| European
luxury hotel barge cruise vacations aboard the French Barge Renaissance
in the Upper Loire and Western Burgundy regions of France. |
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RENAISSANCE
Luxury
French hotel barge cruises in the Upper Loire and Western Burgundy,
France
STANDARD
ITINERARY
Montargis to Chatillon-sur-Loire
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 Montbou
Our
visit this morning is to the splendid Renaissance-style Chateaux Vaux
le Vicomte, which inspired Versailles, with exquisite décor and period
furniture, manicured formal gardens and a collection of 19th century
horse drawn carriages. Afternoon cruise through the Loiret
countryside with towpath cycling. Dinner aboard.
Tuesday, Day
3 Montbouy to Rogny les-Sept-Ecluses
Today’s
excursion is to Chateau-Landon. With a history going back
20,000
years to the first evidence of primitive habitation, this seldom
visited, mainly medieval town was captured by
Caesar in 52
BC. We have a private guided walking tour and see the 11th century
Saint Severin Abbey, as well as enjoy a tasting of Loire wines.
Afternoon gentle cruise to historic Rogny and its 350 year old floodlit
7 lock-flight. Dinner ashore at Auberge des Templiers in Les Bezards.
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. 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. Today we also visit Gien,
home of the Faience pottery and hunting museums and Chateau de Gien.
Dinner aboard.
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. Afternoon visit to a family-run
vineyard in Sancerre. This medieval hilltop village overlooks a vibrant
and pulsating region which has known viticulture since Roman times.
Evening cruise across the River Loire on Eiffel’s aqueduct and
Captain’s Farewell Dinner aboard.
Saturday, Day
7 Chatillon-sur-Loire to Paris
After breakfast we return you to the meeting
point in Paris.
NOTE:
Please note: this is a sample itinerary which may be subject to change
depending on local conditions. The route will run in reverse direction
on alternate weeks.
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