~
Barge Cruises in France ~
Ile
de France - Loire
Rustic
scenery and fine cuisine, "staircase" locks and aqueducts Indulge
in a barge cruise through a corner of the lush French contryside, just south of
Paris, on board a 6-passenger barge-hotel (7 days - 6 nights), between
the Seine and the Loire rivers. Relax while enjoying rustic views of majestic
woodlands and open farmland along the Canal du Loing or the Canal de Briare. Immerse
yourself in the proverbial French "je ne sais quoi" as you go through
small medieval villages and explore the local culture, cuisine and wines. Originally
a commercial vessel, this barge was converted to a luxury barge hotel in 1992.
Since then she has been upgraded regularly and now offers luxurious accommodations.
With three en-suite cabins, a large lounge and dining area, a spacious teak covered
sun-deck and an outdoor heated spa-pool, she is the perfect barge for exploring
the Upper Loire region in style. 
TWO
TYPICAL BARGE CRUISE ITINERARIES
(actual
programs may vary)
CANAL
DE BRIARE Day
1 - Sunday: Paris to Montargis to Amilly.
After lunch, pick up at your Paris hotel and transfer, by private minibus, to
the barge moored in Montargis. Champagne reception and early evening cruise to
your first overnight destination: Amilly. Day
2 - Monday: Amilly to Montbouy. This
morning, cruise to Montcresson. After lunch the excursion program begins with
a tour of the magnificent palace of Fontainebleau, home to generations of French
royalty from Henry IV to Napoleon. Day
3 - Tuesday: Montbouy to Chatillon-Coligny.
Today's excursion takes you to Montargis with an opportunity to explore a busy
market town and shop for souvenirs - make sure you visit the famous Mazet Praline
shop, with its exquisitely packaged candies. The afternoon cruise continues to
the charming village of Chatillon-Coligny. Day
4 - Wednesday: Chatillon-Coligny to Rogny-Les-Sept-Ecluses.
This morning, visit the splendid 16th-century Chateau of St. Fargeau. Then, back
to the barge for the afternoon cruise to Rogny-les-Sept-Ecluses and its ancient
"staircase" of seven locks, a monumental piece of canal engineering. Day
5 - Thursday: Rogny-Les-Sept-Ecluses to La Gazonne.
The daily excursion program continues with a visit to the private Chateau of La
Bussiere and its wonderful 18th-century garden, OR the Chateau de Sully sur Loire,
a magnificent classical Loire Valley chateau. As an alternative you can also visit
the town of Gien. Set on the banks of the River Loire, this beautiful provincial
town holds many attractions including the famous Faience (earthenware) Boutique,
a Hunting Museum and the Chateau de Gien. Return to the barge for lunch and cruise
to the next mooring at La Gazonne. Day
6 - Friday: La Gazonne to Briare to Chatillon-sur-Loire.
The morning cruise takes you to the beautiful village of Briare where the barge
will cross over the River Loire via the Pont-Canal de Briare, a 700-yard aqueduct
built in 1896 by Gustav Eiffel. Afternoon excursion to the world-famous wine region
of Sancerre with an opportunity to sample the local wines and explore this charming
hill-top village. For early risers a market visit in Briare with the chef is an
option. This evening, cruise to the final mooring in the wonderful town of Chatillon-sur-Loire. Day
7 - Saturday: Chatillon-sur-Loire to Paris. After
breakfast, return transfer to Paris. On
alternate weeks, cruise will be in the reverse direction.
This itinerary is
subject to change without notice. CANAL
DU LOING
Day
1 - Sunday: Samois-sur-Seine to St. Mammes. After
lunch, pick up at your Paris hotel and transfer, by private minibus, to the barge
moored in the riverside village of Samois-sur-Seine (home of famous jazz guitarist
Django Rheinhardt). Champagne reception and early evening cruise to St. Mammes.
Day
2 - Monday: St. Mammès to Episy. This
morning's cruise travels past Moret-sur-Loing (home of famous impressionist Alfred
Sisley). After lunch, the excursion program begins with a tour of the spectacular
palace of Fontainebleau, home to generations of French royalty from Henry IV to
Napoleon, OR Vaux-le-Vicomte, a mini-Versailles and site of the movie "Man
in the Iron Mask". Day
3 - Tuesday: Episy to Nemours.
Today's excursion goes to Moret-sur-Loing for a guided walking tour of this picture-perfect
village - the inspiration for many famous paintings. This afternoon, on to Nemours,
with its impressive church and beautiful 12th-century castle. Day
4 - Wednesday: Nemours to Neronville.
Today you'll reach the picturesque village of Néronville. After lunch,
visit the hilltop town of Chateau Landon. There, several options are available,
including a horse-drawn carriage tour of the town (additional fee) or a guided
walking tour. Day
5 - Thursday: Neronville to Nargis.
The daily excursion program continues with a visit to the village of Grez sur
Loing OR optional excursion to Barbizon (famous for the mid-19th century Barbizon
School of painting which emphasized a return to "realist" subjects).
This afternoon, cruise to another beautiful, secluded mooring in the village of
Nargis. Day
6 - Friday: Nargis to Montargis.
Morning cruise to the final overnight mooring in the region's capital, Montargis.
If you're interested in wine, you may want to take a trip to the Sancerre wine
region including tasting and winery visit. You can also enjoy a trip to the beautiful
Chateau de la Bussiere with its 18th-century garden OR the Chateau de St. Fargeau
with its unique history. Time permitting, stop and walk over the pont-canal de
Briare, the famous 700-yard aqueduct built in 1896 over the Loire River by Gustav
Eiffel. For the early risers a visit with the chef to the farmer's market in Ferrieres
en Gatinais is a fun option. Day
7 - Saturday: Montargis to Paris. After
breakfast, return transfer to Paris. On
alternate weeks, cruise will be in the reverse direction.
This itinerary is
subject to change without notice.
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Possible
excursions (depending on itinerary - Briare or Loing) - The
royal palace of Fontainebleau
- Chateau
of Vaux-le-Vicomte (a mini-Versailles)
- Chateau
of La Bussiere
- Chateau
of St. Fargeau
- Guedelon
(a 13th-century fortress being built with period hand tools)
- Sancerre
wine country
- Moret-sur-Loing
(home of impressionist painter Alfred Sisley)
- A
glass-blowing factory in Soisy Sur Ecole
- A
chocolate factory in the Nemours region
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 in Paris
- 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 - 3
cabins
with twin/queen beds, private bathroom with shower, closet space, opening windows
and sky-lights, hair dryer and bathrobe, and in-room personal safe (total 6 passengers)
- 5
crew members: captain, chef, hostess, steward and boatman
- Boat
size: 125 ft. x 17ft.
- Cabin
sizes: 125 sf
- Air
conditioning and central heating
- Outdoor
Jacuzzi spa-pool
- Satellite
flat screen TV's, Video, DVD and CD players in cabins
- Wireless
Internet access
- Headroom:
In excess of 6' 6" throughout
- 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] | 
