Guests will meet in Paris and transferred to the hotel barge by a private chauffeured minibus which is moored in the heart of the Fontainebleau forest. After a champagne welcome, perhaps take a stroll through the medieval walled town of Moret-sur-Loing, known to many as the home of the famous Impressionist painter, Alfred Sisley. Tonight enjoy your first gourmet dinner on board.

Begin the cruise into the Upper Loire region which is also known as the "Garden of Paris", This little-known region gently reveals its secrets. In the afternoon, you will visit the Château de Fontainebleau. To walk through this palace is to walk through the history of France where each French Royal Family added its own architectural style and features when in residence. On the drive back to the barge you may visit the artist community of Barbizon.  We moor for the night in Nemours. Dinner will be served on board. 

This will be a full day cruise to Montargis where you will have plenty of opportunities to bicycle or walk along the towpath of the canal. After having your lunch, you will visit the charming town 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 will be served on board. 

In the morning, you will set off on a relaxed cruise to the beautiful village of Châtillon Coligny. After lunch, you will take a drive out to the splendid 16th century Château de Saint Fargeau, which is over  1,000 years old and probably the most important place of historical interest in this unspoiled rural region, the Puisaye. This evening, you will have enough time to stroll around the ramparts before you will have your delightful dinner on board. 

The cruise will continue up the canal to reach Rogny-les-Sept-Ecluses. This “staircase” of seven locks was built in 1648 and is an impressive monument to the engineers of the past. After a relaxing lunch, take a short drive out to the beautiful town of Gien, on the banks of the River Loire, and famous for its faïence earthenware. You also will visit the International Hunting Museum at Chateau de Gien. Dinner will be served on board. 

After passing through the locks of Rogny, you will reach the highest point of the canal and start to descend slowly towards the River Loire. At Briare, cross the river on the Pont Canal de Briare, designed and built by Gustav Eiffel in 1890.  Later, drive to the Sancerre wine region to sample some of this delicious wine and perhaps taste some of the local Crottin de Chavignol cheese on your way back to the barge. Tonight, enjoy the Captain’s Farewell Dinner on board.

After breakfast, guests are transferred by private chauffeured minibus to their choice of location in Paris.