Bike & Boat Auxerre - Moret-sur-Loing, MS CLAIR D'ÉTOILE

Embarkation at 2:00 p.m. This is followed by a welcome and introduction to the crew. After dinner on board, you can stroll through Auxerre, arguably the most beautiful city on this trip. Many church towers dominate the city skyline and the streets are lined with half-timbered houses from the 16th century.

Today, you have several options:

If you want to relax, stay in Auxerre and explore the beautiful city with its Abbey of St. Germain, St. Étienne Cathedral, and bell tower.

Fancy your first bike ride? Then you can explore the area around Auxerre with your guide. Ride along the Yonne River and visit the Caves de Bailly vineyard, famous for its sparkling Cremant de Bourgogne and the dramatic entrance to the rustic caves beneath the limestone slopes. St. Bris and Irancy, also well-known wine-growing areas, are located on the nearby hills. You can also admire the paintings of George Hosott, a painter well-known in France, in the Chapelle de Bailly. Simply stroll along the small road by the church and enjoy the view of the lush landscape in this region.

Your bike tour takes you north through the Yonne Valley. On the longer bike tour, you will later leave the valley and ride through the charming countryside to Brienon-sur-Armencon. The shorter route follows the beautiful Yonne River. Finally, you will reach Migennes. The former center of the shipbuilding industry is located at the point where the Canal de Bourgogne and the Yonne meet. Near Migennes, the ship awaits you for an afternoon trip to Joigny. This picturesque town can look back on a long and successful history of winegrowing. Here you will find historical monuments, old churches, and unique town houses from the 16th to 17th centuries, decorated with carved Renaissance facades.

Today's bike tour begins with a ride through the surrounding vineyards. Your tour guide will show you a few places where you can sample fine Burgundy wines. You will return to Joigny for lunch and cycle to Saint-Julien-du-Sault in the afternoon. The 13th-century Church of St. Pierre with its beautiful stained glass windows is well worth a visit. Your day ends in the picturesque town of Villeneuve on the banks of the Yonne, which has remained untouched by tourism. In this beautiful place, you will discover medieval gate towers and many romantic gardens.

From Villeneuve, there are again two cycling options. The shorter route stays closer to the river, while the longer one takes you through the hills to the Musée de la Pomme et du Cidre (Apple and Cider Museum). Try the delicious cider produced here! Near Sens, your destination for today, you will find the beautiful Parc du Moulin a Tan. Sens is one of the oldest cities in France. St. Etienne Cathedral is the first of the great Gothic cathedrals in France and served as inspiration for many other buildings. You will have time to shop, stroll through the local market hall, or take a walk through the city. There is no dinner on board today so that you can enjoy one of Sens' many restaurants.

Before setting off, we will spend some time in Sens, where you will visit the first of France's great Gothic cathedrals, Saint-Etienne Cathedral, with a local guide. Today, you again have the option of following the river valley on a shorter bike ride or taking a longer tour through the beautiful Oreuse Valley, a truly fantastic bike ride. If you choose the short option, you can spend some more time in Sens before starting your bike ride. Today's destination is the friendly riverside town of Pont-sur-Yonne.

On your last day of cycling, you will leave the river behind and cycle through a forest. A short visit to an ostrich farm is on the agenda. The final stretch takes us to Moret-sur-Loing, a charming medieval town known for its simple charm. The famous painter Sisley once found inspiration here. Explore the historic streets and the 12th-century Notre-Dame church—a pleasant end to our bike tour.

Breakfast until 9:30 a.m., followed by disembarkation and individual return journey.