Call (US/Canada): 1-877-642-2743
Outside US: +1-443-321-3614
"Barges in France --- Experts in Luxury Barge Cruising"
Email us at:
info@bargesinfrance.com
Cruise In France On The Canal de Briare and the Canal Lateral a la Loire In The
Upper Loire Region On The Ultra Deluxe Hotel-Barge RENAISSANCE
BARGE CRUISES: SEVEN DAYS/SIX NIGHTS
The 8-passenger Renaissance has earned a reputation as one of the most
luxurious hotel barges currently available on the rivers and canals of France.
The Renaissance offers four spacious cabins that can be configured into either a
king bed or two twin bed sized suites, about 235 - 265 sq ft with a private,
ensuite bathroom of 60 sq ft that provides the ultimate in barging luxury. There
is also a TV/DVD player in each suite. The beautifully appointed lounge has
comfortable seating and the cozy bar is stocked with your favorite beverages.
You will also find lots of interesting material on board with current books and
periodicals and a Bose CD system for added entertainment. The large sundeck at
the bow has a canopy over the dining table and sun loungers near the jacuzzi,
for a cooler respite area on sunny days.
The Renaissance cruises in the Upper Loire region, primarily on the beautiful
Canal de Briare. Excursions include a visit to a winery in Sancerre and the Gien
faience factory, as well as a spectacular cruise over the Loire River on the
Briare Pont Canal. An alternate cruise route on the Canal Lateral a la Loire
between Samois-sur-Seine and Montargis is available on request.
Renaissance has an outstanding and experienced crew that continue to draw rave
reviews from guests who have been lucky enough to enjoy a fabulous cruise week
aboard the Renaissance. We have cruised on the Renaissance a number of times,
both when it was known as La Bonne Humeur and since it became the Renaissance in
2008. We have always thought it was a beautiful barge, with wonderful French
decor throughout. We visited the barge most recently in April 2017 and were
impressed with the gorgeous new bar and bar stools in the salon.
Features
- Size of barge: 128 ft by 17.5 ft
- Number of Passengers: 8
- Number of Cabins (all with private bath): 4
- Crew: 5
- Air Conditioning and Central Heating: Yes
- Salon: Large salon with beautiful furnishings. Comfortable
sofas and picture windows. Dining area with large table for 8
- Bar: Open bar
- Deck: Teak sundeck with covered deck area, dining table,
chairs, recliners and spa pool
- Spa Tub: Yes
- Cabin Features:
Bow and stern suites are 265 sq ft, mid suites are 235 sq ft, all with king bed
or oversized twins and large ensuite bathrooms 60 sq ft with oversized shower.
TV/DVD player in each suite
- Vehicle for Transfers/Excursions: Air-conditioned 8 seater
Mercedes minivan.
- Accessibility: No steps from deck to salon, 14 steps from
salon to cabins
- Bicycles: 8 touring bicycles
- Wi-Fi: Yes - limited in some areas
Renaissance Deck Plan

RENAISSANCE
2018 SEASON PRICES in
US DOLLARS |
TYPE |
VALUE Apr 8 thru Apr 28 Jul 22 thru Aug 25 Oct 7 thru
Oct 27 |
REGULAR Apr 29 thru Jul 21 Aug 26 thru Oct 6 |
Suite (per person, double occupancy) |
$6,750 |
$7,850 |
Suite Single Supplement |
$2,450 |
$2,850 |
Charter for 6 |
$47,500 |
$54,000 |
Charter for 7 |
$49,000 |
$56,200 |
Charter for 8 |
$50,500 |
$58,400 |
Please visit our ...
Special Offers Page
... to see potential discounts for this barge or many others.
What's Included
- 7 days and 6 nights 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
- Dinner ashore at Auberge des Templiers in Les Bezards
- All wines with lunches and dinners
- Open bar stocked to your specification
- Use of bicycles
- All escorted side-excursions (hot air balloon flights, golf at additional
cost)
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
Renaissance
2018 Season Cruise Schedule* |
Week |
Route (Or Reverse) |
Season |
Apr 8 |
Chatillon sur Loire-Montargis |
Value
|
Apr 15 |
Montargis-Chatillon sur Loire |
Value
|
Apr 22 |
Chatillon sur Loire-Montargis |
Value
|
Apr 29 |
Montargis-Chatillon sur Loire |
Regular
|
May 6 |
Chatillon sur Loire-Montargis |
Regular
|
May 13 |
Montargis-Chatillon sur Loire |
Regular
|
May 20 |
Chatillon sur Loire-Montargis |
Regular
|
May 27 |
Montargis-Chatillon sur Loire |
Regular
|
Jun 3 |
Chatillon sur Loire-Montargis |
Regular
|
Jun 10 |
Montargis-Chatillon sur Loire |
Regular
|
Jun 17 |
Chatillon sur Loire-Montargis |
Regular
|
Jun 24 |
Montargis-Chatillon sur Loire |
Regular
|
Jul 1 |
Chatillon sur Loire-Montargis |
Regular
|
Jul 8 |
Montargis-Chatillon sur Loire |
Regular
|
Jul 15 |
Chatillon sur Loire-Montargis |
Regular
|
Cruise Schedule* ... continued
|
Week |
Route (Or Reverse) |
Season |
Jul 22 |
Montargis-Chatillon sur Loire |
Value
|
Jul 29 |
Chatillon sur Loire-Montargis |
Value
|
Aug 5 |
Montargis-Chatillon sur Loire |
Value
|
Aug 12 |
Chatillon sur Loire-Montargis |
Value
|
Aug 19 |
Montargis-Chatillon sur Loire |
Value
|
Aug 26 |
Chatillon sur Loire-Montargis |
Regular
|
Sep 2 |
Montargis-Chatillon sur Loire |
Regular
|
Sep 9 |
Chatillon sur Loire-Montargis |
Regular
|
Sep 16 |
Montargis-Chatillon sur Loire |
Regular
|
Sep 23 |
Chatillon sur Loire-Montargis |
Regular
|
Sep 30 |
Montargis-Chatillon sur Loire |
Regular
|
Oct 7 |
Chatillon sur Loire-Montargis |
Value
|
Oct 14 |
Montargis-Chatillon sur Loire |
Value
|
Oct 21 |
Chatillon sur Loire-Montargis |
Value
|
2018 Season Cruise Schedule* |
Week |
Route (Or Reverse) |
Season |
Apr 8 |
Chatillon sur Loire-Montargis |
Value
|
Apr 15 |
Montargis-Chatillon sur Loire |
Value
|
Apr 22 |
Chatillon sur Loire-Montargis |
Value
|
Apr 29 |
Montargis-Chatillon sur Loire |
Regular
|
May 6 |
Chatillon sur Loire-Montargis |
Regular
|
May 13 |
Montargis-Chatillon sur Loire |
Regular
|
May 20 |
Chatillon sur Loire-Montargis |
Regular
|
May 27 |
Montargis-Chatillon sur Loire |
Regular
|
Jun 3 |
Chatillon sur Loire-Montargis |
Regular
|
Jun 10 |
Montargis-Chatillon sur Loire |
Regular
|
Jun 17 |
Chatillon sur Loire-Montargis |
Regular
|
Jun 24 |
Montargis-Chatillon sur Loire |
Regular
|
Jul 1 |
Chatillon sur Loire-Montargis |
Regular
|
Jul 8 |
Montargis-Chatillon sur Loire |
Regular
|
Jul 15 |
Chatillon sur Loire-Montargis |
Regular
|
Week |
Route (Or Reverse) |
Season |
Jul 22 |
Montargis-Chatillon sur Loire |
Value
|
Jul 29 |
Chatillon sur Loire-Montargis |
Value
|
Aug 5 |
Montargis-Chatillon sur Loire |
Value
|
Aug 12 |
Chatillon sur Loire-Montargis |
Value
|
Aug 19 |
Montargis-Chatillon sur Loire |
Value
|
Aug 26 |
Chatillon sur Loire-Montargis |
Regular
|
Sep 2 |
Montargis-Chatillon sur Loire |
Regular
|
Sep 9 |
Chatillon sur Loire-Montargis |
Regular
|
Sep 16 |
Montargis-Chatillon sur Loire |
Regular
|
Sep 23 |
Chatillon sur Loire-Montargis |
Regular
|
Sep 30 |
Montargis-Chatillon sur Loire |
Regular
|
Oct 7 |
Chatillon sur Loire-Montargis |
Value
|
Oct 14 |
Montargis-Chatillon sur Loire |
Value
|
Oct 21 |
Chatillon sur Loire-Montargis |
Value
|
*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.
SAMPLE ITINERARY*
RENAISSANCE
Upper Loire: Canal de Briare
Montargis to Chatillon Sur Loire 2018
Sunday - Montargis
Guests are met at the designate pickup point in Paris and transferred by private
chauffeured minibus to the spacious Renaissance where a Champagne welcome with
canapés awaits you and you meet the Captain and crew. Time enough to
explore the pretty village of Montargis on foot or bicycle, before dinner on
board.
Monday - Montargis to Montbouy
This morning, we embark on our first cruise through the Loire countryside, with
great towpath walking and cycling opportunities, to moor at Montbouy. After
lunch on board, we visit Château 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 château
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 - Montbouy to Rogny-les-Sept-Ecluses
This morning we visit Château de Sully-sur-Loire. The castle originally
belonged to Georges de la Trémoïlle, who infuriated Joan of Arc by
encouraging the Dauphin to devote himself to idle hunting in the forests around
Sully. After Joan's failure to liberate Paris in 1430, de la
Trémoïlle imprisoned her in the castle. In the 18th century
Voltaire, exiled from Paris, also spent time at the château. Following
lunch back on board, we enjoy an afternoon cruise to our mooring at the pretty
village of Rogny-les-Sept-Ecluses, near its 350-year-old 7 lock-flight, which is
well worth visiting on foot. Dinner on board.
Wednesday - Rogny-les-Sept-Ecluses to La Gazonne
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 town's bustling market.
After lunch, we enjoy an afternoon cruise to La Gazonne, a beautiful mooring
surrounded by lakes and ponds that provide water for the workings of the Canal
de Briare. Dinner ashore at the Michelin-starred Auberge des Templiers in Les
Bezards.
Thursday - La Gazonne to Briare
A morning cruise to our mooring at the little town of Briare, site of Gustave
Eiffel's magical aqueduct across the River Loire, again with excellent walking
and bicycling opportunities. We preview Friday's crossing of this amazing 10,000
ton, 662 metre Pont Canal which was completed in September 1896. This afternoon,
we visit the delightful, privately-owned Château de La Bussière,
known as the "fishermen’s castle", with its wonderful ornamental
and vegetable gardens. Dinner on board.
Friday - Briare to Châtillon-sur-Loire
This morning we wander around fruit and vegetable, seafood, cheese and French
fashion stalls in the market in Briare before returning to the hotel barge for a
short cruise across the aqueduct and lunch on board. Our afternoon visit is to a
renowned winery in Sancerre, such as Domaine Henri Bourgeois in Chavignol, for a
tour and private tasting. This medieval hilltop village overlooks a vibrant
region which has known viticulture since Roman times. Captain's Farewell Dinner
on board.
Saturday - Châtillon-sur-Loire
After breakfast, guests are transferred to the designated drop off point in
Paris.
Note: This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change. On alternate weeks
the cruise will be in the reverse direction.
Dining Aboard The Renaissance:
SAMPLE MENU
BREAKFAST
Our Continental & hot breakfast offerings include pancakes, Belgian waffles,
eggs, bacon,
fresh breads, pastries, cereals, fresh fruits and yogurt.
LUNCH
- Risotto with fresh peas and prawns in saffron sauce
- Red pepper gazpacho
- Stuffed zucchini
- Cold mushroom soup with Parma ham crisp
- Assorted salads to include tomato & mozzarella salad, couscous salad,
mushrooms à La Bourguignonne,
green salad with marinated
artichokes, salad niçoise
- Haddock fillet served with potato scales on a bed of lentils and a beurre
blanc sauce
- Quiche Lorraine
- Pesto pasta
- Prawn salad
DINNER
- Walnut crusted goat cheese salad
- Roast duck breast with a red currant sauce
- Pork fillet with Dijon mustard sauce, sauteed peppers and snow peas
- Epoisses cheese and Morvan ham napoleon
- Traditional boeuf Bourguignon
- Lamb fillet in garlic cream with ratatouille and green beans
- Smoked salmon napoleon
- Homemade foie gras and fig terrine
- Fillet of Charolais beef with au jus, mushrooms, gratin potatoes
dauphinoise, fresh asparagus
- Choucroute garnie (pickled white cabbage, finely sliced and macerated)
served with a selection of salted
and smoked meats
DESSERTS
- Burgundy poached pears
- Fresh faisselle cheese with berry coulis
- Raspberry crème brulee
- Tarte tatin with salted caramel sauce and vanilla ice cream
- Chocolate molten cake with Baileys and Mazet de Montargis chocolate sauce
- Strawberry and chocolate tiramisu
SAMPLE CHEESE BOARD
Crottin de Chavignol, Comte, St Agur, Foume d'ambert, Ossau Iraty, Valencay, St
Nectaire, Camembert, Tomme de Savoie, Epoisse, St Maure de Torraine and
Roquefort
SAMPLE WINE LIST
Domaine Henri Bourgeois, Sancerre; Domaine Billaud Simon, Chablis Premier Cru;
Domaine Bouchard Père et Fils, Meursault; Domaine Changarnier, Monthelie;
Domaine Camus, Charmes Chambertin Grand Cru
Passenger Comments:
Laurent and Sarah were absolutely fantastic and helped me during a medical
emergency. The level of care was amazing!
G.H., Australia, September 2012
Spectacular barge, wonderful crew!
J.C., FL, USA, July 2012
The trip was great. The food was incredible and the crew was wonderful!
P.F., CA, USA, April 2012
The trip was everything we hoped it would be and more. Great staff, incredible
food and a captain who was in tune with our every need, and then some...
P.W., CA, USA, April 2012
Renaissance exceeded our expectations, it was a great experience. Meals and
wines were great, the chef was outstanding. In fact, we had one meal ashore at a
Michelin star restaurant and all of the passengers agreed that our meals on the
barge were better than at this restaurant. Crew service were extraordinary.
S.R., NJ, USA, July 2011
We found the barge itself surprisingly spacious. Our service from the crew was
excellent, lovely, caring and fun. This was our first barge cruise and we chose
Renaissance based on convenience but found the route picturesque and varied. We
hope to do it again on another.
J & E K., Australia July 2011
LINKS to Renaissance Information
Email us at: info@bargesinfrance.com
This page last updated April 17, 2018