Rivers: Briare Canal and Lateral to the Loire Canal.
Highlights: Sancerre, Pouilly Fumé vineyards, Faiencerie of Gien, Château of St Fargeau, Montargis, Château of La Bussière, Canal Bridge of Briare.
Restaurant: To be arranged
You will be met in Paris by our driver at 3.00 pm, for charter groups your party will be met at one hotel of your choice.
For individual cabin bookings, pick up and drop off is to be advised.
After the traditional champagne welcome from the Captain and crew, there is time to unpack and take a stroll, before enjoying the first of many gourmet dinners on board.
After your first breakfast of locally baked croissants and other pastries, now is the perfect time to put on your walking shoes and stroll on the towpath alongside the C’est La Vie as we cruise to the town of Montcresson.
After lunch you will be driven to the Château of La Bussière. It is a prime example of a medieval fortress built in the 12th Century. Open to the public since 1962, it features an extensive collection of fishing-themed material and art pieces from around the world. The grounds include an 18th-century vegetable garden and a pond with a 300-year-old Lebanon Cedar tree nearby.
Dinner on board.
Before we start our afternoon cruise to Chatillon Coligny, we take a short ride back to Montargis for a tour of this fine town. With its 131 bridges, Montargis is nicknamed “Little Venice.” Discover the feudal castle, half-timbered buildings, shops, and cafes. Visit the Mazet shop, home of pralines, and learn about their recipe, which dates back to the 17th century.
Lunch is waiting for your return before we cast off and start the next part of our journey.
Dinner ashore at a local restaurant.
The town of Gien, famous for its splendid tableware, is where we are headed this morning. After visiting the pottery, take a walk through this market town to discover its remarkable history. Built on the banks of the Loire River, Gien has been a settlement since Roman times.
Returning to the C’est La Vie for lunch and an afternoon’s cruise, the 7 old locks of Rogny-les-Sept-Ecluses are a sight to behold. Dating back to the reign of Henry IV, they were a major feat of engineering for their time.
Dinner aboard.
As we pass the 7 old locks of Rogny there is a photo opportunity to get the perfect shot of this majestic sight. As we cruise to the summit of this hill using the 6 new locks, you can walk along the boat on the towpath and then sit and enjoy lunch as we cruise a 5km stretch before we start the descent to arrive at the town of Ouzouer-sur-Trézée.
The Château of St Fargeau is this afternoon’s destination, dating from the 10th century. Built by the bishop of Auxerre, it has undergone many additions and restorations over the years.
Returning on board in time for cocktails and dinner.
Our final cruise takes us to the town of Chatillon-sur-Loire. After a buffet lunch we will take a short drive through the vineyards to visit the fortified town of Sancerre. This hilltop medieval site gives you panoramic views over the Loire River and of the neighbouring vineyards of Pouilly Fumé. Take a stroll around the town before you taste some of this exceptional wine, made from the Sauvignon Blanc grape.
The C’est La Vie awaits your return for the Captains dinner, which ends your cruise in style.
After breakfast, at 9.30 you will be chauffeured back to Paris for the end of the morning.
We look forward to your company again on the “C’est la Vie”!
