France and Belgium: Paris β Bruges or Bruges β Paris Premium
During this 15 day bike & barge trip through Flanders (Belgium) and northern France, from Bruges to Paris, you will cycle through attractive areas, not yet discovered by mass tourism. This tour is characterized by a wide variation in landscapes and has all the ingredients a good bike & barge tour needs to explore these interesting regions.
The cycling tours go over gently forested undulations and across open farm land, along the rivers Scheldt, Somme, Oise and Seine; the Belgian-French border also appears to be more or less the watershed between the river basins of Scheldt and Seine.
As well as being able to discover many picturesque villages each day β both on your bicycle and on foot β you will be able to:
Visit the UNESCO World Heritage-listed historical center of Bruges;
Explore Ghent where several masterpieces of medieval painting are to be found, βThe Adoration of the Mystic Lambβ by Jan van Eyck, being the most famous of all;
Pass through Oudenaarde, the town of the tapestry weavers;
Admire the splendid chateau of Chantilly; a luxurious castle with an impressive art collection and horse dressage;
Walk to the grave of Vincent van Gogh in Auvers-sur-Oise;
Visit many highlights of Paris.
The ship β Your sailing hotel
In between cycling excursions, you cruise along with the ship, which travels to a new destination every day. You dine, sleep and eat breakfast on board. Youβll receive a packed lunch every day, and you can usually choose between a longer or shorter bike ride. Itβs also possible to spend a day on board if you like. There are rental E-Bikes on board, this tour will be offered as an E-Bike only tour.
Fully Guided
Accompanied by a competent, professional and multilingual tour leader, you and the group will visit interesting sights and places on the daily cycling tours. During the E-bike tour, they will explain the local history and culture behind the things you encounter along the way. You can also choose to ride individually with the help of our Ride with GPS app and our BBT cycling map (available on board).
Embarkation and check-in is at 1 p.m. just south of the Bruges city center. After a welcome meeting with the crew there is time for bicycle fitting and a short test-ride. After dinner the tour leader will take you for a walk through the center of town.
We advise you to come to Bruges one or more days earlier, so that you will have plenty of time to discover this interesting city.
Bruges, also called βPearl of Flandersβ, is probably the most beautiful of all Flemish cities. Its old center, which dates from the middle Ages, is almost completely intact. In that period Bruges was a metropolis and β after Paris β the 2nd largest city of Europe, center of trade and art, which you can still fully enjoy.
Day 2 Bruges Ββ Moerbrugge | Moerbrugge β Ghent
52km32 mi or 58km36 mi
After a sailing breakfast youβll start cycling at Moerbrugge. You will zigzag through the charming (and flat) countryside of West Flanders to Ghent.
Ghent is a lively university city, also with a rich past. The city has its origins in Roman times, at the confluence of the rivers Leie and Scheldt. This favorable site resulted in great prosperity over the years, which had its peak late 13th, early 14th century. Textile manufacturing brought great wealth. In the city center many old patrician houses have been preserved. In the Clothmakersβ Hall (1425) textile merchants used to meet. Ghentβs major church is St. Baafsβ Cathedral, raised in various ages and in various styles. In the cathedral you can admire a number of masterpieces of medieval painting, of which the βAdoration of the Lambβ by Jan van Eyck is the most famous.
Day 3 Ghent Ββ Oudenaarde
51km31 mi
This morning you will cycle back into downtown Ghent, where you can make a nice tour through the historical center with a small canal boat. In the late morning you will hop on your bicycles again, onwards to Oudenaarde. Oudenaarde is a small town, which was situated on the border of the French German Empire, so the town was the involuntary witness (and victim) of many wars. Because it was often in the firing line, there was always someone on the lookout. The statue of most famous watchman, βHanske de Krijgerβ, still stands on the magnificent town hall, that was built in the first half of the 16th century and is one of the most beautiful in Flanders. Oudenaarde is also known as the town of tapestry weavers. The tapestries became famous all over the world.
Day 4 OudenaardeΒ β Doornik (Tournai)
42km26 mi or 51km31 mi
Before leaving Oudenaarde, there is a guided visit to the beautiful town hall, where you can admire the tapestries. After that you will follow the river Scheldt upstream and cross the linguistic frontier, arriving in the Wallonia region. From now on people speak French and villages, towns, and cities have French names. Todayβs destination is Doornik or (in French:) Tournai, one of the oldest towns of Belgium. Doornik was under French government until the early 17th century. Just like in Oudenaarde, after the decline of textile industry, tapestry became important here. In 1940, the entire town center was destroyed in a German air raid, but renovation of the center of town has been very successful. Especially the Notre Dame Cathedral (12th and 13th century) is worth seeing. Also the Belfort, built around 1200, is definitely worth a visit. Today there is no dinner on board. You can select one of the local restaurants.
Day 5 Doornik (Tournai) β Bleharies | Bleharies β Pont Malin | Pont Malin β Arleux
50km31 mi or 54km33 mi
During breakfast the barge cruises into the direction of the Belgian-French border, through the so called βwhite landβ, where (white) limestone has been quarried since Roman times. Around the village of Bleharies at the border, you will start todayβs bicycle ride. The tour goes through open farm land, through little mining towns towards Lewarde, where a mining museum can be visited. You will spend the night in Arleux.
Day 6 Arleux β Havrincourt
40km24 mi or 53km32 mi
The barge leaves the large canal and will from now on follow the Canal du Nord. The construction of this canal was already planned in 1903, but it took until 1966 to finish the works. It was constructed to replace the older and smaller Canal de St. Quentin, constructed by Napoleon in 1801, to transport coal from the mines to the north. Your cycling tours leads to the city of Cambrai, once a Roman provincial capital and an important destination for pilgrims. Worth seeing are the impressive restored buildings of the city fortress, built under Charles V. Later we cycle to the top of the Canal du Nord where the barge stays the night next to farmland.
From Pont lβΓvΓͺque you will set course for CompiΓ¨gne. You will ride through the forest of Ourscamp and cross the river Aisne where the forest of CompiΓ¨gne begins. Here, at βClairiΓ¨re de lβArmisticeβ, French and German generals signed a Treaty to end World War I. You can visit the small but interesting museum that tells the story. Soon you will arrive at CompiΓ¨gne. The town owes its magnificent buildings to the proximity of Paris and the great woods, where the French kings loved to stay and hunt. The gardens of the Chateau de CompiΓ¨gne are definitely worth a visit. Today there is no dinner on board. You can select one of the local restaurants.
Day 11 CompiΓ¨gne β Pont-St-Maxence
54km33 mi
Today you cycle first through the forest south of CompiΓ¨gne. French kings loved to hunt here. Afterwards you will follow the valley of the Oise further downstream into the direction of Pont-Ste-Maxence. In the middle of the forest lies the little town of Pierrefonds, where you can pay a visit to the βIvanhoeβ castle with the same name. For the Roman ruins at Champlieu you need some imagination, but it makes for a nice break. Pont-Ste-Maxence is a small town on the Oise, which makes for a nice evening stroll.
Day 12 Pont-St-Maxence β Beaumont | Beaumont β Auvers-sur-Oise
Today, you can first spend some time in Auvers to search for βthe soul of Van Goghβ. Then, full of impressionist impressions, you will cycle in the direction of the Capital of Light via the impressive βAx Majeureβ. There is time for lunch at Conflans Sainte Honorine, where the Oise and Seine rivers merge. Conflans has been an important shipping center in Northern France since the 19th century. In the afternoon you will cycle up to the castle of Saint-Germain-en-Laye from where you will have a splendid view over Paris. After that you will continue along the river to Bougival, where you will spend the night.
Day 14 Paris (Bougival/Rueil) β Paris
Today the barge finally cruises the Seine, upstream into Paris. It is not far in a straight line, but the Seine makes a number of large meanders here. You will cruise right through the center of Paris. You can spend the rest of the day as you like. You can explore the city by subway, or take a bus roundtrip that takes you along all major sights.
Day 15 Paris
End of your tour: Disembarkation after breakfast until 9.00 a.m.
Day 1 Paris β Bougival
Embarkation and check-in at 1 p.m. in the center of Paris. After a welcome by the captain, crew and tour leader the barge will sail right through the city. Mooring place for the night is in a suburb of Paris. After a sailing dinner there is time for a short walk.
We advise you to come to Paris one or more days earlier, so that you will have plenty of time to discover this interesting city.
Day 2 Paris (Bougival) β Auvers-sur-Oise
42km26 mi or 48km29 mi
After breakfast you will cycle along quiet towpaths along the river Seine to the higher situated St. Germain; the gardens of Le NΓ΄tre provide a magnificent view across Paris. Next you will ride through a forest area to Conflans for a picnic on the pier and /or a drink on one of the terraces.
You can admire the impressive βAx Majeureβ on your way to Auvers-sur-Oise, the town where Vincent van Gogh spent the last days of his life and where he and his brother Theo are buried. You will have the possibility to visit Van Goghβs grave on the local cemetery.
Day 3 Auvers-sur-Oise β Beaumont | Beaumont β Pont-Ste- Maxence
46km28 mi
Sailing breakfast to Beaumont. Start your bike tour in Beaumont and follow the Oise River upstream. At lunchtime you will arrive in Chantilly.
For the Roman ruins at Champlieu you need some imagination, but it makes for a nice break on the way from Ponte-Ste-Maxence. In the middle of the forest lies the little town of Pierrefonds, where you can pay a visit to the βIvanhoeβ castle with the same name. Before you reach your destination CompiΓ¨gne, you will cycle through the forest named after this town βForΓͺt de CompiΓ¨gneβ. French kings loved to hunt here. CompiΓ¨gne owes its architectural wealth to the proximity of Paris. The gardens of the Chateau de CompiΓ¨gne are definitely worth a visit.
Today there is no dinner on board. You can select one of the local restaurants.
Day 5 CompiΓ¨gne β Pont lβΓvΓͺque
42km26 mi or 52km32 mi
In the morning you cycle into the most northern part of the forest of CompiΓ¨gne. Here you visit the βClairiΓ¨re de lβArmisticeβ, the place where the French and German generals signed the Treaty to end World War I. You can have a look into the small but interesting museum. Thereafter you will cross the river Aisne and cycle through the forest of Ourscamp. In the afternoon you will spend some time in Noyon, where you can visit one of the oldest Cathedrals of the country. After your visit you will cycle back to the canal at Pont lβΓvΓͺque, where the barge will be waiting for you.
The first part of your cycling tour goes through the valley of the Somme River. Later you will continue through the sparsely populated open and rolling landscape to Ruyaulcourt. At the end of WW1 this area was the frontline of the battle around the Somme.
The Canal du Nord has 2 tunnels, where the barge has to sail through. The longest one is the tunnel of Ruyalcourt, which is 4,350 meters (2.7 miles) long. As soon as are all back on board, the barge will pass this tunnel. Above the tunnel is the watershed between the rivers Somme and Escaut (Scheldt). From there the barge therefore goes downhill into the direction of Arleux. The barge stays the night on the highest point of the Canal du Nord next to farmland.
Day 9 Havrincourt β Arleux | Arleux β Pont Malin
44km27 mi or 56km34 mi
Todayβs longer option goes via the ruins of the Abbey of Vaucelles. Both routes lead to the city of Cambrai, once a Roman provincial capital and an important destination for pilgrims. Worth seeing are the impressive restored buildings of the city fortress, built under King Charles V. Then you will cycle to rural Arleux, home of smoked garlic, where the ship is waiting for you to sail to the lock of Pont Malin.
Day 10 Pont Malin β Denain | Denain β Doornik (Tournai)
44km27 mi or 56km34 mi
You will start your bicycle ride in Denain. The tour goes through open farm land, through little mining towns towards the French Belgium border.
Once in Belgium, you will cycle through the so-called βwhite landβ, where (white) limestone has been quarried since Roman times. Todayβs destination is Doornik (in French: Tournai), one of the oldest cities of Belgium. Doornik was under French government until the early 17th century. Just like in Oudenaarde, after the decline of textile industry, tapestry became important here. In 1940, the entire town center was destroyed in a German air-raid, but renovation of the center of the town has been very succesful. Especially the Notre Dame Cathedral (12th and 13th century) is worth seeing. The belfry, built around 1200, too is definitely worth a visit.
Today there is no dinner on board. You can select one of the local restaurants.
Day 11 Doornik (Tournai) β Oudenaarde
41km25 mi or 50km31 mi
Now the barge sails downstream the river Scheldt and after crossing the language barrier you enter the Flemish region. From here onwards Flemish is the spoken language. Your target today is Oudenaarde. Oudenaarde is a small town, which was situated on the border of the French German Empire, so the town was the involuntary witness (and victim) of many wars. Because it was often in the firing line, there was always someone on the lookout. The statue of most famous watchman, βHanske de Krijgerβ, still stands on the magnificent town hall, that was built in the first half of the 16th century and is one of the most beautiful in Flanders. Oudenaarde is also known as the town of tapestry weavers. The tapestries became famous all over the world. You will go on a guided tour of the beautiful town hall, where you can admire the tapestries.
Day 12 Oudenaarde β Ghent
51km31 mi
Today you keep on following the river towards Ghent, your destination. Ghent is a lively university town with a rich past. The city has its origins in Roman times, at the confluence of the rivers Lys and Scheldt. This favorable site resulted in great prosperity over the years, which had its peak late 13th, early 14th century. Textile manufacturing brought great wealth. In the city center many old patrician houses have been preserved. In the Clothmakersβ Hall (1425) textile merchants used to meet. Ghentβs major church is St. Baafsβ Cathedral, raised in various ages and in various styles. In the cathedral you can admire a number of masterpieces of medieval painting, of which the βAdoration of the Lambβ by Jan van Eyck is the most famous.
In Ghent you can make a nice tour through the historical center with a small canal boat.
Day 13 Ghent β Bruges
49km30 mi
Today your cycling tour goes through the charming (and flat) country side of Western Flanders to Bruges. Bruges, also called βPearl of Flandersβ, is one of the most beautiful of all Flemish cities. Its old center, which dates from the Middle Ages, is almost completely intact. In that period, Bruges was a metropolis and β after Paris β the 2nd largest city of Europe,, center of trade and art, which you can still fully enjoy.
Day 14 Bruges
38km23 mi or 54km33 mi
Today the barge will stay in Bruges. Optional bike rides through the pleasant countryside around Bruges will be offered. You can bike to the North Sea coast or visit the βOldβ Zealand in the Netherlands. Of course, you can also choose to spend your time in beautiful Bruges and visit a museum or do some shopping.
Day 15 Bruges
End of your tour: Disembarkation after breakfast until 9.00 a.m.
Good to know
Cycling route distances in the travel program are approximate.
On some days you can choose between a longer and a shorter cycling route. Please note that on the shorter routes you may not be able to visit all the highlights mentioned.
If you prefer not to cycle on a particular day, youβre welcome to stay on board and relax while the ship cruises to the next landing place.
The tour itinerary and route are subject to possible changes due to nautical, technical or meteorological reasons, or other unforeseen events.
On the arrival day, you can leave your luggage on board the ship from 11.00 am.
A detailed cycling map and a GPS app are available for guests who wish to cycle individually and at their own pace. The tour guide is always available via cell phone in case of questions, breakdowns or emergencies.
The bicycles of Boat Bike Tours
Always the best rental bikes
The rental bikes on our ships are unisex bicycles with a low bar and a comfortable upright sitting position. These are stable and dependable bikes, good for miles in the saddle. Decide which kind of bike you want to rent and simply fill in your preference with your reservation. Weβll make sure you get the right bike for you. On most of our tours, the bike rental cost is not included in the tourβs price.
Every Boat Bike Tour rental bike is well equipped. The bikes consist of a lightweight aluminum frame and have highly-responsive handbrakes, at least seven speeds, an adjustable gel seat, normal flat pedals (no clips), an easy-to-use lock attached to the frame, and special puncture-resistant tires. All told, this is a light, stable and reliable bike, very suitable for touring long distances pleasantly.
Our e-bikes also have at least seven speeds and handbrakes. The motor runs on a 400Wh battery and offers three levels of power-assistance. The e-bikes include comfortable gel seats that can be adjusted for height, have a lock attached to the frame, and sport anti-puncture tires. Note that some of the ships have their own bikes on board. They may look a bit different, but qualitatively they are equal to Boat Bike Toursβs e-bikes.
Bicycle helmets The use of bicycle helmets is not required in the Netherlands, but for safetyβs sake they are suggested. If you wish to rent one, you can do so during the booking process. If you book a premium tour and rent a bike or e-bike, then the helmet and a βlimit of liability for damage or lossβ for your bike or e-bike is included in the rental price.
Other rental items Other items such as childrenβs bikes, tandems, family tandems (child & adult), tag-along, trailers to carry toddlers and child seats are available on request.
Taking your own bike or e-bike? The fee for parking your own bicycle is β¬10 per week. For an e-bike the fee is β¬25 to cover parking and charging the battery. For safety reasons it is not always possible to charge your e-bike batteries in your cabin. The crew will tell you where you can charge the battery on board the ship. Neither the crew nor Boat Bike tours is responsible in any way for any damage, loss or theft of a guestβs own bike or e-bike or its accessories. Note: not all the ships are suitable or have enough room for extra bikes, so make sure you check with us well ahead of travel.
Clair dβEtoile: The E-Bike has hand breaks only, 3 gears and support levels, a lock and pannier bag.
Fleur: E-Bike of the brand Gudereit EC-4 with 8-gear, handbrakes. Lock and pannier bag
Bike helmets are available on board. Children till 12 yrs. are obligated to wear a bike helmet.
Taking your own bicycle
Bringing your own bike/e-bike is not possible, due to lack of space on deck. Exceptions will be made for special bikes, but only after they have been notified and confirmed in advance.
Prices & availability
Date
Departure
Ship
Saturday
May 8, 2027
Saturday
May 22, 2027
Bruges
Guided
Clair d'Etoile
Available
Prices from
β¬4,359.00 p.p.
Monday
May 24, 2027
Monday
Jun 7, 2027
Bruges
Guided
Fleur
Available
Prices from
β¬4,359.00 p.p.
Monday
Aug 2, 2027
Monday
Aug 16, 2027
Paris
Guided
Fleur
Available
Prices from
β¬4,149.00 p.p.
Monday
Sep 13, 2027
Monday
Sep 27, 2027
Bruges
Guided
Fleur
Available
Prices from
β¬4,149.00 p.p.
Monday
Sep 27, 2027
Monday
Oct 11, 2027
Paris
Guided
Fleur
Available
Prices from
β¬4,149.00 p.p.
Practical information
Included in this tour
15 days/14 nights
14 x breakfast
Packed lunches
12 x 3-course dinner
Coffee and tea on board
Welcome drink
Use of bed linen and towels
Daily cleaning of the cabin, 1x change of bed sheets
Entrance fees and excursions (not mentioned under included)
Transfers to/from the docking place
Parking fees
SGR Insolvency protection (mandatory consumer contribution SGR insolvency protection guarantee scheme: β¬ 5 per person β will be specified separately on the booking confirmation)
Parking own E-Bike: it is not possible to bring your own E-Bike on these ships, due to a lack of space on deck.
Transfer between Paris and Bruges: There is a good train connection between these two cities. Please visit one of the following websites for timetables, tickets or more information www.omio.com or www.trainline.com.
Loyalty Discount
Explore our Loyalty Discount!
After your tour, youβll receive an exclusive discount code:
You get 3% on your second tour with us.
From the third tour onwards, you will receive a 5% discount.
Enjoy savings on any of our upcoming trips in 2026.
Check your post-tour email for details. You can combine this discount with other promotions for additional savings. Join us again for another adventure by boat and bike!
From the boat to the captain to the staff, par excellence! The two guides Ronald and Desiree were even better. β¦
From the boat to the captain to the staff, par excellence! The two guides Ronald and Desiree were even better. I looked hard for any negative input or criticism, the only thing that came up was sub-par towels. The rides were well organized and well managed the sights and routes were beautiful and informative the food was good the facilities were good. I and my wife had the time of our lives. I would highly recommend this boat and crew to anyone.
All accommodations were ok, based on the size of the boat. Food was extremely good. Alcohol prices were fair. Bike β¦
All accommodations were ok, based on the size of the boat. Food was extremely good. Alcohol prices were fair. Bike tours were great for the most part, although missed turns were a pain.
I particularly disliked the very frequent breaking of traffic rules. There was a basic disregard for stop signs, red lights. β¦
I particularly disliked the very frequent breaking of traffic rules. There was a basic disregard for stop signs, red lights. Also, guides were somewhat disorganized and frequently uncertain about the routes and sites. Perhaps their first time for this particular tour??
Reply from Boat Bike Tours
Thank you for sharing your feedback. We sincerely apologize for the experience you had. Regarding the guides, we regret that their performance did not meet your expectations, and we ll make sure to address this with them to improve clarity and organization for future tours. We hope you will consider giving us another opportunity to serve you. Kind regards, Boat Bike Tours
Guided cycling: A tour leader will guide you during the cycling days
Guided
From:
β¬ 1,979 p.p.
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