Experience your active cruise cycling along the rivers Moselle and Meurthe.  This lovely journey takes you through the green countryside of the French Lorraine district.  You cycle along well maintained bike paths, and you can enjoy both the culture and the nature in this part of France. After you have cycled a day through a wonderful landscape and have done some sightseeing in the beautiful old villages, enjoy your delicious freshly prepared dinner on the ship La Belle Fleur. 
 

DAY TO DAY ITINERARY 

Saturday: Arrival in Wasserbillig. Wasserbillig – Moselle appr. 15 km
The crew of La Belle Fleur welcomes you on board at around 3pm, in the border village of Wasserbillig. From here you will start a short bike trip along the Sauer; a small border river that flows near the resting place of the barge. On this trip, you will pass along several nice and cosy villages.

Sunday: Moselle – Remich, appr. 35 km
After breakfast, you will cycle to the pearl of the river Moselle “Remich”.
On the way you can visit the small village of Ehnen with its wine museum. After a walk through the old streets and narrow alleys, you can continue your bike tour to the old roman villa in Nennig, where you can be amazed by the beautiful and well-kept tiles. After dinner you can join the group for a visit to the wine cellar St. Martin.

Monday: Remich- Thionville, appr. 40 km
Today you will ride into France, and with that the scenery will change too. The narrow Moselle valley becomes flatter and wider. This gives you the opportunity to make a deeper acquaintance with the country. But before we leave Luxemburg we visit the small but famous village of Schengen.  There were once one of the most important treaty’s was signed, is now a European museum. A visit to the Maginot-line is certainly also a part of the program today. This underground defence system stretches across the whole area, which was meant to protect France, and at the same time make all facilities available for pure survival. In other words, you’ll be looking at a masterpiece of wartime architecture.
When it is coffee time, La Belle Fleur will meet you in Thionville; a city that was rich from the metal industry, but today it is primarily a city of beautiful deserted buildings left behind by the many conquests, such as that of the Romans, the Luxembourgers and the Spaniards.

Tuesday: Thionville – Metz, appr. 35 km
The trip today takes you along the Moselle, where you can enjoy all that made this region so great. You ride past old steel mills and pumping-stations, across shady bike paths to the very well-known Metz. In short, today is dedicated to industrial heritage, nature, and for the perfect finish; examples of great cultural achievements. Upon arrival in Metz, you can also participate in a guided walk through the city, not just to admire the Centre Pompidou, but also the Cathedral and so much more.
Or perhaps you would rather enjoy the ambiance of the many squares and terraces the city is proud of.

Wednesday: Metz – Pompey, appr. 55 or 25 km
Now it’s time for a somewhat more adventurous trip; the old towpaths of the Moselle take you to the picturesque Pont à Mousson. Or you can stay on board of La Belle Fleur and start your bike tour at Pont-à-Mousson. After a visit to this city, which has a typical character because it is situated on both banks of the Moselle, you’ll bike through an old canalled part of the Moselle. As you ride through, you will be amazed by the beauty of a bygone era, as you eventually arrive at one of those typical quiet little French village of Pompey. This village seems to have gone to sleep under the vicinity of Metz and Nancy, and perhaps that’s how it got it’s quiet nature.

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Thursday: Pompey – Nancy – Liverdun,  appr. 35 km

Today the cycle path leads you along the connecting channel between the Moselle and the Meurthe to Nancy. After a visit to this metropolitan city, the tour continues to the old fortress city of Liverdun. There, the La Belle Fleur will await you at an idyllic mooring spot.

Friday: Liverdun – Toul, appr. 17 km
After breakfast, you get onto your bike and ride in the direction of Toul, a charming little fortified town on the bank of the Moselle. This little town exhibits a rich religious history in its churches and its old official homes. After coffee on the deck the crew of la Belle Fleur says to you goodbye, around 2pm.

La Belle Fleur – 3+ star 

The La Belle Fleur was built in 1929 and converted into a passenger ship in 1993. The former inland freighter, which has been restored into a hotel barge, is 44 meters long. The boat features cabins for just 19 guests, a tastefully designed lounge area, and an expansive sun deck complete with tables and benches.

Additional informaton:

• Total of 9 cabins:  8 double cabins with two low beds plus 1 triple cabin with bunk beds and a low bed
• Private bathroom in each cabin equipped with shower, toilet and wash table
• Central heating in each cabin
• 220 V electricity
• Hairdryers not available
• WiFi is only available when sailing in France

RATING – Easy

Mostly paved and flat cycle paths along the rivers, with a few small hills; Some public roads in the towns; suitable for novice cyclists, families, and experienced cyclists alike.

AIRPORT / TRANSFERS

The nearest international airport is Frankfurt, with regular rail transfers available directly from the terminal (75 minutes). These are available at approx. $75.00 one way, via Trier. From Toul you’ll need to get a taxi to the French city of Nancy, then onwards by train from there.

The barge also offers private transfers to Luxemburg Airport for $80 each way.

TOUR SCHEDULE  & PRICE

2018 Departure Dates:  Wasserbillig to Toul – Aug. 25     Sep. 8, 22     Oct. 6

Toul to Wasserbillig –  Sep. 1, 15, 29      Oct. 13

2019 Departure Dates:  Every Saturday from August 24 to October 12

This tour includes: 

• 6 nights accommodation in a cabin with porthole, air-con, and shower/toilet
• 3 meals per day plus coffee and cake in the afternoon
• daily cleaning service / towels are changed upon request
• welcome drink and orientation on your first evening
• 6 days of guided cycling tours
• modern hybrid style touring bicycles with 8 hub gears, panier, lock, helmet, etc.
• all harbour, lock, and bridge fees
• GPS routes

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Not included:

• Entrance fees to museums
• Drinks on board
• Special diets, ie vegetarian, celiac ($75)
• Wine-tasting at the vineyard Leick in Oberbillig ( 6,- per person)
• Bike insurance (10.00 Euro, to be paid onboard)