Monday, Day 2
AMILLY TO MONTBOUY
After breakfast we visit the Palace of Fontainebleau. Famed for its Italian Renaissance art and architecture, it was occupied by thirty kings of France for nearly eight centuries, from Louis IV to the emperor Napoleon I. Return to the barge for lunch and an afternoon cruise to Montbuoy. Dinner on board.

Tuesday, Day 3
MONTBOUY TO CHATILLON-COLIGNY
In the morning we visit La Bussière Chateau, ("The Chateau of the Fisherman"), set on a lake with its splendid 18th century gardens. Also to be seen in the chateau museum is a prehistoric fish, thought to have been extinct some 70 million years ago. Return to the barge for lunch and an afternoon cruise to Chatillon-Coligny. Dinner on board.

Wednesday, Day 4
CHATILLON-COLIGNY TO ROGNY-LES-SEPT-ECLUSES
Morning visit to a re-created 16th century working farm, and the splendid Chateau de Saint Fargeau which is followed by luncheon in a first class local restaurant of note. Return to the barge for an afternoon cruise to Rogny-les-Sept-Ecluses, where the ancient staircase of locks stands as a monument to the old canal built in 1604 by Henri IV. We take dinner on board and afterwards walk to see the flight of locks.

Thursday, Day 5
ROGNY-LES-SEPT-ECLUSES TO BRIARE
In the morning we visit the town of Gien, set on the banks of the Loire, where we can visit the the famous faience factory museum and boutique, the Hunting museum in the Chateau of Gien, and/or shopping in the town. Return for lunch and cruise to Briare. Dinner on board.

Friday, Day 6
BRIARE 
Morning visit to Sancerre where we visit a goat cheese farm and a cheese tasting, followed by a visit to one of the top wine houses of the town to taste the wine and visit the cellars. We return to the boat for lunch, and after lunch we will visit the town of Briare and visit the aqueduct which carries the canal and the barge across the Loire River. This aqueduct was built in 1890 and is decorated with wrought iron balustrades and lamps all designed by Gustav Eiffel (of Eiffel tower fame).

Saturday, Day 7
BRIARE TO PARIS
After a hearty breakfast, return by minibus to Paris.

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