River cruise rental Montargis - 2 river cruises

The Venice of Gâtinais: Why Montargis Deserves Your Attention

Tucked away in the Centre-Val de Loire region of France, Montargis is a captivating town that often surprises visitors with its beauty and rich heritage. Located approximately 110 kilometres south of Paris and 70 kilometres east of Orléans, this picturesque destination sits at the confluence of the Loing River, the Briare Canal, and several smaller waterways. The town has earned the affectionate nickname "Venice of the Gâtinais" thanks to its remarkable network of 131 bridges and footbridges crossing its crisscrossing canals. For those seeking a barge river cruise experience that combines slow travel with cultural immersion, Montargis offers a gateway to one of France's most historically significant waterways.

Where Water Meets History: Geography and Setting

Montargis rests in the natural region of Gâtinais, a landscape known for its rolling countryside, fertile farmland, and the nearby Montargis Forest. This state forest covers approximately 4,100 hectares of picturesque terrain, featuring oak, birch, beech, and pine trees. The climate is temperate, with warm summers and mild winters, making it pleasant for exploration throughout the cruising season. The town serves as one of the two sub-prefectures of the Loiret department and is the second most populous commune in the department after Orléans.

A Strategic Location for Canal Exploration

The Canal de Briare begins just north of Montargis at Buges, making this town an ideal starting or stopping point for barge river cruises. This waterway holds the distinction of being the first summit-level canal in Europe, connecting the valleys of the Seine and the Loire. Construction began in 1604 during the reign of Henry IV and was completed in 1634, originally built to transport produce from the Loire Valley and Gâtinais to Paris. Today, the canal offers one of the loveliest barge cruising routes in France, wending its way through open fields, picturesque villages, and majestic woodland.

Float at Your Own Pace: Why Choose a Barge River Cruise Here

A barge river cruise starting from or passing through Montargis offers something that conventional travel cannot replicate: the opportunity to experience the French countryside at a genuinely leisurely pace. The Canal de Briare and its surroundings present a typically French landscape with peaceful, rolling countryside. As you cruise, the changing scenery of open farmland, tree-lined waterways, and charming villages unfolds at a rhythm that allows genuine relaxation and appreciation.

Benefits for the Discerning Traveller

• Access to a region often referred to as the "Garden of France" or "Garden of Paris"
• Navigation through historic canals dating back over 400 years
• Convenient proximity to Paris while offering complete escape from urban bustle
• Opportunity to explore on foot or bicycle along towpaths during stops
• Experience passing through manually operated locks, a unique glimpse into canal heritage

Planning Your Itinerary: Practical Insights for Cruisers

When planning your barge river cruise through the Montargis area, consider timing your visit between spring and autumn for optimal weather and canal conditions. The town hosts regular markets on Wednesdays and Saturdays, perfect for stocking up on local provisions or simply enjoying the atmosphere. The Canal de Briare stretches approximately 35 miles with 35 locks, offering plenty of variety along the route.

Navigation Notes

The section of the canal between Montargis and Rogny follows the valley of the River Loing, passing through numerous villages and hamlets that predate the canal itself. Many locks along this route are manually operated, adding authenticity to the cruising experience. If you arrive in Montargis as part of your journey along the Briare Canal, you will find a small pleasure port on the canal very close to the town centre, making it convenient to explore the sights.

Chic Highlights: What Makes Montargis Special

Beyond its famous waterways, Montargis rewards visitors with a wealth of attractions that span centuries of French history. The town retains a medieval charm in its downtown area, despite being quite modern in many respects.

The Circuit des Ponts

The Bridges Trail allows you to discover the network of little islands, canals, and streets over the water that give Montargis its Venetian character. Among the 131 crossings, the Passerelle Victor Hugo stands out, a footbridge designed by the Eiffel Company and built in the shape of a rainbow. The views along these canals, especially in summer when numerous flowers adorn the town, provide the highlight of any visit.

The Church of Sainte-Madeleine

This classified historic monument contains architectural elements from the twelfth, fifteenth, sixteenth, and seventeenth centuries. Restored in the mid-nineteenth century by the famous architect Viollet-le-Duc, it still features beautiful stained glass windows from the Lobin workshops of Tours. One particularly unique feature is a nineteenth-century stained glass window depicting the conversion of the Chinese to Christianity, the only church window in France showing this event.

The Girodet Museum

Housed in the neoclassical Hotel Durzy, a former town hall built in the nineteenth century, this museum bears the name of painter Anne-Louis Girodet de Roussy-Trioson, who was born in Montargis in 1767. The collection includes works by significant artists such as Jacques-Louis David, Théodore Géricault, and James Pradier. In the courtyard, a dramatic bronze statue depicts the legendary "Dog of Montargis," commemorating a famous medieval tale of canine loyalty and justice.

A Hidden Gem: Maison Feuillette

Environmentally conscious visitors will be intrigued by this house at 69 bis Rue des Déportés et Internés de la Résistance. Though unremarkable from the outside, it was actually the first house in the world to be built from wood and bales of straw for insulation, constructed in 1920. This pioneering eco-construction predates the modern sustainable building movement by decades.

Beyond the Obvious: Exclusive Experiences Near Montargis

For barge river cruise guests seeking unique experiences during their time in the region, several exceptional destinations await within easy reach.

Guédelon Castle: Medieval Construction in Real Time

Approximately 45 kilometres from Montargis, Guédelon Castle presents one of the most extraordinary experiences in France. This is not a medieval ruin or restoration, but an entirely new castle being constructed using only 13th-century techniques, tools, and materials. Construction began in 1997, and around 70 craftspeople continue building the castle before the eyes of approximately 300,000 annual visitors. Stonemasons, blacksmiths, carpenters, and other artisans work the traditional way, with all wood cut on site and transported by horse carts, while the blacksmith forges every nail by hand. The project has become such a repository of medieval building knowledge that when Notre-Dame Cathedral caught fire in 2019, those rebuilding it sought advice from Guédelon.

Yèvre-le-Châtel: A Certified Beautiful Village

Perched on a rocky spur overlooking the Rimarde valley, Yèvre-le-Châtel is the only village in the Loiret department listed among the "Most Beautiful Villages of France." The flower-bedecked village features a 13th-century medieval fortress with towers, ramparts, and a chemin de ronde (rampart walk). Like Montargis, this fortress was one of the only fortifications to resist the English during the Hundred Years' War. The village streets offer charming limestone houses, and a medieval garden cultivates some 150 medicinal plant species.

The Seven Locks of Rogny-les-Sept-Écluses

Along the Canal de Briare lies the remarkable abandoned seven-lock staircase at Rogny. Opened in 1642, this engineering marvel operated without interruption for two centuries, passing around 4,000 boats and 200,000 tonnes of cargo per year. Though replaced by six modern locks in 1887 (the old locks consumed too much water), the original structure became a historic monument in 1983 and makes for a fascinating evening stroll when barges moor in the area.

Sancerre Wine Region Excursion

Continuing along the canal route, cruisers can access the world-famous wine region of Sancerre, where hillside vineyards produce some of France's finest Sauvignon Blanc. Local wineries welcome visitors for tastings, and the charming hilltop village of Sancerre itself offers panoramic views over the Loire Valley.

The Briare Aqueduct

South of Montargis, the Canal de Briare culminates in one of France's most spectacular waterway landmarks: the 662-metre-long aqueduct carrying the canal over the Loire River. Built between 1890 and 1896 with involvement from Gustav Eiffel, this magnificent structure features ornamental wrought iron railings and lamp posts. Crossing it by barge, with the Loire flowing beneath, creates an unforgettable moment.

Gastronomic Heritage: The Praline de Montargis

No visit to Montargis is complete without discovering the town's most famous culinary creation: the praline. In 1636, Clément Jaluzot, officer of the mouth to Marshal Duke César de Choiseul, created this confection by coating roasted almonds in caramelized sugar. The pralines became favourites at the court of Louis XIII. In 1903, confectioner Léon Mazet acquired the original recipe and established the Maison Mazet on Place Mirabeau, where the shop still operates today. These pralines can claim the title of the oldest candy in France, and the atmospheric decor of the Mazet boutique evokes the era when this sweetmeat was first invented. The town is also known for local honey, saffron from the Gâtinais, and the traditional Bell'de Loing beer.

A Surprising Chinese Connection

One of Montargis' most unexpected stories involves its role in Chinese history. In the 1920s, approximately 300 young Chinese intellectuals settled here as part of the "Work-Study" programme, living and working in the town while pursuing education. Among them were Deng Xiaoping, who would later become the architect of China's economic reforms, and Zhou Enlai, future Premier of China. Deng worked at the nearby Hutchinson rubber factory in Châlette-sur-Loing for eight months in 1922. Today, Place Deng Xiaoping near the train station marks the start of a "Chinese Trail" through town, and the Musée Historique de l'Amitié Franco-Chinoise tells this remarkable story. Chinese visitors regularly make pilgrimages to this small French town that played a significant role in their revolution.

The Town with a Royal Exemption

Montargis carries a proud historical distinction. During the Hundred Years' War in 1427, the Earl of Warwick besieged the town. The resourceful residents sabotaged nearby dikes, flooding the area and drowning many of the besieging forces. French commanders Jean de Dunois and La Hire, who would later lead the army of Joan of Arc, successfully broke the siege. In gratitude, King Charles VII rewarded the town with various privileges, and in 1490, Charles VIII officially declared it "Montargis Le Franc," meaning tax-free. This extraordinary privilege was renewed by successive monarchs, and Montargis remained exempt from taxes for three centuries until the French Revolution revoked the status.

When to Visit and What to Expect

The barge cruising season on the Canal de Briare typically runs from spring through autumn, with summer offering the longest days and warmest weather for enjoying time on deck. Montargis holds a "Ville Fleurie" award recognizing its outstanding floral displays, which are particularly spectacular from late spring through early autumn. The town hosts various events throughout the year, including markets, festivals, and cultural activities.

For travellers aged 40 to 70 seeking a holiday that combines gentle exploration, cultural enrichment, and the simple pleasure of watching the French countryside drift by, a barge river cruise through Montargis offers an ideal escape. This is slow travel at its finest: unhurried, civilized, and deeply satisfying.

Book a barge river cruise now and experience the enchanting waterways of Montargis, where medieval charm meets centuries-old canals in the heart of the French countryside.