Orient Express Afloat in France 6 Night The Loire The Wines and Heritage of Hidden France Canal de Plagny to Rogny
Ship:
Afloat in France - Hirondelle Cruise Line:
Orient Express Trains & Cruises
Departures: Duration:
6 Nights
Ports: Plagny, Apremont, Marseille les Aubigny, La Charite sur Loire, Menetreol, Chatillon sur Loire, Ouzouer, La Bussiere, Rogny Les Sept Ecluses, Rogny
Airport gateway (Arrival) : Paris Airport gateway (Departure) : Paris
Sunday - Plagny Board Hirondelle at Plagny on the Canal Latéral á la Loire. After a champagne reception and an evening cruise over the Le Guétin bridge, enjoy your first dining experience on board.
Monday - Visit Aprémont This morning take a short drive to the private cháteau and gardens at Aprémont. Then enjoy a delicious lunch on board. In the afternoon take a walking tour of the pretty town of Nevers, the capital of the Nivernais. Pick up a masterpiece of deep blue porcelain from master ceramic maker Monsieur Bernard. Dinner is on board.
Tuesday - Cruise to Ménétréol In the morning, visit La Charité-sur-Loire, an important site of Burgundian Romansque art and a resting place for pilgrims en route to Santiago de Compostela. In the afternoon the barge cruises from La Charité to moor in Ménétréol. Here you will be taken to a goat's cheese farm for a tour and tasting.
Wednesday - Cruise to Chatillon sur Loire Relax on board as you cruise the canal. After lunch, your private minibus takes you to Chavignol, where many of the famous Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé wines are made, for a tasting. Then take a drive up to Sancerre, situated on an impressive hilltop. Lunch is at the restaurant La Tour and is followed by a stroll around the picturesque town. Return to Hirondelle.
Thursday - Cruise to Ouzouer Today the barge traverses the river Loire via Europe's longest canal bridge, designed by Gustav Eiffel, connecting the Canal Latéral á la Loire to the Canal du Briare. After lunch drive to the town of Gien, famous for its pottery. Visit a faíence factory and then take an excursion to the Cháteau de la Bussiére with its medicinal gardens.
Friday - Cruise to Rogny Les Sept Écluses The Hirondelle continues along the Canal de Briare to Rogny Les Sept Ecluses. After lunch take a final excursion to pretty Saint Fergeau and its 1,000 year old cháteau. In the evening enjoy a farewell gala dinner.
Saturday - Rogny Disembark Hirondelle after breakfast.
* Ports of call may vary based on itinerary and departure dates selected
Special 25% reduction offer!
Cruise quiet canals and majestic rivers with the Hirondelle, Fleur de Lys and Napoleon barges, and receive a 25% discount when travelling in April 2012.
Please quote code AC50 at the time of booking to take advantage of this offer.
Offer valid until 31 March 2012 and is subject to availability. Only valid on new bookings and cannot be combined with any other offer or promotion. Offer based on cabin only bookings for two persons sharing during April 2012.
Rates
6 Nights
2012
8 Passengers
$45,200
7 Passengers
$45,200
6 Passengers
$39,200
Individual fare
$5,650
Return private driver transfer service between
Paris and the Hirondelle
Included in Charter and per person cost
* The Hirondelle may be booked on a per cabin basis as a luxurious péniche-hôtel. Even on trips where unrelated people travel, there is ample opportunity for privacy. Whether in the spacious private cabins or relaxing on sun lounges beneath striped umbrellas on deck, beauty and tranquility will embrace you.
However, the champagne reception is the perfect way to meet your fellow travellers and break the ice at the start of a delightful week together.
What's included:
• Accommodation on board
• Breakfast, lunch and candlelit dinner each day
• Refreshments on board after excursions
• Wine with meals, liqueurs and bar drinks on board
• Sightseeing excursions, including entrance fees
• Use of bicycles
• Air-conditioned vehicle with guide for sightseeing
• All transfers as described in the itinerary
• Return TGV between Paris and the Hirondelle
Cabin Pricing
Ports
Afloat in France - Hirondelle Cabin Info
View Another Cabin:
Cruise line info
Orient Express Trains & Cruises
Orient-Express Hotels, Trains and Cruises. A name synonymous with the ultimate in luxury and service for over 25 years, Orient-Express owns and manages hotels, trains, cruises and restaurants in some of the most magical locations our planet has to offer.
Orient-Express now encompasses myriad luxury travel experiences to suit all tastes, in settings as diverse as Peru, Botswana, Tahiti, Portugal and Australia.
Ship info
Afloat in France - Hirondelle
Hirondelle was constructed as a 27 metre cargo barge at Hoogerand in the Netherlands in 1928 and was originally named Vios. She was later lengthened to 38.50 metres, in order to increase her tonnage and hence her cargo capacity. This, combined with her 5.05 beam, now makes her the largest size of barge able to fit to the canal locks. She was bought to France and was converted to welcome passengers in 1992-1993, when her name was changed to Hirondelle.
Decorated in soft country shades, The Hirondelle's relaxed atmosphere is perfectly in tune with the gentle scenery outside. Large picture windows and skylights flood the airy lounge with natural sunlight, making it the ideal spot to relax and watch rural France pass by.
Spend leisurely hours on the sun deck and sip Champagne as day fades into night. Enjoy a gourmet supper in the dining room, and then return outside to gazeat stars sparkling in the navy sky above.
Your day draws to a close in one of four spacious cabins, each with an ensuite shower. This spacious barge can comfortably welcome eight people on board. It is the perfect place to reconnect with family and friends in true Orient-Express style.
The Hirondelle may be booked on a per cabin basis as a luxurious peniche-hotel.
Even on trips where unrelated people travel, there is ample opportunity for privacy. Whether in the spacious private cabins or relaxing on sun lounges beneath striped umbrellas on deck, beauty and tranquility will embrace you.
However, the champagne reception is the perfect way to meet your fellow travellers and break the ice at tge start of a delightful week together.
What's Included:
Accommodation on board
Breakfast, lunch and candlelit dinner each day
Refreshments on board after excursions
Wine with meals, liqueurs and bar drinks on board
Sightseeing excursions, including entrance fees
Use of bicycles
Air-conditioned vehichle with guide for sightseeing
All transfers as described in the itinerary
Return TGV between Paris and The Hirondelle
