~
Barge Cruises in France ~
Ile
de France - Briare
A
river, two canals, rustic scenery and fine cuisine Cruise
the rivers and canals of France aboard an 8-passenger barge-hotel (7 days
- 6 nights). This idyllic vacation starts at Montargis, a short drive south of
Paris, and covers the entire length of the picturesque Canal de Briare, one of
the oldest French canals, which was built in the early 17th century. The trip
ends with an evening cruise crossing above the Loire River on a "canal-bridge"
(aqueduct) built by Gustave Eiffel a few years after he built the famous Eiffel
Tower in Paris. In
this region known as Le Gatinais (or "the garden of Paris"), the passing
countryside of open fields, the picturesque winding waterways, and the succession
of classic French villages never cease to amaze on this relaxing and bucolic route.
The
barge was completely refitted in 2007. It offers a
sparkling fresh exterior, upgraded suites with roomy bathrooms, a shiny new galley,
a roof extension over the deck for comfortable outdoor dining and an expanded
"guest-friendly" wheelhouse. 
TYPICAL
BARGE CRUISE ITINERARY
(actual
program may vary)
Day
1 - Sunday: Paris to Montargis.
You will be picked up at the designated meeting location and taken by private
minibus to the barge. Champagne reception on board. Enjoy your first gourmet dinner
on board the barge. Day
2 - Monday: Montargis to Montbouy.
Morning cruise through the countryside with the opportunity to bicycle along the
towpath. After lunch, visit the quaint town of Moret-sur-Loing, home of Impressionist
Alfred Sisley. With its elegant facades and half-timbered houses, this medieval
walled town is still an inspiration for painters today. Dinner on board the barge. Day
3 - Tuesday: Montbouy to Rogny-les-Sept-Ecluses. Today’s
excursion is to Guedelon, where a 13th-century castle is under construction using
no power tools and only the techniques and materials available in the Middle Ages.
Work on the site began in 1997 and is scheduled to take 25 years to complete.
Afternoon cruise
to historic Rogny, where you can see the early 17th-century set of seven staircase
locks. An engineering marvel in their day, the locks have been designated as a
national monument. Dinner ashore at a local inn. Day
4 - Wednesday: Rogny to Ouzouer-sur-Trézée.
This morning you'll visit the Chateau of Sully sur Loire, where Joan of Arc was
kept captive by Georges de la Trémoïlle. In the 18th century, the
famous writer Voltaire also spent time there. Afternoon cruise to Ouzouer-sur-Trézée.
Dinner on board the barge.
Day
5 - Thursday: Ouzouer-sur-Trézée to Briare.
Morning cruise to Briare and preview of Gustave Eiffel’s amazing aqueduct
across the Loire River. Visit Gien, with its chateau, pottery works and hunting
museums. Dinner on board the barge. Day
6 - Friday: Briare to Chatillon-sur-Loire.
In the morning, visit the Briare farmers' market with its fruit and vegetable,
seafood, cheese and French fashion stalls. Afternoon visit to a family-run vineyard
in Sancerre. This medieval hilltop village overlooks a thriving region known for
wine making since Roman times. Evening cruise crossing
above the Loire River on Eiffel's "canal-bridge."
Captain’s farewell dinner on board the barge. Day
7 - Saturday: Chatillon-sur-Loire to Paris.
After breakfast, transfer from the barge to the designated drop off location.
On
alternate weeks, cruise will be in the reverse direction.
This itinerary is
subject to change without notice.
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Highlights -
Moret-sur-Loing, home of the Impressionist painter Alfred Sisley
- Stair-step
locks at Rogny
- Chateau
of Sully-sur-Loire
- Chateau
of St Fargeau
- Guedelon,
a medieval fortress being built with period tools
- Typical
Upper Loire villages of Gien and Briare
- Wine
tasting in Sancerre
- Cruise
across Eiffel's "canal-bridge" at Briare
Included - Accommodations
with private bath or shower
- All
meals from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 7
- Wine
with lunch and dinner and selected alcoholic beverages consumed aboard the barge
- Sightseeing
tours and entrance fees as specified
- Round
trip transfers from specified meeting point
Not
Included - Transportation
to and from beginning and end points
- Health
and travel insurance
- Barge
crew gratuities (suggested 5% of cruise price)
- Superior
vintage wines
- Personal
expenses
- Optional
activities when available
- Other
items not specifically listed under "Included" above
Barge
Features - 4
large suites:
two can be set up as twin or double; the other two are double only (total 8 passengers)
- Each
suite has private 60 sq ft bathroom
- Bose
CD system
- Library
with current books and periodicals
- Sundeck
with hot tub
- 5
crew members
- Size:
126 ft. x 16' 6" ft.
- Air
conditioning and central heating
- Air-conditioned
minibus
Cruise
Departures Every
Sunday subject to availability (except winter) This
barge can be chartered for groups. Various themes and dates can be arranged to
fit the specific interests of each group. DEPARTURES
AND PRICES BOOK
YOUR CRUISE [top]
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