A 6-night luxury cruise on the Loire River visiting the historic towns of Briare and Montbouy aboard Hotel Barge Renaissance. Includes transfers, excursions, open bar and meals prepared by a Master Chef
Blend history, culture and charm on this 6-night luxury cruise through the beautiful Loire countryside and Burgundy, visiting charming towns, spectacular castles and cultural gems.
Highlights of this superb voyage include a wine tasting in picturesque Sancerre, the impressive 7 lock-flight at Rogny-les-Sept-Ecluses and dinner at the Michelin-starred Auberge des Templiers in Les Bezards, not forgetting a tour of Chateau de Fontainebleau.
Renaissance has a very elegant, country-house interior, topped off with a sun deck and spa pool, and there is a cosy bar. Eight passengers are accommodated in 4 luxurious suites with large private bathrooms, and looked after by a crew of five which includes the captain, Tour Guide, a master chef and two housekeepers. Bicycles are available for rides along the tow paths or for exploring independently.
6 nights accommodation onboard 8 passenger Hotel Barge Renaissance
All meals on board catered for by the on board Master Chef
Open bar with a large range of alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks
All wines served throughout the cruise
Excursions and admittance fees as per itinerary
Use of barge facilities including bicycles, TV and DVD player in each cabin, open fire, internet access and spa pool
Transfers to and from barge
Itinerary
Day 1Montargris - Amilly (France)
Guests are met at our meeting point in Paris** and transferred by private chauffeured minibus to the spacious Renaissance where a champagne welcome with canapés awaits 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.
Day 2Amilly - 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.
Day 3Rogny-les-Sept-Ecluses
This morning we visit the privately-owned Château de La Bussière, known as the ‘fishermen’s castle’, with its wonderful ornamental and vegetable gardens. Following lunch back on board, 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, which is well worth visiting on foot. Dinner on board.
Day 4La Gazonne
After a leisurely breakfast of fresh croissants, baguettes and assorted pastries we visit Gien, home of the Faience pottery, renowned for its beautifully decorated and vibrant dinnerware, and also explore the town’s bustling market. After lunch, we enjoy an afternoon cruise to La Gazonne, a beautiful mooring surrounded by lakes and ponds that provide water for the workings of the Canal de Briare. Dinner ashore at the Michelin-starred Auberge des Templiers in Les Bezards.
Day 5Briare
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 bicycling 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 a renowned winery in Sancerre, such as Domaine Henri Bourgeois in Chavignol, for a tour and private tasting. This medieval hilltop village overlooks a vibrant region which has known viticulture since Roman times. Dinner on board.
Day 6Chatillon-sur-Loire
This morning we wander around fruit and vegetable, seafood, cheese and French fashion stalls in the market in Briare before returning to the hotel barge for a short cruise across the aqueduct and lunch on board. This afternoon, we visit the delightful Château de Ratilly and its rather spectacular selection of turreted towers, construction of which began in 1270. Captain’s Farewell Dinner on board.
Day 7Chatillon-sur-Loire
After breakfast, guests are transferred to Paris**.
Upper Loire and Burgundy ItineraryPLEASE NOTE: On alternate weeks, this itinerary operates in reverse. This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change. **Other locations available for Private Charter bookings
