Leaving the barge Renaissance moored alongside we made a morning visit Gien, home of Gien pottery, the hunting museum and Chateau de Gien, built at the end of the 15th century for Anne de Beaujeu, Louis XI’s older daughter.
In the afternoon we cruised 10 kilometres to Chatillon Coligny.
That night we chose to dine ashore at the Michelin starred L’Auberge des Templiers in Les Bezards. Just an hour away from Paris by car this is destination worthy of a special trip even for those not sailing in a barge.
The buildings date back to 1690 and in 1946 it became a luxury hotel and was one of just eight establishments that formed the chain Relais de Campagne which later became Relais at Château. The restaurant is superb, classed as four star with one star in the Michelin Guide and three caps from Gault et Millau, it is a member of the prestigious organisation Les Grande Tables du Monde-Traditions et Qualité. Signifying it to be one of the best eating establishments in the world this is a well deserved honour and having dinned there, it is easy to see how it came by the award.