Page 11 - World Expeditions: Active Europe - Sherpa Expeditions

BARGE / BOAT TOUR CODE: BBP
Journey by bike and barge between the royal chateaux of
Compiègne and Fontainebleau; cruise through Paris by canal
A quick discussion with friends will reveal that there are many different ways
to visit Paris, but few may come up with one as unique as experiencing it
from your very own floating hotel. This cycling journey takes you along quiet
roads that follow the course of the Seine and Oise rivers. You'll travel by both
bike and barge through royal forests and beautiful villages that so inspired
the painters Van Gogh and Sisley. Arriving into Paris through the canals to
witness some of her most famous landmarks from the comfort of your own
barge is one of the many highlights of the week. A full day is set aside to
explore the many sights of Paris such as the Louvre and Eiffel Tower. A visit
to the very impressive castle of Fontainebleau, where Napoleon famously
abdicated the first time, offers an engaging visual insight into the royal
history of France, while villages like Auvers‑sur‑Oise and Moret‑sur‑Loing,
which inspired Van Gogh and Sisley, will garner your appreciation of the
picturesque landscape you cycle and float through.
ITINERARY: DAY 1 | Arrive Paris Gare du Nord, transfer to Moret-
sur-Loing 2 | Cycle via the Château de Fontainebleau to Melun (45km)
3 | Follow the Seine to Vigneux sur Seine then by barge to Paris (25km)
4 | Day free to explore Paris, evening by barge along the Canal St Martin
to Bassin la Villette 5 | Cycle along the Seine to Conflans Sainte-Honorine
(35km) 6 | Cycle via Auvers s/Oise and Domaine de Chantilly to St Leu
d'Esserent (30km) 7 | Cycle through the Compiègne forest to the imperial
city of Compiègne (35km) 8 | Trip concludes
INCLUSIONS: Ξ 7 breakfasts & dinners, 6 lunches Ξ 7 nights accommodation
in a twin share cabin with split level beds and ensuite facilities Ξ bicycle with 24
gears & pannier (bike insurance extra) Ξ visit to Fontainebleau Castle Ξ tour leader
Ξ transfer Paris, Gare du Nord to Moret sur Loing or vice versa Ξ wine and cheese
tasting Ξ several city walks Ξ information pack including route notes &maps
NOTES: 1] Trip begins in Compiègne 2] Trip begins with transfer from Paris Gare
du Nord to Moret sur Loing
Bike and Barge to Paris
2 8 DAY GUIDED CYCLE GRADE
Morning light on the Louvre from the Seine | Kate Baker
Paris
Moret-sur-Loing
Compiègne
France
England
GUESTHOUSE / B&B / HOTEL TOUR CODE: PTL | UPL
Cycle fromthe Seine to the Thames on the Avenue Verte route
Launched in 2012 to coincide with the London Olympics, the mostly traffic free
Avenue Verte cycle route is set to become as famous and iconic as the two
classic European cities it links. This well sign posted cycle path from Paris to
London takes in a variety of landscapes on either side of the English Channel.
FromParis, follow the Promenade Bleue through parks, castles and picturesque
towns towards the coast, stopping along the way to appreciate a multitude of
sights including the chateaux in Normandy. After crossing the channel by the
Dieppe‑Newhaven ferry, head north to London by bike and train via the North
and South Downs. Via seaside Brighton or along the Cuckoo Trail and Worth
Way, you head to Crawley then Coulsdon before cycling through green parks
and quiet districts into the heart of London, finishing at Westminster. Cycling
along a combination of quiet roads and cycle paths there is no shortage of
vistas to take in, from urban sprawl to tranquil rural scenes, as you meander
along old railway tracks and canal paths. Whilst this is a self guided trip, there is
always a support vehicle nearby in case assistance is required. The canal paths
and often dedicated cycle routes ensure that your journey is as stress‑free as
possible and sections of the cycle can be shortened by train.
ITINERARY: DAY 1 | Arrive Paris 2 | Cycle from Axe Historique/L'Arc de
Triomphe to Cergy (55km) 3 | Cycle via parks & castles to Gisors (65km)
4 | Into Normandy, to Forges-les-Eaux (65km) 5 | Follow the cycle path to
Dieppe, cross the Channel to Newhaven (60km + ferry) 6 | Train to Polegate
& cycle to historic East Grinstead or via Brighton (55/75km) 7 | Cycle the
Worth Way path to Crawley & on to London (45km) 8 | Trip concludes
INCLUSIONS: Ξ 7 breakfasts Ξ 7 nights in mostly 3‑4 star hotel
accommodation Ξ bicycle rental, 27 speed with pannier, puncture resistant
tyres, gel saddle & helmet (electric bike available on request ‑ supplement
applies) Ξ welcome briefing Ξ luggage transfer Ξ detailed route notes & maps
Ξ ferry Dieppe to Newhaven Ξ support vehicle in vicinity Ξ emergency hotline
NOTES: 1] Guideddepartures also include: 5 dinners & English speakingguide. See
ourwebsitefordetails.Electricbikesavailable‑supplementapplies.Highseason: 27
Jun to 29 Aug (self-guided) ‑ supplement applies.
Paris to London by Bike
8 DAY SELF GUIDED OR GUIDED CYCLE GRADE 3
Cycling on the Paris to London cycle path
London
Dieppe
Paris
Newhaven
Crawley
Gisors
France
England
Brighton
| 11 >> for detailed trip notes visit >> utracks.com
DATES | 2015
09 May-16 May 1
16 May-23 May 2
23 May-30 May 1
30 May-06 Jun 2
06 Jun-13 Jun 1
13 Jun-20 Jun 2
20 Jun-27 Jun 1
27 Jun-04 Jul 2
04 Jul-11 Jul 1
18 Jul-25 Jul 2
25 Jul-01 Aug 1
01 Aug-08 Aug 2
08 Aug-15 Aug 1
15 Aug-22 Aug 2
22 Aug-29 Aug 1
29 Aug-05 Sep 2
05 Sep-12 Sep 1
12 Sep-19 Sep 2
new
GUIDED COST |
Joining Moret sur Loing or
Compiègne
DATES 2015
Weekly, Saturdays: 16May to 19 Sep
GUIDED DATES 2015
Saturdays 4Jul, 11Jul, 1Aug,
8 Aug, 15Aug
Joining Paris