Adagio

The Upper Loire cruise promises and delivers!  From Medieval castles to sumptuous palaces, the finest, most intricate porcelain to stunning vineyards producing the crispest of Sancerre wine, this route takes you through some of the most beautiful landscapes of France. 
Join us for a week of excellent cuisine and fantastic guided tours creating a really memorable trip.

Sunday: From Paris to Nemours
Your chauffeur collects you in the air-conditioned minibus for the journey from a Paris hotel to Adagio, moored near Nemours on the beautiful River Loing.  This town dates from Galo-Roman times.  Once aboard you are welcomed with a champagne reception and an introduction to your crew and ship. Shortly afterwards, we begin a gentle cruise along the canal to our mooring at Neronville.  Enjoy an aperitif as we cruise along the canal before the first of many delicious dinners on board.

Monday: Neronville to Montargis: Walking alongside the Kings and Queens of France
After breakfast, we set off for the first of several fascinating visits, to the impressive Chateau de Fontainebleau. Steeped in French history and an excellent example of many architectural styles, the building was influenced by many generations of the French Royal family, from François I to Napoleon III.  
We return for lunch aboard Adagio and then enjoy a delightful cruise to Montargis.  It is no wonder that this town is often named the Venice of the Gatinais, for it has 131 flower-laden bridges that cross over the canals of the town.  You may enjoy an early-evening stroll before dinner on board.

Tuesday: Montargis to Montbuoy: Dungeons and Turrets
After the history of yesterday, we invite you to relax this morning. Admire the pasture and woodlands while we listen to the beautiful birdsong as we drift along.  
After lunch,  join our tour guide for a drive to the delightful Château de Sully-sur-Loire.  In the 14 rooms open to the public, we gain an insight into the illustrious statesman and faithful servant of King Henry IV, who owned the Château.  The medieval dungeon, with its incredible roof made from a boat hull, and the cosy, richly furnished rooms, along with pictures, tapestries, statues and painted decor,  all shed light on the life and career of the Duke of Sully. (1560 - 1641)
As guests, you follow in the illustrious footsteps of Joan of Arc, Louise XV and Voltaire.
We return to Adagio for cocktails and canapés before a truly delicious dinner.

Wednesday: Montbuoy to Rogny-les-Sept-Ecluses: The Finest French Pottery
This morning is all about the cruise!  With beautiful views, you can relax on the deck or take a bike for a spin along the towpath.
After lunch on board, it's a short drive to the welcoming town of Gien, famous for its exquisite tableware and pottery. Discover the Gien factory with your knowledgeable guide and see the talented artists at work, creating beautiful patterns by hand which make their work so sought after.  Please note that the factory is closed in July & August, but the factory shop is open to visitors).
There will be time to shop for souvenirs and to stroll around the town before heading back to Adagio for cocktails and mouth-watering dinner.

Thursday: Rogny-les-Sept-Ecluses to Gazonne:  How to build a medieval castle!
Our day begins over breakfast, during which we cruise past the impressive flight of locks which gives the town its name, Rogny-les-Sept-Ecluses. Initially built in 1648 to connect the Loire and the Seine, the flight has been replaced by a new flight which is far easier to manage. The surrounding countryside is magnificent, and the local villages are all decorated with beautiful flowers throughout the season.  Our rural mooring at Gazonne is the perfect peaceful spot for a serene walk in the heart of nature.
After lunch,  cameras and hands at the ready as we set off on an adventure!  
During our visit to the  Chateau Guedelon, you will discover the various stages of the construction of a 13th-century castle and have a go at some ancient skills needed using the techniques and materials of the middle ages: This is a genuinely fascinating excursion for young and old alike. 
The Guedelon project began in 1997 with the chateau due for completion in 2022.  
We return to Adagio in time for dinner on board.

Friday: Gazonne to Chatillon-sur-Loire: Crisp white wines and Astounding Engineering
There is plenty of time to relax this morning; a gentle stroll or cycle along the towpath alongside Adagio is the perfect start to the day.  Our cruise takes us across the River Loire via the acclaimed Pont Canal de Briare.   Constructed in 1890-1896 to link the Canal Lateral à la Loire and the Canal de Briare, this giant structure of metal and stone is bordered by 72 lamp posts and magnificent pillars making it one of the most photographed bridges in the world!
After lunch,  we visit one of the most famous wine-producing towns in the world, Sancerre,  strategically positioned high above the valley and the vineyards of the Loire.  We've organized a private wine-tasting to sample some of the local crus as we discover the secrets of growing and producing the excellent Sancerre wine.  
It's time to return to Adagio for a delicious Captain's Dinner around a beautifully decorated table and to look back on a wonderful week of great cuisine, fun company and perhaps a moment for the Captain to recall a good sea dog tale!

Saturday: Departure 9.30 am
After a hearty breakfast to help you on your way,  we bid you farewell and bon voyage!
Our chauffeurs will drive you to a hotel or airport in Paris.  ETA 11.30 pm

Adagio is the only barge to offer such a unique cruise, taking in an array of culture and history.

From the UNESCO site of Bruges, the "Mystique Lamb" of Ghent, the Palace of Compiegne and a cruise through central Paris, this will be the journey of a lifetime! This route has been thrilling our guests for 15 years!

Bruges: Magnificent cruise through Bruges
Sunday
You will be met by our guide at the designated pick-up point and escorted via private motorcoach to the Adagio's mooring in picturesque Bruges, the Venice of the north, for a Champagne and canape reception and introduction to the crew.   With its small canals and magnificent squares, Bruges is a real delight.  Our guide will organise a canal boat ride for a unique view of the architecture of the town.  Enjoy pre-dinner cocktails before you first delicious dinner on board.

Bruges to Ghent: Tour of Bruges
Monday
This morning we will take a walking tour of Bruges to discover its wonderful architecture and history.  We'll return to the Adagio for lunch and our afternoon cruise to Ghent.  Dinner on board.

Ghent to Oudenaarde: The "Mystique Lamb"
Tuesday
After breakfast, our knowledgeable tour guide will escort you into Ghent.  We'll visit the magnificent cathedral which houses the fabulous painting "The Mystic Lamb", painted by the Van Eck brothers.  There will be some free time to explore the local boutiques at your leisure. After lunch, we begin cruising on the River Schelde to Oudenaarde, our mooring for the night. Dinner on board

Oudenaarde to Tournai

Wednesday 
There's plenty of time to relax this morning as we cruise gently up the River Schelde past sleepy hamlets and beautiful rolling landscapes until our arrival at Tournai, an ancient town.  Not to be missed is the aged and fascinating clock tower on the wonderful square.  

Dinner aboard.

Tournai to Arleux: Cathedral of Ghent and the "Mystique Lamb"
Thursday 
Today we move further into France along the river through the town of Valenciennes and to the junction with the Canal du Nord.  Many barges pass through the little French village of Arleux on there way to the south of France. We'll take some time out to visit the town of Cambrai, home to the famous confectionary, the Betise de Cambrai sweet.  'Betise' means nonsense or mistake and legend goes that these sweets were invented by accident by the son of a confectioner named Afchain. They make a good gift!
Dinner on board.

Arleux to overnight mooring: Amiens Cathedral
Friday
A day of contrasts awaits!
This morning your Captain will pilot Adagio over the Vermandois Hills of Picardy through many deep locks and several tunnels on the Canal du Nord.  This is no mean feat, and the scenery is spectacular too!  The well-maintained towpath invites you to walk or cycle along through the rural landscape. 
After lunch, we leave the countryside behind to visit the town of Amiens to see one of the most impressive Gothic cathedrals in France, with towering spires and magnificent columns.
Dinner aboard.

Overnight mooring to Peronne: War Museum of Peronne
Saturday
After the climb yesterday, today we will drop down towards the Valley of the Somme, revealing landscapes not normally seen by tourists.  Again, there are great opportunities for cycling.

After lunch, we will visit the war museum in Peronne.

Dinner aboard.

Peronne to Compiegne: The Royal Palace of Compiegne
Sunday
Our cruise today brings us to the Oise River valley.  We will moor in the busy waterside town of Compiegne.  There is much to see here including the Royal Palace, a huge town square and the train where the WWI Armistice was signed.

Dinner aboard.

Compiegne to Auvers sur Oise: Van Gogh
Monday
After breakfast, we continue our cruise through the beautiful Oise Valley.  We will moor in Auvers sur Oise, where Van Gogh took his inspiration to produce many of his last and most important paintings.  He stayed in a small room above the local café.   An afternoon walking tour may inspire you too!  We'll finish the tour at the cemetery where both Vincent Van Gogh and his brother are buried.

Dinner aboard.

Auvers sur Oise to Conflans: Monet Gardens of Giverny
Tuesday
We continue our arty theme today with a day excursion to Giverny, to visit the home and gardens of Claude Monet, the most famous of the Impressionist painters.  Stand by the Japanese bridge, gaze into the Lily pond and discover his many influences in the fascinating exhibition in the house.

We will lunch in a local auberge today.

The barge will be moored at Conflans this evening, at the junction of the River Seine and the Oise.  Many bargees retire here, and you will see numerous house barges alongside the quays.  Dinner aboard.

Conflans to Paris: Napoleon & Paris - all in one day!
Wednesday
We slip away from Conflans at dawn to cruise along the mighty River Seine to Bouvigal, where we'll visit the home of Napoleon at Malmaison, lavishly decorated by Josephine.   Lunch on board and then we continue our cruise to Paris, past the iconic Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame cathedral to moor in the heart of Paris.
This evening, the Captain's Dinner in such a romantic setting provides the perfect time to look back over your time onboard Adagio.

Paris: A sad Au Revoir
Thursday
Enjoy a special hearty breakfast before bidding farewell to the Adagio, her Captain and crew.  Bags are loaded after breakfast to transfer you to your drop off point in Paris.

Please note: This is a sample itinerary that may be subject to change depending on local conditions; The cruise is run in reverse towards the end of the season, ending in Bruges.