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SAVOIR
FAIRE
Luxury barge cruises in France, Belgium and Holland
BURGUNDY
CRUISE
Nemours to Villeneuve-sur-Yonne, FRANCE
From the
Kings of France to the jewels of Burgundy, this splendid cruise
includes some of the greatest sites in France.
SUNDAY, Day 1
- Moored overnight in Nemours
Your
chauffeurs collect you from your Paris hotel at 2.30pm for the scenic
drive to the "Savoir Faire", moored at Nemours. Once aboard your
Captain and host welcomes you with a champagne reception and an
introduction to your crew and ship. Enjoy a stroll along the canal
before an aperitif on deck. Tonight your chef welcomes you to your
table with the first of many offerings. Candlelit crystal and gleaming
silverware add to the romantic ambience of what promises to be the
first of many memorable evenings.
MONDAY, Day 2
- Cruise from Nemours to Episy
Today
is the beginning of our cruise through the Upper Loire region, as we
pass along the winding Canal de Loing, the landscape gently unfolding
as we slowly pass open fields and forests bordering classic French
villages and towns. Affectionately known as the "Gardens of Paris",
this little known region gently reveals its secrets as we discover a
waterway teeming with wildlife. This is the perfect
opportunity
to cycle or stroll along the surfaced path that follows the canal.
After lunch your drivers take you to the Palace of Fontainebleau. It is
often referred to as the "House of Centuries" due to the fact that
every French monarch from Francois I to Napolean III has left his mark
upon this magnificent chateau. To walk through the splendour of the
inner sanctuaries of noble kings and queens is to step back through
time. Afterwards you will have time to explore the ornate gardens and
the thriving town of Fontainebleau. This evening we moor at a
peaceful countryside setting next to then hamlet of Episy. Weather
permitting, your chef will happily prepare a stupendous “Savoir Faire
BBQ”
TUESDAY, Day
3 - Cruise from Episy to Moret-sur-Loing
Today
we continue our cruise along the Canal du Loing, arriving lunchtime at
our overnight mooring of Moret-sur-Loing. Once again, there is plenty
of opportunity to cycle or stroll along the surfaced path that follows
the canal. After lunch, your tour guide drives you to the
romantic Chateau of Vaux-le-Vicompte (setting for the film "The Man In
The Iron Mask"). Our visit includes an opportunity to explore the
magnificent formal gardens which are widely regarded as some of the
best in France. Built between 1656 and 1661 for finance minister
Nicolas Fouquet, the chateau's construction was monstrous even for
those days. Entire villages were razed and 18,000 workmen called in.
Famous architects, painters and landscapers were commissioned to
reflect Fouquet's refined tastes. So lavish was the housewarming party,
that Louis XIV threw a fit of jealousy and hurled Fouquet in jail. Just
to prove who was boss, Louis XIV began building the Palace of
Versailles. Dinner on board
WEDNESDAY,
Day 4 - Cruise from Moret-sur-Loing to Labrosse lock
After
breakfast we visit the Unesco World Heritage site of the medieval town
of Provins, originally home to one of the Champagne Fairs that were
crucial to the medieval European economy, when the city was under the
protection of the Counts of Champagne. Provins is
well-known for its medieval fortifications, such as the Tour César
(Caesar Tower) and well preserved city walls. The Saint Quiriace
Collegiate Church is located here. The Empress Galla Placidia is said
to have presented Ancona with the relics of Judas Cyriacus. However,
the saint's head was situated at Provins, which was brought over from
Jerusalem by Henry I of Champagne, who built a church in this town to
contain it. This still stands as the Saint Quiriace Collegiate Church,
although construction work during the 12th century was never completed
due to financial difficulties during the reign of Philippe le Bel. A
dome was added in the 17th century, and the old families of Provins who
lived in the upper town were called "Children of the Dome."
Return to the “Savoir Faire” for lunch and the beginning of your cruise
along the River Seine. Later we join the meandering River Yonne and
make our way to our overnight mooring above the lock of Labrosse. Enjoy
the tranquillity of this beautiful setting.
THURSDAY, Day
5 - Cruise from Labrosse to Sens
We
begin our cruise along the narrow canal section of Courlon, built to
facilitate the transport of wines and other prized goods to Paris.
Later we pass the photogenic town of Pont sur Yonne as we make our way
towards our overnight mooring at Sens. After lunch we visit Sens to see
the Cathedral of St Etienne. Begun in 1140 and housing one of the
richest treasuries in France, this mighty Gothic cathedral is the first
of its kind in Europe. Also enjoy a stroll on your own through this
popular market town. Your overnight mooring is five minutes
from
the town centre. Relax before dinner with a drink from the bar as the
swans gather round in anticipation of a free meal. The
perfect
setting for the end of a perfect day.
FRIDAY, Day 6
- Cruise from Sens to Villeneuve-sur-Yonne
This
morning we cruise towards and then visit Villeneuve-sur Yonne, which
was founded in 1163 by Louis VII of France to protect the kingdom of
France at the boundary of the Champagne. In 1204 Philippe Auguste held
parliament in the city, and Saint Louis resided in the city before
departing for the Eighth Crusade. In 1594 the city was burnt down. In
1870 a memorial for the dead was designed by the sculptor Émile Peynot.
The city was governed from 1927 till 1935 by the infamous mayor Marcel
Pétiot, who was guillotined in 1946, convicted of 27 killings. We shall
also have an opportunity to view the 700 year old town gate as well as
the magnificent Church of Notre Dame, the building of which lasted from
the 12th to the 16th century. After lunch we visit Chablis
where
you will first see a panoramic vista of the Grand Cru vineyards before
enjoying a tour of the ancient press and cellars of Domaine Laroche,
followed by a wine tasting of their various fine vintages. You then
return to the "Savoir Faire" to celebrate your last evening aboard.
Laughter, great times and the warmth of friendship contribute to those
"Golden Memories" that last a lifetime.
SATURDAY, Day
7 - Departure at 9.30am
We
end the cruise with a nourishing breakfast and fond farewell from your
crew, before your chauffeurs take you onward to Paris.
Note:
This is a sample itinerary. Itineraries are flexible and may be changed
according to passenger requests and local conditions. The itinerary is
in the reverse direction every other cruise week.
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