Typical Cuisine on Board
* Braised Beef Filet in Juniper Berry
and Red Wine Jus
* Saddle of Lamb with Eggplant Caviar
Wine Cellar
*St. Emilion Grand Cru (Chateau Gaillard)
* Chassagne-Montrachet les Houilleres
* Pomerol (Chateau des Jacobins)

2010 SAVOIR FAIRE 
offers four itineraries
in France, Holland and Belgium
 

• Springtime in Holland
  Departures March 28; April 4, 11, 18, 25
• Three Country Cruise
  Departures May 2, 9; Oct 17, 24
  6 or 13-night cruise
• Paris to Villeneuve in Burgundy (itinerary below)
  Departures May 16, 23, 30; June 6, 13, 20, 27; July 4, 11, 18, 25; August 1, 8, 15; Sept 19, 26; October 3, 10
• Paris to Champagne
  Departures August 22, 29; Sept 5, 12

 
Paris to Villeneuve-sur-Yonne in Burgundy

Highlights:
* Evening cruise through Paris
* Fountainebleau, palace of French Kings
* Art lovers village of Moret-sur-Loing
* Romantic chateau of Vaux-le-Vicomte
* Medieval town of Provins
* Gothic Cathedral at Sens
* Famous wine village of Chablis

SUNDAY - BOARD IN PARIS
You’ll be collected from your Paris hotel at 2:30 and transferred to Savoir Faire, at anchor in the center of Paris near the Opera Bastille. After your introduction to the barge and crew, there will be time to explore the immediate neighborhood, returning in late afternoon for our evening cruise through Paris. As the sun sets, Savoir Faire glides past such magificant sites as Notre Dame, the Louvre, and the Eiffel Tower. Continue to cruise through dinner, the first of many prepared by our master chef 

MONDAY - PARIS TO MELUN
Bright and early (but not before the breakfast croissants are delivered!), we’ll leave Paris, cruising south on the River Seine towards our mooring in Melun. Once past the reaches of the city, the landscape begins to unfold in tranquil beauty. Luxury villlas and chateaux begin to appear on the riverbank while patient fisherman sit beneath the shade of willow trees. After lunch, tour the palace of Fountainebleau. Every monarch from Francois I to Napoleon left his mark on this magnificant chateau. Afterwards, explore the ornate gardens and the thriving town of Fountainbleau. Return for a stoll along the shaded riverbank of Melun and then another gourmet dinner.

TUESDAY - MELUN TO MORET-SUR-LOING
Begin the day with a peaceful cruise down the Seine towards Burgundy, land of Counts and fine wines. Our destination is Moret-sur-Loing, a lovely village best known as the home of Impressionist painter Alfred Sisley. He immortalized this village in many paintings. After lunch, drive to the romantic chateau of Vaux-le-Vicomte. Built between 1656 and 1661 by Nicolas Fouquet, Finance Minister to Louis XIV, the chateau’s construction was monstrous even for those days. So lavish was the housewarming party that the King threw a fit of jealousy and hurled Fouquet in jail. Just to prove who was boss, Louis XIV built the Palace of Versailles, using the same team of architects and landscape designers!

WEDNESDAY - MORET-SUR-LOING TO LABROSSE LOCK
After breakfast, visit the medieval town of Provins, now a well-preserved UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the ancient ramparts, watch a falconry show and browse in the shops. Return to the Savoir Faire for lunch and begin your river cruising. Begin on the Seine and then join the Yonne on the way to our overnight mooring above the lock of Labrosse, deep in the countryside!

THURSDAY - LABROSSE LOCK TO SENS
We begin our cruise along the narrow canal section of Courlon, built to facilitate the transport of wines and other prized goods to Paris. Later we pass the photogenic town of Pont sur Yonne on the way to the overnight mooring at Sens. After lunch, your tour guide will present the Cathedral of St. Etienne in Sens. Begun in 1140 and housing one of the richest treasuries in France, this mighty Gothic cathedral is the first of its kind in Europe. Afterwards enjoy a stroll through this popular market town. Relax before dinner with a drink from the bar as the swans gather round in anticipation of a free meal! The perfect setting for the end of a perfect day.

FRIDAY - SENS TO VILLENUEVE-SUR-YONNE
This morning we cruise towards our final destination of Villenueve-sur-Yonne. Before lunch, your tour guide will escort you to this delightful town. View the 700 year old town gate as well as the magnificent Church of Notre Dame, the building of which lasted from the 12th to the 16th century. After lunch, drive to the world famous town of Chablis. First experience a panoramic vista of the Grand Cru vineyards and surrounding countryside, then savor a cellar tour and winetasting at Domaine Laroche. Return to the Savoir Faire to celebrate your last evening aboard. The Captain’s Dinner ends your cruise in style.

SATURDAY - BACK TO PARIS
After a hearty breakfast you are driven to your Paris hotel or airport. Estimated arrival time is noon.

This itinerary is subject to change and is in reverse direction on alternate weeks.

Burgundy and
the Upper Loire
Villenueve-sur-Yonne to Nemours

SUNDAY - VILLENEUVE-SUR-YONNE
Depart your Paris hotel at 2:00 pm for the scenic drive to the Savoir Faire moored in the 11th century town of Villeneuve-sur-Yonne. Welcome aboard with a Champagne Reception and introduction to your crew and ship. Before dinner, your tour guide will present Villeneuve-sur-Yonne, which was founded in 1163. We’ll view the 700 year old town gate as well as the magnificent church of Notre Dame, the building of which lasted from the 12th to the 16th century. Tonight is the first of many gourmet dinners on board. Candlelit crystal and gleaming silverware add to the romantic ambience. Round off the day with a gentle stroll along the picturesque river Yonne

MONDAY - VILLENEUVE-SUR-YONNE TO SENS
This morning, drive to the wine town of Chablis. First see a panoramic vista of the Grand Cru vineyards.Then tour the Domaine Laroche cellars, followed by winetasting. After lunch, we’ll glide out of Villeneuve-sur-Yonne past the riverside villages of the Upper Yonne. There are opportunities for bicycling and walking – or take in the sweeping views from the panoramic deck of Savoir Faire. Our mooring in Sens is five minutes from the town center. Relax before dinner with a drink as the swans gather round in the anticipation of a free meal. The perfect setting for the end of a perfect day!

TUESDAY - SENS TO LABROSSE LOCK
After a leisurely breakfast, tour the Cathedral of St. Etienne in Sens. Begun in 1140 and housing one of the richest treasuries in France, this mighty Gothic cathedral is the first of its kind in Europe. Then explore the shops in this popular market town. After lunch, cruise past the photogenic town of Pont sur Yonne and enter the narrow canal section of Courion, built to facilitate the transport of wines and other prized goods to Paris. Tonight our mooring is above the lock at Labrosse, an especially tranquil setting.

WEDNESDAY - LABROSSE LOCK TO MORET-SUR-LOING
Our journey today joins the River Seine on which we cruise to our overnight mooring at Moret-sur-Loing, known as the home of Impressionist painter Alfred Sisley. After lunch, drive to the medieval town of Provins, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Provins is known for its ancient fortifications, such as the Tour Caesar (Caesar Tower) and well preserved city walls. There is the option of attending a show with eagles and horses galore! Browse the shops or take a café in the square. 

THURSDAY - MORET-SUR-LOING TO EPISY
Today is the beginning of our cruise on the Canal de Loing into Upper Loire.The landscape unfolds as we slowly pass open fields and forests bordering classic French villages. Why not bicycle or walk on the towpath? After lunch, visit the romantic Chateau of Vaux-le-Vicomte (setting for the film “The Man In The Iron Mask”). Built between 1656 and 1661 for Nicolas Fouquet, Finance Minister of Louis 14th, the chateau’s construction was monstrous even for those days. Entire villages were razed and 18,000 workmen participated. So lavish was the housewarming party that the King hurled Fouquet in jail. He then built the Palace of Versailles, using the same team of architects and garden designers! This evening our mooring is in the peaceful countryside next to the hamlet of Episy. Weather permitting, your chef will prepare a stupendous Savoir Faire BBQ.

FRIDAY - EPISY TO NEMOURS
This morning we cruise to Nemours with plenty of biking and walking opportunities. After lunch, tour the Palace of Fontainebleau. It is often referred to as the “House of Centuries” because every French monarch from Francois I to Napoleon III has left his mark upon this magnificent chateau. Afterwards explore the ornate gardens and the thriving town of Fontainebleau. Return to the Savoir Faire to celebrate your last evening aboard. 

SATURDAY - DEPARTURE 9:30 AM TO PARIS
We end the cruise with fond farewell from your crew before the drive back to Paris. Estimated arrival into Paris is noon.

This itinerary is subject to change and is in reverse direction on alternate weeks.