Barge
Cruise: Burgundy
- Chablis
Rustic
countryside in Chablis wine country
Cruise
the Canal de Bourgogne in France aboard a 13-passenger barge-hotel (7 days
- 6 nights). This cruise will take you past vineyards, pastures, farms and towns
dating back to the Middle Ages. While enjoying the pristine scenery, you will
savor famous local cuisine and wines. What a delight!
TYPICAL
BARGE CRUISE ITINERARY
(actual program may vary)
Note:
This cruise is also available with the following special itineraries: family,
walking (Oct 10-16), wine.
The barge can also be chartered in tandem with an 8-passenger barge for groups
of up to 21 people. Contact us
for details.
Day
1 - Sunday: Venarey-les-Laumes.
You will be met late afternoon in Montbard, either at the TGV (high-speed train)
station or a designated hotel, and transferred by private air-conditioned minibus
to the barge moored in Veneray-les-Laumes. The full crew will welcome you with
champagne and appetizers. After settling into your cabin, you will enjoy your
first dinner aboard - an introduction to Burgundy’s excellent cuisine, accompanied
by local wines.
Day
2 - Monday: Venarey-les-Laumes to Montbard. Enjoy
a leisurely breakfast and morning cruise through the Burgundian countryside. After
lunch you'll be taken to the fascinating Abbey de Fontenay, a World Heritage site
founded by St Bernard in 1118. A virtually intact example of early Cistercian
architecture, Fontenay provides an exceptional glimpse of medieval life, with
its peaceful gardens and ponds and fascinating cloisters, dormitories and scriptorium.
Dinner aboard the barge.
Day
3 - Tuesday: Montbard to Ravieres.
You'll cruise through the market town of Montbard to Ravieres, passing the Forges
de Buffon, founded in 1768 by 18th century naturalist Georges-Louis de Buffon.
You'll also visit the hilltop village of Flavigny sur Ozerain, where the movie
Chocolat was filmed. On the way, from the summit of Mt Auxois, you'll see
Alesia, the last battle site between the Gauls and Romans that took place in 52
BC. Dinner aboard the barge.
Day
4 - Wednesday: Ravieres to Ancy le Franc.
Morning visit to the local market at Noyers, where you can savor the sights and
smells of the vegetables, cheeses, and other local produce. Lunch ashore in Noyers
at a local inn. Afternoon cruise to Ancy le Franc. Dinner aboard the barge.
Day
5 - Thursday: Ancy le Franc to Tanlay. Morning
cruise with
plenty of time to walk or cycle on the towpath as the barge descends through the
locks past the 16th century Renaissance Chateau d’Ancy le Franc. After lunch,
you can walk from the barge to the 16th century Renaissance-style Chateau de Tanlay,
nestling serenely within this picturesque village. Dinner aboard the barge.
Day
6 - Friday: Tanlay to Tonnerre.
This morning you'll visit the vineyards and town of Chablis, which dates back
to Roman times. You'll enjoy a private wine tasting at the Domaine Servan renowned
for its Premier and Grand Cru wines popularized by Alexis Lichine in the 1950's.
Return to the barge for lunch and a leisurely afternoon cruise to Tonnerre. Captain’s
Farewell Dinner aboard the barge.
Day
7 - Saturday: Tonnerre to Montbard.
After breakfast, you'll be taken from the barge to the Montbard train station.
On
alternate weeks, cruise will be in the reverse direction.
This itinerary is
subject to change without notice.
[top]
Highlights
- Cistercian
Abbey of Fontenay, a UNESCO World Heritage site
- 18-century
Forges de Buffon
- Village
of Flavigny, location of the movie Chocolat
- Alesia,
site of the last battle between the Gauls and the Romans
- Local
market in Noyers
- Chateau
of Ancy le Franc
-
Chateau of Tanlay
- Chablis
wine tasting
Included
- Accommodations
with private bath or shower and all meals from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on
day 7
- Wine
with lunch and dinner and selected alcoholic beverages consumed aboard the barge
- Sightseeing
tours and entrance fees as specified
- Round
trip transfers from specified meeting points
- If
you take the Sunday afternoon TGV (high-speed train) from Paris to Montbard, a
representative will be at the Paris Gare de Lyon TGV station to assist you
Not
Included
- Transportation
to and from beginning and end points
- Health
and travel insurance
- Barge
crew gratuities (suggested 5% of cruise price)
- Superior
vintage wines
- Personal
expenses
- Optional
activities when available
- Other
items not specifically listed under "Included" above
Barge
Features
- Cabins:
2 doubles/4 twins/1 single (13 passengers)
- 5
crew members
- Size:
128 ft. long
- Spa/Jacuzzi,
chart room
- Air
conditioning and central heating
- Air-conditioned
coaches for excursions
Cruise
Departures
Every
Sunday subject to availability (except winter)
This
barge can be chartered for groups. Various themes, such as wine,
can be arranged to fit the specific interests of each group.
The
Oct 10-16, 2010, cruise will be a walking cruise. Contact
us for details.
Dates
and Prices
Book
Your Cruise!
[top]
