Medieval Cities Along the Seine | France Escorted Tours

Sailing past Paris landmarks and between the bucolic banks of the Seine and Yonne rivers, this péniche (barge) cruise carries you back in time to medieval streets, artists’ landscapes, and the sumptuous royal châteaux of the 17th-century ‘Grand Siécle’

Touring at a tempo in tune with its surroundings, while enjoying the contemporary comforts of a stylish barge, this is a tranquil and relaxing cruise, exclusive to Jules Verne’s travellers, and extending our popular portfolio of péniche tours. With just eleven well-equipped cabins, a lounge bar and dining room, a Sun Deck and jacuzzi terrace, the CroisiEurope vessel offers high standards of service and cuisine, with all meals and most drinks included. A well-balanced blend of leisurely sailing and daily sightseeing, the journey begins among the monuments of Paris, before sailing to famous places and lesser-known gems within easy reach of the capital. Settlements steeped in history and character include little Barbizon, dubbed “the painters’ village”; Moret-Loing-et-Orvanne, a tiny, fortified town, its Grande Rue running between two medieval gates; and Sens, with its mighty cathedral and a small church on the Île d’Yonne. For two grand estates of the ‘Great Century’, the tour explores the stately spread of the private Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte, and the inimitably opulent, UNESCO listed, Château de Fontainebleau, used by every king of France from its 12th-century origins to the late 18th century.

Overview

Day 1 - Paris
Day 2 - Evry / Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte
Day 3 - Melun / Barbizon
Day 4 - Moret-Loing-et-Orvanne / Château de Fontainebleau
Day 5 - Moret-Loing-et-Orvanne / Montereau-Fault-Yonne
Day 6 - Sens
Day 7 - Return Journey

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Tour Highlights

Small vessel cruising
Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte
Explore charming Barbizon
Château de Fontainebleau
Fortified Moret-Loing-et-Orvanne
Wander the streets of historic Sens

Sailing past Paris landmarks and between the bucolic banks of the Seine and Yonne rivers, this péniche (barge) cruise carries you back in time to medieval streets, artists’ landscapes, and the sumptuous royal châteaux of the 17th-century ‘Grand Siécle’

Itinerary

Day 1

Travel from London to Paris on Eurostar, and transfer to embark on the barge, moored close to the Eiffel Tower, for your six-night cruise, which begins with a welcome drink and an introduction to the crew and a cruise through Paris. Enjoy an evening of entertainment.
(D)

Key: B - Breakfast L - Lunch D - Dinner

- Itinerary -

Key: B - Breakfast L - Lunch D - Dinner

Day 1

Travel from London to Paris on Eurostar, and transfer to embark on the barge, moored close to the Eiffel Tower, for your six-night cruise, which begins with a welcome drink and an introduction to the crew and a cruise through Paris. Enjoy an evening of entertainment.
(D)

Day 2

Sail through the heart of the capital along the River Seine, busy with bateaux-mouches boats, crossed by the Pont Neuf (among 37 bridges), and passing monuments including the Musée d’Orsay and Notre Dame Cathedral. Continue cruising to arrive in Evry in the early afternoon, for a visit to the private Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte, a majestic 17th-century ensemble of Italianate and neo-classical design, encircled by gardens of fountains and terraces, and set in a 500-hectare historic estate. Back onboard the barge, join us for a drinks party this evening.
(B, L, D)

Day 3

Enjoy the rural riverbank scenery as you sail to Melun this morning, and, this afternoon, visit beguiling Barbizon, where cobbled streets are lined with little shops and art galleries. The artist Jean-Baptiste Camille Corot came upon Barbizon in 1827, painting naturalistic canvases of its surrounding landscapes, and paving the way for other artists to follow the style, now known as ‘the Barbizon school’.
(B, L, D)

Day 4

Cruise through the morning to Moret-Loing-et-Orvanne, to visit the Château de Fontainebleau, boasting 1,500 rooms, 130 hectares of gardens, and 900 years of history. Built as a royal hunting lodge in the 12th century, and enlarged and embellished in the 16th, to become an extravagantly regal residence, the stately grandeur if its exterior is matched by lavish opulence within. After a tour of the fabulous palace and its formal gardens, explore the narrow streets of the charming town which surrounds it.
(B, L, D)

Day 5

Discover the landmarks of Moret-Loing-et-Orvanne on a guided tour this morning. Set at the edge of the Fontainebleau Forest, its landscapes immortalised by the impressionist painter Alfred Sisley, the town hems and bridges the banks of the Loing River with well-preserved remnants of its 12th-century ramparts and gates, Renaissance houses, and the Notre-Dame church. With time to stroll after the tour, don’t miss the barley sugar shop, the delicately flavoured confection for which the town is famous. Return to the barge for an afternoon float to Montereau-Fault-Yonne, and enjoy a farewell drinks party this evening.
(B, L, D)

Day 6

Begin the day with a tranquil cruise along the Yonne River, a tributary of the Seine, for an afternoon arrival in Sens, and a tour of the historic town. The Cathedrale St. Etienne dominates the hilltop, the first of the great Gothic cathedrals in France, and the church where Louis IX married in 1234, with stained glass windows depicting the story of murdered Archbishop Thomas á Becket. Sturdy stone and timber-ribbed façades mark the eras along the streets and squares of the old town; and the covered market is a vibrant place to taste local produce. Gala Dinner on board.
(B, L, D)

Day 7

Disembark this morning and transfer to Paris for your return train journey to London.
(B)

Notes:

Cabins are available from 6pm on arrival and until 9am on departure (before/after this, luggage storage on board is possible).

The programme may be altered due to navigational factors with locks, water levels or congestion at certain sites.

Vessels

Peniche Deborah Barge Vessel, France, Exterior

Peniche Deborah Barge Vessel, France, Lounge

Peniche Deborah Barge Vessel, France, Bar

Peniche Deborah

Launched in 2016, Péniche Déborah is registered in France with a mainly European crew. For 20 years Jules Verne has been the main UK partner of the innovative French cruise company, CroisiEurope, established 40 years ago, now boasting the largest European river and barge fleet (over 40 ships), yet still operated by the same family. All drinks, except premium brands are included throughout the cruise. Enjoy International and French cuisine with a choice of French wines in an elegant one-sitting dining room. Breakfast is a buffet, lunch and dinner waiter service. Reception, lounge bar, sun terrace with Jacuzzi and sundeck, WiFi (free/limited). Bicycles are available for use when the vessel is moored. The vessel does not sail at night. 10 air-conditioned lower deck cabins (96 sq. ft.) with picture window, private facilities, hairdryer, safe and satellite TV. 1 air-conditioned double upper deck cabin (118 sq. ft.) with picture window, private facilities, hairdryer and safe.

View Deck Plan

Departures & Prices
Supplements, Extras & Upgrades

Departures & Prices

per person in a twin/double room
Eurostar from Kings Cross St Pancras

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October

October 2 (Wednesday)

Was ~~£2595~~

£ 2095

Price Includes:

Rail travel, 6-night cruise, 6 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 6 dinners, most drinks on cruise vessel, Jules Verne Representative, local expert guides.

Not Included:

Travel insurance, optional excursions, tipping, any government taxes or compulsory charges introduced after publication.

Supplements per person

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Single Supplement

Single Supplement
£1095

Flight Options

Eurostar Standard Premier
£225

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