I went on a Paris river cruise with daily cheese tastings and we were treated like kings
IF walls could talk, the ones at the largest privately-owned historical monument in France would certainly have some stories to tell.
Just an hour from the centre of Paris, I feel as if I have stepped back in time as I wander the ancient corridors of the grand Chateau de Vaux-le-Vicomte.
It comes complete with large stone busts, intricately painted ceilings and delicate candle holders dating back to the 17th century.
Only a few hours earlier, I was sailing along the River Seine on Barge Deborah, a luxury river cruise vessel that has just three decks and 11 cabins.
Our visit to the chateau is one of many historic port calls on our six-night Medieval France Cruise with English Holiday Cruises, which takes us from Paris to Sens in north-central France.
It’s the cruise company’s first ever French cruise and I can safely say I felt immersed in French luxury from the moment I stepped on to the barge.
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We were greeted with a glass of fizz by our crew of six, including captain, chef and host, before being shown to our comfortable cabins.
All cabins come with two single beds, an en suite and windows that let you admire the river views.
When you’re not in your room, there’s a bar and lounge area and bow terrace complete with a hot tub (perfect for a moonlit dip).
There is also a roof deck for the sunbathers — or those in need of an afternoon nap.
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Despite the enviable facilities, the food was the real highlight of the barge, though.
Each day was a gastronomical delight, with three-course lunches and dinners thoughtfully designed by our chef and served alongside local wine and followed by evening cocktails.
And if you’re still peckish, there are French cheese tastings held every day to tuck into.
The French glamour didn’t end there either.
Our first night on board kicked off with a bang after a performance from local musicians singing classic French melodies as we floated away from the shimmering lights of Paris.
Waving goodbye to the capital’s beautiful architecture isn’t so hard when you’re being serenaded and when you know you have an impressive list of chateaux waiting for you.
After our first stop at the Chateau de Vaux-le-Vicomte, it was on to the picturesque village of Barbizon.
This charming area has inspired many great French artists, who frequently visited on painting pilgrimages.
Our guided tour took us to a small 19th century inn where many of these painters stayed and where their artworks now hang.
‘A proper taste of historic France’
Strolling through the village, it was lovely to see that its stone cottages and tree-lined streets are still attracting groups of painters and their easels today.
One of the cruise highlights for proper historians will be a tour of the Palace of Fontainebleau, also known as the home of kings, as it housed many rulers, from King Louis VII to Napoleon III.
The grand rooms are extremely well kept and you’ll be taken on a tour of the chapel, gallery, ballroom and the only throne room in France still in its original state.
By pure chance of timing, we were treated to a classical music performance in the gold-adorned stately chapel.
After calling at Montereau-Fault-Yonne, our sailing ended in the town of Sens, home to the Cathedrale Saint-Etienne de Sens, the first of the great Gothic cathedrals.
Similar in looks to Notre Dame in Paris, the building is impressive in size and grandeur and is still very much used today.
Even those who aren’t into their medieval history will struggle not to be impressed by the magnificence of some of the buildings we saw on this trip.
But it was not all about the sights, of course.
On the final night we indulged in a celebratory wine tasting before boarding the boat one last time for a gala evening, where we shared favourite moments with our fellow guests over cocktails.
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The cruise certainly gave us a proper taste of historic France.
And making it even more special was that after visiting the former homes of kings, our chef on board Barge Deborah ensured we dined like royalty too.
GO: RIVER SEINE CRUISE
THE six-night Paris and Medieval France Cruise costs from £2,190pp, departing Paris on September 4, 2024, and including flight or Eurostar travel from London; or from £2,570pp with an additional two night’s B&B at a 4H hotel near the Eiffel Tower on September 2 2024.
The cruise calls at Evry, Melun, Moret-sur-Loing, Montereau-Fault-Yonne and Sens. See river.englishholidaycruises.co.uk.