Johanna Barge Cruising Flanders

Johanna

 

 

Casual Barge Biking Cruises in Upper Loire France

 

Sancerre Region

7 Days
Briar to Nevers

 

From Briare with its famous canal bridge, we slowly sail up to Nevers, passing along the vineyards of Sancerre and Pouilly. Cycling, delicious wine, small villages, the french way of life, relaxing on board… All the ingredients for a perfect holiday. This Upper Loire cruise on the hotel barge Johanna is perfect for relaxing epicureans as well as for sporty cyclists.


 

Briare - Nevers: May 31 - June 6 / June 14 - 20

Nevers - Briare: June 7 - 13 / June 21 - 27

 

DAY 1. Briare
Welcome on board. The small town developed during the reign of Henry IV who started the construction of the canal of “Loyre en Seine”. Now, Briare-le-Canal is a town which has kept the numerous riches of its cultural heritage.

DAY 2. Belleville sur Loire
A beautiful stretch of the Loire. At Mantelot lock near Châtillon-sur-Loire, boats once gathered to cross the Loire, before the construction of the canal-bridge at Briare. Lock and canalbridge are both splendid constructions not to be missed..

DAY 3. Ménétréol sous Sancere
We are sailing along the eastern edge of the old French province of Berry where you can cycle beside the wild Loire and alongside the Canal Latéral. Between Léré and Belleville-sur-Loire, the heritage of centuries of river trade is everywhere to be seen. We encourage you to enter Sancerre’s glorious hilly countryside and taste its famed wines. Here you can mix cycling with gastronomy and oenology. A detour up to the historic town of Sancerre itself is highly recommended.

DAY 4. Chapelle Montlimard
This day leads you to the splendid riverside town of La Charité-sur-Loire, with its fabulous basilica and strong literary links. L’île du Faubourg, an island at La Charité-sur-Loire, provides an exceptionally scenic view of the Loire, on the frontier between Burgundy and Centre-Val de Loire, both regions famed for their wines. Passing through the heart of the Val de Loire Nature Reserve, enjoy the river’s wonderful shifting light.

DAY 5. Cours les Barres
The cycling route is easy and offers an inspiring concentration of Loire nature, culture and heritage. There are cycle tracks practically all the way along. Enjoy the exceptional views down on the Val de Loire Nature Reserve.

DAY 6. Nevers
Near the majestic Bec d’Allier, where the Allier River joins the Loire, Le Guétin’s canal-bridge makes quite an impression. The Canal Latéral à la Loire acts as a link between Burgundy and the Loire Valley.

DAY 7. Nevers
Farewell after breakfast.

 

Individual Booking - $3278 per person

Rate includes: 6 nights, breakfast, lunch, dinner (3 courses) on boat (1 dinner on shore on your own), beer and wine with meals, bike rental (with helmets) for cycling the area around the barge and listed excursions below.

 

INCLUDED EXCURSIONS:

Gien and it's famous faience factory, producing french country-style and modern china of high quality. Despite a heavy bombardment during the second world war, many old buildings and ramparts remained and make up the atmosphere of this nice city.

Visit of a goat farm with production and tasting of the "Crottin de Chavignol, AOP" cheese.

Excursion into the vineyards and visit to the caves of a Sancerre winery farm. Wine tasting and visit of the "House of Sancerre" where from the tower you have a beautiful panorama of the area.

We bring you to the "Bec de l'Allier", confluence of Loire and Allier rivers, and to Apremont sur Allier, the most beautiful flowered village in France

 

 

      

Johanna Deck Plan