Savoir Faire - Upper Loire / Paris Itinerary France - Luxury French Dutch Hotel Barge France and Holland

SAVOIR FAIRE
Luxury barge cruises in France, Belgium and Holland

UPPER LOIRE CRUISE (FRANCE)

Paris to Villeneuve

Our drivers collect you from your designated meeting point in Paris and escort you to the “Savoir Faire” moored at the Port Arsenal, Bastille, in the very heart of the city. It is here that your adventure begins. After a champagne reception, during which you are introduced by your Captain to your crew and the ship, you are free to settle into your cabins. You will have a brief opportunity to explore the area before we depart for our exclusive evening cruise through Paris. While cocktails are served the Savoir Faire glides past the magnificent church of Notre Dame, the resplendent Louvre art gallery, and the symbolic Eiffel Tower. You will then be served your first of many splendid dinners aboard, prepared by your personal master chef. After dinner we continue our cruise back through floodlit Paris to your overnight mooring.

We set off from the Arsenal bright and early to begin your cruise south along the mighty Seine towards Melun. Once past the reaches of Paris, the landscape begins to unfold revealing the tranquil beauty so sought after by busy city folk. Luxury villas and chateaus begin to appear along the riverbanks, as we cruise past fishermen patiently sitting beneath the shade of a willow tree. This afternoon we visit Chateau of Fontainebleau. To walk through Fontainebleau is to walk through the very history of France. Every royal family has added its architectural signature, resulting in an unrivalled display of opulence. Afterwards you will be able to explore the town before joining your drivers who will escort you back to the Savoir Faire. This evening we shall be moored in the centre of Melun. You will have the opportunity to stroll along the shaded riverbank and breathe in the fresh air before your candlelit dinner is served.

We begin the day with a peaceful cruise along the final stretch of the Seine towards Northern Burgundy, the land of Counts and fine wines. After lunch on board, your guide will escort you to the medieval town of Provins where you can explore ancient ramparts, watch a falconry show, and browse around the boutiques and shops. Provins is now listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site and is listed amongst the most interesting towns in France. Pre-dinner cocktail before yet another delicious meal is served.

After breakfast we visit 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. After lunch we begin our cruise along the River Seine. We shall later 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. Weather permitting, your chef will happily prepare a stupendous “Savoir Faire BBQ”

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. The importance of this waterway is evident by the presence of commercial barges - some of which may join us in the locks! After lunch your tour guide is available to accompany you around 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. Afterwards enjoy a stroll on your own through this popular market town before returning to the "Savoir Faire". 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.

This morning we cruise towards our final destination of Villeneuve-sur Yonne. Before lunch your tour guide is available to escort you around 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. During the French Revolution the name was changed from le-Roi (the king) to sur-Yonne (on the Yonne). 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 your tour guide drives you to the world famous town of Chablis where you will first see a panoramic vista of the Grand Cru vineyards and the surrounding countryside 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.

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.