Escargot
5 day Biking and Barging in the Upper Loire
Briare to Marseilles les Aubigny 

This is a totally new concept, combining all-day cycling and cruising on a hotel barge.  The escargot cruises the upper Loire region, providing convivial accommodations, hearty breakfasts, lovely packed lunches and family-style dinners on board.  Quality hybrid bikes are provided with a tour leader/guide.  In order to obtain a very competitive rate and to give you more choice, we have not included wines, bar drinks or entrance fees for visits.  The round trip Paris transfers are included and there are several add-on packages (airport transfers, hotels and Paris tours) are available.

While the comfortable, air-conditioned Escargot makes it way at a leisurely pace from one mooring to the next along the canal, passengers strike off in a group, accompanied by a bilingual guide, to cycle along carefully planned routes making use of towpaths and quiet country lanes.  Stops are made for guided tours.  Typically there is 4/5 hours of cycling per day, with option of a shorter route back to the barge.  Passengers will return to the barge in good time to take advantage of the vessel's private bathroom facilities before enjoying a full four-course Burgundian meal prepared by the on-board chef.

Saturday, DAY 1  Paris to Briare  Cycling :60km, mostly flat)  Briare to Chatillon sur Loire to Bealieu
Cruise across the Loire on a splendid steel aqueduct partially designed by Gustave Eiffel. Morning cycle tour takes us alongside the Loire, to Gien to visit the museum and shop of the famous pottery factory. Free time to visit the modern church of Joan of Arc and look at the château. Cycle from Gien, past the château of Labussière into the area of the Puisaye. Picnic lunch at Rogny on the Canal de Briare and then we ride along the Canal de Briare to Châtillon sur Loire. Cruise to Beaulieu.

Monday, DAY 3  (Cycling: 55km medium with some slopes)  Bealieu to Bannay to St Satur
Cruise to the hamlet of Maimbray, where we disembark with our packed lunches at the lock. Morning ride to Blancafort where there will be an opportunity to visit the attractive 15th C château & its floral gardens. Picnic lunch, then cycle along the river Sauldre towards Concressault. Later, at Vailly sur Sauldre, we pass the ruins of a medieval fortress. Cycle to the Escargot via the villages of Subligny & Ste Gemme.

Tuesday, DAY 4  (Cycling: easy tour 40km or longer tour 55km with steep hill)  (Cycling: easy tour 40km or longer tour 55km with steep hill)  St Satur to Herry
Morning departure is followed by a steep hill climb up to the wine-producing town of Sancerre. Continue past Chavignol, famous for its goats’ cheeses, then to the town of Pouilly sur Loire, famous for it’s wines. Wine tasting before cycling along the Loire. Picnic lunch, then cycle through the towns of St Hélène & Narcy to Herry.

Wednesday, DAY 5 (Cycling: 45km medium difficulty, some hills)  Herry to  (Cycling: 45km medium difficulty, some hills)  Herry to Marseilles les Aubigny
Cruise to the village of la Chapelle Montlinard, then head off by bicycle to the Forest of Bertranges then Nevers. After our picnic lunch, a ride around Nevers will take in the sites of interest. Free time to explore. Leave Nevers to join the Canal latéral, then to le Guétin, then to Marseilles les Aubigny.

Thursday, DAY 6  Marseilles les Aubigny
After breakfast, return coach transfer to Paris with arrival about 12 noon.