Moselle: Metz – Koblenz

In the Footsteps of the Romans

In eight days along the Moselle from Metz to Koblenz.

Begin this beautiful bike tour in northern France in the historic city of Metz, whose ancient fortifications at the Moselle River invite to go for a walk. You follow the course of the river to the border triangle France, Luxembourg and Germany. Look forward to an excellent bike path! You cycle through many small wine villages till you reach the Roman city of Trier. Discover famous places like Traben-Trarbach, Bernkastel-Kues and Cochem, before admiring the confluence of the Moselle and Rhine at the "Deutsches Eck" in Koblenz.

1. day Metz arrival

Individual arrival by car or public transport to Metz. Arrive in time, because the capital of the Lorraine region is worth a visit and has something to offer! From the Roman era to the present, the city has unique monuments and is famous as a bishop's seat, university town and center of contemporary art. In addition to numerous sights in the old town, several extensive parks invite you to rest and relax, as well as the old restored fortifications of the city are worth a visit. Visit the Musée de la Cour d' Or, a building named after the legendary palace of Merovingian Kings, which once stood there. In the center you will find a variety of good and individual restaurants, with different culinary offers. (Rental bike is provided at the hotel)

2. day Metz - Perl 27 - 63 km

Almost the entire day you spend in France. On the way, spoil yourself with the famous French cuisine and enjoy a good 'cafe au lait'. If you want to reduce your kilometres please take the train from Metz to Thionville (direct connection, complimentary bicycles). From Thionville, you enjoy reliable and good signage and you will cycle very close to the water till the Franco-German border. Just over the border on German soil you have reached Perl and you can ferry to Schengen (other side of the Moselle/Luxembourg), known by the European agreement, which makes the free movement of regulated commodities or passengers possible or a nice bike ride to the Roman Villa Borg (5 km east of Perl). You'll marvel at the excavations, the reconstruction of the manor house and villas bath, the new system of ancient Roman gardens and enjoy a refreshment in the Roman tavern.

3. day Perl - Trier 52 km

Today you will accompany the vast vineyards right and left of the Moselle for the first time. Take a trip to Remich, where you can feel the Mediterranean flair in many cafes and bistros along the 3 km long Moselle promenade. Give some extra attention to the place called by the Romans Remacum, and marvel at the old streets and the decanal Church from 1817. Take a trip to the Moselle terraces before you continue your way on the right bank of the Moselle. You cycle till Konz where you cross the mouth of the Saar and Mosel. From there it is not far to Trier and therefore you have time for a leisurely walking tour with a visit to the Porta Nigra, the amphitheater, the Imperial Baths or the magnificent cathedral.

4. day Trier - Piesport 48 km

Today, Roman past and contemporary viniculture will meet. The Moselle bike trail leads you to Mehring, where the Villa Rustica waits for your visit. ‘Villa Rustica’ is the designation for a manor in the Roman Empire. Today, the reconstructed walls and foundations can be visited again. You will cycle to Trittenheim, where a nature trail informs about the man-year of the vine-grower, the local variety of grape and the process of vine-growing. Just before reaching today’s destination, you will pass Neumagen-Dhron, Germany’s oldest wine-growing place! You should stop here to taste some of that wine!

5. day Piesport - Traben-Trarbach 40 km

The two famous Moselle towns Bernkastel-Kues and Traben-Trarbach and the well-known wine growing resort "Kröver Nacktarsch" are today’s highlight! Marvel at the colorful and manifold half-timbered constructions seaming the market place of Bernkastel-Kues. In Traben-Trarbach, you should take a boat trip.

6. day Traben-Trarbach - Cochem 55 km

You will discover Enkirch today, a jewel of the Moselle region’s traditional half-timbered architecture. Later on, you will reach Zell, the wine-growing resort with the ‚Zeller Schwarzen Katz’ (‚The Black cat of Zell’). Take a relaxing break in the small town of Beilstein, proud of its surname „Rothenburg an der Mosel“. Then, you will reach Cochem with its picturesque centre and the ancient realm dating from the 11th century.

7. day Cochem - Koblenz 49 km

Before the Moselle bike trail takes you to the neat wine-growing villages like Koben Gondorf or Winningen, which is one of the most beautiful villages in Germany and to the Deutsche Eck, you will have the chance to visit the medieval castle of Burg Eltz. The Burg Eltz is one of the most beautiful and best preserved castles in Germany. In Koblenz at the "Deutsches Eck" the Moselle flows into the Rhine. Enjoy the wide view over the magnificent valley of the Rhine and be looking forward to a wonderful evening in Koblenz.

8. day Koblenz departure

Your bike trip ends in Koblenz today. Anyone who wishes to travel back to Metz should book our shuttle transfer (only on Saturday). It will transport any luggage and the bikes as well. Departure will be at 9a.m., arrival in Metz  around 1.00p.m. If you wish to cycle even longer along the Rhine, you can prolong your trip to Cologne or Mainz.

Worth knowing about your Moselle Tour

Below you will find specific information about the bike tour form Metz to Koblenz. If you have further questions about this trip, you simply call us: Phone: 06421 – 886890.

Arrival by train

Metz is easily accessible from all major cities in Germany by train. Current schedule information and price information can be found at: 

train schedule information

Parking facilities at the hotel

Our contractors in Metz are very centrally located in the city center or near the train station. You can park your car in a nearby public car park for the entire duration of the trip.
The cost per parking space per night is about 10, - Euro. A pre-reservation of the parking space is not possible, but also not necessary. Detailed information on parking at your hotel, you will receive together with the travel documents two weeks prior to departure.

Condition of cycle paths

Overall the bike paths along the Mosel are perfectly developed and the quality of the bike trail is great. You can expect a perfectly signposted cycle path that often runs at both sides of the Mosel.
In our detailed travel documents you will receive per day cycling recommendations on the most beautiful sections.

Available rental bikes

If you choose to rent a Velociped-rental bike for the tour, we take it to your first hotel and bring pick it up at your destination. You can choose between woman’s and men's bicycles either with 7-speed gear shift and coaster brake or 27-speed gear shift and freewheel or electric bikes. All ladies' bikes have a low opening that makes mounting and dismounting much easier. The bikes are suitable for all ladies from 150 cm in height and for all gentlemen from 165 cm in height. You simply specify your wishes at time of booking.

Available rental bikes

Additional nights during the cycling trip

We will be happy to book additional nights during your cycling trip. The booking of additional nights is possible in every regular accommodation place. 

Hotel category A
EUR 79, - per person / per night in a double room
EUR 119, - per person / per night in a single room

Hotel category B
EUR 65, - per person / per night in a double room
EUR 95, - per person / per night in a single room

Transfer back to the starting point of the journey

Saturdays at 9:00 am there is the possibility to transfer back to Metz with a small bus (with bike trailer). Arrival at 1:30 pm. The driver comes to pick you up at your hotel and has much room for you, your luggage and where required your own bicycle. The bus takes you back to your first hotel, thus ensuring a perfect return service without transfer and the hassle of hauling luggage.

Train and bus in the Moselle Valley

In the Moselle Valley runs not always a train. After Trier the train is leaving the Moselle Valley and the nearest station is not before Bullay. After only a few kilometres, the railway disappears in the Kaiser-Wilhelm-Tunnel and only reappears in Cochem. From Cochem the train runs completely in the Moselle Valley to Koblenz.

In the period from 1.5. - 31.10. a bus operates daily between Trier and Bullay with a max. capacity of 22 bicycles.

Bus schedule information

Boat trips on the river Moselle

From April to October there are many passenger ships on the Moselle. Boat docks are available in almost all places on both directions. Often tours are offered. Information about the exact departure times you find at the bulletin boards of the shipping companies.

A regular ferry traffic exists between Trier and Treis Karden.

Boat schedule information Moselle

Extra costs which are not included in the price

A possibly applicable city tax is not part of the travel price and therefore has to be paid at the hotel locally.

7 day hotline service

In case of chain breakdown, flooding or other bad surprises that makes a continuation of your tour impossible: no problem, we also work during weekends and you can reach us 7 days a week in case of emergency.

Passport and visa requirements, health regulations

For EU citizens, there are no special passport or visa requirements and no health formalities to be considered for this trip.

Corona travel information:
Before booking your trip, please inform yourself about the measures in place to contain the Corona pandemic.

Information on current decisions of the German Federal Government can be found here:
https://www.bundesregierung.de/corona-these-rules-and-restrictions-apply

Current information on entry requirements to Germany can be found here:
https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/coronavirus

An up-to-date overview of applicable measures and travel and safety advice regarding Covid-19 for all countries in the EU and Switzerland can be found here:
https://reopen.europa.eu/en/

You can also find more information on our website at:
Corona virus and holiday planning

Travel insurance

The tour price already includes the statutory insolvency insurance. In addition, we recommend that you take out travel cancellation insurance upon receipt of your travel confirmation in order to protect yourself against financial disadvantages in the event of travel cancellation, interruption of travel, illness or accident.

Cathedrale Saint-Étienne Metz

Saint-Étienne cathedral was built between 1220 and 1520 in Gothic style and is considered to be one of the most beautiful and largest Gothic churches in France. The beautiful glass windows from the 13th to the 20th century were designed by renowned artists (including Chagall).

Cathedrale Saint-Étienne Metz

Church St-Pierre-aux-Nonnains Metz

The church of St-Pierre-aux-Nonnains is located in the center of Metz. It is considered to be the oldest still existing church building in France. The building served as a storeroom until the 20th century. After several unsuccessful attempts at the beginning of the 20th century and in 1942, the church has been extensively restored since the 1970s. At present it serves as a hall for exhibitions and concerts.

St-Pierre-aux-Nonnains

Centre Pompidou Metz

The Center Pompidou-Metz was opened in May 2010 and is located in the immediate vicinity of the main train station. It is a center for all forms of contemporary art and is a branch of the Center Georges Pompidou in Paris, with which it shares collections and founding philosophy.

Centre Pompidou Metz

Hôtel de Gargan in Metz

Hôtel de Gargan is a historic building complex in Metz. It was built in the 15th century, at the transition of Late Gothic to the Renaissance. The ensemble was built as a town house for wealthy members of the nobility and clergy. It had to fulfill two basic functions: the representation within the public life of society and the retreat of the members of the family of the house. The buildings house a ball house from the 17th century, where Jeu de Paume, a forerunner of the tennis, was played , As well as a theater, which was used as the theater of the city of Metz by the opening of the "Hôtel des Spectacles" at the Place de la Comédie in 1752. The play was continued in all genres until 1799. In the course of the French Revolution the theater was closed by the municipalities and the buildings were sold.

Hôtel de Gargan

German Gate (franz. Porte des Allemands) Metz

The German Gate (French Porte des Allemands) is named after the neighboring Hospital of the Teutonic Order, and was built as a town gate around 1230 as a passage through two slender circular towers. Two further, considerably larger fortress towers and the pointed arch bridge over the Seille with a masonry-protected access road were added in 1445 and expanded in 1480 by an elegant arbor. The most recent building is the bridgehead built as a triangular bastion in 1526-29, two new shooting chambers were added in 1550.

During the reconstruction of the town fortifications by Vauban (c. 1680) and Louis de Cormontaigne (1744-52), the German Gate was the only medieval gate to be included in the new defense concept. The Torburg was restored in 1859-62 by the Direction du Génie Militaire and the Metz Academy. In November 1900 the city of Metz acquired the building and established a museum in 1907. In October 1944 the German gate was badly damaged by artillery fire (destruction of the bridges). The first restoration work began in 1946; Since the comprehensive renovation in 1968 the gateway for pedestrians has been accessible again. On December 3, 1966, the German Gate was officially protected. The most recent restoration projects were carried out in 1996.

German Gate

Guided city walking tour Trier

Welcome to the oldest city in Germany! This romantic and historic city with its imposing buildings from the Roman era has a lot to offer! Marvel Trier with a worthwhile tour. German guided visits by foot are available every day at 10.30 am and 2.30 pm. Duration approx. 2 hours. English guided visits by foot are available daily at 1.00 p.m. Duration approx. 1hour and 15 minutes.  

Tourist Information Trier

Porta Nigra Trier

For the newly arrived guest, the Porta Nigra is the best place to begin a tour of Trier. The gate dates back to a time (about A.D. 180) when the Romans often erected public buildings of huge stone blocks (here, the biggest weigh up to six metric tons).

Porta Nigra

Rheinisches Landesmuseum Trier

Bestaunen Sie archäologische Funde auf Weltniveau! Das Rheinische Landesmuseum Trier ist eines der wichtigsten archäologischen Museen in Deutschland. Einzigartig und unverwechselbar ist die außergewöhnliche Fülle und Qualität der Zeugnisse zur Römerzeit - jener Epoche, in der die Stadt Trier unbestreitbar ihren bedeutsamsten Rang in ihrer Geschichte eingenommen hat als Hauptstadt der römischen Provinz Gallia Belgica und erst recht als Kaiserresidenz im spätrömischen Reich.

Das Museum dokumentiert außerdem die Geschichte und kulturelle Entwicklung der gesamten Region von der Urgeschichte bis zum Ende des 18. Jahrhunderts.

Kontakt: Weimarer Allee 1, 54290 Trier, Telefon 0651 / 97740

Rheinisches Landesmuseum in Trier

Imperial Baths Trier

Going to the baths was an important part of Roman life: Over 1600 years ago, the Romans built one of the grandest and most impressive baths in the world: the Imperial Baths. Today you can visit this gigantic bathing facility: go back in time to the Roman era, descend into the subterranean labyrinth and get a feel for history!

Imperial Baths Trier

Amphitheater Trier

Beyond the medieval city wall lies the Roman Amphitheater. Cruel games with animal and gladiator combats were conducted here popular public entertainment.

Amphitheater

Neumagen Drohn

Neumagen-Dhron claims next to a number of other places the title of the oldest wine village in Germany for themselves. The winegrowing village Neumagen was founded by the Romans about 2000 years ago as a stopover on the route from Trier to Koblenz along the Moselle; One of the attractions is the Archaeological Circular, on which regular guided tours are offered. In the center of the Neumagen district is a cast of the Roman wine ship directly next to the old Peterskapelle and the Ausoniusgarten.

Neumagen Dhron

Wine museum Bernkastel Kues

The mild microclimate and the heat-storing shale soils are an ideal terrain for the Rieslingtraube, which is developed here in a wealth of individual nuances. The Mosel Wine Museum contains the tools of the winemakers from two centuries. The work of the winemakers will be presented during the year as well as the whole environment of the wine culture. On the upper floor there is a festival hall for wine-growing events, decorated by a collection of glasses and bottles of several centuries.

Wine museum Bernkastel Kues

Beilstein

Narrow streets and corners as well as the castle ruin Metternich make the winegrower place one of the most beautiful and romantic places along the Moselle. Visit the picturesque center and the castle Metternich above the charming village. It's really worth it!

Beilstein

Burg Metternich

Reichsburg Cochem

The contours of the neo-gothic building rise more than about 330 ft above the river Moselle on an outstanding hill. The silhouette of the towering hill seems to continue in the building which is topped by the slate roof of the massive keep. As for its structure, Cochem Castle belongs to the category of castles protected by height that had to be protected all around. Romanesque fragments found in the well indicate a reinforcement of the castle around 1056.

Reichsburg Cochem

Deutsches Eck (German corner) Koblenz

The establishment of the Teutonic Order at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle in 1216 gave this historic site its name, the “Deutsches Eck” (“German Corner”). Koblenz also owes its name to the meeting point of the Rhine and the Moselle - from “Castellum apud Confluentes”, Latin for “fort at the confluence”, which over time became the current name of Koblenz.

Deutsches Eck

Fortress Ehrenbreitstein Koblenz

At 118 metres above the Rhine, the fortress has the most fantastic views over Koblenz and the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers. The Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, the second largest preserved fortress in Europe, was constructed in its present form between 1817 and 1828. Its origin dates back to the year 1000. Today the fortress is home to the Landesmuseum Koblenz with its diverse exhibitions (e.g. the technical history and archaeology of the country, fortress history with over 20 exciting stations, multimedia presentations and much more), and is also home to the Ehrenmal des Heeres army monument and the Koblenz youth hostel.

Fortress Ehrenbreitstein

Shipping on the Moselle

The Moselle travels a total of 520 kilometers from its source at the Col de Bussang in the Vosges to its mouth at the Deutsches Eck in Koblenz - the airline between the source and the mouth is only 278 kilometers - overcoming a gradient of 676 meters. As a true European river, it flows through France for a distance of 278 kilometers, then forms a natural border between Luxembourg and Germany over 36 kilometers to flow into the Rhine after 206 kilometers in Rhineland-Palatinate. The Mosel can be navigated from Thionville in Lorraine to 392 kilometers, but 15 barrages with locks are necessary to compensate for the difference in altitude. The "White Fleet" in the Moselle region offers very special experiences: behind each bend, there is a new view of steep vineyards, romantic villages and historic sights. From the tour over extensive day trips to the romantic evening ride with music ranges the range of steamers and excursion boats.

Shipping on the Moselle