Cruise In France On The Canal de Briare In The Upper Loire Aboard The Ultra Deluxe Hotel-Barge HORIZON II
SEVEN DAYS / SIX NIGHTS
The 8-passenger Horizon II has four cabins that can be configured with either a king or two twin sized beds. Each cabin has its own private, en-suite bathroom. Her beautiful cherry interior, traditional furnishings and antique brass accents is reminiscent of an English gentlemen's club. Her unique split-level design makes it easier to get around for those passengers with limited mobility, who need to avoid a full flight of stairs. The barge's expansive sundeck, offers beautiful panoramic views of the countryside as she glides by.
In 2013, the Horizon II will be cruising on a new route on the Canal de Briare in the Upper Loire region. The cruise week includes a visit to the charming wine village of Sancerre for a private cellar tour and wine tasting, a cruise over the historic Briare aqueduct designed by Gustave Eiffel, a tour of the medieval town of Gien including the faience museum, and a day trip to the magnificent 16th century Chateau de Chambord, the largest of the Loire Valley chateaux. During the week, guests will also see the 15th century village and chateau of St. Fargeau. Guests will also enjoy dinner ashore at the Michelin-starred restaurant, Auberge des Templiers in les Bezards.
You will be greeted at the meeting point hotel in Paris and escorted via private motorcoach to the barge mooring in the Upper Loire region (east of the Loire Valley), where you will be welcomed by your English-speaking crew. Spend the first evening becoming acquainted with your fellow passengers and enjoying your first gourmet meal on board. Each morning, your barge gets underway for the day's cruise. As it navigates the frequent locks on the canal, you can step directly ashore for a leisurely stroll along the canal towpath. You may also choose to take one of the barge's bicycles to explore the quaint villages nearby, or simply relax on the sundeck and watch the every-changing scenery slowly go by.
During the day, you will also be taken on an excursion via private motorcoach to a nearby point of interest. The itinerary has been created to provide a sampling of the region ... romantic castles, historic towns, and vineyards for wine tasting. At certain chateaux and estates, your tour may be conducted by the owner, whose family has been in residence for generations. Your Captain will also arrange for you to enjoy special local events which might occur during your cruise, such as the lively farmers markets. As an option, you may also be able to take a hot air balloon flight, depending on the location and the weather.
Features
- Size of barge: 128 ft by 16 ft
- Number of Passengers: 8
- Number of Cabins (all with private bath):4
- Crew: 6
- Air Conditioning and Central Heating: Yes
- Salon: Beautiful English decor in salon with comfortable sofa and chairs, bar, and separate dining room, and picture windows
- Bar: Open bar
- Deck: Large sundeck with tables and deck chairs.
- Spa Tub: No
- Cabin Features: Four suites with twin beds or king, about 170 sq ft with oversized shower in bath.
- Vehicle for Transfers/Excursions: Air-conditioned minivan
- Accessibility: Steps to salon and cabins
- Bicycles: 8 bicycles
- Dinner ashore: One dinner ashore at a Michelin star restaurant included
Horizon's Deck Plan
Passenger Comments:
Loved every minute of the trip and would [and have] recommend it to anyone. First class. Comfortable, immaculately clean and quiet. Service was excellent, certainly ahead of some of the hotels we stayed in after the barge trip. Meals and wines were both excellent. The service was efficient and friendly without being pretentious and the staff always helpful. Our cruise route was just beautiful. Peaceful and picturesque, away from the major tourist route. Some of the small villages were delightful. The whole trip exceeded our expectations. Just going through our photographs and reliving the trip made us realize just how much we enjoyed it. Realizing that it was probably just the right length of time for an intimate trip like this. Thanks for a great experience.
S & T S., Australia, August 2010
This was an extremely pleasant, wonderful experience...Food was much better than all of the restaurants we visited in Beaune!
J.L., FL, USA, June 2010
Very comfortable, well staffed, excellent service and great food. The barge took us through country that was excellent for biking. NO traffic, rolling hills, great scenery and towns to visit. We loved it.
B.J., Canada, June 2009
SAMPLE ITINERARY*
Upper Loire: Canal de Briare
Chatillon-sur-Loire to Montargis 2013
Sunday
From Paris, you are escorted via private motor-coach to the HORIZON's mooring in Châtillon-sur-Loire. Champagne reception and Welcome Dinner on board.
Monday
Morning cruise across the Briare Aqueduct, de-signed by Gustave Eiffel, to Ouzouer-sur-Trezee. In the afternoon, drive to the wine village of Chavignol for a private cellar tour and wine tasting at a prominent local vintner.
Tuesday
Morning cruise on the Canal de Briare to the overnight mooring in historic Rogny-les-Sept-Ecluses. Af-ter lunch, visit the village and chateau of St. Fargeau. Tour the 15th century château, once home to Anne-Marie-Louise d’Orléans, cousin of Louis XIV.
Wednesday
After breakfast, depart HORIZON for a day trip to the magnificent 16th century Château de Chambord, the largest of the Loire Valley châteaux. Commissioned in 1519 by Francois I, the château has been central to French poli-tics and culture from 1537 to the end of the monarchy. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. Return to HORIZON for dinner on board.
Thursday
Early morning cruise on the Canal de Briare to Montbouy. After lunch, visit the medieval town of Gien, a leading center for French faience since the early nine-teenth century. Dinner ashore at the Michelin-starred restaurant, Auberge des Templiers in Les Bézards.
Friday
Morning cruise to the final mooring in Montargis, with a walking tour of the town center. Known as “Little Venice, Montargis is a charming medieval town with as many waterways as roads. Enjoy a praline tasting at world-renowned, Mazet de Montargis. Return to HORIZON for the Captain's Farewell Dinner on board.
Saturday
After breakfast, depart HORIZON at 9:30 AM via private transfer to our return point hotel in Paris, arriving at approximately 11:00 AM.
Note: This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change. It runs in reverse on alternate weeks. The Captain will schedule Hot Air Ballooning during the cruise upon request. Balloon flights are dependent on favorable wind conditions and a minimum of four passengers.
Horizon II
2013 Season Cruise Schedule* |
| Week |
Route |
Season |
| Mar 31 |
Montargis-Chatillon sur Loire |
Early/Late
|
| Apr 7 |
Chatillon sur Loire-Montargis |
Early/Late
|
| Apr 14 |
Montargis-Chatillon sur Loire |
Early/Late
|
| Apr 21 |
Chatillon sur Loire-Montargis |
Early/Late
|
| Apr 28 |
Montargis-Chatillon sur Loire |
Value
|
| May 5 |
Chatillon sur Loire-Montargis |
Value
|
| May 12 |
Montargis-Chatillon sur Loire |
High
|
| May 19 |
Chatillon sur Loire-Montargis |
High
|
| May 26 |
Montargis-Chatillon sur Loire |
High
|
| Jun 2 |
Chatillon sur Loire-Montargis |
High
|
| Jun 9 |
Montargis-Chatillon sur Loire |
High
|
| Jun 16 |
Chatillon sur Loire-Montargis |
High
|
| Jun 23 |
Montargis-Chatillon sur Loire |
High
|
| Jun 30 |
Chatillon sur Loire-Montargis |
High
|
| Jul 7 |
Montargis-Chatillon sur Loire |
Value
|
| Jul 14 |
Chatillon sur Loire-Montargis |
Value
|
|
| Cruise Schedule* ... continued |
| Week |
Route |
Season |
| Jul 21 |
Montargis-Chatillon sur Loire |
Value
|
| Jul 28 |
Chatillon sur Loire-Montargis |
Value
|
| Aug 4 |
Montargis-Chatillon sur Loire |
Value
|
| Aug 11 |
Chatillon sur Loire-Montargis |
Value
|
| Aug 18 |
Montargis-Chatillon sur Loire |
High
|
| Aug 25 |
Chatillon sur Loire-Montargis |
High
|
| Sep 1 |
Montargis-Chatillon sur Loire |
Prime
|
| Sep 8 |
Chatillon sur Loire-Montargis |
Prime
|
| Sep 15 |
Montargis-Chatillon sur Loire |
Prime
|
| Sep 22 |
Chatillon sur Loire-Montargis |
Prime
|
| Sep 29 |
Montargis-Chatillon sur Loire |
Prime
|
| Oct 6 |
Chatillon sur Loire-Montargis |
Prime
|
| Oct 13 |
Montargis-Chatillon sur Loire |
Value
|
| Oct 20 |
Chatillon sur Loire-Montargis |
Early/Late
|
| Oct 27 |
Montargis-Chatillon sur Loire |
Early/Late
|
|

The Horizon II's routes through the Upper Loire, from Montargis tp Chatillon-sur-Loire. For a more detailed look at the cruise route, view our map of the Canal de Briare.
*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.
HORIZON II
2013 SEASON PRICES in US DOLLARS |
| ACCOMMODATION |
EARLY/LATE Mar 31 thru Apr 27 Oct 20 thru Nov 2
|
VALUE Apr 28 thru May 11 Jul 7 thru Aug 17 Oct 13 thru Oct 19 |
HIGH May 12 thru Jul 6 Aug 18 thru Aug 31
|
PRIME Sep 1 thru Oct 12
|
|
Cabin (per person, double occupancy) |
$5,495 |
$5,995 |
$6,495 |
$6,495 |
|
Single Occupancy Supplement |
$1,595 |
$1,595 |
$1,595 |
$1,595 |
|
Charter for up to 8 |
$42,360 |
$45,560 |
$48,760 |
$51,960 |
What's Included
- 7 days, 6 nights in a stateroom with private bath
- Transfers from Paris to the barge and return
- All meals starting with dinner on Sunday through breakfast on Saturday
- Wines with lunches and dinner
- Open bar
- All side tours and excursions
- Use of bicycles
- Dinner ashore at a Michelin star restaurant
What's Not Included
- Overseas air transportation to Paris and return
- Optional hot air balloon flights
- Suggested minimum 5% gratuity for the crew, to be given to the captain in equivalent Euros
| Please visit our Special Offers page to see potential discounts for this barge or many others. |
 |
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Last Update: March 28, 2013
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