Renaissance

Barging the Upper Loire

Passengers: 8	English Speaking Crew of: 5
Size: 126 feet long	Bicycles: 8
Last Visited: 2012	Air Conditioned: Yes
Rating: Ultra Deluxe

Cruise Rate Includes: 6 nights/7 days in a cabin with a private bath, chauffeured transfers from Paris to the barge & return, all meals, from dinner the first night to breakfast the last morning, all wines with lunch & dinner, open bar, daily escorted excursions and use of onboard bicycles.

Cruise Rate Does NOT Include: Airfare to and from France, cancellation insurance and crew gratuity (suggested minimum amount is 5% of the cruise price)

2013 Value Season Rates

Whole-Boat Charter for 6 or less: $42,000
Whole-Boat Charter for 7: $43,500
Whole-Boat Charter for 8: $45,000
Individuals: $6,090 per person double occupancy
Single Supplement: $2,200

2013 Value Season dates

March 31 - April 6	July 14 - 20	August 18 - 24
April 7 - 13	July 21 - 27	October 6 - 12
April 14 - 20	July 28 - August 3	October 13 - 19
April 21 - 27	August 4 - 10	October 20 - 26
April 28 - May 4	August 11 - 17

2013 regular Season rates

Whole-Boat Charter for 6 or less: $49,000
Whole-Boat Charter for 7: $51,000
Whole-Boat Charter for 8: $53,000
Individuals: $7,100 per person double occupancy
Single Supplement: $2,600

2013 regular Season dates

May 5 - 11	June 2 - 8	June 30 - July 6	September 8 - 14
May 12 - 18	June 9 - 15	July 7 - 13	September 15 - 21
May 19 - 25	June 16 - 22	August 25 - 31	September 22 - 28
May 26 - June 1	June 23 - 29	September 1 - 7	September 29 - Oct 5

We were delighted with our quick visit to Renaissance, moored in the charming town of Rogny-les-Sept-Ecluses. Captain Laurent and Chef Sarah, an experienced and attractive young couple, lead a total crew of five. Renaissance has retained its glamour - with its Provencial-style décor using top materials and lovely artworks. The salon and deck looked wonderful. And we caught Sarah arranging an impressive flower display
– see picture at right.

Cabins have always been a strength on Renaissance. They are among the largest in France, as are the bathrooms – and continue the pleasant, French-style ambiance established in the public areas. Guests will feel very comfortable in these cabins!

The area is outstanding, and is very convenient, with chauffeured transfers from Paris of two hours or less adding to the ease of cruising on Renaissance. This is a rural region, with miles of pristine canals lined with towpaths. The sightseeing is varied, and includes Chateau Guedlon, a medieval chateau being built with 13th century methods and materials. Very different! Along the way are lovely towns to explore, including Moret-sur-Loing, home of Impressionist painter Alfred Sisley. There is also dinner out at Auberge de Templiers, an historic post house now converted into a historic Relais et Chateau hotel and restaurant.

Winetasting in the Sancerre area exposes wines of the region. The town of Sancerre is perched high over the vineyards and affords amazing views!

Renaissance presents a lovely choice for four couples who are looking for something very deluxe – and who might have already barged in Burgundy. As well, the barge is a great choice for families looking for a gentle journey in which they can relax totally amidst spectacular scenery.

Renaissance

Upper Loire Barge Cruise Itinerary

Montargis to Chatillon-sur-Loire

In the Gatinais and Upper Loire

Sunday: Paris to Montargis
Welcome Aboard in this Pretty Town
You’ll be met at 2:15 pm in the lobby of the Warwick Westminster Opera, elegantly located on the Right Bank near to major tourist attractions and shopping. From there, drive directly in the barge minivan to Montargis, pictured at left, a town on the Canal de Briare in Upper Loire from where your cruise begins. Estimated travel time is two hours. Once on board, enjoy the traditional champagne welcome and introduction to crew. There will be time to stroll around this town, with its flower be-decked bridges, and enjoy the traditional quiet ambiance of a Sunday afternoon in France. Tonight’s dinner is the first of many gourmet meals to be enjoyed on board.

Monday: Montargis to Montbouy
The Palace where Napoleon and Marie Antoinette Lived
This morning, we cruise out of Montargis, passing under flower-clad bridges into the countryside. During your morning cruise to Montcresson, now is the time to walk or bicycle through untouched countryside. After lunch, it’s time to visit Chateau de Fountainebleau, home of French royalty for centuries. Such personalities as Napoleon and Marie Antoinette added their stamp to the architecture and décor, see below. A late evening cruise to the final mooring at Montbouy will provide relaxation before dinner on board.

Tuesday: Montbouy to Rogny les-Sept-Ecluses
13th Century Construction Site and Techniques
Today’s excursion is to Chateau Guedelon. A team of fifty people have taken on an extraordinary feat to build a castle using the very same techniques and materials used in the Middle Ages. Work on the site began in 1997 and is scheduled to take 25 years to complete. Guédelon offers a unique opportunity to witness the different stages of a castle's construction with each phase being of interest in its own right. Let yourself be transported from the present day, back to the sights and sounds of a 13th century construction site. Afternoon gentle cruise to historic Rogny and its 350 year old floodlit 7 lock-flight.


Wednesday: Rogny les-Sept-Ecluses to La Gazonne
Dinner Ashore at an Elegant Auberge
After a leisurely breakfast of fresh croissants, baguettes and assorted pastries we visit Gien, home of the Faience pottery and hunting museums and Chateau de Gien. After lunch we enjoy an afternoon cruise to La Gazonne a beautiful mooring surrounded by lakes and ponds with Seine River one side and the Saone River the other side. Dinner tonight is at Auberge des Templiers, a former post house now turned into a prestigious Relais et Chateau inn and restaurant. Enjoy a stroll on the lovely grounds of this historic property.

Thursday: La Gazonne to Briare
A Chateau Associated with Joan of Arc
Morning cruise to Briare and Gustave Eiffel’s magical aqueduct across the River Loire with walking and bicycling 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. This afternoon we visit Chateau de Sully sur Loire, pictured above. 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 1430, de la Trémoïlle virtually imprisoned her in the castle. In the 18thC Voltaire, exiled from Paris, also spent time at the Château. Dinner on board.

Friday: Briare to Chatillon-sur-Loire
Cruise on an Aqueduct Designed by Eiffel
Morning wander around fruit and vegetable, seafood, cheese and French fashion stalls in the market in Briare and then a short cruise across the aqueduct, pictured at left before lunch on board. 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. Captain’s Farewell Dinner on board.

Saturday: Chatillon-sur-Loire to Paris
A Sad Farewell
Your chauffeured transfer back to the Hotel Westminster departs promptly at 9:00 am, and estimated arrival time into Paris is 11:30 am. URGENT: Please make all onward travel plans out of Paris today on the basis of this timing. Breakfast is your last on board meal. We hope to see you again on another Go Barging/European vessel. What about cruising in Southern Burgundy on the L’Impressionniste?

---

Chatillon-sur-Loire to Montargis

In the Gatinais and Upper Loire

Sunday: Paris to Chatillon-sur-Loire
Cross the River on an Elegant Aqueduct Designed by Eiffel of Tower Fame!
You’ll be met at 2:15 pm in the lobby of the Warwick Westminster Opera, elegantly located on the Right Bank near to major tourist attractions and shopping. From there, drive directly in the barge minivan to Chatillon-sur-Loire, a town on the Canal de Briare in Upper Loire from where your cruise begins. Estimated travel time is two hours. Once on board, enjoy the traditional champagne welcome and introduction to crew. Then take an amazing cruise to our first port, Briare, on the Pont Canal, see left, Gustav Eiffel’s magical aqueduct across the River Loire completed in September, 1896. Time for a walk or cycle ride before your first dinner aboard. Tonight’s dinner is the first of many gourmet meals to be enjoyed on board.

Monday: Briare to La Gazonne
Sancerre Winetasting in a Medieval Village
Morning visit to a family-run vineyard in Sancerre. This medieval hilltop village, see below, overlooks a vibrant and pulsating region which has known viticulture since Roman times. Afternoon cruise to La Gazonne, a beautiful mooring surrounded by lakes and ponds with Seine River one side and the Saone River the other side. Dinner on board.

Tuesday: La Gazonne to Rogny les-Sept-Ecluses
1000 Year Old Castle
Morning cruise to the village of Rogny les-Sept-Ecluses. Today’s excursion is to Chateau Guedelon. A team of fifty people have taken on an extraordinary feat to build a castle using the very same techniques and materials used in the Middle Ages. Work on the site began in 1997 and is scheduled to take 25 years to complete. Guédelon offers a unique opportunity to witness the different stages of a castle's construction with each phase being of interest in its own right. Alternatively we visit the 1000 year old Castle of Saint Fargeau. In 980, Héribert, Auxerre's bishop and biological son of King Hugues Capet, built this fortified hunting meeting place. Dinner on board.

Wednesday: Rogny les-Sept-Ecluses to Chatillon Coligny
French Faience in Gien, Dinner Ashore at an Elegant Auberge
Morning visit Gien, home of the Faience pottery and hunting museums and Chateau de Gien, built at the end of the 15th century for Anne de Beaujeu, Louis XI's older daughter. Afternoon cruise to Chatillon Coligny. Dinner tonight is on shore at the Auberge des Templiers, a former post house now turned into a prestigious Relais et Chateau inn and restaurant. Stroll the lovely grounds before dinner.

Thursday: Chatillon Coligny to Montbouy
A Chateau Associated with Joan of Arc
We leave Chatillon Coligny this morning for a gentle cruise to Montbouy. This afternoon we visit Chateau 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 1430, de la Trémoïlle virtually imprisoned her in the castle. In the 18thC Voltaire, exiled from Paris, also spent time at the Château. Dinner on board.

Friday: Montbouy to Montargis
Fountainebleau-Where French Kings Lived!
This morning, cruise to Montargis, a flower bedecked town known as France’s Little Venice. This is the perfect morning to bicycle along the towpath through pristine countryside. In the afternoon, out last excursion is a high point: the Chateau of Fountainebleau, pictured below. To walk through this palace is to walk through the history of France, with many personalities such as Marie Antoinette and Napoleon having lived there. After this wonderful outing, return to Renaissance, where the Captain’s Farewell dinner ends your cruise in style.

Saturday: Montargis to Paris
A Sad Farewell
Your chauffeured transfer back to the Hotel Westminster departs promptly at 9:00 am, and estimated arrival time into Paris is 11:30 am. URGENT: Please make all onward travel plans out of Paris today on the basis of this timing. Breakfast is your last on board meal. We hope to see you again on another Go Barging/European vessel. What about cruising in Southern Burgundy on the L’Impressionniste?

Please note:This is a sample itinerary which may be subject to change depending on local conditions. The route will run in reverse on alternate weeks. Contact The Barge Lady for reservations and more information about Barging on the canals and waterways of France Or call us toll free at (800) 880-0071.

Renaissance

Guest Book

"The crew became our family - I cried when we left.  We called our guide Maggie the "Human Google", because she knew everything and was so enthusiastic."
- Richard and Marlene Razzetti, 2010

"We had been looking forward to a barge trip for years.  The captain and crew did not disappoint.  The barge and cuisine were outstanding."
-William and Nancy McPherson, 2010

"Our experience was outstanding - the barge itself and the week far exceeded our expectations.  Our crew was incredible - we had the best Chef ever and the entire crew was just terrific - we love them all!"
-James and Lois Delligatti, 2010

"This was our second trip on the barge Renaissance.  While we enjoyed the excursions, staying on the barge or bike riding along side it, was just as much fun.  We especially enjoyed not having to rush anywhere or dress up for dinner each night."
-Darlene and Mike Hillman, 2009

"We had a great barge cruise:  Few decisions, lots of wine and beautiful sights!"
-Dr. and Mrs. Adrian Simm, 2009

"Our week on the Renaissance far exceeded our expectations!  The layout and roominess of the barge was great.  The young, enthusiastic crew became our friends without compromising the level and professionalism of their duties."
-Steve and Becky Smith, 2008

"A wonderful, relaxing no stress holiday in the French countryside.  No worries.  No packing and unpacking, lots of fun.  ELLEN IS THE BEST!"
-Mr. and Mrs. Charles Haskell, 2008

"Phillip, Silva, Amy and Michael were really fantastic.  Phillip was French, charming, knowledgeable and helpful in every way.  The beautiful French accent made everything he said so very, very French and made us love France more!  Silva's beautiful meals (delicious) and presentations were the very best. (We have toured the world, and he is right up there with the best.)  I will never forget Amy's smile which was only outdone by Michael - they were the BEST - in every way.  It was the most enjoyable journey through France's countryside we will never forget.  The service was outstanding!  I would and will recommend this trip to all.  "
-Mr. and Mrs. John Kaunas, 2008

Renaissance Floor Plan

126 Feet long
Four Suites  - all 280 sq feet
-Two suites with king bed or twins
-Two with king bed
-All with large ensuite bath
-Satellite flat screen TV, DVD and CD player in all cabins.
Public Areas
-Beautiful furnishings, fabrics and china.
-Salon/dining area with large picture windows.
-Laptop computer with free Internet access available for passenger use
-Sundeck with jacuzzi and dining table with large canopy for shade.
-Wifi (subject to local reception)
9 Bicycles
8 touring bicycles
Plus one tandem bicycle