1
Jump to content
(Link opens in a new tab)
Jump to footer
(Link opens in a new tab)
Book now
To the online version
Gothic cathedral with twin spires dominates a Burgundy riverside town. Modern bridge spans the calm river with tour boats moored nearby.

View of the former Saint-Germain Abbey in Auxerre (photo credit: Traveller 70)

Burgundy | Auxerre - Moret or Moret - Auxerre

La vie est belle - life is beautiful!

2027 available with 5% discount Rental E-bike included
Bike & boat trip
8 Days / 7 Nights
Distance tour
Guided tour
Gothic cathedral with twin spires dominates a Burgundy riverside town. Modern bridge spans the calm river with tour boats moored nearby.

View of the former Saint-Germain Abbey in Auxerre (photo credit: Traveller 70)

There is a very good reason why Northern Burgundy is referred to as "The Land of Good Living", and if nothing else, once you complete this memorable boat and barge tour, we hope you understand why. If you've never seen Northern Burgundy you are in for a sensual overload of beautiful countryside, ancient medieval villages, serene, meandering rivers and of course, some of the best wines, cheeses and ciders you will have ever tasted!

Burgundy is known throughout the world for its laid-back pace of life, friendliness and mild climate. Both the cultural experiences of visiting wonders such as the gothic cathedral of Sens or the cities of art and culture of Auxerre and Joigny, and the biking itself which alternates between easy stretches of free-wheeling alongside the river Yonne and more challenging uphill sections that lead to spectacular views, will leave you feeling enriched, enlightened and recharged.

Cluster of green grapes hanging from vine above a bicycle with black panniers in Burgundy vineyard, sunlight filtering through leaves.

Bicycle in the vineyards near Irancy (photo credit: Pedalo)

Book now
Book
from
€2,212
Calculate price
Cluster of green grapes hanging from vine above a bicycle with black panniers in Burgundy vineyard, sunlight filtering through leaves.

Bicycle in the vineyards near Irancy (photo credit: Pedalo)

The itinerary
 at a glance

For your 8-day tour from Auxerre to Moret-sur-Loing

Please note, that this tour is also conducted in reverse direction, from Moret-sur-Loing to Auxerre. For departure dates refer to section "Prices/Dates".

Our epic tour of Burgundy begins with embarkation and check-in at 2pm. Your captain, crew and tour leader will give you a warm welcome followed by a bike fitting. After a delicious dinner onboard, there is ample time to take a starlit stroll through the beautiful river town of Auxerre with her majestic church spires, streets lined with 16th century timber houses and cathedral of Saint-Etienne, a true masterpiece of Gothic art.

Today you have the option to either stay, relax and take in more of the sights of Auxerre, or begin your cycling adventure with your guide leading you along the Yonne river en route to "Caves  de Bailly". This vineyard is famous for its sparkling Cremant de Bourgogne and limestone caves. The nearby vineyards of St Bris and Irancy are also well worth a visit, as are the paintings of George Hosotte in the Chapelle de Bailly.

Today we strike out north, cycling through the Yonne river valley toward Joigny. If you choose the longer cycling route, you'll get to see the charming countryside of Brienon-sur Armencon. The shorter option will follow the beautiful river Yonne. In Migennes where the Burgundy canal crosses the river Yonne and where you'll rejoin your ship for a relaxed afternoon sail to Joigny, apicturesque little town that has a long and storied wine history as well as several historicalmonuments, ancient churches and townhouses with carved renaissance facades from the 16th and 17th centuries.

What better way to start the day than with a loop through the local vineyards for a tasting of some of Burgundy's authentic local wines? You'll return to Joigny for lunch, after which you get back in the saddle for an afternoon ride to the town of Saint-Julien-du-Sault where you can visit the 13th century Saint-Pierre church with its magnificent stained-glass windows. We dock for the night in the lovely, lesser-known French town of Villeneuve where you are free to explore the medieval gate towers and romantic string of gardens as the sun sets over the countryside.

Day five also offers two cycling options - the short option follows the river Yonne, while the longer option takes you into the hills for a rewarding taste of the fine cider produced at the museum 'de Pomme et de cidre'. Our next stop is Sens, one of the oldest towns in France. The Cathedral of St. Etienne is the first of the great Gothic cathedrals in France and served as an inspiration for many other buildings (guided tour on the next day). There will be plenty of time to shop, stroll through the marketplace or wander around town to acquaint yourself with the many restaurants Sens has to offer as today there is no dinner onboard.

Before we start cycling we will spent some time in Sens. Here you'll visit the first of the greater gothic cathedrals in France, Cathedral Saint-Etienne with a local guide. If you decide to brave the longer cycle route, it leads through the beautiful valley of the Oreuse. However, the shorter option affords you more time to explore Sens at your leisure before you cycle through to Pont-sur-Yonne, a charming riverside town.

On our final day's biking, you'll venture away from the river for a ride through a forest. A short visit to an ostrich farm is on the program. The final stretch brings us to Moret-sur-Loing, a quaint medieval town known for its simple charm. The famous painter Sisley once found inspiration here. Explore its historic streets and the 12th century Church of Notre-Dame - a pleasant ending to our cycling journey.

You bid your captain, crew, tour guide and fellow passengers a fond farewell as we enjoy one last breakfast together while disembarkation continues until 9:30am.

Level

Leisure cyclists

A tough little climb every now and again or an exciting stage with some hilly sections: that’s what you’re all about! Your legs are ready to conquer the occasional challenge. But there should always be time for a stroll around the city or a nice beer. Even with an average level of fitness and stamina, these routes will be a real treat for you. 

Topography 

The route runs through hilly terrain with a few long and steep climbs. 

Road conditions

You will ride on small side roads and farm roads with little traffic. Some sections are also on nature trails.

Route-finding & navigation

During this guided group tour, navigation is done by an experienced guide.

Fancy a break from cycling?

If you want to take a break from cycling, you can stay on the boat and get to the next destination without any effort.

Overview of PEDALO Levels
Map showing cycling route from Moret-sur-Loing to Auxerre along Yonne River, passing through Pont-sur-Yonne, Sens, Villeneuve-sur-Yonne and Joigny.

Services & Info
 Trip details

  • 7 x overnight stays on the MS Clair d'Etoile
  • 7 x hearty breakfast buffet
  • 6 x packed lunch for cycle tours
  • 6 x afternoon coffee/tea on board
  • 6 x 3-course dinner menu
  • Welcome drink on arrival day
  • Rental e-bike for 6 days
  • Ferry trips according to the itinerary
  • Admission to Cidre Museum (2027)

  • Admission to Apiculture's Living Museum (2026)
  • Admission to Sens cathedral
  • Wine tasting in Bailly
  • Wine tasting in Senan (2027)
  • English-speaking local bike guide
  • All port, bridge and sluice charges
  • Carefully designed routes
  • Detailed travel documents 

Arrival and departure are not included in the tour price for PEDALO cycle tours, but are always organised by the traveller.

  • Arrival by car: Detailed information on parking options will be provided with your travel documents.
  • Arrival by plane: Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG)

 

If you are travelling by air, we recommend that you book your flight as early as possible - but only AFTER you have received your PEDALO booking confirmation.

Minimum number of participants
  • This tour requires a minimum of 12 participants. If this number is not reached and the tour is cancelled, you will be notified no later than 20 days before the start of the tour.
  • If the tour is cancelled, you will receive a full refund. No further claims will be accepted.
  • Once the minimum number of participants has been reached, the tour is guaranteed to take place. You will receive confirmation of your booking as soon as a PEDALO representative has checked the available capacity.

Your ship
 MS Clair d'Etoile

Facts

  • Ship type: River cruise ship
  • Length: 40 m, width: 5,6 m, draught: 1,4 m
  • Passenger decks: 1 Ebene
  • Capacity: 12 outside cabins, 24 passengers
  • Crew: 4 persons
  • Flag: NL, languages spoken on board: DE, EN

 

Description

The cosy riverboat MS Clair d'Etoile sails under the Dutch flag and is operated by a Dutch crew. Martijn van Tatenhoeve is your experienced captain; he grew up in a family of restaurateurs and is a trained chef. His wife Marjorie, who is also on board, studied tourism at Breda University of Applied Sciences and is always keen to ensure her guests’ comfort.

On the upper deck is the air-conditioned saloon with large panoramic windows and the restaurant area, where you can enjoy the excellent and varied cuisine. The seating areas and the small ship’s bar complete the on-board facilities.

On the sun deck, which measures a good 90 m² and features seating areas, you can round off your day’s cycling in a cosy atmosphere, enjoy the views in all directions and even take a peek into the wheelhouse. The bicycles are stored in a separate area.

Cabins

The lower deck is home to a total of twelve functionally furnished twin cabins. Ten twin cabins (approx. 7 m²) are fitted with two separate single beds at ground level, whilst two twin cabins (approx. 6 m²) are fitted with a double bed.

All twelve cabins on the MS Clair d’Etoile feature individually controlled air conditioning, a small wardrobe, a mini-safe, a hairdryer and a private, small en-suite bathroom with a shower, toilet and washbasin. For safety reasons, the cabin windows cannot be opened.

White passenger ship Zwantje moored at a riverside dock with bicycles lined up on the pier. Green lawn and trees visible in background.

The MS Clair d'Etoile, 40 metres long and 6 metres wide, at anchor (photo credit: BBT)

Prices & Dates
 at a glance

2026

Start in Auxerre: Tuesday, 02.06. / 16.06. / 30.06. / 14.07. / 28.07.2026

Start in Moret: Tuesday, 26.05. / 09.06. / 23.06. / 06.07. / 21.07.2026

 

2027

Book now and secure your early-bird discount!

You’ll receive a 5% early-bird discount on the base price of the trip

Start in Auxerre: Tuesday, 01.06. / 27.07.2027

Start in Moret: Tuesday, 25.05. / 08.06. / 22.06. / 06.07. / 20.07.2027

 

↓ Before you proceed to the booking form, please choose whether you would like to start the tour in Auxerre or in Moret (button below, highlighted in green). ↓

Prices per person in EUR
Fuel Surcharge Spring/Summer 2026

Due to the current situation in the Middle East and the resulting sharp rise in fuel prices, many shipping companies are currently compelled to exercise their right to adjust prices (by a maximum of 8% of the basic cruise fare in accordance with the applicable EU directive).

Should the fuel surcharge apply to your trip, we will inform you of the exact amount in good time, no later than 20 days before the start of your journey. Payment ist to be made on board the ship and goes entirely to the shipping company or the respective ship operator. If fuel prices fall, the surcharge will be waived accordingly.

We ask for your understanding that this measure is temporarily necessary to ensure we can continue to provide the quality of service you have come to expect on our Bike & boat trips. Thank you very much!

Frequently asked
 questions

Smiling man in gray Pedalo shirt holding two cycling helmets and wearing white cycling gloves against a blurred coastal background.
Sorry! No FAQs were found. Please try again with a new search term.

Travelling together, by bike & boat

Guided PEDALO bike & boat trips don’t just combine two types of travel to create something new. They also bring together people who can really appreciate this special combination! People who are on the same wavelength and just want to spend as much time as possible enjoying their cycling holiday with like-minded travel companions.

On the guided group tour by bike & boat, not only do you have breakfast and dinner together on board, but you also go ashore together to explore the bike paths. The shared experiences will bring you closer together and get you right into the flow of cycling.

First-class support all round

If you opt for a guided PEDALO bike & boat tour, you won't have to worry about finding the right route, but can concentrate on enjoying your holiday to the full.

Qualified and experienced tour guides will hop from island to island with you or show you the way along idyllic rivers, winding canals and around beautiful lakes. They know the best places to stop for lunch, but also where to find the prettiest picnic spots. They will accompany your group on sightseeing tours and city walks, adding valuable tips and exciting stories about the country and its people.

With the group bike & boat tour, you get as much first-class support and pleasant company as you could wish for, but also the freedom to be on your own if you want. If you don't feel like cycling with the group, you always have the option of simply staying on board and soaking up the sun on deck.

The combination of bike and boat is becoming more and more popular. The PEDALO catalogue is extensive and varied, but spaces and dates are limited.

If you’ve been thinking about booking one of our fantastic bike and boat trips, we recommend not delaying for too long, as certain dates are often booked up quickly on many of our trips. Welcome on board! But please make sure to book in good time.

    •  
  • Changes to the sailing times and/or the route, which may occur in the event of high or low water or other unforeseeable weather conditions such as storms, etc. are not grounds for cancellation without cost.
    •  
  • The same applies to lock and/or bridge repairs that are ordered by the authorities but not announced in advance.
    •  
  • In these cases, we reserve the right (for your own safety) to change the route and/or to bridge some sections with other means of transport. In some cases, overnight stays may be necessary.

Your travel documents usually include general travel information, a hotel list, a road book and/or detailed maps as well as a textual description of the route; you will also get luggage tags and possibly also vouchers and/or information material on the various sightseeing attractions. The exact contents of the information package depend on the booked trip and its included services.

The documents will be sent to you approx. two to three weeks before the start of your tour. Depending on the trip, you may receive them partly in digital form and partly by post – or you will receive the hotel list and general travel information in advance by e-mail, and the remaining documents along with the maps on site at your starting hotel.

Please note that the travel documents are issued exclusively for PEDALO guests and are therefore not available without a booking.

Travel insurance is not included in our prices. You can decide whether to get a quote elsewhere or simply book your travel insurance online at pedalo.com/en/service/travel-insurance. In any case, we recommend that you take out travel cancellation insurance!

Please note that for last-minute bookings (less than 30 days before the start of the trip), insurance cover can only be taken out within 3 days of booking.

Other tours
 that might interest you

from
€2,212
Book now
Book
You now receive special conditions when you book a trip.