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Barge Cruises in France ~
Burgundy
- Pommard
(not
available in 2012) Wine
tasting and sightseeing in the heart of Burgundy
Cruise
the rivers and canals of France aboard a private 4-passenger luxury barge-hotel
(7 days/6 nights). Focus on Burgundy or set off on a longer cross-country journey
of adventure and discovery... the choice is yours. All Burgundy-Pommard river
boat cruises are customized to your exact interests and requirements and may take
you anywhere from Paris all the way south to the Mediterranean. 
You
will be welcomed aboard the barge at the captain's champagne reception. Every
morning you'll have Continental or English breakfast with tea and coffee on the
barge. Delicious light lunches are prepared and served either on board or as a
picnic ashore. Lovers of French food will enjoy the region's specialties: cheese,
Charolais beef, mustard sauces, black currants and escargots. You'll
have evening meals (at your own expense) at excellent local restaurants along
the barge route. Local
excursions will take you to chateaus and museums, markets and fine shops,
vineyards and wine tastings. You may even try out recipes such as Boeuf Bourguignon
and Gougères (cheese puffs) or explore the chocolateries, épiceries,
pâtisseries and fromageries where the recipes have been handed down through
generations. The
barge is a beautiful recreation of a classic Lux Motor with all modern facilities:
an attractive varnished wood interior complemented by granite and marble surfaces,
two cabins (double bed in master suite and two single bunk beds in guest suite)
with central heat and air conditioning, and separate self-contained crew quarters
in the bow. The
wheelhouse is a very comfortable air-conditioned area with teak flooring,
stereo and CD player. It seats 8 people around a circular hand-crafted table with
leather inlay. The roof is removable, or it can be left in place for shade while
the sides fold out flat for a more open-air experience. If you like, you can take
the helm of the barge with the expert supervision of the skipper.
POSSIBLE
BARGE CRUISE ITINERARIES The
home cruising area is the Côte d'Or (around Dijon), which includes the Canal
de Bourgogne, the River Saône, the Canal du Centre and the Canal du Rhône
au Rhin (towards Besançon). You also have the option of taking a longer
trip north to Paris or south to the Canal du Midi and the Mediterranean. Following
is a list of possible sightseeing and activities in Burgundy. For other possibilities
outside Burgundy, please refer to the itineraries described in our other cruise
listings in those regions. Depending on availability at the time, those programs
can be duplicated on this boat. Wine
tasting in the many famous regions of Burgundy: Côte de Nuits
(Gevrey Chambertain, Nuits St Georges, Vosne Romanee...) or Côte de Beaune
(Pommard, Volnay, Meursault, Montrachet...) Clos
de Vougeot: A medieval building and the headquarters of the "Chevaliers
de Tastevin," whose special label is awarded every year to the finest Côte
d'Or wine vintages. Wine was produced there as early as the 12th century by local
monks. Dijon:
This ancient home of the Dukes of Burgundy boasts the 14th century ducal palace,
six museums including the Musée des Beaux-Arts and the Musée d'Art
Sacré, the picturesque center of the old town with colorful Burgundian/Flemish
tiled roofs and half-timbered houses, the largest indoor market in Burgundy and
the famous Grey Poupon mustard shop. Beaune:
Wine capital of Burgundy and home to the magnificent Hôtel-Dieu, a charity
hospital founded in 1443. This monument boasts the finest Burgundian-Flemish architecture
in the world. Abbaye
de la Bussière: Built in the 12th century under the guidance
of the Cistercian monks of Citeaux. Visit the ornamental gardens and lake, the
wine press, the crypt and cellars with their ancient colonnades, the stone staircases
and the huge stained glass windows. Château
de Commarin: A moat-encircled 13th-century castle where the de Vogue
family ownership goes back 26 generations. Château
de Cormatin: An elegant 17th-century
chateau with an exquisitely decorated interior and beautiful gardens. Abbaye
of Cluny:
A medieval center of learning founded in 910 by Benedictine monks. The convent
and cloister are a masterpiece of Romanesque architecture. Niepce
Photography Museum:
Located in Châlon-sur-Saône, this museum - named after local son Joseph
Niecephore Niepce, the inventor of photography - has collections ranging from
19th-century photographs to current-day digital pictures. Included
- 7
days/6 nights from Sunday afternoon to Saturday after breakfast
- Continental
or English breakfasts and light lunches served on board the barge
- Open
bar 24/7
- All
escorted excursions in air-conditioned vehicle
- Fresh
linen and towels every day
- Use
of all onboard facilities (washer/dryer, galley, cold storage)
- Transfers
to and from agreed meeting and departure point, usually in or around Dijon
Not
Included -
Transportation to/from start/end points in Dijon
- Evening
meals aboard the barge or ashore
- Health
and travel insurance
- Barge
crew gratuities (suggested 5% of cruise price)
- Personal
expenses
- Optional
activities when available
- Other
items not specifically listed under "Included"
Barge
Features - 2
cabins
(4 passengers)
- Master
cabin has double bed, wardrobe, chest of drawers, desk, opening skylight, separate
bathroom with bathtub/shower, toilet and washbowl set in marble
- Guest
cabin has two single bunks, desk, wardrobe, opening skylight, separate bathroom
with toilet, shower and washbowl set in marble
- Lounge
area has sofa seating for six.
- Internet
connection
- Size:
70 ft. x 13 ft.
- Central
air conditioning and heating with individual cabin control
- Crew
of two
Cruise
Departures Every
Sunday subject to availability
This
barge is for private charters only. Various themes can be arranged to fit the
specific interests of each group. 
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