We will use our unique
in-depth experience
to find you your
perfect barge cruise
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Summary
Hotel barge Deborah offers smart and distinctive furnishings throughout her main deck and cabins. She has eleven twin bedded cabins, each having outside views, integral air conditioning, TV, radio and a safe, and a private en-suite shower-room. One of the cabins is on the main deck, avoiding stairs, and is equipped for a guest of limited mobility.
This cruise brings you gently from the edges of Burgundy to Paris. Discover prestigious monuments and famous sites along the route, such as the architectural treasures of Provins – a medieval city listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site – and Sens, which unfold before your eyes. You’ll fall in love with Barbizon, the timeless painters’ village and travel back in time at the Fontainebleau and Vaux-le-Vicomte castles. You’ll pass the beautiful famed forest of Fontainebleau, once the hunting grounds for French royalty and a natural inspiration for many artists.
Key Features
- Smart class (3*)
- Loire valley and west Burgundy
- Charter and cabin bookings, 6 nights, 7 days, April to October
- 22 guests / 11 cabins with en-suite bathrooms
- 1 x cabin for reduced mobility guest on main deck
- Individually controlled air conditioning and heating throughout
- Full board, on-board dining
- Sun deck with Jacuzzi
The Classic Cruise — Deborah
Classic Cruise Itinerary
Route | Between Paris and Sens on the river Yonne |
Pick-up | Paris, early afternoon |
Dining | All inclusive: 6 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 6 dinners on board |
Classic Cruise Highlights
A magnificent journey including quaint ports of call, historical cities and excellent local cuisine. Excursions include:
- Stroll though the peaceful town of Sens, its cathedral and covered marketplace
- Explore the medieval town of Moret-Loing-et-Orvanne
- Marvel at the Palace of Fontainebleau and its splendid gardens, one of the most beautifully decorated and furnished in France
- Visit the tiny village of Barbizon
- Discover the châeau of Vaux-le-Vicomte, a 17th-century masterpiece
The Loire route, along the Canal de Briare, is expecially good for cycling. Enquire for charter parties.
Please enquire.
Day 1 — Wednesday
Arrival at Nevers
When the barge is moored at Sens, there is a transfer by coach available from Paris to join the ship (duration around 2 hours). Passengers are welcome to board 6pm and after settling comfortably into your cabins, we’ll introduce our crew over a welcome cocktail before dinner.
Day 2 — Thursday
Cruise to Montereau | Explore Sens
In the morning, we’ll explore the city, home to a variety of historical buildings with impressive architecture. The cathedral in Sens was the first of the great Gothic cathedrals in France and was the inspiration in layout and design for many others, including Canterbury Cathedral in England. Strolling through the streets and promenades, you’ll take in the remarkable homes and public buildings that are testimony to the town’s rich past, with plenty of time to browse in the market and taste the local products. We’ll return on board to cruise the Yonne River, a tributary of the Seine. During our peaceful journey, we’ll pass by several lakes and ponds to arrive in Montereau in the late afternoon. Enjoy a dip in the spa pool and relax on deck with an aperitif before dinner.
Day 3 — Friday
Cruise to Moret | Discover the town and its landscapes
Situated on the edge of the Fontainebleau forest, this royal town is famous for its barley sugar and landscapes immortalised by the Impressionist painter Alfred Sisley. You’ll discover the fortified medieval gates, the superb Renaissance façades, the banks of the Loing and its Notre-Dame church. There’s time after the tour to wander around the town at your own pace, with a stop in the barley sugar shop a must. Its sweet and delicate flavour was created in Moret during the reign of Louis XIII. Return on board to savor your day and the evening’s dining experience.
Day 4 — Saturday
Cruise to Melun | Palace of Fontainbleau tour
In theafternoon, join us for a tour of the Palace of Fontainebleau and its magnificent gardens. All the kings and queens of France passed through Fontainebleau at one time or another. The château is a unique example of a residence that was inhabited regularly for more than eight centuries and the gardens, fountains and flowerbeds will transport you back to the palace’s days of glory. We’ll also visit the cosmopolitan town which sprang up around the château. Afterwards we’ll return to the ship with free time to relax on deck before another delicious dinner.
Day 5 — Sunday
Cruise to Evry | Discover Barbizon
Day 6 — Monday
Cruise to Paris | Discover Chateau Vaux le Vicompte
In the morning, we’ll visit the sumptuous Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte. The architect Louis Le Vau was already widely celebrated when Fouquet called on his services in 1653. As the Kings Principal Architect, he had erected a number of Parisian mansions including the Hôtel Lambert. Considered the greatest ambassador of the Italianate style in France, Le Vau also drew inspiration from classical antiquity. Drawing on these traditional sources, he then created a powerful new style of his own, starting with Vaux-le-Vicomte and thus lay the foundations of French architecture for the next 150 years. After our tour, we’ll return on board and spend the afternoon cruising to Paris. It’s the ‘Parisian Titi’ evening tonight!
Day 7 — Tuesday
Departure from Paris
Enjoy one last breakfast on board before disembarking at 09:00 for your onward journey
Please note: This itinerary is subject to change and runs in the reverse direction on alternate weeks.
Accommodations and Facilities
- Dimensions: 128ft x 17ft
- All cabins: 110 sq ft including the bathrooms. 1 x ewduced mobility cabin on main deck
- Twin beds only
- Fully Air Conditioned
- Shower, toilet, towels and hair-dryer provided
- Sun Deck with loungers, parasols, Jacuzzi and BBQ
Other items on board:
- Professional English and French speaking crew of 6
- TV and radio
- 220v Electricity
- Wifi (limited in some places)
- Air Conditioning
- Telephone (for internal calls)
- 6 bicycles available
- Air-conditioned coach for transfers and excursions
Facilities At A Glance
Fine Wines — Fine Dining
One of the highlights of the cruise is the outstanding cuisine prepared by superb French chefs. Guests can indulge in three/four course lunches and dinners, offering a variety of French and regional dishes that complement the region in which they are travelling. Guests also enjoy a selection of wines with their meals, as well as at the bar.
CroisiEurope’s ‘all inclusive’ service provides:
– breakfast buffet, lunch and dinner
– all drinks served at meals: water, wine, beer, fruit juice, coffee
– all drinks ordered at the bar
However, champagne and the grands crus from the special wine list, or drinks on the special bar card, are not included and will be charged extra.
CroisiEurope’s chef will cook with local products from the areas visited. In the summer months when the weather is fine, guests often relax with delicious barbecues served on deck.
Balance of flavours, refinement, local touches, creativity … these mark the style throughout the CroisiEurope barge fleet.
Hotel barge Deborah cruises in the Paris/Loire region
– [below] In the region: Villeneuve sur Yonne, Ancy-le-Franc, Fontenay, Chablis, Tanlay, Vezelay, Noyers-sur-Serein –
Ancy ©Thierry Gromik | Vezelay ©Adrian Fletcher | Others ©FW, wikimedia, n/a
Classic cruise rates and dates
All rates and prices will be confirmed at time of booking. Special Offers are available from time to time – contact us
What’s included
6 nights accommodation
One transfer from Paris
All meals and drinks on board (*excluding Champagne, special wines and fine brandies)
Excursion fees and associated transport
What’s not included
Travel to the pick-up
Travel, medical and cancellation insurance
Tips for the crew (not expected)
Personal expenses
2024
Charter and Cabin bookings
Tuesday or Wednesday departure
Rates and dates
Per Cabin bookings
Including return transfers from Paris.
Twin Cabins only: except for one reduced mobility suite on main deck
Sept 11 and 17 (barge Raymonde)
October 9 and 15
From 2,665 GBP per person
Single occupancy supplements apply
Charter for up to 22 guests
Please enquire.
2025
Charter and Cabin bookings
Rates and dates
All dates and prices on request
Booking
Booking a luxury barge vacation isn’t the kind of thing one does with just a mouse-click or two. It takes a little research, thought and understanding, and we hope that our pages have provided you with all the information and inspiration you need to take this next step.
Why should you book with us? Because…
We’ve explored the waterways of France on our own boat since 2003 and know each of the barges and their routes.
We’re independent, impartial and enthusiastic – and we are the only France cruising specialist that can offer you the benefits of our own in-depth cruising knowledge and experience.
We love France, we love the rivers and canals of France, we love hotel barging – and we love talking about all three!
There’s nothing like speaking to a friendly expert to help you see the wood for the trees and to make the best possible decision about the vacation cruise of a lifetime. Get in touch – we’re here to help.
We will use our unique
in-depth experience
to find you your
perfect barge cruise