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Barge Cruises in France ~
Burgundy
- Tanlay
Wine,
history and the Burgundy countryside Cruise
the Canal
de Bourgogne in France
on a floating six-passenger barge-hotel (7 days - 6 nights). You
can choose a family
theme cruise or a "wine and chocolate"
theme cruise. In either case, you will see picturesque villages, enjoy
tours of local historical sites and taste the local wines and regional specialties.
When the day is over, relax with a drink on the deck of the river boat and chat
with the captain while your gourmet dinner is prepared. 
TYPICAL
BARGE CRUISE ITINERARY
(Actual
program may vary.)
Wine
and Chocolate Cruise Day
1 - Saturday: Paris to Tanlay.
Meet at a pre-arranged location in Paris at 2 pm and transfer to the barge, which
will be moored in the delightful chateau village of Tanlay. Settle in after a
champagne reception and maybe take a stroll around the village
before dinner on the barge. Start the chocolate
theme with tonight's dessert. Day
2 - Sunday: Tanlay to Lezzines. This
morning, cruise to Lezzines and tour the beautiful Renaissance Chateau of Ancy-le-
Franc, which has been beautifully restored. Back on board the barge, enjoy
a tasting of local wines. If you
like, a cooking demonstration can be arranged. Dinner on the barge. Day
3 - Monday: Lezzines to Ancy-le-Franc.
After cruising to Ancy-le-Franc, enjoy a pleasant drive through the countryside
to the village of Chablis for a wine tasting
and a visit to a chocolate-maker.
Learn the history of the chocolate Pillars of Chablis and, of course, taste them.
Back to the barge, where you can watch the movie Chocolat. This film starring
Juliette Binoche, Johnny Depp, and Judi Dench was made in the nearby village of
Flavigny, which you'll visit on Thursday. Dinner on the barge. Day
4 - Tuesday: Ancy-le-Franc to Ravières.
Today starts with a leisurely canal cruise to Ravières.
After lunch, visit the Grottes d'Arcy-sur-Cure - caves with amazing stalagmite
and stalagtite formations and some of the oldest cave paintings in the world.
Back to the barge for dinner and your next chocolate
dessert. Day
5 - Wednesday: Ravières to Montbard.
This morning, continue cruising to Montbard. After lunch on the barge, tour the
Abbaye de Fontenay, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This wonderful abbey is the
last complete cistercian monastery left in France. Back on the barge, the chef
will demonstrate how to make tiny chocolate
petits fours before dinner. Day
6 - Thursday: Montbard to Venarey-les-Laumes.The
last day's cruise goes to Venarey-les-Laumes,
a climb up with fabulous views over the countryside. Finish the week with lunch
in the village of Flavigny (where the
movie Chocolat was made) and a walking tour of the village.
From here, drive the short distance to Alesia to see the site of the last great
battle between the Romans and the Gauls. The Roman ruins and amphitheater date
back to 345 BC. Return to the barge in time for a rest before the Captain's dinner
and a last chocolate
fest. Day
7 - Friday: Venarey-les-Laumes to Paris.
This morning transfer back to Paris after breakfast. On
alternate weeks, cruise will be in the reverse direction.
This itinerary is
subject to change without notice and may be adapted to special requests for charters. Please
note: the following 2013 departure dates will have different itineraries. Please
contact us for details. Jul
13: Tanlay - Auxerre
Jul
20: Auxerre - Clamecy
Aug 17: Briare - Moret sur Loing
Aug 24: Moret sur
Loing - Tanlay
[top] Highlights - Tour
the Chateau of Ancy-le-Franc
- Wine
tasting and visit to a chocolate-maker in Chablis
- Tour
the Grottes d'Arcy-sur-Cure (prehistoric cave paintings)
- Visit
the Abbey of Fontenay, a World Heritage Site
- Lunch
in Flavigny, setting for the movie Chocolat
- Tour
the Roman ruins at Alesia
Included - Accommodations
with private bathroom (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
- Round-trip
transfers from specified meeting point in Paris
Not
Included - Transportation
to and from meeting point in Paris
- 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 - 3
cabins:
can be set up as twin or double (6 passengers)
- Cabin
size: 103 square feet
- Selection
of DVDs for all ages
- Crew:
husband and wife team plus two additional crew members and a small friendly dog
(optional - if you don't want the dog on board, he can stay with friends)
- Sundeck
- Air
conditioning and central heating
- Air-conditioned
minibus for excursions
- No
smoking inside the minibus and the barge (smoking allowed outdoors on the sundeck
only)
Departures
Every
Saturday subject to availability (except winter)
This
barge can be chartered for families
and other groups. Various themes (wine, cooking, walking, art, photography, history)
can be arranged to fit the specific interests of each group. DEPARTURES
AND PRICES BOOK
YOUR CRUISE [top]
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