The Oise Valley is gaining recognition as a destination for slow, authentic travel experiences. Among the international tour operators already showcasing our landscapes, heritage, and river stops, Boat Bike Tours stands out. This Dutch company offers unique itineraries combining hotel barge cruising with daily bike rides, allowing travelers to stay on board and cycle from one discovery to the next 🚴♂️
Their Bruges to Paris program features four full days of navigation and exploration along the Oise River, weaving through serene waterways, charming towns, and the great historical landmarks of France.
Each stop along the way brings a new cultural gem to light:
🔸 Noyon, with its grand cathedral and Carolingian heritage
🔸 Compiègne, an imperial town bordered by vast forests
🔸 Pont-Sainte-Maxence, a lively and welcoming river stop
🔸 Auvers-sur-Oise, the artistic haven of the Impressionists
Cycling becomes the perfect way to explore at one’s own pace, with the hotel barge awaiting at the next stop for a relaxing evening onboard.
Two beautiful barges, both regular visitors to our river stops, host the guests of Boat Bike Tours:
🚢 Barge Fleur – https://www.bargefleur.com/en/
🚢 Clair d’Étoile – https://www.boatbiketours.com/ships/clair-detoile/
Perfectly equipped for river cruising, these hotel-barges help promote the Oise Valley to international visitors in search of authentic and nature-focused experiences.
The Oise River Side collective is here to support all river tourism operators interested in including the Oise Valley in their itineraries. From logistics to local partnerships, our mission is to help make the Oise a key destination for fluvial tourism.
🙏 A heartfelt thank you to Boat Bike Tours for their ongoing loyalty and for helping to share the beauty and soul of our river with travelers from around the world — one pedal stroke at a time.
Between 2017 and 2018, the river cruise ship SWISS RUBY, now renamed VIVA RUBY, made history as the first cruise vessel to navigate the Oise River, linking Saint-Mammès to Compiègne.
Oise River Tourism 2024: Key trends & insights revealed
The Oise River Side collective recently held its 2024 action review meeting. Allowing us to assess our progress and, look ahead with a strong ambition: make the Oise Valley an essential destination for river tourism.
