Chef's Delectable Dinner

Fresh Foie Gras Grilled with Grapes and Wine
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Rack of Lamb in Herb Crust
Panache of Fresh Vegetables
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Warm Goat Cheese with
Bed of Crispy Salad
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Sticky Toffee Pudding with
Creme Anglais and Strawberries
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Wine, Digestifs
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Coffee, Tea, Chocolate

In 2012, LA NOUVELLE ETOILE
offers a variety of itineraries in Holland,
Belgium, France and Germany

• Holland Tulip Cruise
  Departures March 25;
  April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; May 6
• Amsterdam to Bruges - SOLD
  May 13-19
• Bruges to Paris - SOLD
  May 20-31, 11 nights
• Paris to Auxerre - itinerary below
  Departures June 3; July 22; 
• Sancerre Cruise in Upper Loire - itinerary below
  Departures June 10, 17, 24; July 1, 8, 15
• Champagne and Brie - Paris to Epernay
  Departures July 29; August 5, 12
  (Itinerary below)
• Alsace Lorraine - Nancy to Strasbourg
  Departures Aug 26; Sept 2, 9, 16
  (Itinerary below)
• Mosel River Cruise- Remich to Koblenz
  Departures Sept 23, 30; Oct 7, 14, 21
  
  

  
  
  

 
CHABLIS CRUISE
Paris to Auxerre

SUNDAY - Transfer to Paris
After you are met by our driver you will be driven to La Nouvelle moored in the heart of Paris for a wonderful champagne welcome. The afternoon will take up with your relaxing while we cruise past Notre Dame and the Eiffel Tower. We will moor for the night in the Latin Quarter where you will have your first of many gourmet meals on board.

MONDAY - Paris to Moret-sur-Loing
Scenic cruise out of Paris to Samois sur Seine. After lunch we will drive to Chateau of Fontainbleau. Here we will walk through Fontainbleau, which is to walk through the history of France. Every royal family has added its own architectural signature. We then go on to the charming village of Moret, where the impressionist Sisley painted and then re-join La Nouvelle for the evening.

TUESDAY - Moret-sur-Loing to Montereau
A morning cruise on the upper part of the Seine to Montereau, where the smaller river Yonne meets us. After lunch we will take a drive out to the medieval town of Provins, also called the “City of Roses”. Here we will watch the magnificent show of the birds of prey and then return to the barge moored in a beautiful country setting along the banks of the Yonne.

WEDNESDAY - Montereau to Sens
A pleasant cruise along the Yonne River to the town of Sens, the oldest town in France. We will visit on of the first great Gothic cathedrals, a magnificent building that dominates the square. Time to shop and visit the museum or just stroll around the town.

THURSDAY - Sens to Joigny
Winding up on the Yonne we reach the pretty riverside town of Joigny. The beautiful narrow cobbled streets winding their way up to wonderful churches perched on top of the hillside, that take you back to another era. In the afternoon we will take a drive out to Chablis where we will select one of the small family operated wineries for an intimate tour of the vineyards and cellars.



FRIDAY - Joigny to Auxerre
Cruise along the upper reaches of the Yonne River to Auxerre, the most beautiful of all the river towns in France whose skyline is punctuated by church spires and its streets lined with timbered 16th century homes. Time for shopping, visiting the old port or the 15th century clock tower. Here we will have our last gourmet dinner on board that will also be a farewell party.

SATURDAY - Transfer to Paris
After your last elegant breakfast you will be driven to either your hotel or the airport.

SANCERRE CRUISE
Moret sur Loing to Briare

Sunday - Transfer to St. Mammes
You are met by our driver at your Paris hotel and driven to La Nouvelle Etoile moored in St. Mammes in the heart of the Fontainebleau forest. After a Champagne welcome you can take a stroll though the medieval walled town of Moret-sur-Loing, known to many as the home of the famous Impressionist painter, Alfred Sisley.  Tonight you can enjoy your first of many gourmet meals on board.

Monday - St. Mammes to Nemours
Today, we begin our cruise into the upper Loire region. Affectionately known as the “Garden of Paris”, this little known region gently reveals its secrets. After lunch, we visit the Palace of Fontainebleau. To walk through this palace is to walk through the history of France. Every royal family has added its own architectural style. On our drive back to the barge it may be possible to visit the artist community of Barbizon. We will moor for the night in Nemours.

Tuesday - Nemours to Montargis
Today, we will have a full day cruise on the canal to Montargis with plenty of opportunity to bike or walk along the side of the canal. After lunch we will visit Montargis also called “Little Venice of the Gatinais” because of its numerous canals. Visit one off the many museums or shop at the famous Mazet Praline shop with its exquisitely packaged delicacies.

Wednesday - Montargis to Chatillon-Coligny
After breakfast, we will set off for a leisure cruise to the charming village of Chatillon-Coligny. This afternoon, we will take a drive out to the splendid 16th century Chateau Fargeau. The chateau is over a thousand years old and the most important history place of Puisaye Forterre. In the evening there is time to stroll around the ramparts surrounded village of Chatillon-Colligny.

Thursday - Chatillon-Coligny to Rogny
Continuing our cruise up-hill we will reach Rogny-les-Sept-Ecluses. (The seven locks of Rogny). This “staircase” of seven locks was build in 1648 and an impressive tribute to the engineers of the past.  After another gorgeous lunch we will take a short drive out to the beautiful town of Gien, build on the river banks of the Loire. Gien is famous for its faïence earthenware and we will visit the faïence factory and museum.

Friday - Rogny to Briare
After passing the locks of Rogny, we have reached the highest summit of the canal and we will now start to descent down towards the river Loire. In Briare, we will cross the Loire valley on a canal Bridge. This magnificent structure was designed by Gustav Eiffel in 1890. This afternoon we will take the opportunity to drive out to the Sancerre wine region to sample some of this delicious wine and maybe taste some of the local Crottin de Chavignol cheese on our way back to the ship. Tonight will be your farewell dinner on board.

Saturday - Transfer to Paris
After your last elegant breakfast you will be driven back to your hotel in Paris.

These are sample itineraries and are subject to change. The itinerary is in reverse direction on alternative weeks.