Renaissance Barge Information

About Renaissance ... accommodates up to eight passengers in ultimate luxury. The beautifully appointed lounge has comfortable seating. A cosy bar is stocked with your favourites, and bookshelves contain a Bose CD system, current books, up-to-date periodicals and magazines.She has 4 suites, two of which can be configured as twins or doubles (Hugo & Dumas) and the other two are double only (Voltaire & Moliere). Each has a 60ft sq private bathroom. Renaissance has a sundeck with Jacuzzi and bicycles for clients use.

Cruise Route. From the mighty River Seine to France's oldest Canal du Briare, along a waterway steeped in history, past beautiful scenery and small country villages such as Chateau-Landon, Gien and Rogny les Sept Ecluses.

Renaissance accommodates up to eight passengers in ultimate luxury. The beautifully appointed lounge has comfortable seating. A cosy bar is stocked with your favourites, and bookshelves contain a Bose CD system, current books, up-to-date periodicals and magazines.

She has 4 suites, two of which can be configured as twins or doubles and the other two are double beds. Each has a 60ft sq private bathroom.

Renaissance has a sundeck with Jacuzzi and bicycles for clients use.

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ITINERARY - Montargis to Chatillon-sur-Loire

Sunday, Day 1 Paris to Montargis
Guests are met at the meeting hotel in Paris at 1.30 pm and transferred to the spacious Renaissance where a Champagne Welcome awaits you. We enjoy an evening cruise through Little Venice, past flower-bedecked bridges and medieval watercourses joining France’s oldest canal, the Briare. Dinner aboard.

Monday, Day 2 Montargis to Montbouy
Our visit this morning is to the splendid Renaissance-style Chateaux Vaux le Vicomte, which inspired Versailles, with exquisite décor and period furniture, manicured formal gardens and a collection of 19th century horse drawn carriages. Afternoon cruise through the Loiret countryside with towpath cycling. Dinner aboard.

Tuesday, Day 3 Montbouy to Rogny les-Sept-Ecluses
Today’s excursion is to Chateau-Landon. With a history going back 20,000 years to the first evidence of primitive habitation, this seldom visited, mainly medieval town was captured by Caesar in 52 BC. We have a private guided walking tour and see the 11th century Saint Severin Abbey, as well as enjoy a tasting of Loire wines. Afternoon gentle cruise to historic Rogny and its 350 year old floodlit 7 lock-flight. Dinner ashore at Auberge des Templiers in Les Bezards.

Wednesday, Day 4 Rogny les-Sept-Ecluses to Ouzouer-Trezee
After a leisurely breakfast of fresh croissants, baguettes and assorted pastries we visit Chateau de la Bussiere. This moat-encircled 18th century family owned chateau has a freshwater fishing museum full of antique rods, reels and fishing memorabilia, working gardens and interesting brick architecture. Originally built in the 11th century it was extensively modernised 600 years later and represents an interesting glimpse of Chateau lifestyle. Dinner aboard.

Thursday, Day 5 Ouzouer-Trezee to Briare
Morning cruise to Briare and Gustave Eiffel’s magical aqueduct across the River Loire with walking and biking 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. Today we also visit Gien, home of the Faience pottery and hunting museums and Chateau de Gien. Dinner aboard.

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. 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. Evening cruise across the River Loire on Eiffel’s aqueduct and Captain’s Farewell Dinner aboard.

Saturday, Day 7 Chatillon-sur-Loire to Paris
After breakfast we return you to the meeting point in Paris.

This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change.
On alternate weeks, cruise will be in reverse