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Renaissance Cruise in the Upper Loire

Montargis to Chatillon-sur-Loire

 

Sunday, Day 1   Paris to Montargis

Guests are met at the Hotel Westminister in Paris and transferred to the spacious Renaissance where a Champagne Welcome awaits you. Time to explore the pretty village of Montargis by foot or bicycle. Dinner on board.

Monday, Day 2   Montargis to Montbouy

Morning cruise through the Loire countryside with towpath cycling to Montcresson then we transfer, after lunch to the splendid town of Moret-sur-Loing, home to the great Impressionist artist Alfred Sisley. This medieval walled town is still an inspiration for painters today, with its elegant Renaissance facades, colourful shops and medieval half-timbered house. Return to the barge and enjoy a late evening cruise to Montbouy, before dinner on board

Tuesday, Day 3   Montbouy to Rogny les-Sept-Ecluses

Morning cruise to historic Rogny and its 350 year old floodlit 7 lock-flight. Today’s excursion is to Chateau Guedelon. A team of fifty people have taken on an extraordinary feat to build a castle using the very same techniques and materials used in the Middle Ages. Work on the site began in 1997 and is scheduled to take 25 years to complete. Guédelon offers a unique opportunity to witness the different stages of a castle's construction with each phase being of interest in its own right. Alternatively we visit the Castle of Saint Fargeau is 1000 years old. In 980, Héribert, Auxerre's bishop and biological son of King Hugues Capet, built this fortified hunting meeting place. Dinner on board.

Wednesday, Day 4  Rogny les-Sept-Ecluses to La Gazonne

After a leisurely breakfast of fresh croissants, baguettes and assorted pastries we visit Gien, home of the Faience pottery and hunting museums and Chateau de Gien. After lunch we enjoy an afternoon cruise to La Gazonne a beautiful mooring surrounded by lakes and ponds with Seine River one side and the Saone River the other side. Dinner ashore at Auberge des Templiers in Les Bezards.

Thursday, Day 5  La Gazonne to Briare

Morning cruise to Briare and Gustave Eiffel’s magical aqueduct across the River Loire with walking and bicycling 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. This afternoon we visit Chateau de Sully sur Loire. The castle originally belonged to Georges de la Trémoïlle, who infuriated Joan of Arc by encouraging the Dauphin to devote himself to idle hunting in the forests around Sully. After Joan's failure to liberate Paris 1430, de la Trémoïlle virtually imprisoned her in the castle. In the 18thC Voltaire, exiled from Paris, also spent time at the Château. Dinner on board.

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 and then a short cruise across the aqueduct before lunch on board. 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. Captain’s Farewell Dinner on board.

Saturday, Day 7 Chatillon-sur-Loire to Paris

After breakfast we return you to the Hotel Westminister in Paris.

This is a sample itinerary.  On alternative weeks the cruise is in reverse direction.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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