
Montargis to Chatillon
Loire Valley
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Sunday
Guests are met at the Hotel Westminster in Paris and transferred by private chauffeured minibus to the spacious Renaissance, where a Champagne welcome with canapés awaits.
Time to explore the pretty village of Montargis by foot or bicycle before dinner on board.
Monday
A morning cruise through the Loire countryside, with great towpath walking and cycling opportunities, to Montbouy.
After lunch, we visit Chateau de Fontainebleau, a national museum and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
To walk through this magnificent palace is to walk through the history of France.
It is the only royal and imperial chateau to have been continuously inhabited for seven centuries and every French royal family added its own architectural style and features when in residence.
Dinner on board.
Tuesday
This morning we visit Chateau de la Bussiere, known as the "fishermen's castle"... enjoy the ornamental and vegetable gardens, typical to France.
The castle originally belonged to Georges de la Tremouille, who infuriated Joan of Arc by encouraging the Dauphin to devote himself to idle hunting in the forests around Sully.
After her failure to liberate Paris in 1430, de la Tremouille imprisoned Joan in the castle.
In the 18th century, Voltaire, exiled from Paris, also spent time at the chateau.
Following lunch back on board, we enjoy an afternoon cruise to our mooring in the pretty village of "Rogny-les-Sept-Ecluse"s, near its 350-year-old 7-lock flight, which is well worth visiting on foot.
Dinner on board.
Wednesday
After a leisurely breakfast of fresh croissants, baguettes, and assorted pastries, we visit Gien, home of the Faience pottery, renowned for its beautifully decorated and vibrant dinnerware, and also explore the bustling market.
After lunch, we enjoy an afternoon cruise to La Gazonne, a beautiful mooring surrounded by lakes and ponds which provide water for the workings of the Canal de Briare.
Dinner ashore at the Michelin-starred Auberge des Templieres in Les Bezards.
Thursday
A morning cruise to our mooring at the little town of Briare, the 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-meter Pont Canal which was completed in September 1896.
This afternoon, it's time for a private wine tasting in a renowned winery in the Sancerre region, such as the Domaine Henri Bourgeois in Chavignol. Wine has been produced in this hilltop medieval village since Roman times.
We return to Renaissance in the late afternoon, ready for dinner on board.
Friday
It's market day! Time to savour the essence of french life... wander around vegetable and fruit stalls, seafood, cheese, and French fashion stalls in the market in Briare. Can you barter as well as the locals?
We then take a short cruise across the Briare aqueduct from where you can take some excellent photos, before lunch on board.
Our final excursion takes us to Château de Ratilly, with a rather spectacular selection of turrets. Construction began on the château itself in 1270.
We return to Renaissance to look back over our week aboard during the Captain's Farewell Dinner.
Saturday
After breakfast, guests are transferred by private chauffeured minibus to the Hotel Westminster in Paris.

Montargis to Chatillon rates
2024 USD, for American and Canadian residents | Regular | Value | |||
Whole boat charter for 8 | 73, 500 USD | 63, 500 USD | |||
Whole boat charter for 7 | 70, 700 USD | 61, 100 USD | |||
Whole boat charter for 6 | 67, 900 USD | 58, 700 USD | |||
Suite per prson | 9, 950 USD | 8, 550 USD | |||
Single supplement | 3, 800 USD | 3, 300 USD | |||
2023 USD, for American and Canadian guests | Regular | Value | |||
Whole boat charter for 8 | 67, 500 USD | 58, 500 USD | |||
Whole boat charter for 7 | 65, 000 USD | 56, 700 USD | |||
Whole boat charter for 6 | 62, 500 USD | 54, 900 USD | |||
Suite per person | 9, 190 USD | 7, 890 USD | |||
Single supplement | 3, 500 USD | 3, 000 USD | |||
2023 STERLING rates for UNITED KINGDOM residents | Regular | Value | |||
Whole boat charter for 8 | £49, 000 | £42, 000 | |||
Whole boat charter for 7 | £47, 200 | £40, 400 | |||
Whole boat charter for 6 | £45, 400 | £38, 800 | |||
Suite per person | £6, 690 | £5, 750 | |||
Single supplement | £2, 500 | £2, 100 | |||
2023 EURO rates ALL OTHER COUNTRIES | Regular | Value | |||
Whole boat charter for 8 | 58, 000 € | 50, 000 € | |||
Whole boat charter for 7 | 55, 900 € | 48, 200 € | |||
Whole boat charter for 6 | 53, 800 € | 46, 400 € | |||
Junior suite per person | 7, 950 € | 6, 850 € | |||
Single supplement | 3, 000 € | 2, 600 € |
Electric bikes : 1st bike: 600 USD / £440 / 500€ ; Additional bike : 300 USD / £220 / 250€
Wine Appreciation charters 5500 USD / £4000 / 4500€ supplement
Golf charters: 775 USD / £550 / 625€ supplement per player
Value | April 2 to April 23 July 16 to August 20 October 8 to October 22 |
Regular | April 30 to July 9 August 27 to October 1 |