Cruise in France on the canals and rivers of the Upper Loire and Southern Burgundy aboard the Deluxe Hotel-Barge HIRONDELLE
SEVEN DAYS / SIX NIGHTS
The 8-passenger Hirondelle has four beautifully appointed staterooms, three with twin beds and one with a double bed, each with their own private bathroom with shower. Each has large windows that open well above the waterline. There is a spacious living room/dining salon, sun deck with lounge chairs and sheltering umbrellas, stereo, games, writing desk and reading material. The Hirondelle provides bicycles for cycling along the towpath and into villages, and has a minibus for excursions to local landmarks.
The Hirondelle cruises some of the most tranquil and beautiful waterways in all of Europe. Hirondelle cruises primarily in the Upper Loire on the Canal Lateral a la Loire except for cruises in April and October in Southern Burgundy on the Canal de Bourgogne, the Canal du Centre, and the River Saône. The large windows and the sun-deck on the top deck of the boat make it easy for you to enjoy the passing scenery. One day you may decide to bicycle through the countryside to visit Roman ruins, travel in your own air-conditioned mini-bus to an out of the way vineyard, or soar over the countryside in a hot air balloon. Then, at the end of a glorious day, return to your floating "country home" where your crew has been preparing an evening feast ... an elegant five course gourmet dinner graced by fine wines and cheeses unknown outside France. A sense of comradeship seems to prevail as you share the day's adventures with friends ... reliving memories that will carry your conversations for years to come.
In the Upper Loire you can take a short drive to Sancerre, situated on an impressive hilltop, for lunch and a private wine tasting at the fabulous 15th century Château Tracy, one of the most prestigious producers of the famous Pouilly Fume. Visit the famous Gien pottery (faience) factory and the Château of La Bussiere with its imposing setting and medicinal gardens. Or relax as the barge traverses the river Loire via the longest canal bridge in Europe connecting the Canal Lateral a la Loire to the Canal du Briare. In Southern Burgundy you will see the vineyards, Gothic churches and abbeys, Renaissance châteaux and picturesque villages. It is a region of France in which gastronomic delights and the art of living have reigned supreme since Roman times. Excursions are arranged to places with storybook names, whether it be Beaune, the wine capital of Burgundy, the quaint town of Dole, the famous museum in Dijon, or the castle in Châteauneuf.
Features
- Size of barge: 128 ft by 16.5 ft
- Number of Passengers: 8
- Number of Cabins (all with private bath): 4
- Crew: 5
- Air Conditioning and Central Heating: Yes
- Salon: Salon with comfortable sofas and chairs, stereo system, book/games library, dining area, skylight, picture windows, guest computer with internet access and BOSE ipod docking station.
- Bar: Open bar
- Deck: Sundeck with dining table and chairs
- Spa Tub: No
- Cabin Features: Two twin-bedded cabins 122 sq ft, one twin-bedded cabin 125 sq ft and one cabin with queen bed 133 sq ft including ensuite bathroom with shower, each with sink in cabin
- Vehicle for Transfers/Excursions: Air-conditioned Mercedes mini-bus (8-seater plus driver)
- Accessibility: Steps to salon from deck.
- Bicycles: Yes
Hirondelle's Deck Plan
Passenger Comments:
Our cabin cabin accommodations were lovely, light and bright, and main quarters were nice and comfortable (not too formal) furniture. The deck was excellent, with full sun if desired or an umbrella for shade. We had a twin bed room which was just fine. Meals were excellent, far exceeding my expectations. They were creative, beautiful and delicious. Portion sizes were perfect at dinner and not too large. Wines paired well with the meals and were good quality. We felt the excursions were all excellent and engaging, not too far to drive, and there was flexibility offered for those who may or may not have wanted to participate. We loved the barge route in the Upper Loire, it was pastoral, with a bit of variation, especially at the end when the canal was more forested and curving. Two canal bridges were a real surprise and fascinating engineering to see.
Carolyn & Peter M., New Hampshire September 2011
The service on Hirondelle was beyond our wildest dreams, if we had hand-picked our crew we couldn't have done a better job. They were people we would enjoy in any setting -- not just in service. Our meals and wines were all excellent and we were able to try foods that we normally wouldn't have had. The same is true of the wine. Chef Peter accommodated the requests of another couple aboard beyond what we would have expected and our special cake to celebrate our anniversary was a lovely and unexpected added bonus!
Judy & Jack I., Ohio June 2011
Hirondelle was FABULOUS. Our service from the captain, deck hand, housekeeper and food server, chef and guide was impeccable. Our wines were far superior to anything we have had on a cruise before. The chef was fabulous! I thought our guide's choice of excursions showed she had listened to our different interests, the excursions were varied and fun.
Charles & Anne S., Massachusetts September 2011
We have just had the most fantastic cruise on the Hirondelle in France. The food and wine was excellent and our Australian chef was as good a chef as you would find in France. He cooked some fabulous meals! All the crew were so friendly. They were so young and enthusiastic, responding to every request. The tours were just right, very, very interesting and photogenic, not too long, not too short. We are sharing the moments with friends already who are just jealous enough to organize a party to come back.
B.D., Australia, May 2010
Fabulous. The staff (crew) we had made the trip even more special. Ollie (chef) was a wonderful cook and made some wonderful recipes. Jonathan, our cruise director selected the best wines. Vanessa our hostess picked out so many wonderful cheeses to taste from all the regions. Barge route was pretty and very relaxing. I will definitely be barging again in the future.
-- K.P., CA, USA
The barge trip was phenomenal. What we experienced was so much more than what we expected. The barge was impeccable, clean, well decorated, easy to move around in. The staff were fun, attentive and knowledgable. The food could have come from a 5 star restaurant. The route was perfect for us. We were looking to get away from it all and relax. This is the perfect route for that. The canal was small so we did not have to deal with much boat traffic or town noises. The scenery was beautiful and peaceful. This was a trip of a lifetime.
-- M.D. & J.D., San Diego, CA, USA
I just wanted to tell you how fabulous our trip was on the Hirondelle two weeks ago. I really didn't know what to expect, but I couldn't have imagined it would be so wonderful. I don't have a single complaint - only huge compliments to give about everything. The boat was beautiful and perfectly clean both inside and out every minute of the day; the food was outstanding and was presented just gorgeously; the rooms were very generous in size; the shore excursions were wonderful.
But the biggest compliment of all goes to the Hirondelle staff. All of the above things were so good because of the crew. They were absolutely perfect - professional, fun, kind, interesting, and they all did their jobs perfectly. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend a barge cruise on the Hirondelle to anyone. It was just perfect.
-- B.T., GA, USA
SAMPLE ITINERARY*
Upper Loire: Canal du Briare, Canal Lateral a la Loire:
Rogny to Guetin
Sunday - Rogny les Sept Écluses.
Board the barge at Rogny les Sept Écluses on the Canal de Briare. A champagne reception welcomes you on board and gives you a chance to meet the crew. Take the time to stroll to the 'Sept Ecluses', an impressisve ladder of seven locks, now disused, but an interesting testiment to engineering and ingeunuity. Enjoy your first dining experience on board.
Monday - Cruise to Ouzouer. Visit St. Fargeau
Today, the barge traverses the river Loire via the longest canal bridge in Europe, connecting the Canal du Briare to the Canal Latéral à la Loire. Rogny is the site of the oldest canal lock in France, a seven-step staircase lock built in the 16th century. After lunch visit the beautiful Château de Saint-Fargeau with a history spanning a thousand years.
Tuesday - Visit the faiencerie in Gien and St Brisson. Cruise to Chatillon sur Loire.
After breakfast, visit the beautiful town of Gien to visit the faiencerie which produces beautifully decorated pottery. There will be a chance to buy some faience in the factory shop. We will then enjoy a private tour of the Chateau of St Brisson. This fascinating chateau perched on a rocky outcrop was very well defended for hundreds of years by medieval catapults and war machines, and you will see a display of them in the grounds. Return to the barge and enjoy a wonderful lunch while cruising southward to Chatillon sur Loire. Today, the barge traverses the river Loire via the longest canal bridge in Europe, connecting the Canal du Briare to the Canal Latéral à la Loire.
Wednesday - Cruise to Ménétréol. Visit Sancerre.
The boat cruises for a couple of hours; then late morning we disembark to visit the wine-country where the famous wines of Sancerre and Pouilly Fumé are produced. We visit the charming little town of Chavignol, famous for its goat's cheese and have a tasting in the town. We then head up to Sancerre, situated on an impressive hilltop, and have lunch in the town. There will be free time to wander in the charming town and take photos of the surrounding vineyards. If you choose, there is also time to visit a local goats cheese farm.
Thursday - Cruise to Beffes. Visit La Charité-sur-Loire.
Today the barge continues its cruise from Ménétréol towards Charité-sur-Loire and moors in Beffes. This afternoon, visit La Charité-sur-Loire, an important site of Burgundian Romanesque art and a renowned resting place for pilgrims on the road to Santiago de Compostela. Your guide will take you on a lovely walking tour of the remains of the 10th century church and see the 'House of the dwarf!' This small town overlooks the loire and we will walk up to the remains of the ruined city walls, built to protect the monks against invasions, where you can enjoy a panoramic view of the town and the river.
Friday - Cruise to Plagny. Visit Apremont and Nevers.
Continue cruising today from Beffes to Plagny, crossing over the canal bridge at Le Guétin where the canal crosses the Loire. Later this morning take a short drive to Apremont, one of the most beautiful villages in France, to visit the private Château and gardens. This afternoon enjoy a walking tour of Nevers, the capital of the Nivernais, and a chance to buy some of the distinctive blue and gold faience at the market. Farewell gala dinner on board.
Saturday - Nevers.
After breakfast disembark the barge for your onward travel arrangements.
Note: The day to day itinerary described above is a typical cruise. However, on any one cruise the moorings may change and the places visited may vary depending on the season and guest preferences.
SAMPLE ITINERARY*
Burgundy: Canal du Centre, Saone River, Canal du Rhone au Rhin
St Leger to Besancon
Sunday - Paris to Dijon. Moor in St Leger.
Your journey begins today in St Leger for your cruise through Burgundy and the Franche-Comte. A champagne reception welcomes you on board and gives you a chance to meet the crew. Enjoy your first dinner on board.
Monday - Cruise to Fragnes. Visit the Chateau de Rully
Relax on board this morning, as the barge cruises towards Fragnes, a quaint village along the Canal du Centre. Alternatively cycle or walk along the towpath and meet the barge further down the canal. After lunch, visit the Chateau de Rully with a private tour conducted by the Countess.
Tuesday - Visit Beaune. Cruise to St Jean
As the barge cruises to Seurre this morning enjoy the passing scenery of the River Saone. After lunch your guide takes you to Beaune, capital of the wine region of Burgundy, for a visit to the famous Hotel-Dieu, Hospice de Beaune. Enjoy a private wine tasting at Domaine Joseph Drouhin's cellar. Tonight's mooring is at St Jean de Losne, the barging capital of France.
Wednesday - Cruise to Dole. Visit Dole
This morning you leave the Saone River and enter the Canal du Rhone au Rhin and cruise to the pretty town of Dole. After lunch, take a walking tour of the town including the magnificent cathedral and La Maison Pasteur, home of Louis Pasteur.
Thursday - Cruise to Osselle. Visit Arbois
The journey continues through the lovely countryside of the Franche-Comte to the sleepy village of Osselle. This afternoon's visit is to Arbois, the principal town of the Jura wine producing region renowned for vin jaune. Dinner is in a local auberge in the heart of Arbois, famous for its local specialties.
Friday - Cruise to Besancon. Visit Besancon
Your final day takes you to Besancon, with cruising alternating between canal and river, passing through two tunnels before arriving in Besancon, capital of the Franche-Comte. A walking tour of the citadel and its museums is scheduled for the afternoon. Farewell gala dinner on board.
Saturday - Besancon.
After breakfast disembark the barge for your onward travel arrangements.
Note: The day to day itinerary described above is a typical cruise. However, on any one cruise the moorings may change and the places visited may vary depending on the season and guest preferences.
Hirondelle
2012 Season Cruise Schedule* |
| Week |
Route |
Season |
| Apr 1 |
St Leger-Digoin |
Regular
|
| Apr 8 |
Digoin-Guetin |
Regular
|
| Apr 15 |
Guetin-Rogny |
Regular
|
| Apr 22 |
Rogny-Guetin |
Regular
|
| Apr 29 |
Guetin-Rogny |
Regular
|
| May 6 |
Rogny-Guetin |
Regular
|
| May 13 |
Guetin-Rogny |
Regular
|
| May 20 |
Rogny-Guetin |
Regular
|
| May 27 |
Guetin-Rogny |
Regular
|
| Jun 3 |
Rogny-Guetin |
Regular
|
| Jun 10 |
Guetin-Rogny |
Regular
|
| Jun 17 |
Rogny-Guetin |
Regular
|
| Jun 24 |
Guetin-Rogny |
Regular
|
| Jul 1 |
Rogny-Guetin |
Regular
|
| Jul 8 |
Guetin-Digoin |
Regular
|
|
| Cruise Schedule* ... continued |
| Week |
Route |
Season |
| Jul 15 |
Digoin-St Leger |
Regular
|
| Jul 22 |
St Leger-Besancon |
Regular
|
| Jul 29 |
Besancon-St Leger |
Regular
|
| Aug 5 |
St Leger-Besancon |
Regular
|
| Aug 12 |
Besancon-St Leger |
Regular
|
| Aug 19 |
St Leger-Besancon |
Regular
|
| Aug 26 |
Besancon-St Leger |
Regular
|
| Sep 2 |
St Leger-Besancon |
Regular
|
| Sep 9 |
Besancon-St Leger |
Regular
|
| Sep 16 |
St Leger-Besancon |
Regular
|
| Sep 23 |
Besancon-St Leger |
Regular
|
| Sep 30 |
St Leger-Besancon |
Regular
|
| Oct 7 |
Besancon-St Leger |
Regular
|
| Oct 14 |
St Leger-Besancon |
Regular
|
| Oct 21 |
Besancon-St Leger |
Regular
|
|
*Note: Cruise directions and sample itineraries may be in reverse and are subject to change and may depend on bookings and local navigation conditions. Alternate excursions of equal appeal are substituted when needed. For charter cruises special itineraries can be arranged.
HIRONDELLE
2012 SEASON PRICES in US DOLLARS |
| ACCOMMODATION |
REGULAR
Apr 1 thru Oct 27 |
|
Cabin (per person, double occupancy) |
$5,150 |
|
Single Occupancy Supplement |
$2,575 |
|
Charter for 6 |
$36,000 |
|
Charter for 7 |
$38,500 |
|
Charter for 8 |
$41,000 |
What's Included- 7 days and 6 nights on the barge in a cabin with private bath
- Transfers from Paris to the barge and return
- All meals beginning with dinner on Sunday through breakfast on Saturday
- All wines with lunches and dinners
- All escorted side-excursion
- Use of bicycles
What's Not Included
- Overseas air transportation to Paris and return
- Suggested minimum 5% gratuity for the crew, to be given to the captain in equivalent Euros
 |
Special Places Travel, LLC
"Barges in France (and the rest of Europe) ... for the experience of a lifetime!" ™
For booking information,
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|
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Last Update: January 12, 2012
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