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Renaissance

Class: Ultra Deluxe
Location: Burgundy
Guests: 8
This barge is perfect for: Couples, Families, Groups of friends, Wine appreciation, Excellent Cycling/Walking (extensive sections of uninterrupted towpath all along the cruise route), Historic interest, Markets, Charming villages.

Imagine relaxing on deck of one of the most luxurious of the French canal barges, cruising along the River Seine and the picturesque Canal de Briare, enjoying the best cuisine and wine France has to offer… on board the stunning Renaissance guests experience the highest of standards and the most beautiful of itineraries!

Renaissance has had a complete refit in recent years and now offers an exceptional sundeck with roof extension for al fresco dining, upgraded staterooms with new furniture, beds and bathrooms, and flat screen TV’s with satellite channels in all cabins. There is a computer with internet access on board, and DVD and CD players in each cabin.

Fantastic excursions include chateaux visits, wine tastings and weekly markets, and the cruise route includes the 7-flight lock at Rogny-les-Sept-Ecluses and a crossing of the famous Briare bridge, built by Gustave Eiffel. Enthusiastic shoppers will also be thrilled to discover the famous pottery town of Gien!

We have no hesitation in recommending this fabulous barge and its unforgettable itinerary – a glorious barge holiday in France!

Features At-A-Glance

8 GUESTS

4 DOUBLE/TWIN CABINS WITH EN-SUITE BATHROOMS 235 - 265 sq. feet

5 CREW

128 FEET (39 METRES) LONG

8 BICYCLES

AIR CONDITIONING/CENTRAL HEATING

1 AIR CONDITIONED MINIBUS FOR EXCURSION

OPEN FIRE

JACUZZI

INTERNET ACCESS

SATELLITE TV/DVD IN ALL SUITES

Sunday, Day 1 Montargis

Guests are met at the Hotel Westminster in Paris and transferred by private chauffeured minibus to the spacious Renaissance where a Champagne welcome with canapés awaits you and you meet the Captain and crew. Time enough to explore the pretty village of Montargis on foot or bicycle, before dinner on board.

Monday, Day 2 Montargis to Montbouy

This morning, we embark on our first cruise through the Loire countryside, with great towpath walking and cycling opportunities, to moor at Montbouy. After lunch on board, we visit Château de Fontainebleau, a national museum and UNESCO World Heritage Site. To walk through this magnificent palace is to walk through the history of France. It is the only royal and imperial château to have been continuously inhabited for seven centuries and every French royal family added its own architectural style and features when in residence. Dinner on board.

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

This morning we visit Château 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 in 1430, de la Trémoïlle imprisoned her in the castle. In the 18th century Voltaire, exiled from Paris, also spent time at the château. 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.

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, 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.

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 bicycling opportunities. 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 the delightful, privately-owned Château de La Bussière, known as the ‘fishermen’s castle’, with its wonderful ornamental and vegetable gardens. Dinner on board.

Friday, Day 6 Briare to Châtillon-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. 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. Captain’s Farewell Dinner on board.

Saturday, Day 7 Châtillon-sur-Loire

After breakfast, guests are transferred to the Hotel Westminster in Paris.

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

2025 Prices

Value Season
Regular Season

Suite per person

Value Season: €7,990
High Season: €9,290

Single Supplement

Value Season: €3,000
High Season: €3,500

Charter Max. 6 pax.

Value Season: €54,500
High Season: €63,700

Charter Max. 7 pax.

Value Season: €56,500
High Season: €66,100

Charter Max. 8 pax.

Value Season: €58,500
High Season: €68,500

Note all our prices are in euros. Please ask us if you live in the USA and would like prices in US dollars. We convert to Australian dollars at current exchange rates on the day of payment of deposit/full payment.

Departure Dates 2025

Value Season

March 30; April 06, 13, 20

Regular Season

April 27; May 04, 11, 18, 25; June 01, 08, 15, 22, 29; July 06, 13

Value Season

July 20, 27; August 03, 10, 17

Regular Season

August 24, 31; September 07, 14, 21, 28; October 05,12

Value Season

October 19, 26

Price is all-inclusive - inclusions are:

  • Private transfers by chauffeured Mercedes mini bus between Paris and the hotel barge (the approximate transfer duration will be 2 or 2.5 hours depending on the cruise direction), a luxury 6 night cruise
  • All meals on board catered for by the on board Master Chef
  • An open bar 24/7 with a large range of alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks
  • All wines served throughout the cruise
  • Excursions and admittance fees as per the itinerary
  • The services of 5 crew
  • Bicycles and a spa pool

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