chantilly, St. Germaine-en-Laye, and the gardens at Versaille. In addition to planned activities (for ex. Auvers-sur-Oise, where Van Gogh spent his final months), there were spontaneous discoveries like a group of senior hikers in the Forest of St. Germaine with whom we shared conversation and a photo, and the visit to the Hotel de Ville in Compiègne where the town administrator graciously gave us a tour of the building and explained town governance to us. And the champagne…we were not only greeted with a champagne toast as we arrived on the barge but later had a fabulous tour of the Mercier establishment with a tasting, followed by an afternoon exploring the other champagne establishments up and down the Avenue du Champagne. The food was excellent (thanks, Frank) – hearty breakfasts featuring fresh breads, meats and cheeses, yogurt and fruit and granola, hard-boiled eggs (with messages drawn on each one!), and special treats like pancakes, French toast or scrambled eggs; pack your own picnic lunches in re-usable containers; gourmet, multi-course dinners that were prepared in the tiny barge kitchen! The bar service worked very well, allowing guests to purchase bottles of wine and individual drinks and beers, keep a tab and pay in cash at the end (thanks, Milton, for this and for your many attentions to guests’ every need). Captain Marco and assistant Mo made sure there was smooth sailing every day…even in tight quarters. The final afternoon, when we cruised into Paris on the Seine on a warm, sunny day, past the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame was an unforgettable experience. This was my first BoatBike tour…but it definitely won’t be my last!

My husband and I had a wonderful time on the Bike Boat Tour (BBT) to Champagne. Although the route had to be changed due to the unexpected closure of a tunnel on the Marne River, BBT prepared an alternate route that took us to Versailles, Chantilly Castle, Compiègne and Soissons, with a day trip to Hautvillers and Epernay by bus. Our guides Joan and Marcel, and Eric the boat captain were very friendly, knowledgeable and patient. This is our third bike and barge tour and the food prepared by Frank the chef was the best of all the trips!

The guides were very good. We specifically appreciated the routes they chose, maximizing time spent in the woods or on bicycle paths without traffic. The guides were concerned with the safety of the group but were also very fun — taking the opportunity to link us up with a group of French hikers for example. The crew was excellent— Marco, the captain, Milton,the host, Frank, the chef and Mo! Food was great. Bicycles were my favorite ever.

Overall, the tour was good. I was disappointed that we didn’t ride through any vineyards, especially with the fact that we were initially supposed to ride to Champagne. I understand that a tunnel collapsing creates problems, but my disappointment is real. I didn’t enjoy one of the guides, as he seemed to not know where he was going several times, and not be able to hear or listen to feedback regarding the route. Yes, things happen, but when you don’t pay attention to the fact that you’ve been on the same road, and you’re going the same way twice, it doesn’t engender trust in you. I also did not appreciate being yelled at, and being told that I didn’t know what I was doing, when I fully knew what I was doing (I waited at the edge of the road when Joan went ahead and out of sight of our entire group when they got stuck at a light). I have been on-ride support for rides of 3,000, and know how to ride in and with traffic.
Both my husband and I wish we’d ridden on our own, but it wasn’t until Marcel and I chatted that we were able to share the routes, to be able to know that I could navigate alone.
I am up for doing another cruise like this, but we would definitely ride alone. The guides did not add as much value as I believed they would, in particular Joan.
Regarding the bikes: The seats were very uncomfortable and the inflexibility of not being able to add our own seats or pedals was frustrating.
The food and service on the boat was delightful and I enjoyed the crew and service. The rooms were very small, supplied with the right amount of electricity and the adapter was a nice touch.

Good itinerary, good guides, good food, clean and bright boat, very small cabin

The trip was advertised as Epernay to PARIS (berthing at Quai de Bercy) yet we were advised that the boat stopped at Lagny and pointed to the train station to make our own way to Paris . After a rather unpleasant confrontation with representatives BoatandBike arranged taxis to transport us to Paris.

as a first time to do a barge trip, Boat and accommodation was good, our trip did not deliver us to Paris as we were told and for which we paid – totally unacceptable to be lied to. bikes were really poor quality and not comfortable to ride Guides were average – nothing exceptional, poorly planned day trips and limited knowledge.

Our trip from Epernay to Paris aboard Zwaantje was fabulous. We explored the beautiful champagne region on ebikes and visited a few champagne houses and a Brie cheese producer which was fascinating. The area is stooped in history which we found interesting too. This was our second trip with Boat and Bike and they certainly didn’t disappoint us. Great crew, good food and a well run boat

We had an excellent experience with this company. Great guides, great food and beautiful country side.