Royal splendor in a wooded surrounding

During this tour, which starts at Paris, we follow the Seine in southern direction. This region has a rich, royal history and the castle of Fontainebleau is a magnificent example of this past. Just as impressive are the royal gardens, which the French kings had their royal architects lay out for them. The perfectly symmetrical gardens are a fine example. We cruise the woods of Fontainebleau heading for the artists village Barbizon. We follow the Seine up to Moret-sur-Loing, a cosy village on the banks of the Loing. From there we follow the canals Du Centre to our final destination Montargis, a pictoresque town with beautiful little canals.

Sat DAY 1 Arrival in Paris.
Embarkation at 4pm. After dinner, town walk along the banks of the river Seine.

Sun DAY 2 Paris - Melun (about 30 km).
You spent the morning on board to enjoy Paris from the river. After lunch, the bike tour starts from the lock of Evry. You stay along the banks of the river for a while. Final destination of your bike tour is Melun, a town which is known as ‘le domaine des reines blanches’, because in former years it used to be the domain of the widows of the French kings. After dinner, a walk of the town.

Mon DAY 3 Melun – Moret-sur-Loing (about 35 km).
Today we bike through the wonderful forests of Fontainebleau. First destination is the artistic village of Barbizon, where since the first half of the 19th century many painters have found inspiration. At the time, a group of landscape painters formed the ‘school of Barbizon’. We visit the local museum. After this, we continue our tour to the palace of Fontainebleau, much in favor among the French kings, because of the extensive possibilities to hunt in the surrounding forests. In the castle itself there is a museum of Napoleon, among other things. Fontainebleau is also a pleasant town to walk around or to shop. We find the Fleur again in Moret-sur-Loing, a charming mediaeval fortified town, strategically situated on the banks of the Loing, where painter Sisley found inspiration for his beautiful impressionist paintings.

Tues DAY 4 Moret-sur-Loing – Nemours (45 km).
We follow the picturesque valleys of the Orvanne and Lunain with it’s old farmhouses and castle ruins. On our way we pass a fruit farm and a cheese farm. You might end up with homemade jam in your pannier! Later on we find the rocks of Nemours on our way and we meet the Fleur again in Nemours. There we may visit the castle or the prehistoric museum of the Ile-de-France region.

Wed DAY 5 Nemours - Neronville (approx 40 km).
Today we bike through a wooded area with rugged rocks. After this we go west to Château-Landon, a beautifully situated town, where we visit the Abbey of St.-Severin which dates from the 13th century. A local guide will tell us all about the history of this beautiful town. Final destination of today is rural Neronville.

Thur DAY 6 Neronville -Montargis (about 35 km).
Today our bike tour goes to the mediaeval town of Ferrieres with its old town center, which has been preserved beautifully. And in the middle of the narrow streets we find a splendid monastery. Final destination of today is Montargis, with its 15.000 inhabitants the biggest town of the Loiret after Orléans. Unfortunately this former royal residence was destroyed by fire in the 16th century. But the canals are still there. They are decorated with lots of flowers and give the town a lot of charm.

Fri DAY 7 Montargis (40 km).
From Montargis we bike along the l’Ouanne by bike to Château- Renard, where we can visit the ruins of a castle from the 10th century. We will also visit a Apiculture’s Living Museum. There you can see beekeepers and their bees at work, and you’ll be able to sample their delicious honey.

Sat DAY 8 Montargis Departure from barge.