Bike and barge in France

A bike and barge holiday combines cycling with life aboard a riverboat. Each morning, you set off on your bike to explore the region, following a tour leader or cycling at your own pace. In the evening, the barge is moored at a new stop, where you return for dinner and an overnight stay. The cabin is yours for the whole week.

Depending on the route, you can explore Roman heritage sites like the Pont du Gard and the theatres of Arles, the papal city of Avignon and other iconic spots in Provence, the medieval streets of Auxerre, the vineyards of Champagne and the legendary Avenue de Champagne in Épernay, the wild landscapes of the Camargue with its flamingos and white horses, and the scenic Moselle valley between Metz and Cochem. Each tour is designed to include both well-known highlights and lesser-known villages that are best discovered by bike.

Most of our France bike and barge tours are guided, meaning a tour leader travels with the group and leads the daily cycling stages. The Provence and Camargue tour is also available as a self-guided option, where you cycle independently using detailed maps and a roadbook.

In general, breakfast and dinner are served on board, while lunch is a packed lunch prepared with ingredients from the kitchen on board. As meal arrangements can vary by tour, we recommend checking the specific tour page for full details on what is and is not included.

Our France bike and barge tours are designed to be accessible to a wide range of cyclists. No special training is required, though a reasonable level of general fitness will help you enjoy the experience more. We invite you to verify on the tour page the specific characteristics of the route.

If you have any doubts, an electric bike is always available as an option.

Yes. Electric bikes are available on all our France tours and are a popular choice, especially for those who want to enjoy the scenery without worrying about distance or fatigue.

It depends on the trip. Guest numbers range from 20 to over 40, depending on the boat. The average age tends to be between 50 and 80, though families with children and younger cyclists also join us in peak season. Each trip page includes a full description of the boat, including the maximum number of guests.

Our France bike and barge tours run from March to October. Late spring (May and June) and early autumn (September and October) are particularly pleasant, with mild temperatures, fewer crowds and beautiful light. July and August are the warmest months, so you can opt for an electric bike, which makes pedalling effortlessly enjoyable even on the hottest days.

Sure. Solo travellers are welcome on bike and barge tours. A single cabin supplement applies, as cabins are normally priced for double occupancy.

Every bike tour includes: overnight on board, breakfast and other meals (depending on the tour),route materials or tour leader and multilingual assistance. Depending on the trip, you can add extra services to your quote, such as bike rental, meals, extra nights and transfers.

We strongly recommend it. A good policy should cover medical expenses, trip cancellation and cycling-specific incidents. Travel insurance is not included in the tour price and must be arranged independently before your trip.

We recommend booking as early as possible, as places on the barge are limited. Many of our most popular tours sell out months in advance. Last-minute availability does occasionally come up, so it is always worth checking.

It is simple: choose your trip, get your quote, and book directly online by filling in the required details and paying a deposit by credit card or bank transfer. Within 3 working days we will send you a confirmation email or an update. If you have any questions or doubts, get in touch. We are available by phone or email.

From clothing and footwear to electronics and luggage tips, we’ve put together a complete cycling holiday packing list. Don’t forget the essentials: a raincoat, padded shorts, sunscreen and a power bank. Check out all our suggestions in this article: cycling holiday packing list