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Barge Cruises in France ~
Burgundy
- Vougeot
Wine
tasting and sightseeing in the heart of Burgundy Cruise
the Canal de Bourgogne aboard a 12-passenger barge-hotel (7 days - 6 nights).
This barge began life as a cargo vessel in Holland before undergoing a complete
transformation into the delightful French cruise boat it is today, with light
and airy interior decor reminiscent of the late 19th century. On this leisurely
cruise, you'll visit chateaus and wineries, enjoy a gourmet lunch at a Michelin-starred
restaurant, and still have time to relax! 
TYPICAL
BARGE CRUISE ITINERARY
(actual program may vary)
Note:
This cruise also available with a wine
itinerary for charters. Day
1 - Sunday: Dijon to Fleurey-sur-Ouche.
You'll be picked up at the designated meeting location and transferred to the
barge, which will be moored in nearby Fleurey-sur-Ouche. The crew will welcome
you with a champagne reception before dinner on the barge. Day
2 - Monday: Fleurey-sur-Ouche to Gissey-sur-Ouche.
This morning you'll start your cruise along the Canal de Bourgogne. If you like,
you can walk or cycle along the towpath as the barge ascends gradually to the
canal summit, past villages and old-style lock houses. After lunch you'll visit
Clos de Vougeot, headquarters of the Chevaliers du Tastevin, who each year award
a prized special label to the finest Côte d‘Or wine vintages. On the
way back to the barge, visit one of the great cellars of Burgundy where you'll
enjoy a private tasting of fine Burgundy wines. Dinner on board the barge. Day
3 - Tuesday: Gissey-sur-Ouche to La Bussière.
After breakfast, enjoy a walking tour of old Dijon, including the market, mustard
shops and the 14th-century Ducal Palace, with perhaps some time for shopping.
Return to the river boat for lunch and a leisurely afternoon cruise through the
Ouche River Valley. Dinner on board the barge.
Day
4 - Wednesday: La Bussière to Pont d'Ouche.
Early morning cruise and exclusive tour of the magnificent 12th-century Abbaye
de la Bussière. The ornamental gardens and lake, wine press, crypt and
cellars are interwoven with ancient colonnades, stone staircases and huge stained
glass windows. After an aperitif in the the former chapel, you'll enjoy lunch
in the vaulted Michelin-starred restaurant. The sommelier’s choice of local
Burgundies will cap off the experience. This afternoon, tour the 13th-century
Chateau de Commarin, where the de Vogue family ownership goes back 26 generations.
You will get a glimpse of the glamorous lives of the French aristocracy as you
visit the chateau with its moat, stables and landscaped gardens. Dinner on board
the barge. Day
5 - Thursday: Pont d’Ouche to Vandenesse.
After breakfast, cruise past grazing white Charolais cattle, rolling hills and
picturesque villages and cross the only canal bridge of the Burgundy Canal. In
the afternoon you'll drive throught the Premier Cru vineyards into Beaune, capital
of Burgundy wine country. You'll tour the fascinating 15th-century Hospices and
visit a winery. Dinner on board the barge. Day
6 - Friday: Vandeness to Escommes.
A leisurely cruise takes you to the canal summit, 1250 feet above sea level. This
afternoon, visit the medieval village of Châteauneuf-en-Auxois, which was
once an outpost of the Dukes of Burgundy. Enjoy its craft shops and castle plus
a great view of the canal and surrounding countryside. Captain’s farewell
dinner on the barge. Day
7 - Saturday: Dijon.
After breakfast, transfer from the barge to the designated meeting location .
On
alternate weeks, cruise will be in the reverse direction. This
itinerary is subject to change without notice.
[top] Highlights - Clos
de Vougeot visit and wine tasting
- Dijon
market and Ducal Palace
- Abbaye
de la Bussière, with lunch in Michelin-starred restaurant
- Chateau
de Commarin
- Beaune,
visit the Hospices and wine tasting
- Medieval
village of Chateauneuf-en-Auxois
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
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:
1 double suite,
1 twin or double suite, 2 twin junior suites, 2 twin or double junior suites (12
passengers)
- All
cabins have private bath with shower. Twin/double suite has bathtub with hand-held
shower.
- 5
crew members
- Size:
128 ft. long
- Sun
deck with hot tub
- Dining
and lounge area with bar
- Air
conditioning and central heating
- Air-conditioned
coaches for excursions
Cruise
Departures Every
Sunday subject to availability (except winter)
This
river boat can be chartered for groups. Various themes, such as wine,
can be arranged to fit the specific interests of each group. DEPARTURES
AND PRICES BOOK
YOUR CRUISE [top]
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