By bike and boat from Maastricht to Paris

Welcome to your journey by bike and boat from Maastricht to Paris! After embarking on the MS Miró at around 12.00 noon, you are ready to set off. Almost imperceptibly, you will cross the Dutch-Belgian border by boat and reach Liège. After an evening dinner, you will have the opportunity to get to know the city better on a guided tour.

Your first cycling stage is coming up! During breakfast, the boat will take you to Neuville. First you cycle to Huy. Visit the citadel there, which once served as a prison and now houses the Museum of Resistance and Concentration Camps. Below the citadel, the collegiate church of Notre-Dame is also worth a visit. You reach your destination for the day in Namur. From the boat mooring, you have a beautiful view of the citadel opposite, one of the largest fortifications in Europe, which you can explore on a walk after dinner. Or how about a short tour through the charming alleyways of the more than 1300-year-old town?

In the morning, the MS Miró takes you to tranquil Floreffe. The 12th-century abbey there will inspire you. On the extensive grounds, you will find buildings in various architectural styles - from the Middle Ages to Classicism. Fortify yourself with some strong, locally produced cheese and try the abbey's own beer before setting off on your bike to Roselies. There, or nearby, you will board the boat again. The ship sails in the direction of Charleroi. You will spend the night in Grosselies. As the 3rd and 4th day depend on the conditions on the rivers, the itinerary for both days may vary.

At breakfast time, the MS Miró first takes you to the ship lift at Strépy-Thieu. It is one of the largest ship lifts in the world and overcomes a height of over 70 meters. Visit the impressive structure before cycling to the Canal Historique du Centre. The boat lifts there are true masterpieces of Belgian engineering. You reach your destination for the day in the small town of Mons. Visit the sublime collegiate church of Sainte-Waudru and enjoy a beautiful view of the city from Le Beffroi, the landmark of Mons.

Today you cycle through idyllic landscapes and beautiful villages on your tour by bike and boat from Maastricht to Paris along the Canal du Centre, which was opened over 100 years ago. Along the way, you have the option of boarding the boat again at each lock to shorten the cycle stage. Once you arrive in Antoing, you can take a walk through the beautiful town or directly along the River Scheldt.

Today's stage of your tour by bike and boat from Maastricht to Paris takes you from Belgium to France. You cycle through picturesque villages, beautiful landscapes and wooded areas. You reach your destination for today in Valenciennes. In the afternoon, tea and coffee await you on the MS Miró. Afterwards, it is worth visiting the Musée des Beaux-Arts, which exhibits works by French and Flemish painters, among others.

Explore the pretty streets of Valenciennes once again and visit the market before getting back on your bike. Your tour by bike and boat from Maastricht to Paris takes you to Bouchain. The first documented mention of the small town on the Scheldt Canal dates back to around the year 900. Since then, Bouchain can look back on an eventful history, which is reflected in numerous buildings.

Today you will get to know the historic landscape of Picardy. First you cycle to Ruyaulcourt. There you board the boat, which takes you through the Souterrain de Ruyaulcourt . The 4,350-metre-long tunnel runs underground on the Canal du Nord. You can continue along the canal in a relaxed convoy of boats - commercial shipping determines the speed. Stretch your legs in the old town of Noyon before a delicious regional dinner awaits you on the boat.

After breakfast, you will have plenty of time to explore Noyon. The cathedral in particular will catch your eye. Built in the Gothic style in the 12th century, it is one of the oldest church buildings in France. A brisk bike ride takes you to Pierrefonds. The castle there has already been used as a film set several times and will also inspire you - simply magical. Via Saint-Jean-aux-Bois you cycle to Compiègne. The impressive castle once served as the residence of the French kings. Explore the extensive castle park and the old town, which is well worth seeing.

Your tour by bike and boat from Maastricht to Paris today takes you along the Oise to Creil. Cycle through small villages and charming countryside to reach this cozy little town, where the influence of Paris, which is no longer far away, is already noticeable. Stroll through the streets of the town, which is located on both sides of the river, or treat yourself to a sparkling wine on the aft deck after your time on the bike.

The first stop is Chantilly by bike. The castle there is an absolute eye-catcher - both inside and out! In addition to numerous rooms to visit, it is also home to the Musée Condé, which has an outstanding art collection. Let's continue! Passing the abbey in Royaumont, which is just as worth seeing, we head to the pretty little town of Beaumont-sur-Oise. From there, the boat sails to Conflans-Sainte-Honorine. The town is a center of French inland navigation, which is particularly reflected in the sights: the museum of river navigation and a church on a boat.

Your tour by bike and boat from Maastricht takes you to Paris today! Whether you get on your bike today is entirely up to you. Now on the Seine, you can relax and take in the skyline of France's approaching capital from the ship. In Paris, the MS Miró will take you on a round trip along the Seine and through the city's old tunnels. From the ship's berth at Porte de la Villette, you have the opportunity to explore Paris on a city stroll.

The Eiffel Tower, Champs-Élysées, the Louvre, Sacré-Cœur and Montmartre - Paris will inspire you! Whether you want to explore the city with your guide or on your own is up to you. Stroll through the city's districts, watch the hustle and bustle of the streets and squares from a café and relax and enjoy the savoir-vivre. In the evening, dinner awaits you with the captain and the ship's crew.

After breakfast, your journey by bike and boat from Maastricht to Paris comes to an end. After disembarking, you will start your individual departure.