Sunday, Day One: St-Léger-sur-Dheune
Board the barge at St-Léger-sur-Dheune for your cruise through Burgundy. A champagne reception welcomes you on board and gives you a chance to meet the crew. Later that evening enjoy your first dining experience on board.
Monday, Day Two: Mooring Chagny
A leisurely cruise on the Canal du Centre gives you a chance to savor the beauty of the French countryside, with plenty of opportunities at the many locks to get off the barge and walk or cycle along the splendid tow path. After lunch we take a short ride to the wine village of Rully where you visit the Chateau of Rully set amidst the stunning views over the vineyards. Here you will enjoy a private visit by the count who will show you around this magnificent 12th century feudal chateau and his collection of furnishing some as far back as the 16th century. Rejoin the barge for dinner.
Tuesday, Day Three: Mooring Fragnes. Visit Chalon Sur Saone
Relax on board while the barge cruises the final section of the Canal du Centre, mooring in the pretty village of Fragnes just before the last and very deep lock into the River Saône just north of Chalon-sur-Saône. Lunch will be eaten out at the Michelin rated restaurant, Le Montrachet, in Puligny Montrachet. This afternoon enjoy a walking tour of Chalon with its quaint antique shops, stunning cathedral square and half-timbered buildings. There is free time to enjoy the fine shops, or perhaps just to sit in one of the numerous pavement cafes and watch the world go by. Dinner is served on board.
Wednesday, Day Four: Mooring St Jean de Losne. Visit Beaune
A somewhat different cruising experience today, through the lovely valley of the River Saône to the town of Seurre. After lunch onboard we visit the charming old town of Beaune to see the famous Hotel-Dieu, a magnificent 15th century charity hospital, followed by a private wine tasting. There is time to stroll through the old town taking in the wonderful architecture and fine shopping. Tonight’s mooring is at St Jean de Losne, the barging capital of France. Take some time to stroll around the ports and see the many working barges and house boats that are moored here.
Thursday, Day Five: Mooring Longecourt. Visit Clos de Vougeot
This morning the barge leaves the river and enters the Burgundy Canal. Enjoy the chance to walk or cycle along the towpath. After a wonderful lunch on board we visit the historic Clos de Vougeot where the Cistercian monks first began making wine in the 12th century. The ancient chateau is now the headquarters of the celebrated Burgundian wine society the, Confrererie des chevaliers de tastevin, and contains the ancient cellar and wine presses from medieval times. After a local degustation rejoin the barge in the countryside near Longecourt, the overnight mooring.
Friday, Day Six: Mooring Dijon
Today your guide takes you on a walking tour of historic Dijon, capital of the great dukes of Burgundy, to visit the market, Ducal Palace, the Grey Poupon mustard shop and enjoy some shopping at the covered food market. Tonight, the barge moors in the port of Dijon. As the chef prepares for your Farewell gala dinner on board, perhaps try a ‘Kir’ aperitif; a cocktail which mixes the locally produced Cassis blackcurrant liqueur with the area’s Aligoté white wine.
Saturday, Day Seven: Dijon
After breakfast the crew bids you farewell before you disembark the barge for your onward travel arrangements.
Please note route may be subject to change without prior warning as a result of unforeseen circumstances.
CRUISE INQUIRY FORM
