LA NOUVELLE ETOILE - UPPER LOIRE, an 8-passenger ultra deluxe barge, cruises the Upper Loire, France

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LA NOUVELLE ETOILE spends the summer in the Upper Loire region and September in the Champagne region of France. An exciting highlight of the Paris to Auxerre barge cruise is the delight of cruising right through the heart of Paris. This ultra deluxe barge is pure floating elegance as she cruises along the historic Seine, Marne and Yonne Rivers and adjoining Upper Loire canals. The barge itself is the new standard in barging with every luxurious amenity possible. Yes, there is Satellite TV and internet access for those who want to stay in touch. For an exquisite experience with the most caring of owners, La Nouvelle Etoile is one of the best.

Cruise Highlights

• Visit Château de Fontainebleau
• Visit Gien, built on the banks of the Loire River and famous for its Faience earthenware
• Cross the river on the Pont Canal de Briare, designed by Gustav Eiffel
• Walk Montargis, called “Little Venice of the Gatinais”
• See some of the oldest locks in France at Rogny
• Tour of Château Saint Fargeau
• Taste the region’s Chavignol cheese and sample the delicious Sancerre wines
• Optional hot air ballooning is available

Cruise Features

Beth visiting Captain Jan Meijer

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Floorplan

Cruise Rates 2018

Included in Cruise Price

• Transportation between your hotel in Paris and the barge
• Six nights accommodation in private s​uite with ensuite bath
• Open bar with all wines, alcoholic beverages and soft drinks
• Daily escorted excursions by air-conditioned van
• All barge amenities including bicycles, hot tub on deck, music system, library, etc.

Not Included in Cruise Price

• Air or other transportation to the meeting location
• Trip cancellation or medical insurance (available when booking)
• Personal expenses
• A discretionary gratuity for the crew suggested at 5% of the cruise price

LA NOUVELLE ETOILE Features

Cruising on LA NOUVELLE ETOILE

Upper Loire, France
Moret-sur-Loing to Briare

Sunday - Transfer to Barge
Guests are met at the **designated meeting point and transferred to La Nouvelle Etoile moored 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 enjoy your first gourmet meal on board.

Monday - Moret-Sur-Loing 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 Château de Fontainebleau. To walk through this palace is to walk through the history of France and every French royal family added its own architectural style and features when in residence. On our drive back to the hotel barge we may visit the artist community of Barbizon. We will moor for the night in Nemours. Dinner on board.

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

Wednesday - Montargis to Châtillon Coligny
After breakfast, we set off on a leisurely cruise to the charming village of Châtillon Coligny. This afternoon, we will take a drive out to the splendid 16th century Château de Saint Fargeau. The château is over a 1,000 years old and probably the most important place of historical interest in this unspoilt rural region, the Puisaye. Later, in the evening, there is time to stroll around the ramparts surrounding Châtillon-Coligny. Dinner on board.

Thursday - Châtillon Coligny to Rogny
Today, continuing our cruise higher up the canal we reach Rogny-les-Sept-Ecluses. (The seven locks of Rogny). This “staircase” of seven locks was built in 1648 and is an impressive monument to the engineers of the past. After another relaxing lunch we take a short drive out to the beautiful town of Gien, on the banks of the River Loire. Gien is famous for its faïence earthenware and we visit the International Hunting Museum at Chateau de Gien. Dinner on board.

Friday - Rogny to Briare
After passing through the locks of Rogny, we have reached the highest point of the canal and we now start to descend slowly towards the River Loire. At Briare, we cross the river on the Pont Canal de Briare. This magnificent structure was designed and built by Gustav Eiffel in 1890. This afternoon we drive out to the Sancerre wine region to sample some of this delicious wine and perhaps taste some of the local Crottin de Chavignol cheese on our way back to the hotel barge. Captain’s Farewell Dinner on board.

Saturday - Transfer to Drop-off Point
After an elegant breakfast on board, you will be driven to the **designated drop-off point.

On alternate weeks the cruise will be in the reverse direction. This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change.

Barge Cruise Reviews for La Nouvelle Etoile

"La Nouvelle Etoile exceeded our expectations with the cabins being larger than expected. The excursions were just right, not too rushed or touristy. The barge route was gorgeous and amazing. Best of all was the crew - seriously! We could have stayed much longer." Eric S. 2012

"My wife and I had the best time. We have done yacht and barge trips in the past, and this was as close to perfect as you can get." Anonymous by Request