Barge Cruise: Renaissance
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 with either a king bed or two twin beds and have a private, ensuite bathroom with shower 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 May 2019 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 cabins are 265 sq ft, mid cabins 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 2021 SEASON PRICES in US DOLLARS | ||
|---|---|---|
| TYPE | VALUE Apr 4 thru Apr 24 Jul 18 thru Aug 28 Oct 3 thru Oct 30 |
REGULAR Apr 25 thru Jul 17 Aug 29 thru Oct 2 |
| Cabin (per person, double occupancy) |
$6,990 |
$8,190 |
| Single Occupancy Supplement |
$2,550 |
$2,950 |
| Charter for 6 |
$49,300 |
$56,600 |
| Charter for 7 |
$50,900 |
$58,800 |
| Charter for 8 |
$52,500 |
$61,000 |
| RENAISSANCE 2022 SEASON PRICES in US DOLLARS | ||
|---|---|---|
| TYPE | VALUE Apr 3 thru Apr 30 Jul 17 thru Aug 27 Oct 9 thru Oct 29 |
REGULAR May 1 thru Jul 16 Aug 28 thru Oct 8 |
| Cabin (per person, double occupancy) |
$7,450 |
$8,690 |
| Single Occupancy Supplement |
$2,700 |
$3,100 |
| Charter for 6 |
$52,300 |
$59,400 |
| Charter for 7 |
$53,900 |
$61,700 |
| Charter for 8 |
$55,500 |
$64,000 |
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
- Lunch ashore at the Chateau de Rosa Bonheur, in Thomery
- 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
- Trip cancellation insurance
|
Renaissance 2021 Season Cruise Schedule* |
||
|---|---|---|
| Week | Route (Or Reverse) | Season |
| Apr 4 | Chatillon sur Loire-Montargis | Value |
| Apr 11 | Montargis-Chatillon sur Loire | Value |
| Apr 18 | Chatillon sur Loire-Montargis | Value |
| Apr 25 | Montargis-Chatillon sur Loire | Regular |
| May 2 | Chatillon sur Loire-Montargis | Regular |
| May 9 | Montargis-Chatillon sur Loire | Regular |
| May 16 | Chatillon sur Loire-Montargis | Regular |
| May 23 | Montargis-Chatillon sur Loire | Regular |
| May 30 | Chatillon sur Loire-Montargis | Regular |
| Jun 6 | Montargis-Chatillon sur Loire | Regular |
| Jun 13 | Chatillon sur Loire-Montargis | Regular |
| Jun 20 | Montargis-Chatillon sur Loire | Regular |
| Jun 27 | Chatillon sur Loire-Montargis | Regular |
| Jul 4 | Montargis-Chatillon sur Loire | Regular |
| Jul 11 | Chatillon sur Loire-Montargis | Regular |
| Jul 18 | Montargis-Chatillon sur Loire | Value |
| Jul 25 | Chatillon sur Loire-Montargis | Value |
| Aug 1 | Montargis-Chatillon sur Loire | Value |
| Aug 8 | Chatillon sur Loire-Montargis | Value |
| Aug 15 | Montargis-Chatillon sur Loire | Value |
| Aug 22 | Chatillon sur Loire-Montargis | Value |
| Aug 29 | Montargis-Chatillon sur Loire | Regular |
| Sep 5 | Chatillon sur Loire-Montargis | Regular |
| Sep 12 | Montargis-Chatillon sur Loire | Regular |
| Sep 19 | Chatillon sur Loire-Montargis | Regular |
| Sep 26 | Montargis-Chatillon sur Loire | Regular |
| Oct 3 | Chatillon sur Loire-Montargis | Value |
| Oct 10 | Montargis-Chatillon sur Loire | Value |
| Oct 17 | Chatillon sur Loire-Montargis | Value |
| Oct 24 | Montargis-Chatillon sur Loire | Value |
|
Renaissance 2022 Season Cruise Schedule* |
||
|---|---|---|
| Week | Route (Or Reverse) | Season |
| Apr 3 | Chatillon sur Loire-Montargis | Value |
| Apr 10 | Montargis-Chatillon sur Loire | Value |
| Apr 17 | Chatillon sur Loire-Montargis | Value |
| Apr 24 | Montargis-Chatillon sur Loire | Value |
| May 1 | Chatillon sur Loire-Montargis | Regular |
| May 8 | Montargis-Chatillon sur Loire | Regular |
| May 15 | Chatillon sur Loire-Montargis | Regular |
| May 22 | Montargis-Chatillon sur Loire | Regular |
| May 29 | Chatillon sur Loire-Montargis | Regular |
| Jun 5 | Montargis-Chatillon sur Loire | Regular |
| Jun 12 | Chatillon sur Loire-Montargis | Regular |
| Jun 19 | Montargis-Chatillon sur Loire | Regular |
| Jun 26 | Chatillon sur Loire-Montargis | Regular |
| Jul 3 | Montargis-Chatillon sur Loire | Regular |
| Jul 10 | Chatillon sur Loire-Montargis | Regular |
| Jul 17 | Montargis-Chatillon sur Loire | Value |
| Jul 24 | Chatillon sur Loire-Montargis | Value |
| Jul 31 | Montargis-Chatillon sur Loire | Value |
| Aug 7 | Chatillon sur Loire-Montargis | Value |
| Aug 14 | Montargis-Chatillon sur Loire | Value |
| Aug 21 | Chatillon sur Loire-Montargis | Value |
| Aug 28 | Montargis-Chatillon sur Loire | Regular |
| Sep 4 | Chatillon sur Loire-Montargis | Regular |
| Sep 11 | Montargis-Chatillon sur Loire | Regular |
| Sep 18 | Chatillon sur Loire-Montargis | Regular |
| Sep 25 | Montargis-Chatillon sur Loire | Regular |
| Oct 2 | Chatillon sur Loire-Montargis | Regular |
| Oct 9 | Montargis-Chatillon sur Loire | Value |
| Oct 16 | Chatillon sur Loire-Montargis | Value |
| Oct 23 | Montargis-Chatillon sur Loire | 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 2023
RENAISSANCE
Upper Loire: Canal de Briare
Montargis to Chatillon Sur Loire 2023
Chateau de Fontainebleau
Chateau de la Bussiere
Rogny-les-Sept-Ecluse
Pont Canal de Briare
Hilltop Village of Sancerre
Sunday - Montargis
Guests are met at our meeting point in Paris and transferred by private chauffeured minibus to the spacious Renaissance where a champagne welcome with canapés awaits and you meet the Captain and crew. Time enough for a walking tour of the pretty village of Montargis 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, our visit this afternoon is to the splendid Château de Fontainebleau, a national museum and UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is the only royal and imperial château to have been continuously inhabited for seven centuries and every French royal family has added its own architectural style and features when in residence. We make a private tour through rooms and galleries not usually on public view, including Napoleon III's Imperial Theatre, the Stag Gallery and the Column Room. Dinner on board.
Tuesday - Montbouy to Rogny-les-Sept-Ecluses
This morning we visit the privately-owned Château de La Bussière, known as the "Fishermen's Castle", with its wonderful ornamental and vegetable gardens, where we enjoy a cooking demonstration with the barge chef using seasonal produce from the gardens. 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, now disused and a national monument, from which it takes its name. A short stroll to the locks is worthwhile before dinner on board.
Wednesday - Rogny-les-Sept-Ecluses to La Gazonne
Today we immerse ourselves in the world of Impressionist art. We start with a short walking tour of Moret-sur-Loing, famous for its association with the Impressionist painter Alfred Sisley, and see several of his most famous scenes before continuing to the Chateau home of Rosa Bonheur. Rosa Bonheur was the most celebrated female artist of the 19th Century; a pioneer in a man's world and a champion of women's rights. Her best-known paintings are of animal scenes, including one of Buffalo Bill on horseback, which prompted an enduring friendship between the two. We take lunch in the private salon of the chateau before joining the present owner for a tour, and to hear more about the history of this remarkable lady and view some of her works. Later, we enjoy an afternoon cruise past the Rogny lock flight to La Gazonne, a beautiful rural mooring surrounded by lakes and ponds that provide water for the workings of the Canal de Briare. Dinner on board.
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 cycling opportunities. We preview Friday's crossing of this amazing 10,000-ton, 662 metre Pont Canal which was completed in September 1896. 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. Dinner on board.
Friday - Briare to Châtillon-sur-Loire
This morning we visit the market in Briare with its food and fashion stalls, before returning to the hotel barge for lunch and a spectacular cruise across the Briare aqueduct with its ornate iron lampposts and railings, spanning the wide River Loire below. This afternoon, we visit the delightful Château de Ratilly and its rather unusual selection of turreted towers, construction of which began in 1270. In the castle's workshops, we see traditional pottery being hand-thrown and have the chance to try this artisanal craft for ourselves. Captain's Farewell Dinner on board.
Saturday - Châtillon-sur-Loire
After breakfast, guests are transferred by private chauffeured minibus to 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
BREAKFASTOur 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:
Awesome! It was above all our expectations. This was our third canal barge and by far the best. We felt like family the moment we boarded. The food, drinks and expeditions were all amazing. We have never experienced such wonderful service and such a friendly staff. They just went above an beyond to make our trip "A trip of a lifetime". There is no way to fully share the experience Captain Hadrian, Chef Hannah,Carla and Emily and our tour guide Matthew blessed us with. They surprised us with a special Marriage Vow Renewal Ceremony for ourselves and our 3 daughters and sons-in -law that left us all speechless. You could never go wrong with this barge-it's in a class of its own.
S.G. CA USA
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
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
LINKS to Renaissance Information
This page last updated December 25, 2023