Renaissance
(formally the Le Bonne Humeur)
 Cruise in the Upper Loire

Samois-sur-Seine to Rogny-Les-Sept-Ecluses

 

Our itinerary covers the entire length of the Canal de Loing (a canal built specifically to join the Loire river to the River Seine and Paris) as well as some of the most picturesque parts of the Canal de Briare – one of Frances first canals, built in the early c16th.

Additionally, the route covers a short section of the River Seine between St Mammes and Samois-sur-Seine, a part of the river which even today, plays a major part in the thriving river barge transportation system in France .

The river section (limited to around 2 hours cruising only per week) passes some the prettiest villages on the entire River Seine.  Once onto the canal, the countryside changes as we pass open fields, classic French villages and towns and still see the occasional barge loading with grain or aggregate at a loading dock - a testimony to the continuing importance of the canal in this region.          

As we progress deeper into this little known region (referred to by the French as the “Gatinais” and often called affectionately the “Garden of Paris”) we see changing architectural styles reflecting the use of local materials in the buildings and pass some of the oldest villages and towns in the region – many of which owe their heritage to the history of the canal.

The waterways are teeming with wildlife which always seem to know when to show themselves as the barges moves slowly past.  Our excursion schedule offers a varied and diverse mixture of the best visits in the region with no overly-long drives by van to see the attractions. For those who wish to walk or cycle, the route boasts a surfaced path alongside the canal for almost all of the week together with many opportunities to explore nearby villages on foot or by bike as the barge cruises slowly along.

SUNDAY, DAY 1
We collect you from Paris at 2pm for the drive to the barge moored in the colorful river side village of Samois-Sur-Seine on the wide reaches of the River Seine. A champagne reception awaits you before a short cruise on the river takes us to our first overnight mooring on the river at St. Mammes. The cruise today includes the passage through one of the mighty River locks on the Seine – capable of holding up to 8 barges the size of Renaissance at a time.

MONDAY, DAY 2
Our cruise schedule continues this morning as we enter the Canal de Loing to begin the ascent of the locks which lead up to the summit level of the canal. Our excursion today is to the glorious Chateau Vaux le Vicomte – setting for the film “The Man In The Iron Mask”. The chateau has a fascinating history - which provided the inspiration for the film made there – whilst the visit includes a chance to walk in the gardens which are widely regarded as some of the best formal gardens in France . 

Our mooring tonight is in the town of Nemours .   

TUESDAY, DAY 3
A morning cruise takes us to an idyllic mooring at Beau Moulins where we pause for lunch before visiting the town of Moret Sur Loing – the medieval walled city famed as the home of the impressionist painter Sisley.

Our local guide will help you explore the charming town where the River Loing flows into the River Seine. The church here inspired the style of the Cathedral de Notre Dame in Paris and the scenery of the many authentic town houses and narrow streets are an inspiration for painters to this day.    

Our mooring tonight will be in the quite hamlet of Nargis

WEDNESDAY, DAY 4
Our program today begins with a morning excursion to the hill-top medieval town of Chateau Landon with its c10th-12th church and fortified battlements. The town is best seen from an open vehicle so today, we take the ride to the town by horse drawn carriage before stopping in the town centre to explore the narrow alleyways and reinforced battlements of the city.

After lunch, our cruise continues to the pretty waterside village of Cepoy where we moor in plenty of time for a pre-dinner stroll or cycle

THURSDAY, DAY 5
Today we join the Canal de Briare at Montargis – regional capital of “the Gatinais” – with its flower bedecked bridges and a network of miniature canals which once fed the walled city with produce. A morning excursion to the town is the perfect opportunity to take in a little souvenir shopping in this bustling market town, to visit the world famed “Mazet” Praslines shop or simply to sit and watch the locals going about their business.

Our cruise today takes us past the town of Montargis and on to the village on Montbouy – renowned as one of the prettiest villages on this stretch of the canal.

Our mooring tonight will be in the shade of the c12th village church in Montbouy

FRIDAY, DAY 6
A early start is in store for those who would like to see a traditional country market, since Chef will be off the barge early today to pick up freshly grown vegetables and local cheeses for this evenings dinner.

Our final cruise takes us to one of the oldest canal side villages in the region, Rogny-Les-Sept-Ecluses, where a staircase of seven locks (now adopted as a French National Monument) stand as a testimony to the 500 year history of the canal.

Our final excursion takes us to a privately owned Loire Valley Chateau – the Chateau de La Bussiere – for a guided tour and a visit to the splendid vegetable gardens (they supply the vegetables for the local Michelin starred restaurant from here). Since we are also now moored on the borders of the Burgundy and Loire regions, our visit to the chateau will be rounded off with a private tasting of some of the regions best known and most popular wines.

Our mooring tonight will be in the village of Rogny-Les-Sept-Ecluses where we enjoy a celebration dinner hosted by your barge captain.

SATURDAY, DAY 7
After breakfast, we return to a central Paris drop off location. You should expect to arrive in Paris before midday.


Optional/alternative excursions (available on whole boat charters only, not cabin booking weeks) may be included at any stage during the week and include:

  • A visit to the town and Chateau of Fontainbleau – the famed Palace of Kings, home to the Royal Family since the c14th (approximately 30mins drive from the barge mooring)
  • A full days visit to the Northern Burgundy wine regions of Chablis, Irancy, St Bris and the Caves de Bailly (12th century mines now used to age famous Champanges and local wines). Lunch would be taken at a restaurant on route or, on warm days, as a picnic overlooking the vineyards of Chablis (approximately 1.5hrs drive from the barge mooring)
  • A visit to the wine region of Sancerre with a tour of a private vineyard followed by a tasting in the world famous wine village (approximately one hours drive from the barge mooring)
  • A visit to the River Loire bank-side town of Gien – famed for its pottery with the option of visiting the National Museum of Hunting in the town Chateau (approximately 45mins drive from the barge mooring)
  • A tour of the Museum of the Resistance – a museum dedicated to the contribution made by the French Resistance to the 2nd world war in this area of France


Please note that the cruise itinerary alternates each week. This is a sample itinerary. Special itineraries (golf, biking, walking, antique hunting, culinary cruises, etc.) can be arranged at the time you plan and book your cruise.

     

     

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