Barge Cruise: Ile de France - Briare

A river, two canals, rustic scenery and fine cuisine

Cruise the rivers and canals of France aboard an 8-passenger barge-hotel (7 days - 6 nights). This idyllic vacation starts at Montargis, a short drive south of Paris, and covers the entire length of the picturesque Canal de Briare, one of the oldest French canals, which was built in the early 17th century. The trip ends with an evening cruise crossing above the Loire River on a "canal-bridge" (aqueduct) built by Gustave Eiffel a few years after he built the famous Eiffel Tower in Paris.

In this region known as Le Gatinais (or "the garden of Paris"), the passing countryside of open fields, the picturesque winding waterways, and the succession of classic French villages never cease to amaze on this relaxing and bucolic route.

The barge was completely refitted in 2007. It offers a sparkling fresh exterior, upgraded suites with roomy bathrooms, a shiny new galley, a roof extension over the deck for comfortable outdoor dining and an expanded "guest-friendly" wheelhouse.

  TYPICAL BARGE CRUISE ITINERARY
(actual program may vary)

Day 1 - Sunday: Paris to Montargis. You will be picked up at 1:30 pm at a designated hotel in Paris and taken by private minibus to the barge. Champagne reception on board and evening cruise through "Little Venice." Enjoy your first gourmet dinner on board the barge.

Day 2 - Monday: Montargis to Montbouy. After breakfast, tour of the glorious chateau of Vaux le Vicomte. The chateau has a fascinating history dating back to Louis XIV, who hired the same architect and landscape designer to build the chateau of Versailles. The visit offers the opportunity to walk the grounds, widely regarded as some of the best formal gardens in France, and to visit the collection of horse-drawn carriages. Return to the boat for an afternoon cruise through the countryside, followed by dinner on board the barge.

Day 3 - Tuesday: Montbouy to Rogny. Begin with a morning excursion to the hilltop medieval town of Chateau Landon, with its 10th-12th century church and fortified battlements. Enjoy a private guided walking tour and a tasting of Loire Valley wines. After lunch, cruise to Rogny-les-Sept-Ecluses, one of the oldest canal villages in France, where a staircase of seven locks (a French National Monument) stands as a testimony to the 400-year history of the canal. Dinner ashore at a local inn.

Day 4 - Wednesday: Rogny to Ouzouer-sur-Trézée. Morning tour of Chateau de la Bussière, an 18th-century family-owned brick chateau with a fishing museum and working gardens. Cruise and dinner on board the barge.

Day 5 - Thursday: Ouzouer-sur-Trézée to Briare. Morning cruise to Briare and preview of Gustave Eiffel’s amazing aqueduct across the River Loire. Visit Gien, with its chateau, pottery works and hunting museums. Dinner on board the barge.

Day 6 - Friday: Briare to Chatillon-sur-Loire. In the morning, visit the Briare farmers' market with its fruit and vegetable, seafood, cheese and French fashion stalls. Afternoon visit to a family-run vineyard in Sancerre. This medieval hilltop village overlooks a thriving region known for wine making since Roman times. Evening cruise crossing above the Loire River on Eiffel's "canal-bridge." Captain’s farewell dinner on board the barge.

Day 7 - Saturday: Chatillon-sur-Loire to Paris. After breakfast, transfer from the river boat back to Paris by around noon.

On alternate weeks, cruise will be in the reverse direction.
This itinerary is subject to change without notice.

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Highlights

• Chateau of Vaux le Vicomte
• Medieval town of Chateau Landon
• Stair-step locks at Rogny
• Chateau de La Bussière
• Typical Upper Loire villages of Gien and Briare
• Wine tasting in Sancerre
• Cruise across Eiffel's "canal-bridge" at Briare
  

Included

• Accommodations with private bath or shower
• All meals from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 7
• Wine with lunch and dinner and selected alcoholic beverages consumed aboard the barge
• Sightseeing tours and entrance fees as specified
• Round trip transfers from specified meeting point

Not Included

• Transportation to and from beginning and end points
• Health and travel insurance
• Barge crew gratuities (suggested 5% of cruise price)
• Superior vintage wines
• Personal expenses
• Optional activities when available
• Other items not specifically listed under "Included" above

Barge Features

• 4 large suites: two can be set up as twin or double; the other two are double only (total 8 passengers)
• Each suite has private 60 sq ft bathroom
• Bose CD system
• Library with current books and periodicals
• Sundeck with hot tub
• 5 crew members
• Size: 126 ft. x 16' 6" ft.
  
• Air conditioning and central heating
• Air-conditioned minibus
  

Cruise Departures

Every Sunday subject to availability (except winter)

This barge can be chartered for groups. Various themes and dates can be arranged to fit the specific interests of each group.

Dates and Prices

Book Your Cruise!

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