Burgundy & Provence E-Bike & Boat
France Bike + Boat Tours
Rhône & Saône River Valleys
- Tour Type
- Skill Level
- Length8 days
- Prices from€3220 Rates
Overview
This is the best of France! This electric bike and boat tour features two of France's most visited regions: Burgundy and Provence!
Lyon, where you begin and end your tour, became the capital of Burgundy in the time of the kings of Burgundy. It is here that you will find the historical and cultural essence of the region, known for its wine and cuisine.
Your stress-free electric bike cycling will follow an undulating route through white limestone gorges, vineyards, olive groves, lavender, and sunflower fields. Highlighted are imposing castles, ancient monasteries, and delightful french villages. You will cycle on the Rhone Cycle Route, a section of the EuroVelo 17, as well as a voie verte (rails to trails path) and other scenic riverside paths and rural routes.
Your floating accommodation, the Stella, will cruise the Rhône and Saône Rivers, from Lyon to Avignon and back again as you enjoy all that an active European river cruise offers: lovely accommodations, abundant amenities, regional cuisine, and great service provided by your attentive crew and knowledgeable guides.
Highlights
- Gourmet city of Lyon
- Water castles of Southern Burgundy
- Cluny Abbey
- Châteauneuf Vineyards and tasting
- Avignon
- St. Remy de Provence
- Wild gorge of the Ardèche
- Spectacular and stress-free e-cycling routes in Burgundy, Provence, and Ardèche
Itinerary
Day 1: Lyon
Day 2: Châlon sûr Saône - Cormatin, 26 mi. (42 km)
Day 3: Mâcon - Cluny - Trévoux, 34 mi. (54 km)
Day 4: Lyon City Tour, 1.8 mi. (3 km walking distance)
Day 5: Avignon - Châteauneuf-du-Pape, 22 mi. (35 km)
Day 6: Avignon - St. Remy - Arles, 27 mi. (43 km)
Day 7: The Ardèche Gorge, 16 mi. (27 km)
Day 8: Departure or extension in Lyon*All distances are approximate. The itinerary is subject to change, at times without prior notice. Some waterways may be subject to occasional closures due to drought, storms, floods, canal or lock repairs, or other unforeseen circumstances that make navigation unsafe or impossible. The captain reserves the right to make any changes deemed necessary.
Day 1: Lyon
The crew of the Stella will be waiting to welcome you on board. Embarkation begins at 4 pm. Once you have settled in, there will be a tour presentation followed by an evening panoramic drive through Lyon's old town. Your first dinner on board will be enjoyed as the ship slowly glides north on the waters of the Saône. Departure at 9 pm. from Lyon towards Burgundy.Day 2: Châlon sûr Saône - Cormatin - Châlon sûr Saône, 26 mi. (42 km)
You will awake and enjoy breakfast as the ship continues navigating, reaching the northernmost point of this voyage, Châlon sûr Saône, at about noon. By this time, you are ready for your first cycling stage through an area in the triangle between Châlon, Cormatin, and Tournus, important both culturally and geographically. You encounter castles, Romanesque churches, and enchanting villages. Once linked by a railroad, the villages today are connected by a “voie verte”, or rails to trails cycle path. After lunch, you reach the 17th-century Château de Cormatin, surrounded by a moat and lawns and English-style gardens. The gently undulating afternoon route is very scenic, with wonderful views over the valley. If you prefer you can take the support vehicle up part of this stage. Your day's cycling ends with an exhilarating descent. From a distance, you can already make out the striking outlines of the 9th-century priory church of St. Philibert in Tournus, a jewel of Romanesque architecture. Here you will enjoy a tour, see the fundamentals of French architecture and learn the fascinating history. A short transfer will bring you back to Châlon sûr Saône in the evening.Day 3: Mâcon - Cluny - Trévoux, 34 mi. (54 km)
While you sleep, the ship will sail south, and you will awaken in the heart of southern Burgundy on the quay walls of the city of Mâcon. Your e-bikes are ready and waiting not far from the jetty. From the village of Macon, you will negotiate a hill and then cycle on a scenic route with a distant view of the rock of Solutré. A few kilometers further, the mighty Berzé-le-Châtel castle appears in front of you. The fortress served to secure the Cluisois and the Grosne valley to the south. Continuing on, you will reach Cluny, the most important center of Benedictine monasticism in the 11th century in Europe. Cluny had amassed an immeasurable fortune through gifts and endowments. The ruin still looks imposing, although it is only a small part of the once gigantic ensemble. During a detailed tour, a local, knowledgeable guide will show you the imposing monastery complex and its excavations. A transfer will take you to Trévoux in the late afternoon, where your ship will dock. After dinner, the STELLA will return to Lyon. The ship stays overnight in Lyon so that you can stroll through the narrow streets of the city after dinner.Day 4: Lyon City Tour
Lyon is the gateway to the south and the secret capital of gourmets. The Saône flows into the Rhône here and divides the city center into a busy part with splendid facades from the 19th century and the picturesque old town. Here are the Renaissance houses of the rich cloth merchants and bankers. From the outside rather inconspicuous, the true splendor of the inner courtyards is revealed with the help of narrow passages that connect the streets with one another. They are called "Traboules" (transambulare = to walk through). They were often used as escape routes when citizens and bishops feuded or Catholics and Protestants stabbed their sabers in the chests. The trading city, which has been important since Roman times, has never boasted of its wealth, but those in the know, know that Gauguin and Cézanne paintings hang in some of the bourgeois apartments. The unmistakable atmosphere of Lyon has awarded it UNESCO World Heritage Site status. You'll be back on board for lunch and the ship will pick up anchor to navigate south. Enjoy the view of the leisurely passing cityscape of Lyon with coffee and cake and later with an aperitif or let yourself be pampered in the Spa on board.Day 5: Avignon - Châteauneuf-du-Pape, 22 mi. (35 km)
In the morning you can enjoy watching the landscape go by on the sun deck. In the late morning, the STELLA stops not far from the vineyards of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The bikes are already waiting at the jetty. You cycle to the small town center of Châteauneuf du Pape and learn about the elaborate production of the fine, red wines during a wine tasting. After the lunch break you leave the world-famous vineyard and cycle through a fertile fruit and vegetable growing area. You have just passed one of the largest islands in the Rhône. The route runs on comfortable paths to the much-celebrated bridge to Avignon and then not far to the ship. The ship stays overnight in Avignon so that you can stroll through the narrow streets of the city before dinner and take a look at the many small boutiques.Day 6: Avignon - St. Remy - Arles, 27 mi. (43 km)
In the morning you will experience Avignon on a city tour. For almost 70 years the popes did not reside in Rome, but here. In the midst of the secluded gardens of Cathedral Hill, you will learn how the anti-popes fell into “Babylonian captivity”. After the city tour, get on the e-bikes at the gates of Avignon and ride to St. Remy de Provence. Van Gogh stayed here for a while in a privately run clinic, in a former convent. After lunch in St. Rémy, you continue to the monumental art center Carrières de Lumières, located in the middle of the Alpilles. Every year a big show of a special kind is offered in which the big names in art history are presented. After the visit, you drive on small branch routes out of the Alpilles down into the alluvial land of the Rhône. You cross Provencal villages, pedal along meadows and fields with wheat and sunflowers to Arles. The Roman residence city houses a magnificent amphitheater in the city center, which is one of the best preserved in France. Today bloodless bullfights still take place here. In the meantime, your ship has sailed on to Arles and lies directly in front of the mighty city gate that opens onto the riverbank. You still have the option of visiting the ornate Romanesque portal of the Saint Trophime cathedral or enjoying an espresso in the square of the famous Café de la Nuit by van Gogh.Day 7: The Ardèche Gorge, 16 mi. (27 km)
In the morning light you can see the vineyards of the Côtes du Rhône and the vineyards of the famous “Crozes Hermitages”. This morning a bus will take you to the deep gorge of the Ardèche and one of the most attractive cycling routes on this tour. During the journey, your guide will explain to you the very interesting history of the origins of the UNESCO World Heritage cave systems and their Stone Age settlement. Once on your bike, you discover a garrigue landscape and cycle down along lavender fields and holm oaks until you suddenly come to the enormous gorge of the Ardèche river. The river has dug its way into the rock up to 300 m deep. A winding panoramic road runs along its edge and again and again allows fantastic views of the cliffs and caves. Impressive evidence and rock paintings of our ancestors have been found here. You visit a cave system that extends deep into the rock. At noon you will be back on board and can spend the afternoon on the spacious sun deck, In the evening, an excellent final dinner awaits you on board in the wine bar. In the meantime, your ship will sail back to Lyon overnight.Day 8: Departure or extension in Lyon
Wake up back in Lyon. After breakfast you will leave your ship at around 9 a.m. If you have arrived by plane, a transfer will take you to the airport (at a fixed time, at an additional cost) or extend your stay in Lyon!Map
Boats & Bikes
- Stella
Deluxe Class Boat
This ship was built for relaxation but also for active-minded vacationers! On the spacious sun deck, you will find an outdoor pool, shuffleboard, and a putting green as well as an outdoor restaurant and cafe bar with coffee specialties, wine, and refreshments. Read More
Inclusions
What’s Included
- Accommodation for 7 nights in the selected category of cabin
- Breakfast
- Lunch as a picnic buffet or as a buffet on board according to the program
- 7 multi-course dinners in buffet form
- All drinks are included on this trip, with the exception of champagne, bottled wine, and exclusive rarities
- Support vehicle
- Electric bike
- Fully English-guided cycling itinerary
- All visits and admissions as indicated in the itinerary
- All transfers as indicated in the itinerary
- Visit to a wine bodega with tasting
What’s Not Included
- Airport transfers
- Helmet
- Gratuities
- Bike Protection
- Travel Insurance
Dates & Pricing
Dates
Deluxe Class
Stella
Saturday departures
Season A: September 28, & October 5, 2024
Season B: April 27, May 4, May 11, & September 14, 2024Please Note
- Rates are per person, based on double occupancy
- Tour prices are based on the fuel costs at time prices are set, often months or years in advance. In rare cases, additional fees may apply for fuel cost increases.
- Information to read before you book
- We recommend purchasing trip insurance
- Please see our FAQ
Pricing
2024
Season A Season B Deck 1 | Category A $ 5367 £ 2825 $ 4,846 € 3220 kr 493663 ₪ 13103 ¥ 548430 Mex$ 59720 NZ$ 5879 NOK 38490 zł 14127 S$ 4784 kr 38526 $ 3,530 $ 5783 £ 3045 $ 5,222 € 3470 kr 531991 ₪ 14121 ¥ 591010 Mex$ 64356 NZ$ 6335 NOK 41479 zł 15223 S$ 5156 kr 41517 $ 3,804 Category A for single-use $ 6950 £ 3659 $ 6,275 € 4170 kr 639309 ₪ 16969 ¥ 710234 Mex$ 77339 NZ$ 7613 NOK 49846 zł 18294 S$ 6196 kr 49892 $ 4,571 $ 7933 £ 4177 $ 7,163 € 4760 kr 729763 ₪ 19370 ¥ 810723 Mex$ 88281 NZ$ 8690 NOK 56899 zł 20883 S$ 7073 kr 56951 $ 5,218 Deck 2 | Category C $ 6033 £ 3176 $ 5,448 € 3620 kr 554988 ₪ 14731 ¥ 616558 Mex$ 67138 NZ$ 6609 NOK 43272 zł 15881 S$ 5379 kr 43312 $ 3,968 $ 6450 £ 3396 $ 5,824 € 3870 kr 593316 ₪ 15748 ¥ 659138 Mex$ 71775 NZ$ 7065 NOK 46260 zł 16978 S$ 5750 kr 46303 $ 4,242 Category C for single-use $ 7950 £ 4185 $ 7,178 € 4770 kr 731296 ₪ 19411 ¥ 812426 Mex$ 88467 NZ$ 8708 NOK 57018 zł 20927 S$ 7088 kr 57071 $ 5,229 $ 9000 £ 4738 $ 8,126 € 5400 kr 827883 ₪ 21975 ¥ 919727 Mex$ 100151 NZ$ 9859 NOK 64549 zł 23691 S$ 8024 kr 64608 $ 5,919 Deck 3 | Category D $ 6367 £ 3352 $ 5,749 € 3820 kr 585650 ₪ 15545 ¥ 650622 Mex$ 70848 NZ$ 6974 NOK 45662 zł 16759 S$ 5676 kr 45705 $ 4,187 $ 6783 £ 3571 $ 6,125 € 4070 kr 623978 ₪ 16562 ¥ 693202 Mex$ 75484 NZ$ 7430 NOK 48651 zł 17856 S$ 6047 kr 48696 $ 4,461 Category D for single-use $ 8450 £ 4449 $ 7,630 € 5070 kr 777290 ₪ 20632 ¥ 863522 Mex$ 94031 NZ$ 9256 NOK 60604 zł 22243 S$ 7533 kr 60660 $ 5,558 $ 9533 £ 5019 $ 8,608 € 5720 kr 876942 ₪ 23277 ¥ 974230 Mex$ 106086 NZ$ 10443 NOK 68374 zł 25094 S$ 8499 kr 68437 $ 6,270 Extra Options
Helmet rental: $ 17 £ 9 $ 15 € 10 kr 1533 ₪ 41 ¥ 1703 Mex$ 185 NZ$ 18 NOK 120 zł 44 S$ 15 kr 120 $ 11 Transfer from/to Lyon Airport to the ship, each way, 1 - 3 people: $ 83 £ 44 $ 75 € 50 kr 7666 ₪ 203 ¥ 8516 Mex$ 927 NZ$ 91 NOK 598 zł 219 S$ 74 kr 598 $ 55 *
*Due to rising fuel costs, transfer prices subject to change. Please note that transfer reservations must be made well in advance of your tour date. Transfer distance is 19 mi. (30 km) and transfer time is 30-35 minutes of travel.
Extra Info
Skill Level — Easy–Moderate
On this easy-to-moderate E-Bike & Boat tour, you pedal the picturesque wine-growing landscape of the Rhône and Saône Valleys for a total distance of 200 km on rural country roads with light traffic. Although the south of France is very mountainous, you will often start with your e-bike above the river valleys and ride a lot more downhill than uphill. On your premium pedelec equipped with Bosch or Shimano mid-mounted motor, you can decide how much assistance you require. The difficulty rating will be entirely up to you!
Airport Info
Fly to Lyon (LYS) or Paris Charles De Gaulle (CDG)
Local Travel
Lyon-Sant-Exupéry Airport (LYS)
The Gare de Saint-Exupéry is the railway station directly attached to the airport. The Tram Lyon Express (Rhône Express) travels to/from the city center (Part-Dieu train station) every 15 minutes and takes approx 30 minutes. The cost is between €16 and €30, can be purchased on line, from machines at the airport, or on board from the conductor (a €4 fee will be required).
Please book your flight so that you arrive at Lyon airport no later than 3 pm, to arrive to the ship at 5 pm for embarkation, tour information meeting, and evening drive through Lyon’s old town.
Paris Airport CDG
TGV train from/to Paris CDG to Lyon takes approx. 2 hours. Expect to pay between €50 - €100.Climate
This tour is offered during the spring and fall in France, the best time for cycling in Burgundy and Provence, as summer temperatures can be hot. The region has a temperate, semi-continental climate with Oceanic and Mediterranean influences. Expect warm days, but also cooler ones, with temperatures dropping at night. Rain is more frequent in the spring so don’t forget your raingear! See below for average temperatures and rainfall.
Remarks
This tour offers an optional CO2 compensation program for a supplement through Atmosfair, a non-profit climate protection organization with a focus on travel. Your voluntary contribution will provide for the expansion of renewable energies in countries where they are scarcely available. See pricing.
Important to know
Travel Documents
It is each traveler's responsibility to ensure that you are in compliance with the country or countries you plan to visit. This includes and is not limited to passport validity, visa requirements and acquisition, blank passport pages required for your destination (s), etc.
US citizens: A good website to research the requirements of the Schengen Agreement and entry into other countries is travel.state.gov.
Non-EU and EU residents: Please research the requirements of your country of residence for international travel and your destination country or countries.
*Important note: Please check on the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) status as once implemented, this will be required to visit any of the 26 Schengen-member countries for tourism, business, medical, or transit. This is an additional check on security rather than a visa.Tour Operator
This tour is run by TerraNova.
We value the strong relationship we have with our local partners and the services we provide.
We are not a broker.
We do not inflate tour prices.
We are simply travelers helping travelers.Would you like to learn more About Us? How about What Makes Us Different than other companies?
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