Highlights:
-Visit the “time capsule” studio home of 19th century artist Rosa Bonheur and a private lunch in her salon
-Tour of the privately-owned Chateau de La Bussiere, including a cooking demonstration using seasonal produce
-Tour of Montargis including its 11th century chateau and 12th century Church of the Madeleine
-7-lock flight at Rogny-Les-Sept-Ecluses, a national historic monument
-Cruise across the aqueduct at Briare, built by Gustave Eiffel over the River Loire
-Private wine tasting at the renowned Sancerre winery of La Perriere
-Excellent opportunities for walking & biking. “Biking Plus” option available~
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Western Burgundy & Upper Loire Barge Cruise package includes:
– 6 night barge cruise aboard Renaissance from Montargis to Chatillon Sur Loire
– Gourmet meals prepared by the on-board chef, both onboard and ashore
– Select regional wines served throughout the cruise, a champagne welcome and an open bar with a large selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks
– Chauffeured and guided sightseeing excursions, including admittance fees (where stipulated)
– Use of non motorised bicycles (E-Bikes if available at an additional charge)
– Attentive service from an experienced crew
– Local transfers to and from the barge and designated meeting points^
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PRICING:
The fares shown here are full brochure fare. Please contact us for the best current offer. All rates in EUR.
Solo Travellers: Single cabins are capacity controlled. Single supplements apply.
CHARTER:
This barge is available for charter. When the vessel is chartered, you and your party will have the full capacity of the boat and may request certain deviations from the regular schedule and the service. When doable, the crews will make all efforts to accommodate. These special requests must be made known at the time of the first deposit and will be confirmed in writing. Please contact us for current charter rates.
THEMED CRUISES:
European Waterways offer a wide selection of themed itineraries available for whole boat private charters, which appeal to all types of interest groups, large or small. Some themed cruises will incur a supplement – please check with our reservations team at time of enquiry.
~Biking Plus:
For those passengers who would like to be a little more adventurous, a number of the hotel barges have now had several upgrades to their “Biking Plus” option, as follows:
-Whilst others are relaxing on deck, or maybe enjoying a stroll, you can take a bike on most days and follow an interesting, but not too challenging route which we will have already carefully researched.
-You will be given clearly marked maps for each round trip route and a backpack with everything you might need so that, for an hour or two, you can explore the surrounding countryside and villages along the lanes, towpaths and byways.
-If you get stuck or lost, a crew member will come to fetch you. Otherwise, you can just rejoin the hotel barge where you left her – or maybe a little further along the canal.
-The hotel barge itinerary is arranged so that you won’t miss any of the organised excursions or much of the cruising, but you will have seen a little more of the people & places around you – and done yourself some good at the same time!
-Bike helmets are provided and our reservations team can advise you on the biking opportunities for each itinerary.
-If the idea of a little pedalling appeals, our reservations team can advise you on the biking opportunities for each cruise itinerary.
-With pre – designed offline maps and directions that you can download to your phone, you’ll never get lost!
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Not included:
-Service charges/crew gratuities. Tipping is entirely discretionary but is greatly appreciated by the crew if you would like to acknowledge recognition for the standard of service provided.
-Superior Chateaux vintage wines, optional activities such as hot air balloon flights, items of a personal nature such as laundry, communication charges or purchases and any other items not specifically included in the cost of your cruise.
Special Conditions
Special Validity Dates
Cruise Itinerary
| Date | Activity | Arrive | Depart |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 Oct 2024 | Montargis, Loreiet, France |
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| 21 Oct 2024 | Montbouy, Loriet, France |
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| 22 Oct 2024 | Rogny Les Sept Écluses, Burgundy, France |
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| 23 Oct 2024 | La Gazonne, Burgundy,France |
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| 24 Oct 2024 | Briare, Burgundy, France |
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| 25 Oct 2024 | Chatillon-sur-Loire, Burgundy, France |
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| 26 Oct 2024 | Chatillon-sur-Loire, Burgundy, France |
All itineraries and ports of call at the discretion of the cruise line subject to local weather conditions and may change without notice.
6 Night Cruise sailing from Montargis to Chatillon Sur Loire aboard Renaissance.
NOTE: On alternate weeks the cruise is in the reverse direction. This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change.
Sunday, Day 1 Montargis to Amilly
Embark the spacious Renaissance where a Champagne welcome with canapés awaits you and you meet the Captain and crew. We enjoy an afternoon cruise through the picturesque “little Venice of Gâtinais” with its 131 bridges connecting the streets and crossing the Canal de Briare and the River Loing. Dinner on board.
Monday, Day 2 Amilly to Montbouy
This morning we cruise through wooded countryside and past the old Bardin water mill, to reach our mooring in Montbouy. After lunch, we visit the privately-owned Château de La Bussière, known as the ‘Fishermen’s Castle’, with its wonderful ornamental and vegetable gardens, where we enjoy a cooking demonstration with the barge chef using seasonal produce from the gardens. Dinner on board.
Tuesday, Day 3 Montbouy to Rogny-les-Sept-Ecluses
After breakfast we explore the town of Montargis on foot, viewing the 11th century chateau before passing through the picturesque Fishermen’s Quarter; its half-timbered houses bordering the canals. Arriving at the 12th century Church of the Madeleine, we stop to admire its soaring 75-foot-high nave. Our footsteps finally bring us to Mazet, the confectioners renowned for creating the original praline recipe over one hundred years ago. Here, we observe the chocolate production and enjoy a tasting of their delicious products. Later, we enjoy an afternoon cruise to our mooring at the pretty village of Rogny-les-Sept-Ecluses, near its 350-year-old 7 lock-flight, now disused and a national monument, from which it takes its name. A short stroll to the locks is worthwhile before dinner on board.
Wednesday, Day 4 Rogny-les-Sept-Ecluses to La Gazonne
Today we immerse ourselves in the world of Impressionist art. We start with a short walking tour of Moret-sur-Loing, famous for its association with the Impressionist painter Alfred Sisley and see several of his most famous scenes before continuing to the Chateau home of Rosa Bonheur. Rosa Bonheur was the most celebrated female artist of the 19th Century; a pioneer in a man’s world and a champion of women’s rights. Her best-known paintings are of animal scenes including one of Buffalo Bill on horseback which prompted an enduring friendship between the two. We take lunch in the private salon of the chateau before joining the present owner for a tour and to hear more about the history of this remarkable lady and view some of her works. Later, we enjoy an afternoon cruise past the Rogny lock flight to La Gazonne, a beautiful rural mooring surrounded by lakes and ponds that provide water for the workings of the Canal de Briare. Dinner on board.
Thursday, Day 5 La Gazonne to Briare
A morning cruise to our mooring at the little town of Briare, site of Gustave Eiffel’s magical aqueduct across the River Loire, again with excellent walking and cycling opportunities. We preview Friday’s crossing of this amazing 10,000-ton, 662 metre Pont Canal which was completed in September 1896. Our afternoon visit is to the renowned Sancerre winery of La Perriere. Having stopped to view the vineyards and learn something about viticulture, we then visit the winery, with its operations and cellars all set spectacularly inside huge natural caves. We enjoy a private tour and a tasting of some of their best vintages before we return to the barge. Dinner on board.
Friday, Day 6 Briare to Châtillon-sur-Loire
This morning we visit the market in Briare with its food and fashion stalls before returning to the hotel barge for lunch and a spectacular cruise across the Briare aqueduct with its ornate iron lampposts and railings, spanning the wide River Loire below. This afternoon, we visit the delightful Château de Ratilly and its rather unusual selection of turreted towers, construction of which began in 1270. In the castle’s workshops, we see traditional pottery being hand thrown and have the chance to try this artisanal craft for ourselves. Captain’s Farewell Dinner on board.
Saturday, Day 7 Châtillon-sur-Loire
After breakfast, guests disembark.
Renaissance has been designed to carry her guests in ultimate luxury along the Canal de Briare, France’s oldest canal and steeped in history on a cruise route that features elegant chateaux, small countryside villages and the famed wine-growing region of Sancerre.
She is a very spacious hotel barge and the beautifully-appointed saloon with its wooden beams, classic dining furniture and artworks, invokes the atmosphere of a classic French manor house. The comfortable leather sofas and hand-built bar where you can enjoy your pre-dinner aperitif, add to the feeling of onboard opulence.
The ‘Renaissance mood’ extends to the four very generously-sized twin or double bedded bedroom suites, (approx. 265sq ft including en suite), each one fully air-conditioned and complemented by a large en suite bathroom.
Outside, the large forward deck includes a covered roof extension with a circular table for alfresco dining, comfortable hardwood sun loungers and a heated spa pool.
With her refined onboard ambience, Renaissance is the perfect vessel on which to cruise a historic canal and experience the splendour of landmarks en route, including Gustav’s Eiffels’s aqueduct across the mighty River Loire.
Ship Profile & Stats
- Length: 39 metres
- Maiden Voyage: 1960
- Refurbished: 2009
- Passenger Capacity (dbl): 8
- Crew Nationality: British
Ship Amenities
- 60ft sq Private Bathroom
- Television & DVD System
- Air Conditioning
- 220 Volt Electricity (2 Pin French Plug)
- Hair Dryer
Ship Facilities
- Lounge
- Bar
- Sun Deck
- Spa Pool
- Dining Room
We have been involved in all aspects of the hotel barge and travel industry for over 35 years including designing, building, owning and operating our fleet of luxury hotel barges. We have gradually refined our barge cruise holidays into unique travel experiences, which are just waiting to be discovered.
Our fully crewed, all inclusive luxury hotel barges cruise the inland waterways of nine European countries, along canals, rivers, lakes, lagoons and lochs, giving you the opportunity to experience life there from a truly unique perspective.
Our hotel barges are ideal for people looking for either an individual cruise with other like-minded people, or for those choosing a whole barge charter for a family or group of friends.
On your all-inclusive cruise, your ‘floating boutique hotel’ glides gently along while you relax and enjoy gourmet cuisine, fine wines and the company of fellow passengers. There will be guided tours to castles, chateaux, vineyards, markets and when you return to the barge, you can be sure our dedicated, professional crew will be there to look after you once more.
Select the Deck to view detail.
Select the Cabin to view detail.
Four large suites, all with closet, private bathroom, individually controlled air conditioning and central heating and 220 volt electricity (French two pin plugs). Each suite has its own TV with DVD player.
Voltaire) Suite 1: (bow) approx 270 sq feet including bathroom
Size of the bed: (1 king bed or two single beds)
King or Twin bed configuration
Hugo) Suite 2: approx 260 sq feet including bathroom
Size of the bed: (1 king bed or two single beds)
King or Twin bed configuration
Dumas) Suite 3: approx 260 sq feet including bathroom
Size of the bed: (1 king bed or two single beds)
King or Twin bed configuration
Moliere) Suite 4: (stern) approx 270 sq feet including bathroom
Size of the bed: (1 king bed or two single beds)
King or Twin bed configuration
BATHROOMS:
The staterooms have a shower in a shower cubicle. All have tiled/teak wood floors and walls. They all have toilet and basin.
Supplied with: Washing gel, hand soap, shampoo, towels and face cloths
* Unless otherwise noted all pricing is on a per person twin share basis. All prices based on cash payment - credit card fees may apply. Cruise deposit, amendment and cancellation conditions apply. Special conditions may apply - please ask for full details at time of enquiry. All passports, vaccinations and visas are the responsibility of the travelling guest to secure prior to departure from Australia. Any pricing not in Australian Dollars will be converted on the day of payment into the relevant currency based on our daily rate of exchange. Please note that many of the prices shown on this website are not shown in real time. Whilst we endeavour to keep our pricing as up-to-date as possible, the advertised prices shown here may differ slightly from the live prices in our booking system. All pricing and offers are subject to availability at time of booking. Whilst all information is correct at the time of publication, offers are subject to change. We reserve the right to correct errors without penalty. Please submit any data errors/omissions you may notice on this site.
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