Bike and Barge Tours
Trips for pedalling and cruising
Bike and barge tours are one of the most relaxed ways to travel on two wheels. By day, you ride along rivers, canals or coastlines, on gentle, scenic routes. By evening, the water takes over: your barge is waiting, cabin ready, the mood calm, a shared meal on board.
Whether the route follows a river or hugs the coast, the journey flows on with no logistics to manage. You ride light, come back to the same cabin each evening, and let the landscapes drift past, between land and water. You move forward by bike, then by barge. Distances stay within reach, the routes favour bike paths and quiet backroads close to the water, and each day balances easy effort with time to explore and pause.
The barge becomes your anchor, where you find your bearings, your crew and an easy, unintrusive warmth.
It’s a trip that suits seasoned cyclists and first-timers alike, anyone curious to try bike and barge travel in a reassuring, well-planned and comfortable setting, true to the spirit of cycle touring: moving forward, taking it all in, taking your time.
Our favourite tours
Bike & Barge Tours
Benefits
FAQ
A bike & barge trip combines cycling days and navigation time, with the barge serving as accommodation throughout the route. You cycle during the day along rivers, canals, or coastlines, then return to the barge at the end of the stage for the night.
This trip type allows you to travel itinerantly without changing hotels or managing luggage. The barge offers comfort, meals on board, and relaxation areas. Whether it is a river cruise or a coastal itinerary, bike & barge offers a fluid and enjoyable way to discover a territory, between road and water.
Yes, in the vast majority of cases. Bike & barge trips are designed to remain accessible and balanced, with stages created to let you enjoy the route without pressure.
The distances and rhythm are adapted to the setting of the trip, and the comfort of the barge at the end of the day helps you recover well. Depending on the itinerary, the E-bike option also makes it possible to approach the stages with even more flexibility.
To make sure the trip suits you, our advisors take the time to discuss your cycling practice and your wishes with you. The goal is simple: that you ride comfortably and fully enjoy the experience, both on the bike and on board.
No, not necessarily. On some trips, especially bike & barge trips, it is possible to choose not to ride for a day and to enjoy the navigation and the comfort on board.
This flexibility depends on the barge and the itinerary, however, and is not available on all trips. Our advisors always specify what is possible before departure, so you can travel with peace of mind and adapt the rhythm to your wishes.
No, not necessarily. Bike & barge cruises often welcome Travelersfrom different backgrounds, which creates an international and friendly atmosphere on board.
That said, there is always a French-speaking Ekilib guide present to accompany the group, facilitate communication and make sure everything runs smoothly for you. Other French-speaking Travelers are also generally present. It is often a great opportunity to meet people, exchange and share the travel experience, both on the bike and on board.
Both options exist. Bike & barge trips can be guided or offered self-guided, depending on the itineraries and barge.
On guided trips, support is present to supervise the cycling outings and ensure the smooth running of the stay. In the self-guided version, you ride at your own pace, with daily briefings and clear information about the routes, while enjoying the comfort of the barge and assistance available if needed. The terms are always specified before departure so you know exactly what is included.
On board the barge.
During a bike & barge trip, your luggage stays in your cabin throughout the stay. You therefore have nothing to prepare or move each day: you find your belongings in the same place every evening.
This is one of the great advantages of this trip type: travelling itinerantly by bike while keeping the comfort of fixed accommodation, without daily luggage management.
The day begins with breakfast on board. During this time, the crew prepares the bikes and brings them ashore. You then set out for the day’s cycling stage, following the planned itinerary, with possible stops along the way.
Lunch is generally a picnic or at a local café, depending on the route and the mood of the moment. In the late afternoon, you return to the barge, either in the same place or at a new stopover.
The end of the day is shared between navigation or time at the quay, then dinner on board. The evening is free or sometimes organized, with the possibility of exploring the surroundings before spending the night at the quay, comfortably settled on board.
No, not always. Breakfast and dinner are generally taken on board, depending on the barge and the trip.
Lunches are usually taken en route, as a picnic or in a local café. When lunch is planned as a picnic, the meal is provided in the morning before departure. This organization makes it possible to vary the pleasures, enjoy the cycling stages and discover the places crossed, while keeping the comfort of meals on board.
On board, with a view of the water (or almost).
The bikes are stored on the barge, in a dedicated and secure space. In short, while you sleep peacefully in your cabin, your bikes do the same, ready for the next day of adventure.
Our other themes
Some regions are simply made for cycling. Between scenic roads, historic villages and iconic landscapes, each destination offers its own way to explore.