Hirondelle
Cruising Upper Loire

Passengers: 8
Size: 128 feet long
Last Visited: 2006
Rating: Deluxe, A/C, Families

2012 Rates

Whole-Boat Charter for 6: $36,000
Whole-Boat Charter for 7: $38,500
Whole-Boat Charter for 8: $41,000
Individuals: $5,150 per person in a double occupancy cabin
Single Supplement: $2,575

2012 dates

April 1 - 7	May 27 - June 2	July 22 - 28	September 16 - 22
April 8 - 14	June 3 - 9	July 29 - Aug 4	September 23 - 29
April 15 - 21	June 10 - 16	August 5 - 11	September 30 - October 6
April 22 - 28	June 17 - 23	August 12 - 18	October 7 - 13
April 29 - May 5	June 24 - 30	August 19 - 25	October 14 - 20
May 6 - 12	July 1 - 7	August 26 - Sept 1	October 21 - 27
May 13 - 19	July 8 - 14	September 2 - 8
May 20 - 26	July 15 - 21	September 9 - 15

Hirondelle moved to a marvelous new route in 2010: The Upper Loire, a very remote-in-feel region. Towns that were of great importance to commerce in days past still exist -
and still are a delight to visit for local markets and crafts. Old-fashioned homes may line the shore, while other sections of the route are wholly rural.

Into this very lovely and low-key destination, Hirondelle is a good fit. With its large deck and sky-lit salon, this barge keeps the countryside very close! The salon is also comfortable and colorful and encourages informal relaxation, while the young and dedicated crew keep things festive. We last cruised in 2006 and found this crew very enterprising. They scheduled the expected winetastings and visits - but were also looking for and finding unexpected local sights.

On the new route, there is much to choose from. Winetasting in Sancerre, shopping for china in Gien - and a plethora of chateaux, and villages. You'll cruise across the Pont Canal, Europe's longest canal bridge over a river - elegant and awe-inspiring!

Hirondelle is now wholly owned by Orient Express, operator of four other barges in France (all Ultra-Deluxe rated) and luxury travel experienced worldwide. Hirondelle remains a top choice for Deluxe rated barging.

Hirondelle

Upper Loire Cruise Itinerary

ROGNY LES SEPT ÉCLUSES TO PONT CANAL DE GUÉTIN
On the Canal de Briare
We've visited most of these sights in the enchanting Upper Loire. Most incredible is the Pont Canal, a canal bridge that crosses a river. Maybe because it was designed by Gustav Eiffel, it is elegant, too!

Sunday: Paris to Rogny
16th century locks
You will be chauffeured from Paris to the barge moored in Rogny-Sept-Ecluses on the Canal de Briare. Rogny is the site of the oldest canal lock in France, a seven step staircase lock built in the 16th century. Stroll these locks and around the charming town to work up an appetite for the first of many gourmet dinners on board.

Monday: Cruise to Chatillon-sur-Loire
Traverse the Pont Canal
Today's cruise begins your route south into the heart of the French countryside. An immediate high point is the crossing of the Pont Canal, an elegant canal-bridge built over the river, designed by Eiffel of Tower fame. The Canal de Briare floats past gardens, traditional homes and fields in the distance. After arriving at Chatillon-sur-Loire and lunch on board, visit the Chateau de Saint-Fargeau, with a history spanning many centuries. Return to the barge for dinner on board.

Tuesday: Cruise to Lere
Another chateau - built in a lake!
Today is a busy morning. First we'll chauffeur you to the faince china factory in Gien; pick up holiday gifts or something for yourself! Then it's on to the romantic and haunting Chateau de la Bussiere, pictured below, built in a lake. Back at Hirondelle it's lunch and an afternoon cruise southward on the Canal de Briare to Lere. Walk or bicycle on the towpath - or just relax on deck as the countryside glides by!

Wednesday: Cruise to Menetreol
Winetasting in Sancerre
After a short morning cruise, today is dedicated to wine. After all you are in France! First, transfer to the cobblestoned village of Sancerre for a tasting and lunch. Sancerre's location high up on a hill assures gorgeous and panoramic views of the surrounding vineyards! Then it's on to the 15-century Chateau Tracy, one of the most prestigious producers in Loire, where you'll taste the Poilly Fume.

Thursday: Cruise to Passy
You've tasted wine - now taste the cheese!
Take a short walk over to a farm where the famous 'Crottin' goats cheese is produced. The barge continues its cruise through the town of Charité-sur-Loire and on to the rural mooring at Passy. After lunch, you'll be chauffeured back to Charité-sur-Loire, an important stepping point for the pilgrims on the way to Santiago de Compostela and home to a rare and lovely church in the Burgundian Gothic style.

Friday: Cruise to Le Guetin
Busy last day!
This morning enjoy your last cruise on the enchanting canal. Your first excursion is to Nevers, the main town of the area. Shop for its distinctive blue and gold faince china. Then it's a short drive to one of the most beautiful villages in France, Apremont. Back at the Hirondelle, the Captain's Dinner ends your cruise in style.

Saturday: A Sad Farewell
Departure from Nevers
After breakfast, you will be chauffeured back to Paris.  Estimated arrival time is noon.  Please make all onward travel plans on the basis of this timing.  We hope to see you back on Hirondelle or perhaps next time on one of the other marvelous Orient-Express vessels.

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PONT CANAL de GUÉTIN TO ROGNY LES SEPT ÉCLUSES
On the Canal de Briare
We've visited most of these sights in the enchanting Upper Loire. Most incredible is the Pont Canal, a canal bridge that crosses a river. Maybe because it was designed by Gustav Eiffel, it is elegant, too!

Sunday: Board in Plagny, Cruise to Le Guetin
Welcome Aboard!
We'll chauffeur you from Paris to Plagny on the Canal Latéral à la Loire. A champagne reception is followed by an evening cruise to the tiny hamlet of Le Guetin. Enjoy your first dining experience on board the boat.

Monday: Le Guetin to Marseille les Aubigny
Beautiful Garden, Tour Nevers
This morning take a short drive to Apremont, one of the most beautiful villages in France, to visit the private Château and gardens. Back to the boat to cruise and have your first delicious lunch. In the afternoon take a walking tour of Nevers, the capital of the Nivernais.

Tuesday: Marseille les Aubigny to Menetreol
Cheese Glorious Cheese!
A morning visit to La Charité-sur-Loire, an important site of Burgundian Romanesque art, and a renowned resting place for pilgrims on the road to Santiago de Compostela. Enjoy a walking tour of the remains of the 10 th century religious site and see the charming 'House of the dwarf!'. In the afternoon, the barge continues cruising from La Charité to tonight's mooring at Ménétréol. From Menetreol you will be taken to visit a goat's cheese farm for a tour and tasting of their excellent goat's cheese.

Wednesday: Menetreol to Chatillon-sur-Loire
Winetasting in Sancerre
After a relaxing morning's cruise, we take a drive to the charming town of Chavignol, where most of the famous Sancerre and Pouilly fumé wines are produced. We see the vineyards and have a tasting with one of the local wine-makers. W e then drive up to Sancerre, situated on an impressive hilltop where we Lunch at the restaurant 'La Tour', followed by a stroll around the town, and the chance to take photos of the surrounding vineyards.

Thursday: Chatillon-sur-Loire to Ouzouer
Another chateau - built in a lake!
This morning relax as you continue cruising on the canal towards Châtillon-sur-Loire. After lunch we drive to the picturesque town of Gien, famous throughout France for its colourful pottery and imposing 15th century chateau. We visit a faïence factory in the town, followed by an excursion to the Château of La Bussière with its imposing setting and medicinal gardens.

Friday: Ouzouer to Rogny-les-Sept-Ecluses
Busy last day!
On your last day of cruising, Hirondelle traverses the River Loire via the Pont Canal, an elegant bridge designed by Gustav Eiffel.  After lunch we leave the barge for our final excursion to the pretty town of Saint Fargeau with a history spanning a thousand years. Meanwhile the chef is busy preparing for the farewell gala dinner on board.

Saturday: Rogny
A Sad Farewell
fter breakfast, you will be chauffeured back to Paris.  Estimated arrival time is noon.  Please make all onward travel plans on the basis of this timing.  We hope to see you back on Hirondelle or perhaps next time on one of the other marvelous Orient-Express vessels.


Please note: Hirondelle cruises in the alternate direction on alternate weeks. The day to day itinerary described below is a typical cruise. However, on any one cruise the moorings may change and the places visited may vary depending on the season and guest preferences. Contact The Barge Lady for reservations and more information about Barging in Burgundy on the canals and waterways of France Or call us toll free at (800) 880-0071.

Hirondelle

Guest Book

"Absolutely fabulous staff and the best customer service ever experienced.  We had to depart early due to a family emergency.   Sara and the Captain were up with us at 6am and arranged transportation for us to the airport - cannot say enough positive about them."
-Diann Wilson and Stephen Hoffmann, cruised August 2011

"Presentation of the wines and cheeses was outstanding.  Jacquie, our guide, presented the wines and related them to the region, vineyard, winery and even connected some to vineyards we had visited or seen.  Cat, our hostess, presented the cheeses and did so in a progression day to day with relationship of cheese to region.

The off-barge excursions maintained the high standards of execution received while on the barge.  We saw a cross section of culture and history of the area of Burgundy, including the vineyards and winemaking, influence of early day inhabitants from Romans to Cistercian monks, chateaus, abbeys, market day in Dijon, Beaune Hospice, wine tasting at La Grand Cave de Pierre DeForrest with our host, Jean Jacques Dalmas, a great visit and meal at l'Abbaye de la Bussiere, and an unbelievable wine tasting at Joseph Drouhin Winery in Beaune with Domestic Marketing Director Jean Pierre Cropsale.  It was obvious that Jacquie had carefully planned the excursions, dones her homework on the facts surrounding them, and cultivated our hosts at each location."
-Courtney and Bob Ward, 2008

"This was the first barge cruise, we have taken.  Our experience on the Hirondelle was superb!  The barge is kept in exquisite condition by the crew and it is so welcoming.  We thouroughly enjoyed this trip in Burgundy and would highly recommend it to anyone for a cultural, gastronomic and fun excursion!"
-Neil and Darlene Kalawsky, 2008

"We thoroughly enjoyed our trip with the Hirondelle crew - the food and service were outstanding and so friendly.  This was a region of France that we had not seen before, so we learned more as we cruised through the canals."
-Mary and David Edwards, 2008

"It was a lovely way to travel through a very picturesque part of France.  I brought a book to read but could never stop looking at and taking pictures of the countryside.  Even the flowers at the locks were amazing.  We would love to do this again!"
-Patrice Courboin and Matthias Lydon, 2008

"It exceeded expectations.  We were pampered!  Every wish was met with O.K. when would you like it?  Both my husband and I felt that this was a lifetime experience."
-Sheila Linehan and Joe Puopolo, 2008

"The trip was amazing. We will always have great memories. The boat was very comfortable, but it was the crew that made the trip for us. They were very personable. We enjoyed each and every one of them. The scenery was great also with the fall foliage. We especially liked getting off at locks and exploring on bicycles or walking off all the amazing food. The excursions were also very interesting and seemed catered around our group's interests."
-Very Satisfied 2007 Guests

"The Hirondelle is a beautiful craft, and its crew was first rate. Everything about the week met or exceeded our family's expectations. Thank you Ellen!"
-The Wacker Family, 2007

Hirondelle Floor Plan

128 Feet long
-One Queen-bedded cabin - 138 sq feet
-One twin-bedded cabin - 140 sq feet
-Two twin-bedded cabins - 123 sq feet
-En-suite shower baths
-Gorgeous skylit salon
-Large teak deck
-On board computer with internet access