A TASTE OF THE LOIRE - an extensive cruise in the centre of France


DAY ONE—From Paris you will be whisked away into the country in a chauffeured limousine and board the yacht in the ancient city of Nemours, beautifully situated in the valley of the Loing. A fitting place to begin your adventure, with a twelfth century castle and a church containing relics brought from the second Crusade. Unwind with a glass of champagne as you investigate your yacht and unwind from travel and the bustle of Paris. Dinner will be your introduction to the cuisine of the Golden Odyssey

DAY TWO—This day marks the beginning of an ambitious cruise. Underway while you breakfast, we traverse fourteen locks and arrive at the town of Montargis. A charming place in which to wander, with a museum containing some exceptionally good paintings and a local speciality called “praslines”: grilled sugared almonds created originally by the cook of the Duke de Plessis-Pralins. Was this the origin of the Flemish Praline?

DAY THREE—As Montargis marks the beginning of the Briare Canal, we enter, technically speaking, a new waterway. Today, after you have breakfasted, perhaps had a dip in the pool, we voyage at a more leisured pace, and travel through lovely countryside enroute Montbouy, where we moor for lunch and stroll ashore to visit the ruins of the Roman Baths and Amphitheatre (The Romans loved France, as much as we do) before continuing to Chatillon – Coliny. Here we spend the night not far from the remains of a XII century feudal chateau overlooking this town.

DAY FOUR—Underway as you breakfast, for today is a special destination, the town of Briare, for which the canal is named. Enroute, we pass the town of Rogny and enter a series of locks which have replaced the seven “staircase “locks which were built during the reign of Henry the IV, and represented an engineering marvel at the time. Lunching while underway, we pass through the town of Briare, and actually cross the Loire River via a beautiful canal bridge which was designed by Gustave Eiffel. A very unique sensation to appear to be floating in air as we slowly cross the river and shortly come to the lovely and quiet village of Chatillon – sur – Loire.

Though we are now in the Canal Lateral de la Loire, the town was built on the banks of the Loire, and a short wander through town takes us to this historic river which has meant so much to the history of France, and waters what is referred to as the Garden of France. Such a different variety of wines is produced in this area that each time we stop you can sample a different vintage.

DAY FIVE—The next portion of our voyage will be alongside the Loire river, and we will have it, often, in our view. As we are now in the Sancerrois, or region of Sancerre, it is as well to go straight to the heart, and cruise to this famous town which has, through history, produced this delicate wine to which it gives its name. Enroute we continue to pass through the beautiful valley of the Loire; verdant, rich in history as it is in scenery, it presents a never ending panorama. Once we arrive in Sancerre, there will be time to have a quick meander before returning to the yacht and another Golden Odyssey dining experience.

DAY SIX—Today , when the mood strikes you, because by now you will most likely have lost all sense of time, an exploration of the town, perhaps shopping, tasting the various vintages of Sancerre, both white and rose’, having lunch in a local bistro, developing a taste for Crottin de Chavignol, a delicious goat cheese, perhaps the most well-known in France. In general, just messing about ashore for the day before returning to a special dinner aboard the Golden Odyssey. A late night dip in the heated spa pool to remember this feeling of being in the centre of France on a yacht, and to bed.

DAY SEVEN—Breakfast and perhaps a last visit to the town, or just lying idly in your deck chair awaiting the arrival of your chauffeured car which will return you to Paris.