As we row up the Seine upstream from Paris we will go back in time.

Our first step will take us to the 17th century when visiting the château of Vaux-le-Vicomte. It was the most magnificient château of its time, built by the Sun King's finance minister, Nicolas Fouquet. Fouquet ended up in prison and the king enrolled the architect and all the artists of Vaux to build Versailles.

One more step and we are in Fontainebleau, the second largest château in France. This royal château owes its Renaissance style to King François 1st. It was in Fontainebleau that Napoleon said goodbye to his old guard following his abdication.

Finally we will stop in the medieval towns of Provins and Troyes with their fortified walls and half timbered houses.

En route we will have daily rowing sessions on the Seine as well as on the Lac d'Orient and on the Marne.

This tour is particularly suitable for those who do not like long road trips. Altogether we will only spend 6 hours on the road during the week.

 

Programme

Saturday: Hotel check-in

Sunday: Visit to the château at Vaux Le Vicomte. Rowing on the Seine from Melun

Monday: Visit to Fontainebleau château. Rowing on the Seine in Samois

Tuesday: Provins city tour. Rowing on the Seine in Nogent-sur-Seine

Wednesday: Visit the town of Troyes. Rowing on the Seine in Troyes

Thursday: Rowing on the Lac d'Orient. Return to Le Perreux

Friday: Rowing on the Marne in Le Perreux, morning and afternoon.

Saturday: Hotel check-out

 

Boats used: gig quads

Daily rowing distance: average 17 km, maximum 25 km

 

Participants: Min 8, max 10