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Hotel Barge Maria
A self-catering, skippered Barge in Upper Loire Valley
Eight Days / Seven Nights
"Maria" offers you the opportunity of a luxury, skippered hotel barge cruise for 2 to 4 passengers where you have the freedom of self-catering or eating out.
 Enjoy the ever changing scenery of Canal de Briare as you drift past the timeless landscapes, pretty villages and historic architecture.
Stop to sample the renowned local wines, visit the Farmer's market or enjoy the gourmet cuisine in a rural Auberge.
 The ancient Canal de Briare, the first in France specifically created to connect two major rivers, provides the perfect route to explore by barge. The charming, typically French towns and villages which grew up alongside the canal each have a character of their own and cry out to be explored and enjoyed at a leisurely pace.
Our cruise itinerary has overnight halts in the most charming spots along the canal where guests can explore on foot or by bike and visit local attractions. Most halts have restaurant options close by, ranging in style from local auberges to Michelin accredited gastronomic delights.
Explore a magical Chateau, walk, cycle or simply sit on deck and watch the rich, inviting heritage of France unfold as your Captain pilots you serenely through it aboard your own private, luxury barge.
Shopping for supplies is made easy since every village has a Boulangerie for your fresh daily bread and croissants. Most have a small general store and the larger towns have major supermarkets within easy reach of the canal. There is also at least one opportunity to shop for supplies at the colourful local markets during each cruise.
Transferring to and from the barge at the start and finish of each cruise is stress-free since a major rail-link to Paris runs parallel to the canal throughout its length (although never close enough to see or hear!) with the main station at Montargis never more than a 45 minute drive away from the barge. For those who wish to drive to the cruise start point, access is easy from the Autoroute network and we offer secure parking nearby or will help you move your car each day so you can keep it close to the barge at all times during the cruise.
The package at a glance |
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Seven nights accommodation aboard Maria on one of France’s oldest, most picturesque and tranquil canals. |
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The services of a highly experienced Barge Captain to pilot the barge on five days (the barge does not move on the afternoon of arrival and Friday is spent moored in either Rogny-les-Sept Ecluses or Chatillon Coligny - villages where there are cafés, restaurants and shops as well as plenty to see and do) |
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Complimentary Welcome pack for guests on arrival including: fresh flowers, fruit bowl, fresh bread, bottle of red, white and sparkling wine, tea, coffee, milk, sugar, butter, jam, bottled water, hand soap, shower gel, shampoo, toilet tissue, washing up liquid, dishwasher tablets, washing detergent and cleaning materials |
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The barge will be professionally cleaned, the beds made and fresh towels provided |
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Many opportunities to shop for provisions along the cruise route including a wonderful Farmer’s market bursting with fresh local produce. Paradise for the keen cook or enthusiastic amateur. |
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| Guests pay a Damage Deposit of €1000, GBP £1000 or US $1500 to cover damage to the barge or contents – the deposit to be refunded post cruise |
Excursions on foot, by bike and optional side trips |
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Many excursions can be accessed on foot or by bicycle. For those that are further from the canal your Captain can arrange taxis or offer a driving service – none of this needs to be pre-arranged and can be booked locally on arrival |
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Visits on foot: Montargis, Rogny-les-Sept-Ecluses, Chatillon Colgny, the Aqueduct at Briare and the pretty villages of Montbouy, Montcresson, Conflans and Ouzouer |
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Visits by bicycle: Chateau La Bussiere, Chateau de St Fargeau, Chateau Pont Chevron, Gien, wine tasting in Ousson-sur-Loire and Briare |
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Excursions by car: Fontainebleau, Auxerre, Orleans, Chateau Vaux le Vicomte |
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Kayaking on the River Loire at Bonny-sur-Loire. Cycle there and kayak down the peaceful river. |
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Sporting activities available nearby: golf, swimming, tennis, hot air ballooning, horse riding, kayaking |
Frequently Asked Questions
2010 Sterling Prices |
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Low Season |
High Season |
| Whole boat charter for 2 guests |
4125 |
4495 |
| Whole boat charter for 3 guests |
4395 |
4795 |
| Whole boat charter for 4 guests |
4650 |
4995 |
Departure Dates |
| 2010 Low season departures (Monday ) |
Apr 19,26 |
May 3,10,
17,24 |
Jul
19,26 |
Aug 2,9,
16,23,30 |
Oct 18 |
| 2010 High season departures (Monday ) |
May 31 |
Jun 7,14
21,28 |
Jul
5,12 |
Sep 6,13,
20,27 |
Oct 4,11 |
Check
availability of this cruise
France Hotel
Barge Programme
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Check
availability of this cruise
France Hotel
Barge Programme
| Itinerary Canal de Briare
Upper Loire Cruise
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DAY 1
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Monday
ARRIVAL AND WELCOME
You will be collected at 4.30pm from the main railway station and transferred to Maria in the town of Chatillon Sur Loire, approximately 45 minutes drive away (or for those not arriving by train, the barge will be available for check-in from 4.30pm to 6.30pm). Over a glass of the local "Cremant de Loire" your Captain will explain features of the barge and if you wish, arrange to take you to a local supermarket to buy provisions for the first few days of your stay, before leaving you to enjoy your first night aboard. The charming town of Chatillon Sur Loire stands above the Canal and was an important river crossing point for the Merchants who traded on the Loire River in centuries past. |
DAY 2
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Tuesday
CHATILLON SUR LOIRE TO BRIARE
Our cruise itinerary begins today on the Canal Lateral à la Loire with a morning cruise to the town of Ouzoeur Sur Trezee. The Canal follows the line of the River Loire (which supplies the water for the canal) as it winds through open meadows and fields. As we leave the town of Chatillon sur Loire behind us, we cross the magnificent Pont Canal de Briare which takes us to the opposite bank of the Loire River and on to Briare. |
| DAY 3 |
Wednesday
OUZOEUR SUR TREZEE TO ROGNY LES SEPT ECLUSES
The cruise continues today to the village of Rogny Les Sept Ecluses, famed for it's seven "stair-case locks", built in the 17th century to allow boats to pass the summit level of the canal. The village offers restaurants, bars, shops and bakery and is well placed as a base for excursions to local attractions or to venture further afield.The village "Petanque" (or Boules) pitch - scene of many local championship boules matches - is right alongside the canal where the locals can often be seen sipping a cool beer from the quay-side bar whilst disputing (in a mainly good-naturedly way!) the winner of today's match. |
| DAY 4 |
Thursday
ROGNY LES SEPT ECLUSES TO CHATILLON COLIGNY
As we leave Rogny Les Sept Ecluses, the canal begins the gentle descent towards the Seine valley and follows the natural path of the River Loing which was the original waterway's route to Paris before the canal was commissioned. Our overnight mooring tonight will be in Chatillon Coligny where you are free to explore the town at your leisure or to walk, cycle or take a trip to any of the nearby excursions. |
| DAY 5 |
Friday
CHATILLON COLIGNY
Since Chatillon Coligny is a little over half-way along our cruise route, today the barge remains in the port without cruising to allow a truly relaxed day of rest. There are many excursion opportunities plus great walking and biking routes or, if you prefer, take time to simply relax and watch the world go by from the comfort of Maria's sundeck. |
| DAY 6 |
Saturday
CHATILLON COLIGNY TO MONTCRESSON
Our cruise today takes us to an idyllic mooring close to the village of Montcresson as we continue our descent of the Loing valley through open meadows and fields. At Montbouy the canal passes the Gallo-Roman Amphitheatre which stands as a monument to the history of the region. The 11th century church here dominates the village of Montbouy and our passage may coincide with the tolling of the church bells - renowned as the loudest and most melodic in the region. |
| DAY 7 |
Sunday
MONTCRESSON TO MONTARGIS
Our final cruise takes us to the regional capital town of Montargis - the so called "Venice of Gâtinais" because of the network of waterways which dominate the town. In centuries past, Montargis was the largest fortified town in France, an important trading post on the route from the Loire valley to Paris and the influence the canal has on the town is very clear to see. Montargis is a bustling city with a busy commercial heart but loses none of its typically French style - the town offers exactly what you should expect of a central France market town. Our mooring today will be close enough to allow easy access to town on foot or by bike. |
| DAY 8 |
Monday
DEPARTURE
Check out today is before 9.30am for the return transfer or onward travel. Those travelling by train will be returned to Montargis railway station in time to catch a train to arrive in Paris for around midday. |
| The barge is equipped with 220v AC power sockets throughout. |
| NOTE: |
On alternate weeks, cruise will be
in reverse direction. This is a sample
itinerary and is subject to change. |
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Boat Features |
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Barge Length: 25.3m (or 83ft). |
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4 passengers - in two cabins (85 sq ft and 95 sq ft) |
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Cabins: 2, one with Double bed, the second available with a Double or two Single beds. Each stateroom has a private bathroom with WC and shower |
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Each stateroom has a wardrobe, opening windows and sky-lights, hair dryers. |
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Internal Headroom: In excess of 6ft 6ins throughout. |
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| Salon: comfortably furnished for 4 guests with easy-chairs and sofa (180 sq ft) |
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Galley: a full size (100 sq ft), domestic standard galley with Oven, Halogen Hob, Extractor canopy, separate Fridge and Deep Freeze, Dishwasher, Double bowl sink, Electric kettle, Toaster, Coffee percolator and an extensive range of cooking utensils |
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Wheelhouse: Space for indoor dining. Furniture for 4 (100 sq ft) |
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Aft "Cocktail deck" seating with upholstered cushions, teak dining table and chairs, non-slip wooden deck flooring and fixed sun-canopy (150 sq ft) |
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Central heating throughout plus Air Conditioning in both Cabins and Salon |
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4 identical bicycles |
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Washer/dryer available for guest use |
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Towels and bed-linen included |
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