Paris to Epernay Champagne (E-Bikes only)

From: € 2140

8 Days / 7 Nights
Type: Guided
Level of Difficulty: Moderate

Imagine Yourself…

Cruising on the Seine as Paris slowly gives way to the French countryside
Cycling past endless vineyards and peaceful villages
Tasting Champagne where it was first created
Standing at historic castles, chapels, and WWI memorials
Wandering through charming towns like Meaux, Château-Thierry, and Epernay

Overview

The Champagne Tour is one of our bike & barge favorites. You’ll get the best of both worlds: time to discover Paris, and plenty of days riding through the Champagne region, home of the world’s most famous sparkling wine. Since Dom Pérignon first perfected the bubbly back in the 1600s, this area has been all about celebration. Biking in the hills will not take too much effort, as a comfortable E-bike is available for all guests

Each day you’ll cycle along quiet country roads and vineyard trails, sometimes gently rolling, always scenic. Along the way you can stop at family-run wineries, taste different champagnes, and enjoy the delicious Brie cheeses the region is known for.

Highlights include the historic town of Meaux, Château-Thierry with its WWI history, and finally Epernay, the “capital of Champagne,” where you can wander the grand Avenue de Champagne and visit one of its famous cellars. Between Paris and the vineyards, this tour really does have it all.

Daily Itinerary

Dates & Prices

Green = Open | Yellow = Limited | Red = Full

Prices are per person, in Euro’s and includes E-bike rental

Departure – 2026	Barge	Twin	Twin for Single use (1 per departure)
August 20	Clair d’Etoile	€ 2140	€ 3030	Full ;
September 3	Clair d’Etoile	€ 2340	€ 3340	Full ;
September 17	Clair d’Etoile	€ 2340	€ 3340	Full ;
October 1	Clair d’Etoile	€ 2140	€ 3030	Full ;
October 15	Clair d’Etoile	€ 2140	€ 3030	Book here ;

- 7 nights on board the ship (sheets, blankets, and towels)
- 7 breakfasts, packed lunches, and 6 x 3-course dinners
- Electric Bike rental
- Coffee and tea on board
- Daily cleaning of the cabin (1 change of bed sheets)
- Climate controlled cabin
- Multilingual Tour guide on bike
- Daily briefings – Route descriptions and maps
- GPS tracks
- Walking tours
- Fees for ferries
- Brie cheese tasting in Jouarre
- Champagne tasting at local producer
- Visit champagne cellar in Epernay
- Reservation costs
The cook prepares all meals: a substantial breakfast and a three-course dinner of very good quality. A packed lunch may be prepared after breakfast. Tea and coffee will be ready when you arrive on board in the afternoon. There’s a bar on the boat with beer, wine, and soft drinks at reasonable prices. If you have special meal requirements, please mention this when booking. In the case of a Vegetarian and gluten-free diet there is an additional charge of €50 per week. You’ll need to pay this cash on board.
- Airfare
- 1 dinner
- Entrance fees and excursions not mentioned under included
- Drinks (other than coffee & tea) on board
- Trip cancellation insurance
This tour is fully guided, but cannot be rated as easy: you need to be a fit and well-practiced cyclist. Every day you will cycle small country roads (short distances: un- or semi-paved roads and tracks) that almost all day go up and down the beautiful slopes of the wide river valley, through the hills and the Champagne vineyards.

Cycling distances vary from 30/50 km (19/31 miles) per day. Biking in the hills will not take too much effort, as a comfortable E-bike is reserved for all guests.

With 18 guests or more, the daily cycling tours will be accompanied by two knowledgeable and multi-lingual tour leaders. On most days, the tour leaders will offer a long and a short (or a quicker and a more relaxed) cycling option. The option for a long tour is also depending on weather conditions and wishes of the group.

With 18 guests or more, the daily cycling tours will be accompanied by 2 knowledgeable and multi-lingual tour leaders. On most days, the tour leaders will offer a long and a short (or a quicker and a more relaxed) cycling option. The option for a long tour is also depending on weather conditions and wishes of the group.

When there are less than 18 guests aboard, the tours will be accompanied by one knowledgeable and multi-lingual tour leader. During days when two bicycle options are possible, the tour leader will make a choice to guide the longer or the shorter option after consultation of the group. Not all mentioned highlights can be visited during the short cycling option.

If you prefer not to cycle on a particular day, you’re 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.

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.

Accommodations

The accommodations listed below are examples of those usually used on the tour. Depending on availability, you may be booked in a different accommodation of equal quality.

Embarkation and check-in at 2:00 pm near the Seine. Once everyone is on board, the captain, crew, and tour guide will welcome you and get you settled in. We’ll then start the week with a special treat ‘a cruise right through Paris’, giving you the chance to enjoy the city from the water as we head toward Lagny-sur-Marne, where the lively city slowly gives way to the calm French countryside.

During the cruise, your guide will go over safety tips and share what’s planned for the week. In the evening, after your first dinner on board, you’ll have time to take a stroll and explore Lagny, a charming town on the Marne. It’s the perfect gentle start to your bike adventure ahead.
In the morning we’ll take plenty of time for a good bike fitting, so that everyone is comfortable and ready to ride. Once the saddles and handlebars are adjusted, it’s time for your very first bike tour along the Marne River.

There are two route options today: an easy one that follows the river, and a slightly more challenging one with a few extra ups and downs. Both routes lead past the elegant Château de Champs-sur-Marne and its surrounding gardens. Built in the 18th century as a countryside retreat, this château is a wonderful example of the new lifestyle of that era; refined, stylish, and away from the bustle of the city. Inside, it’s considered one of the best-furnished castles in the whole Île-de-France region.
Today offers two cycling options from Lagny-sur-Marne. No matter which one you choose, the first few kilometers will get your legs working; both routes start with a bit of climbing. On the shorter ride, the challenge comes right away with the hill near Chalifert. While the barge slips quietly through the tunnel under the hill, you’ll have the chance to test your fitness by pedaling up and over it. No worries, you’ll have an electric bike to make it much easier.

The longer route is also hilly at the start, as you climb out of the Marne valley, but soon it levels out as you follow the peaceful Canal de l’Ourcq. This canal was built in the time of Napoleon to supply Paris with wood, grain, and fresh water, and today it makes for a lovely cycling path.

Your destination is the charming city of Meaux. Here you can wander through the streets, admire the stunning St.-Étienne Cathedral, and of course sample the city’s pride and joy: Brie de Meaux, one of France’s most famous cheeses. You’ll spend the night here, right in the heart of Brie country.
Today there are a few different cycling options. The shorter route takes you over the hills and slopes of the Marne valley’s south bank, winding through peaceful forests and tiny villages. The longer route starts off a bit gentler, following the river through Trilport and Lizy-sur-Ourcq, but later you’ll face a few climbs as you leave the valley and head toward Jouarre. Don’t worry, with an e-bike those hills are much easier to manage, so you can just enjoy the scenery.

In Jouarre, everyone comes together to visit the family-run Fromagerie Ganot, where you’ll get a presentation (with tastings, of course!) of their famous Brie de Meaux and Brie noir cheeses. It’s a delicious reward after the ride.

Dinner will be served back on board, and you’ll spend the night in La Ferté-sous-Jouarre or a nearby village.
Today’s ride from La Ferté-sous-Jouarre to Château-Thierry is a little more challenging, but full of variety and history. The first stretch takes you along the Marne River before you turn into a side valley, following quiet country roads through small villages and hamlets. From there, the route climbs steadily until you reach the plateau above the northern part of the Marne valley. The side valleys are mostly wooded, while the plateau opens up into farmland, with wide views across the landscape. Your e-bike will help take the edge off the climbs.

You’ll then follow the valley of the small Clignon River. Along the way, you can stop at the impressive WWI American Cemetery and Monument near Belleau, a moving reminder of the battles fought here. From there, it’s time to enjoy a descent down into Château-Thierry.

Dinner will be served on board, and the night is spent in Château-Thierry; a town with a fascinating past. Once dominated by a castle on the slopes above the river (some ruins remain), Château-Thierry was the scene of two major battles: in 1814 during the Napoleonic Wars, and again in 1918 at the end of World War I. It’s also the birthplace of Jean de La Fontaine, the world-famous writer of fables.
This morning, while you enjoy breakfast, the barge cruises to the lock of Mont St. Pierre or a bit further upstream to Dormans. From here, you’ll officially enter the Champagne region. Dormans itself is a peaceful village on the Marne, with a castle and a chapel that commemorate the fierce battles fought here during World War I.

From Dormans, today’s ride takes you up the northern slope of the valley toward Châtillon-sur-Marne. The climb is rewarded with a breathtaking panoramic view across the Marne valley and its endless rows of Champagne vineyards.

In the evening, there’s no dinner on board. Instead, you’ll head into town to pick your own restaurant. The perfect excuse to toast the day with a glass of Champagne!
Your final half-day ride takes you along a quiet canal that runs parallel to the Marne River, passing through the villages of Ay and Mareuil-sur-Ay. From there, you’ll circle back via Dizy to reach Hautvillers. The climb up to this picturesque hilltop village of Champagne winegrowers can feel like a challenge, but with your e-bike it’s no problem at all and the reward is well worth it. Hautvillers is known as the birthplace of Champagne, and here you’ll visit the chapel where Dom Pérignon (1638–1715) is buried. As the cellar master of the Benedictine abbey, he perfected techniques like blending grapes and double fermentation, turning local wines into the sparkling masterpiece we know today.

Afterwards you’ll cycle back to Epernay, the true capital of Champagne. Following lunch on board, there’s time to explore the town center. Epernay brings together three wine regions; the Montagne de Reims, the Côte des Blancs, and the Vallée de la Marneonce. And is home to the Champagne barons, with ornate 19th-century façades that still whisper stories of the golden age. The highlight is the famous Avenue de Champagne, home to world-renowned houses like Moët & Chandon and Mercier. Here you’ll enjoy a tasting and tour in one of the great Champagne cellars. A fitting finale to the journey ‘raising a glass of Champagne’ in the very heart of Champagne itself.