Itinerary: Paris – Melun – Moret-sur-Loing – Montargis – Chatillon–Colligny - Rogny – Briare – Beaulieu – Sancerre - Nevers

Highlights: Paris – Vaux-le-Vicomte – Fontainebleau - the rocks of Nemours – medieval cities Ferrières and Chatillon- Pont canal de Briare – Gien – Sancerre wine – Chavignol cheese – Nevers

Royal splendor, three centuries of shipping and a good glass of wine

This central region of France seems to be made for a quiet and relaxed bike & barge vacation. There is much to see, the land is friendly, but especially the easy pace of life, a mild climate and the gentle wines make the Loire a lovely region for a vacation.
During this tour, which starts at Paris, we first follow the Seine in southern direction. This region has a rich, royal history and the castles of Vaux-le-Vicomte and Fontainebleau are magnificent examples of this past.

Just as impressive are the royal gardens, which the French kings had their royal architects lay out for them. The perfectly symmetrical gardens of Vaux-le-Vicomte are a fine example. We cruise the woods of Fontainebleau heading for the artists village Barbizon. We follow the Seine up to Moret-sur-Loing, a cosy village on the banks of the Loing.
From there we follow the canals Du Centre to our final destination Chatillon-Colligny, a pictoresque town with a medieval fortress.


Later we follow the upper course of the river via a canal, between
Chatillon, Coligny and Nevers, where shipping knows a rich history, but where the river itself has become unnavigable. We are introduced to fine Sancerre wines and famous cheese from Chavignol. We visit castles and palaces, cathedrals and churches and age-old villages.


During this trip, there are two tour guides. Every day you can choose to participate in a short or a long bike tour.
 

View Pictures of the Boat

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