Canal & Company

2008

Two Different Impressionists Cruises for 2008

River Seine Normandy Cruise May to September

Picardy and Ile de France Itinerary March to May and Sept. to Nov

A cruise on the M.S. Anacoluthe combines the comforts of a mini ocean liner with the charm of a river steamer.  The elegant interior provides ample space to relax, seasoned wood tones, old world charm. Large windows give all round views of the passing scenery.  The Piano Bar, the exercise room  and outdoor hot tub add to the ambiance of unprecedented comfort.

Cruise Highlights:

Normandy Cruise---St. Mammes--Vaux le Vicomte Chateau--Paris by night--Chateau Malmaison--Monet's home in Giverny--Chateau Gaillard--Rouen--Honfleur--Les Andelys----May to September

Picardy Cruise---Chateau Compiegne--Abbey of St Corneille--Chateau de Chantilly--Monet's home in Giverny--Paris by night---Chateau Vaux le Vicomte--Moret Sur Loing ----March to May, September to November

• Departs each Saturday from Paris

ANACOLUTHE

See France through the eyes of the Impressionists as we glide through some of art’s most storied places. Aboard the spacious Anacoluthe, elegance and creature comforts combine to make your time aboard as enjoyable as your excursions ashore.

Itinerary One River Seine-Normandy--Route of the Impressionists

Operates May to September

SATURDAY                                                                                                         St Mammes   

We meet at the Hotel Regina, 192 Rue de Rivoli, Paris 75001 at 15.00 (3pm) and transfer to Anacoluthe moored in the little town of St Mammes at the junction of the rivers Seine and Loing.

After a champagne welcome aboard, you have time to settle into your cabin and maybe take a stroll before dinner in town or perhaps in Moret sur Loing, (3 kms with our bus), a small medieval town, once home to Alfred Sisley, the great impressionist painter..

SUNDAY                                                                                                               St Mammes -Paris

During breakfast, cruise to Ery.   Beginning of afternoon excursion to Vaux le Vicomte, a beautiful castle built by Fouquet, the finance minister of the Sun King and the model for Versailles.  There is an exceptionally well furnished interior and magnificent gardens.   Return to Anacoluthe at Evry and cruise to enter Paris at dinner time.  After dinner on board, enjoy an unforgettable Paris by Night Cruise.

MONDAY                                                                                                             Paris - Chatou

Morning coach tour of Paris.  Afternoon cruise to Chatou.  Visit to la malmaison castle and  walking tour in town.  La Malmaison was the home of the Empress Josephine and on occasions, napoleon himself.  After her divorce for the Emperor Napoleon, Josphine retired to Malmaison in 1810.  The First Counsul and the seat of the French Government in conjunction with the Tuileries also resided here from 1800 to 1802.   This chateau is situated in one of the loveliest settings in France.

TUESDAY                                                                                                             Chatou-Vernon

Cruise to Mantes, arriving midday and visit to Giverny, the home and gardens of Claude Monet, the most famous of all the Imressionist painters.  Discover the inspiration for his masterpiece, the Water Lillies.  You will see the Japanese Bridge which appears in these paintings. The French government spends in excess of $2 million each year to keep the gardens exactly as they were before Money dies in 1926.   The simplicity of his house is surprising. Return to the boat moored in Vernon in late afternoon.  Take a stroll to the medieval centre of this lovely town.

WEDNESDAY                                                                                                      Vernon-Rouen

This morning, cruise from Vernon to Les Andelys. with its famous Chateau Gaillard.  After a brunch on boat, excursion to the charming city of Honfler.  Walking tour of the harbour and picturesque streeets.   Return to the boat gong over both the Normandie and Tancarville bridges.  Rejoin the boat in Les Andelys with a welcome back tasting of cider and late afternoon cruise to Poses.  Honfleur is the site of many early impressionist paintings.  It was one of there favorite settings.

THURSDAY                                                                                                         PARIS/STMAMMES

Morning cruise to Rouen, Capital of Normandy. In the afternoon, walking visit of the city, cathedral Norte Dame, a gothic masterpiece made famous by Money.  Then on to see the Palais de Justice, once Normandie's parliament with its medieval center and shopping.  Return to the  boat in late afternoon for the Gala Farewell dinner on board.

FRIDAY

This morning, after breakfast return to the Hôtel Regina in Paris arriving around lunchtime.

*This rate includes a commissionable $125 per person surcharge necessitated by the steep drop in the value of the US$

Itinerary Two Picardy Cruise--Impressionists Playground

March - May; September - November

SATURDAY                                                                                                        Compiegne    

We meet at the Hotel Regina, 192 Rue de Rivoli, Paris 75001 at 15.00 (3pm) and transfer to Anacoluthe moored in the little town of  Compiegne on the river Oise. After a welcome champagne reception, settle into your cabin and perhaps stroll the charming town before enjoying a wonderful gourmet dinner..

SUNDAY                                                                                                               Compiegne-Pont St. Maxence

After breakfast, take a walking tour of historic Compiegne, with its 16th century Hotel de Ville and famed cloisters of the abbey of St. Corneille, founded by Charles the Bald in 877.  Tour the expansive Chateau de Compiegne, once an important royal residence, and visit the open market before returning to our barge for lunch.  This afternoon, cruise to lovely Pont St. Maxence.

MONDAY                                                                                                             Pont St. maxence - Pontoise

A cruise along an enchanting portion of the river that was favored by many impressionist painters.  The river brings us to Auvers sur Oise where we go to visit the Chateau de Chantilly.  This vast estate dates from the Middle Ages and boast an art gallery second only to the Louvre in size an dscope.  Famous for breeding racehourse, Chantilly also maintains one of the world's finest stables.  See the French Ggardes designed by le Notre, the Petit Parc, the Anglo-Chinese Garden, and the English Graden.  Return to Anacoluthe for a delightful cruise to Pontoise.

TUESDAY                                                                                                             Pontoise-Paris

Begin the day with a visit to Giverny, the home and gardens of Claude Monet, the most famous of all the Impressionist painters.  Discover the inspiration for his masterpiece, the Water Lillies.  You will see the Japanese Bridge which appears in these paintings. The French government spends in excess of $2 million each year to keep the gardens exactly as they were before Money dies in 1926.   The simplicity of his house is surprising.. Expect some surprisingly familiar sights:  The gardens are meticulously maintained to remain exactly as they were when Money pointed them. Afterward, return to the barge for lunch and a cruise to Chqatou and enjoy an excursion to the town and château of ST Germain. Later browse Rueil's exclusive boutiques before returning to Anacoluthe to cruise into the heart of Paris.  This evening we take an unforgettable Paris by night cruise along the Seine.

WEDNESDAY                                                                                                      Paris-Melun

Cruise south from Paris to Melun for an excursion to /Chateau Vaux le Vicomte. This magnificent castle was once home to Louis XIV;s finance minister and served as the model for Versailles.  Tour its exceptionally furnished interior and magnificent gardens before returning to the barge for a memorable dinner. .

THURSDAY                                                                                                         Melun-St Mammes

This morning we cruise a scenic stretch of the Seine into St. Mammes and make the short trip to Moret sur Loing, a smal medieval town thqat was once home to Alfred Sisley, who lived and painted here.  This evening we gather for a gala farewell dinner. .

FRIDAY

This morning, after breakfast return to the Hôtel Regina in Paris arriving around lunchtime.