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Renaissance accommodates up to eight passengers in ultimate luxury. The beautifully appointed lounge has comfortable seating. A cosy bar is stocked with your favourites, and bookshelves contain a Bose CD system, current books, up-to-date periodicals and magazines. She has 4 suites, which can be configured as twins or doubles. Each has a 60ft sq private bathroom. Renaissance has a sundeck with Jacuzzi and bicycles for clients use.

Cruise Highlights: 

• Chateaux Vaux le Vicomte Film setting for "The Man in the Iron Mask".

• 12th Century Medieval hill-top town of Chateau Landon.

• Montargis traditional country market and Mazet Pralines.

• Loire Valley Chateau de la Bussiere Unesco World Heritage location.

Meeting Point:

Sunday 1.30pm
Hotel Ampere
102 Avenue de Villiers, 75017 Paris

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 Montbouy

Our visit this morning is to the splendid Chateau of Vaux le Vicomte, which inspired Versailles, with exquisite décor and period furniture, manicured formal gardens and a collection of 19^th 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 11^th 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 18^th 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 11^th 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.

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.

Features:
 

• Size of barge: 126 feet long

• Cabins: 4 twin or doubles suites
             (4 Suites, which can be configured as twins or doubles. Each has a 60ft sq private bathroom)

• Number of passengers: 8

• Number of crew: 5

• Air-conditioned: Yes

• Centrally heated: Yes

• Spa Pool: Yes

• 8 bikes

• 1 air-conditioned minibus

Rates include:

• 7 days and 6 nights in a cabin with private bath

• Transfers from Paris to the barge and return

• All meals beginning with dinner on Sunday, through breakfast on Saturday

• All wines with lunches and dinners

• Open bar stocked to your specification

• Use of bicycles

• All escorted side-excursions (hot air balloon flights, golf at additional cost)

Rates do not include:

• Overseas air transportation to Paris and return

• Suggested minimum 5% gratuity for the crew, to be given to the captain in equivalent euros