Hirondelle
Cruising Upper Loire

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

2011 rates

Whole Boat Charter for 6: $35,100
Whole Boat Charter for 7: $37,550
Whole Boat Charter for 8: $40,000
Individuals: $5,000 per person
in a Double occupancy cabin
Single Supplement: $1,400

The cruise fare does not include transfers to and from the route in the Upper Loire. We can book and ticket well before departure TGV train transfers to and from Nevers.

2011 dates

April 3 - 9	May 29 - June 4	July 24 - 30	September 18 - 24
April 10 - 16	June 5 - 11	July 31 - Aug 6	September 25 - Oct 1
April 17 - 23	June 12 - 18	August 7 - 13	October 2 - 8
April 24 - 30	June 19 - 25	August 14 - 20	October 9 - 15
May 1 - 7	June 26 - July 2	August 21 - 27	October 16 - 22
May 8 - 14	July 3 - 9	August 28 - Sept 3	October 23 - 29
May 15 - 21	July 10 - 16	September 4 - 10
May 22 - 28	July 17 - 23	September 11 - 17

Hirondelle is moving 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. We hope to revisit in 2010 in the Upper Loire!

Hirondelle

Upper Loire Cruise Itinerary

ROGNY LES SEPT ÉCLUSES TO PONT CANAL DE GUÉTIN
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 Nevers
16th century locks
We can arrange a TGV train transfer from Paris to Nevers, boarding mid-afternoon, arriving in Nevers in late afternoon. (The cost of the train transfers is in addition to the cruise price and must be booked separately.) As you alight, members of HIRONDELLE crew will be at the platform and will chauffeur you 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, 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, return to Nevers for your mid-morning TGV train to Paris - or perhaps you'll rent a car in Nevers and drive east to Bordeaux or south to Provence. The choice of what adventure to plan next is always yours after you depart Hirondelle! We hope to see you back on board again.


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

"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