Day 2 – Sens and Montereau
This morning we embark on a guided tour of Sens, one of the
oldest cities in France with a history dating back to 1st century
BC. Dotted with impressive and ancient architecture, we see the
Gothic cathedral, one of the earliest built in Europe, as sunlight
filters through the intricate stained-glass windows. We then take a
stroll through the Roman streets and promenades before visiting the
vibrant food market, Marché Couvert. This covered market is housed
in a pentagonal wooden building with rows of benches that serve as
stalls. Hundreds of sellers come here daily with local vegetables,
cheese, meat, gingerbread, and honey, and there's some free time to
look around and experience a snippet of everyday life in Sens
before returning to our barge for lunch.
This afternoon we begin our cruise along the Yonne River,
gliding past idyllic hamlets of stone cottages, thick woodlands and
lesser-known towns. We reach Montereau-Fault-Yonne, situated at the
confluence of the Yonne and Seine Rivers, where we moor for the
night. The evening is free to explore Montereau-Fault-Yonne, best
remembered as the site of one of Napoleon's last battle in 1814.
This quiet French town is a well-kept secret, boasting some
excellent cafés, a quaint riverside church, and a number of
colourful murals painted on walls across the town. Later, another
delicious dinner is served onboard MS Deborah.
Includes