Day 1 : Meet at Hotel Le Colbert in Paris at 2:00 pm for transfer to 'Absoluut2', moored in Auxerre. After a champagne welcome, take part in a walking tour around the ancient town with its winding streets and half-timbered façades.

Day 2 : Cruise the River Yonne with an afternoon excursion into the celebrated Chablis wine region. Taste the famous Pinot Noir at Irrancy, continuing to Cave de Bailly to sample sparkling wine and see it's beautiful sandstone statues.

Day 3 : After breakfast, visit St-Florentin, terraced into a hillside with fine views of the Armançon valley. Learn how chèvre cheese is made at a local goat farm before continuing to picturesque Joigny with its fascinating architecture.

Day 4 : Cruise to Villeneuve-sur-Yonne, the 12th century fortified outpost of Louis VII, for a quayside lunch. In the afternoon, continue to the quaint medieval town of Sens to visit the great Cathédrale St-Etienne, one of France's first gothic churches.

Day 5 : After cruising beautiful stretches of the River Seine and Canal du Loing, arrive at the picturesque village of Moret-sur-Loing, made famous by the paintings of Alfred Sisley.

Day 6 : Take a scenic drive through the forest to the impressive Château de Fontainbleau. Every French monarch from François I to Napoléon III has left his mark on this royal residence with its awe-inspiring architecture and beautifully-landscaped parkland. Then, cruise to Nemours for a special farewell dinner.

Day 7 : After breakfast, transfer back to Hotel Le Colbert in Paris, where your tour ends.