Sample Itinerary
Picturesque Canal de Bourgogne
Sunday - Day 1 - Montbard
to Pouillenay
Guests
are met at the Montbard TGV station Hotel in Montbard.
Transferred to the barge in a private air-conditioned
minibus moored in Pouillenay. A full crew Welcome Aboard
with champagne and canapes. After time to settle into
your cabin you are invited to join us for a first dinner
aboard and introduction to
Burgundys
excellent cuisine.
Monday - Day 2 -
Pouillenay to Venarey les Laumes
Wake to the aromas of ground coffee and
French patisseries, enjoy a
leisurely breakfast and morning cruise through deep
Burgundian countryside. After lunch we drive you to the
exquisite World Heritage Unesco site of Abbey de
Fontenay founded by St Bernard in 1118. Representing a
distinctive example of early Cistercian architecture and
virtually intact, Fontenay allows an exceptional glimpse
of early Cistercian life and industry with its peaceful
gardens and ponds and fascinating cloisters, dormitories
and scriptorium.
Dinner aboard.
Tuesday - Day 3 - Venarey
Les Laumes to Buffon
Morning
stroll around the hilltop
village
of Flavigny
sur Ozerain, where the film Chocolat was
filmed. On the way, from the summit of Mt Auxois, we
look at Alesia, the last battle site between the Gaulles
and Romans that took place in 52 BC. We cruise through
the market town of Montbard to the stone steps of the Forges de Buffon,
founded in 1768 by 18th century
naturalist Georges-Louis de Buffon. We wander around the
forge and see various examples of early Industrial
Revolution engineering on the banks of the tiny yet
powerful Armancon
River,
whose power was harnessed to run the forge. Dinner ashore in
Semur-en-Auxois.
Wednesday - Day 4 -
Buffon to Ancy le Franc
Morning visit to Noyers to enjoy the
vegetables, cheeses, colors and delights of the local
market. Returning to the barge we enjoy a lazy cruise
gently down to Ancy le Franc with plenty of opportunity
to wander or cycle as the vessel descends through the
locks. Before dinner, wander around the village and
across to the 16th century Renaissance
Chateau d Ancy le Franc. Dinner
aboard.
Thursday - Day 5 - Ancy
le Franc to Tanlay
Morning
cruise through woodlands and rolling fields with great
towpath biking and walking opportunities past the tiny
canalside villages of Lezinnes, Argentenay and Saint
Vinnemer. During the afternoon we visit the vineyards
and town of Chablis,
dating back to Roman times. We enjoy a private wine
tasting at Saint Bris le Vineaux in the Bersan cellars
before returning for dinner aboard.
Friday - Day 6 - Tanlay
to Tonnerre
Morning walk across to the 16th
century Renaissance-style Chateau de Tanlay, nestling
serenely within this picturesque village, which also
boasts a challenging 9 hole golf course. Our cruise after
lunch takes us to our final destination of
Tonnerre.
Captains Farewell Dinner
aboard.
Saturday - Day
7 - Tonnerre to Paris
After
breakfast, disembark the barge and transfer to the
Montbard railway station in time for the
11:28am
train to Paris Gare de Lyon or other
destinations.
On alternate weeks the itinerary is in the
reverse direction. This itinerary is subject to
change. |