Trip down the French Canals June 6th 2009 for 7 days
The trip has now been finalised and we travel from Paris 150km to Chatillon-Sur-Loire to collect our boats. We will stay overnight and head off the next morning south to Decize where we will return the boats on Saturday 13th June. We will treavel back to Paris by train which takes approx 3hrs. We are still hoping to stay within our original budget of €650/€700 per person depending on the numbers per boat.

For details of the Base we will arrive on and details of local shops etc. see:-

See proposed cruisers:-

Magnifique
This Cruiser has four cabins Double/Twin for 8

Caprice
This Cruiser has 2 cabin for 2 in each double or single

See Booking Conditions
See the complete Fleet of Cruisers in France

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*****Our Journey down the canals of France*****

June 6th- 13th
Fly to Paris Sat.6th June 2009. Depart flight 1020hrs from Dublin arrive Paris 1300hrs. Coach 150 miles south to Gannay sur Loaire a small village near Decize. Board allocated cruisers for 7 day trip on the French canals.

The great River Loire winds its way past some of France's most magnificent chateaux in a region rich in both architectural and natural beauty.

We head northwards from Gannay towards the market town of Decize, where the Loire river flows, joining together the Canal Lateral a la Loire and the Canal du Nivernais.

Continuing along the Loire valley parallel with the Loire River. to the Town of Nevers, an old Roman town famous for its earthenware potteries(museums and workshops)and specialties of 'Nougatine' a nutty nougat with a sugar coating, also boasting a large shopping centre. Restaurants of gastronomic delights, with salmon from the Loire and regional wines of Pouilly Fume. Nevers is also the resting place of Sainte Bernadette in her glass case inside la chapelle de Saint Gildard.

Beyond Nevers lies a small aqueduct over the Allier river leading to the impressive double lock of le Guetin.

A short bike ride away, the medieval village of Apremont sur Allier can be found as one of France's flowered gardens, where a chateau stands which can be visited along with a carriage museum.

For any racing enthusiasts, the Magny-Cours race circuit is only 10Km's from Nevers and 7Km's from the port of Plagny. The circuit is free to go and visit during the week and there is also a Karting race track to try.

The highlight of this cruise must certainly be a visit to the summit of Sancerre to overlook the valley of vineyards, and sample the Red, White, and Rose wines in the surrounding cellars. The Sancerre wines are at their best drunk young and especially go well with fish dishes or the regional goat's cheese 'Crottin de Chavignol'.

Saturday 13th return cruisers and journey by coach back to Paris for return flight home at 1840hrs.