What is a self-catered cruise? It means you have the fun of shopping for provisions, cooking in the full galley or taking meals on shore in nearby restaurants. Experienced Captain Phill pilots the barge for you then departs for the night to give you complete privacy. All your questions will be answered with the complete packet you receive as well as the advice and guidance of Captain Phill.

Here's a sample:

How and where do we shop for provisions? There are small grocery shops or in some cases large supermarkets along the route as well as butchers, green grocers, bakers, patisseries, traiteurs (who sell ready-prepared local dishes) and at least one opportunity to shop for provisions at a spectacular local farmer’s market.

Are there restaurants available at every mooring? There are restaurants at most of the mooring locations and if they are not within walking distance, they are a short cycle or taxi ride away.

Click here for the extensive information on excursions, shopping, restaurants and frequently asked questions.

 
MARIA'S Outstanding Features

• Unique self-catering charter for 4
• Newly renovated barge with full kitchen, heating and air conditioning, 4 bicycles
• Experienced captain to pilot the barge
• Freedom to independently explore villages and sights
• Fun of shopping, cooking on board or taking meals in restaurants onshore
• Beautiful and historic canal and villages
• Easy access to Paris

Itinerary Highlights of a
Week on MARIA
Canal de Briare, Upper Loire

• The charming town of Chatillon Sur Loire
• The magnificent Pont Canal de Briare over the Loire River designed by Gustav Eiffel.
• The lovely town of Briare with its mosaic lined church in the square.
• Village of Rogny Les Sept Ecluses, famed for it's seven "stair-case locks", built in the 17th century
• A day in Chatillon Coligny to allow a truly relaxed day with plenty of opportunity for walking and biking along the canals and through the countryside
• The regional capital town of Montargis - the so-called "Venice of Gâtinais"

Upper Loire Cruise Itinerary
Canal de Briare

The ancient Canal de Briare 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.

Shopping for supplies is made easy too since every village has a Boulangerie for the all-important 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 also 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.

Day 1 Monday - Arrival, welcome and check-in
You will be collected at 4:30 pm 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 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 the town from whence the Canal de Briare takes it name. Later we commence the climb out of the Loire valley towards to the summit level of the canal. The route passes along the oldest part of the canal taking us to the village of Ouzoeur Sur Trezee.

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 the all important bakery and is well placed as a base for excursions to local attractions or to venture further afield. 

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. 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 9.30 am 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.

NOTE: This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change. On alternate weeks, cruises will be in reverse direction.