THE BARGE: Constructed in 1960 as a French cargo carrier Converted into a hotel barge in 1997 Measures 128 ft. long by 17.5 ft. wide Four (4) onboard cabin accommodations Eight (8) passenger capacity Onboard climate control Two (2) 220V generators Maximum speed of 10 knots Carries 12 tons of fresh water and 3 tons of fuel PERSONNEL: Five (5) crew members consisting of Tour Guide/Deckhand, Chef, Housekeeper, Pilot/Engineer, and Captain. Generally British, this crew speaks both English and French (some may speak other languages, as well). PUBLIC ROOMS: Salon/Dining Room Sun Deck ONBOARD LEISURE AND ENTERTAINMENT: Spa pool for eight (8) people Bose HI FI system with CD player Eight (8) mountain bikes Board games Small library of books & maps Binoculars for birdwatching MOBILITY RESTRICTIONS: Renaissance has a gangway to deck level from the bank of the canal with one (1) handrail. There are no steps from the deck to the salon, but there are fourteen (14) steps down to the cabins. If you would like to hire a wheelchair so that it is available on your arrival, please specify at the time of booking. The nominal hire charge should be paid directly to the Captain on arrival. The well-planned accommodation of Renaissance offers a choice of four air-conditioned twin/double staterooms with full en-suite facilities.

CABINS: There are four (4) suites on board Renaissance, named Voltaire, Hugo, Dumas, and Moliere. STATEROOM SIZE: All cabins are very similar in size and are equally comfortable. The size listed below for each cabin includes bathroom area. Voltaire - Approx. 270 sq. ft. Hugo - Approx. 260 sq. ft. Dumas- Approx. 260 sq. ft. Moliere - Approx. 270 sq. ft. BEDDING CONFIGURATION & SIZE: Hugo and Dumas can be configured as a twin or a king while Voltaire and Moliere can be configured as king only. The bed sizes are: Twin - 3 ft. X 6 ft. King - 6 ft. X 6 ft. BATHROOMS: All bathrooms have tiled/teak wood floors and walls, and come with shower, toilet, and wash basin.  Each bathroom is stocked with towels, washing gel, hand soap, shampoo, and face cloths. AMENITIES: Climate Control Hairdryer Built-in Closets Electricity (220V, French two pin plugs)

King Configuration (Hugo)   King Configuration (Dumas)    En Suite Bathroom

SALON/DINING ROOM: The Salon/Dining Room provides a spacious 714 sq. ft. and features: Sofas Coffee table Fully-stocked bar Oak dining table seating eight (8) people The Salon/Dining Room is dressed in antiqued wood paneling and brass light fittings, all covered by a beamed ceiling. The floor is tiled throughout and the walls of the room are adorned with paintings. ON DECK: The Sun Deck is a spacious 385 sq. ft. open-air gathering area with a relaxing 8-person spa pool. The beautiful deck furniture which consists of: 8 reclining chairs 1 large table (shaded) The Sun Deck is perfect for sun bathing and enjoying the beautiful scenery as you slowly wind through the canals of France. OFF BOAT: Passengers are welcome to walk or cycle using the onboard bicycles as often as they like.  Most People choose to disembark the barge at a lock to visit local villages, then return to the canal and meet the barge further along (the barge travels slowly; therefore, this is not a problem). An air-conditioned, 9-seater minibus is also available for excursions by vehicle.

Salon/Dining Room Sun Deck Off Boat Experiences

Renaissance‘s itinerary covers the entire length of the Canal de Loing (a canal built specifically to join the Loire river to the River Seine and Paris) as well as some of the most picturesque parts of the Canal de Briare – one of Frances first canals, built in the early c16th. Additionally, the route covers a short section of the River Seine between St Mammes and Samois-sur-Seine, a part of the river, which even today, plays a major part in the thriving river barge transportation system in France. The river section (limited to around 2 hours cruising only per week) passes some the prettiest villages on the entire River Seine, where wealthy Parisian professionals have made their homes for centuries. At St Mammes (the junction of the river and the Canal de Loing) we see a wide variety of river craft carrying produce towards the capital. Once onto the canal, the countryside changes as we pass open fields, classic French villages and towns and still see the occasional barge loading with grain or aggregate at a loading dock - a testimony to the continuing importance of the canal in this region. As Renaissance progress deeper into this little known region (referred to by the French as the “Gatinais” and often called affectionately the “Garden of Paris”) we see changing architectural styles reflecting the use of local materials in the buildings and pass some of the oldest villages and towns in the region – many of which owe their heritage to the history of the canal. Click below for Sample Itinerary: Montargis-Chatillon Chatillon-Montargis

Highlights: Guided tour of ancient Moret-sur-Loing, home of Impressionist Alfred Sisley Visit to the magnificent Chateau de Vaux-le-Vicomte Visit to a fascinating traditional glass-blowing factory at Issey-sur-Ecole Explore the hill-top town of Chateau Landon by horse and carriage Private visit to the Chateau de la Bussière; a 16th century estate with spectacular kitchen garden Accompany the chef to the farmers’ market at Ferrières to buy fresh produce

Renaissance is owned and operated by the U.K based "European Waterways" cruise company, known to provide crew that have always taken pride in their work, attention to detail, creativity and service, key words which are the cornerstones of the company's group of vessels. Crew members are selected from within the hotel barge industry and from outside. The majority are either English or French. Renaissance's highly professional crew of five is comprised of Tour Guide/Deckhand, Chef, Housekeeper, and Pilot/Engineer, led by a knowledgeable and experienced Captain who will ensure your cruise is memorable and more!

Cuisine on board Renaissance is French. All meals are composed of fresh ingredients and typically feature a different selection of regional cheeses and wines daily. Non-alcoholic beverages, regular or decaffeinated tea & coffee, and whole or low-fat milk are offered with all meals. There are no assigned seats for meals in the dining room and dress is casual. The Captain's Dinner on the last night of the cruise requires slightly formal attire.
Amuse Bouche (A specialty of our Chef to "amuse your mouth") APPETIZERS Foie gras frais grille aux raisins Fresh foie gras grilled with grapes in a red wine sauce Salade de champignons des bois et petits lardons au vinaigre de framboise caramelise Salad of wild forest mushrooms and bacon in a caramelised strawberry vinegar dressing Feuillete d'escargots sauce au Cognac , ail el estragon Escargot in pastry with Cognac sauce, garlic and fresh tarragon ENTREES Medaillons d'agneau et farci, sauce vin rouge, gratin de pomme de terre et petits legumes a la provencale Lamb medallions in a red wine sauce, potato gratin and young spring vegetables, Provencal style Filet de sole sauce au vin blanc et beurre blanc, fenouil braise au Pastis et pates fraiches au basilic Sole filet in a white wine sauce, fennel caramelised with Pastis liquor and pasta tossed with pesto Canard aux petits navets, sauce a l'orange, puree d'artichaut et pois gourmands Roasted Duck with mini turnips, orange sauce, puree of artichokes and fresh garden pea   CHEESES Epoisse, Crottin de Chavignol, Bleu de St. Agur, Livarot, St. Marcelin et Brie de Meaux. Fromage de chevre chaud et Bleu d 'Auvergne chaud sur toast et lit de salade Warm goat cheese and warm blue cheese on toast with a bed of crispy salad DESSERTS Delice aux 3 Chocolats sur un coulis de framboise Three chocolate desserts in a raspberry coulis Mouse givree aux fruits rouges Iced mousse cake with warm red fruits Tarte aux framboises Home made strawberry pie with French custard AFTER-DINNER COFFEE, CHOCOLATES, LIQUEURS Chocolate et Pralisnes

CARTE DES VINS
White Wines Sancerre La Grande Cuvee (Domaine Jolivet) Puligny Montrachet (Domaine Leflaive) Meursault Charmes (Domaine Bouzereau) Chablis Grand Cru "Lee Preuses"	Red Wines Bordeaux Chateau Lynch Bages Nuits St. Georges "Les Cailles" (Domaine Faiveley) Beaujolais Fleurie (Georges Duboeuf) Chassagne Montrachet (Domaine Prieur-Brunet )

2010 SCHEDULE

2010 PRICING

Price includes:

A 7-day/6-night cruise in a cabin on board Renaissance
Transfers from Paris to barge & return
All meals
All wines with lunch & dinner
Open bar
All escorted excursions
Use of bicycles

Price does not include:

Flight to Paris & return
Gratuities
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JOINING AND LEAVING THE CRUISE

Cruise Passenger Meeting Point Hotel Ampere, Paris - 1:30pm To begin the cruise, a crewmember will pick you up from Hotel Ampere, Paris at 1:30pm and transfer you to Renaissance. At the end of your cruise, you will be transferred back to Hotel Ampere, Paris by 12pm (approx.). It is therefore important to ensure that any flights out of Charles De Gaulle Airport on the same day are booked for departure after 3pm. If you are chartering the whole vessel, alternative pre- and post-cruise transfer points can be arranged.

	GOLF Four days of golf at 18-hole courses in the Upper Loire is what the Golf Cruise on board Renaissance offers its guests. Find out more!
	FAMILY A wonderful family friendly itinerary perfect for children and adults. This exciting Family Itinerary includes go-karting, swimming, kayaking, tennis and horseback riding. Find out more!