Imagine
combining your love of golf with a leisurely cruise aboard Renaissance,
a fully-crewed luxury hotel barge, drifting along tranquil waterways
past some of the most beautiful scenery in the Upper Loire valley in
France.
Your floating hotel is furnished with every
modern comfort. The finest gourmet cuisine is prepared by your on-board
master chef, complemented by a wide array of fine regional wines and an
open bar, and of course, the experienced and knowledgeable crew are
there to attend to your slightest need.
The
Renaissance is pleased to offer our suggested golf charter itinerary
below. Each of the golf courses has been chosen for its location
(traveling time from the barge has been kept to the shortest possible)
as well as the quality of the course itself.
All
of the courses have been played by previous guests who reported
favorably on their quality, variety and condition. Each season the
courses are visited again before the start of the cruise season to
ensure they still meet the expected standards and to check any specific
arrangements.
Non-golfing partners of golfing
guests need not worry about having nothing to do as we have researched
specific additional excursions and visits which are completely
compatible with a golf charter.
Each day we will organize tee-times for either the morning or afternoon
leaving us free to cruise for the other half of the day. Guests will be
delivered to and collected from each course by private mini-bus with a
member of our crew to help them through the registration process at
each course and ensure a trouble-free start to their game.
The courses have been selected to provide a suitable challenge for
experienced golfers. Some courses have facilities for less experienced
players and we will happily enquire about course suitability for
specific groups. Handicap certificates are not usually required to play
in France although it is a good idea to carry them if possible.
Rented
equipment is not at all reliable in France and often unavailable or
very limited so we strongly advise guests to bring their own clubs.
There is room onboard Renaissance and we can easily carry them in the
mini-bus.
Below
is a sample golf itinerary that includes recommended golf courses with
traveling time by road shown in parentheses. We include alternative,
non-golfing visits that are available close to the courses each day.
Sunday, Day
1: Paris to Montargis
Guests
are met at the meeting hotel in Paris at 1.30 pm and transferred to the
spacious Renaissance where a Champagne Welcome awaits you. We
enjoy an evening cruise through Little Venice, past flower-bedecked
bridges and medieval watercourses joining France’s oldest canal, the
Briare. Dinner aboard.
Monday, Day
2: Montargis to Montbouy
This
morning we drive to Chateau Cely Golf Club. Situated very close to our
first overnight mooring, this recently refurbished course is quickly
gaining a reputation as one of the foremost courses in the Parisian
region. Set in the grounds of a former private Chateau, the course has
received great reviews from former Renaissance guests. Our mooring
tonight is in the town Montbouy. Afternoon cruise through the Loiret
countryside with towpath cycling. Dinner aboard. (18 holes 72 par 6000m)
Tuesday, Day
3: Montbouy to Rogny les-Sept-Ecluses
After
breakfast we drive to Les Bordes Golf Club, rated amongst the top 5
championship courses in France, the picturesque course offers a strong
challenge to even the most experienced player. The evergreen fairways
feature densely wooded boundaries and large natural water
features. Afternoon gentle cruise to historic Rogny and its
350
year old floodlit 7 lock-flight. Dinner ashore at Auberge des Templiers
in Les Bezards. (18 holes 72 6256m)
Wednesday,
Day 4: Rogny les-Sept-Ecluses to Ouzouer-Trezee
After
a leisurely breakfast of fresh croissants, baguettes and assorted
pastries we visit Chateau de la Bussiere. This moat-encircled 18th
century family owned chateau has a freshwater fishing museum full of
antique rods, reels and fishing memorabilia, working gardens and
interesting brick architecture. Originally built in the 11th century it
was extensively modernised 600 years later and represents an
interesting glimpse of Chateau lifestyle. In the afternoon we climb the
locks to reach the summit of the canal and arrive in Ouzouer-Trezee
Dinner aboard.
Thursday, Day
5: Ouzouer-Trezee to Briare
Morning
cruise to Briare and Gustave Eiffel's magical aqueduct across the River
Loire with walking and biking for those that wish to do so. We preview
Friday's crossing of this amazing 10,000 ton, 662 metre Pont Canal
which was completed in September 1896. After lunch we drive for 30
minutes for golf at Roncemay Golf & Country Club. This
international standard course, designed by Jean GARAIALDE in 1991 has
hosted many of France's famous competitions. Overlooked by the Chateau
in whose grounds the course has been developed, the length and
technical nature of the course offer a challenge to even the most
advanced player. Dinner aboard (18 hole, par 72, 6401m)
Friday, Day
6: Briare to Chatillon-sur-Loire
Morning
wander around fruit and vegetable, seafood, cheese and French fashion
stalls in the market in Briare. After lunch, we drive to Golf du
Sanserrois. Located on the banks of the river Loire with Sancerre hills
in the background, this course, in the midst of century-old trees,
ornamented by natural water hazards is considered as one of the most
attractive golf courses in the centre of France. The quality of the
greens, the friendly atmosphere and the famous Sancerre vineyard around
it: everything invites you to discover this splendid course. Evening
cruise across the River Loire on Eiffel's aqueduct and Captain's
Farewell Dinner aboard. (18 hole, par 71, 5820m)
Saturday, Day
7: Chatillon-sur-Loire to Paris
After breakfast we return you to the meeting
point in Paris.
NOTE:
Since we cruise in the opposite direction on alternate weeks, the golf
charter schedule will be reversed on those weeks.
