Renaissance

8 passenger Luxury

Book it now

Call 503-228-1954 or email EuroEscapes
Terri@Euroescapes.com
for Current Specials.

Description

Renaissance has been designed to carry her guests in ultimate luxury along the Canal de Briare, France’s oldest canal and steeped in history on a cruise route that features elegant chateaux, small countryside villages and the famed wine-growing region of Sancerre.

She is a very spacious hotel barge and the beautifully-appointed saloon with its wooden beams, classic dining furniture and artworks, invokes the atmosphere of a classic French manor house. The comfortable leather sofas and hand-built bar where you can enjoy your pre-dinner aperitif, add to the feeling of onboard opulence.

The ‘Renaissance mood’ extends to the four very generously-sized twin or double bedded bedroom suites, (approx. 265sq ft including en-suite), each one fully air-conditioned and complemented by a large en-suite bathroom.

Outside, the large forward deck includes a covered roof extension with a circular table for alfresco dining, comfortable hardwood sun loungers and a heated spa pool.

With her refined onboard ambience, Renaissance is the perfect vessel on which to cruise a historic canal and experience the splendour of landmarks en route, including Gustav’s Eiffels’s aqueduct across the mighty River Loire.

Highlights Include:

Visit the “time capsule” studio home of 19th century artist Rosa Bonheur and a private lunch in her salon
Tour of the privately-owned Château de La Bussière, including a cooking demonstration using seasonal produce from the gardens
Tour of Montargis including its 11th century château and 12th century Church of the Madeleine
7-lock flight at Rogny-Les-Sept-Ecluses, a national historic monument
Cruise across the aqueduct at Briare over the River Loire, built by Gustave Eiffel
Private wine tasting at the renowned Sancerre winery of La Perriere
Excellent opportunities for walking and biking. Biking Plus option available

General Information

Length: 126 feet
8 Passengers
5 crew
4 twin/double Suites at 265 Sq Ft each including en-suite
Fully air conditioned
Central heat
Spa pool
8 tour bikes
WiFi
2 air conditioned mini-buses for tours

Accommodations and Pricing 2022

Suite per person
$7,450. Value
$8,690. Regular

Single Supplement per person
$2,700. Value
$3,100. Regular

Charter Max. 6 pax.
$52,300. Value
$59,400. Regular

Charter Max. 7 pax.
$53,900 Value
$61,700. Regular

Charter Max. 8 pax.
$55,000. Value
$64,000. Regular

2022 Sunday Departure Dates

Value Season
Mar 27
Apr 3, 10, 17, 24
Jul 17, 24, 31
Aug 7, 14, 21
Oct 9, 16, 23, 30

Regular Season
May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
Jun 5, 12, 19, 26
Jul 3, 10
Aug 28
Sep 4, 11, 18, 25
Oct 2

Accommodations and Pricing 2023

Suite per person
$7,450. Value
$8,690. Regular

Single Supplement per person
$2,700. Value
$3,100. Regular

Charter Max. 6 pax.
$52,300. Value
$59,400. Regular

Charter Max. 7 pax.
$53,900 Value
$61,700. Regular

Charter Max. 8 pax.
$55,000. Value
$64,000. Regular

2023 Sunday Departure Dates

Value Season
Apr 2, 9, 16, 23
Jul 16, 23, 30
Aug 6, 13, 20
Oct 8, 15, 22

Regular Season
Apr 30
May 7, 14, 21, 28
Jun 4, 11, 18, 25
Jul 2, 9
Aug 27
Sep 3, 10, 17, 24
Oct 1

Sample Itinerary

Sunday

Montargis to Amilly
Guests are met at our meeting point in Paris** and transferred by private chauffeured minibus to the spacious Renaissance where a champagne welcome with canapés awaits and you meet the Captain and crew. We enjoy an afternoon cruise through the picturesque “little Venice of Gâtinais” with its 131 bridges connecting the streets and crossing the Canal de Briare and the River Loing. Dinner on board.

Monday

Amilly to Montbouy
This morning we cruise through wooded countryside and past the old Bardin water mill, to reach our mooring in Montbouy. After lunch, we visit the privately-owned Château de La Bussière, known as the ‘Fishermen’s Castle’, with its wonderful ornamental and vegetable gardens, where we enjoy a cooking demonstration with the barge chef using seasonal produce from the gardens. Dinner on board.

Tuesday

Monybouy to Rogny-les-Sept-Ecluses
After breakfast we explore the town of Montargis on foot, viewing the 11th century chateau before passing through the picturesque Fishermen’s Quarter; its half-timbered houses bordering the canals. Arriving at the 12th century Church of the Madeleine, we stop to admire its soaring 75-foot-high nave. Our footsteps finally bring us to Mazet, the confectioners renowned for creating the original praline recipe over one hundred years ago. Here, we observe the chocolate production and enjoy a tasting of their delicious products. Later, 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, now disused and a national monument, from which it takes its name. A short stroll to the locks is worthwhile before dinner on board.

Wednesday

Rogny-les-Sept-Ecluses to La Gazonne
oday we immerse ourselves in the world of Impressionist art. We start with a short walking tour of Moret-sur-Loing, famous for its association with the Impressionist painter Alfred Sisley and see several of his most famous scenes before continuing to the Chateau home of Rosa Bonheur. Rosa Bonheur was the most celebrated female artist of the 19th Century; a pioneer in a man’s world and a champion of women’s rights. Her best-known paintings are of animal scenes including one of Buffalo Bill on horseback which prompted an enduring friendship between the two. We take lunch in the private salon of the chateau before joining the present owner for a tour and to hear more about the history of this remarkable lady and view some of her works. Later, we enjoy an afternoon cruise past the Rogny lock flight to La Gazonne, a beautiful rural mooring surrounded by lakes and ponds that provide water for the workings of the Canal de Briare. Dinner on board.

Thursday

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 cycling opportunities. We preview Friday’s crossing of this amazing 10,000-ton, 662 metre Pont Canal which was completed in September 1896. Our afternoon visit is to the renowned Sancerre winery of La Perriere. Having stopped to view the vineyards and learn something about viticulture, we then visit the winery, with its operations and cellars all set spectacularly inside huge natural caves. We enjoy a private tour and a tasting of some of their best vintages before we return to the barge. Dinner on board.

Friday

Briare to Châtillon-sur-Loire
This morning we visit the market in Briare with its food and fashion stalls before returning to the hotel barge for lunch and a spectacular cruise across the Briare aqueduct with its ornate iron lampposts and railings, spanning the wide River Loire below. This afternoon, we visit the delightful Château de Ratilly and its rather unusual selection of turreted towers, construction of which began in 1270. In the castle’s workshops, we see traditional pottery being hand thrown and have the chance to try this artisanal craft for ourselves. Captain’s Farewell Dinner on board.

Saturday

Châtillon-sur-Loire
After breakfast, guests are transferred by private chauffeured minibus to Paris**.

This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change.
On alternate weeks, the cruise will be in the reverse direction.
**other locations available for private Charter bookings.

**other locations available for Private Charter bookings

Your Cruise Includes:

Transfers by chauffeured Mercedes Minibus between Paris and the hotel barge, a luxury 6 night cruise, all meals, 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 6 crew and use of barge facilities, which include bicycles and spa pool.