| Le Premier |
Rating  : Deluxe
Number of Passengers: 6
Number of Cabins: 3
Size of Vessel: 127 ft in length
Number of Crew: 5
Cruise Region: Southern Burgundy - Two Itineraries
Other Regions Sailed: None
Whole Boat Charters starting at $31,500
Prices (per person) starting at $5,500
Charter Pricing for 4 & 5 Passengers Available
Call Barge TravelPOINTS Today
For More Information or to Book Your Journey
1.800.549.2575
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 Le Premier |
Le Premier offers bright and spacious accommodations on some of the most beautiful waterways in France. Climb aboard and journey back
in time to a place where you can enjoy unspoiled scenery and travel at a relaxing pace.
Owners Richard Shields and Kathy Williams are ready to make your journey one to remember. They are assisted on board Le Premier
by a hostess, deck hand and tour guide. Their passion for barge travel and for Southern Burgundy are evident in their
willingness to help you make the most of your time in France.
The barge features a comfortable salon and dining area with large windows, a BOSE sound system, and flat screen TV with satellite
access and DVD and VHS players. The study is the perfect place to curl up with a good book, and the wheelhouse was specifically
designed so that you can enjoy a panoramic view with a cup of coffee. The 600 square feet terrace deck, with lounge chairs, large
teak table, and heated spa pool offers plenty of space to stretch out and take in the passing countryside.
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Le Premier has 3 identical staterooms with a choice of beds in large twin or king size configuration. Each also offers private, en-suite
bathrooms with large walk in showers as well as a wardrobe and personal space perfect for storing your personal belongings.
Additionally, the cabins also offer flat screen TVs, a DVD and CD player, a direct dial telephone and heating and air-conditioning.
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- Delicious gourmet cuisine designed to suit your tastes featuring seasonal fresh produce
- Local wines paired with lunch and dinner
- Open bar
- Sundeck with dining table, lounge chairs, and spa tub
- Salon with flat screen TV and BOSE sound system
- Air conditioning and central heating
- Bicycles
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Sunday - Arrive late afternoon in Dijon and transfer to Le Premier for a champagne welcome and your first dinner on board.
Dijon, the capital of Burgundy, is renowned for its stunning architecture. The home of the Dukes of Burgundy, the influences of its
long and varied history make it an interesting city. The center is only a short walk from the canal.
Monday - During the cruise, you can visit the famous wine making village of Nuits St George in the centre of the Côte de
Nuits and the neighboring Clos de Vougeot, the site where the Cistercian monks originally started the wine making of Burgundy. Le Premier
will moor for the night at Fleurey-sur-Ouche, under the trees on the village quay.
Tuesday - Continuing along the Ouche valley, today Le Premier navigates through a mixture of forests and canal side villages.
Guests may visit one of the domains of the Cote d'Or for lunch and a dégustation (tasting) of some of France's best Premier and Grand Cru wines.
The barge will moor for the night in the tiny but beautiful village of Gissey, overlooking the ancient bridge over the river.
Wednesday - This is a particularly attractive section of the canal. Around lunchtime, you will be very close to La
Bussière, an ancient abbey, founded by the Cistercians, within beautiful landscaped grounds. Guests who enjoy a little exercise
can easily cycle to the abbey and rejoin Le Premier along the canal towpath. Alternatively, simply enjoy the cruise and visit the
abbey by car later. Le Premier arrives in Pont d'Ouche in the late afternoon; here the canal crosses a small aqueduct as the river
heads towards Bligny and the canal makes it's way slowly upwards towards the summit.
Thursday - After Pont d'Ouche, the canal passes through the stunning scenery of a very narrow gorge, which in previous times
was clearly worked as a quarry. This morning, guests may visit the ancient town of Beaune. Then meet the boat again at Crugey in time
for lunch and continue towards Vandenesse. During the afternoon you'll catch glimpses of the fortified village of Châteauneuf
perched high above, as the canal winds its way through the valley towards Vandenesse. The floodlit chateau stands guard over
Le Premier's mooring and is a spectacular setting for dinner on board.
Friday - This morning, Le Premier climbs the final flight of locks to the summit of the Burgundy Canal through forests and
fields. You'll pass an unusual section of canal populated by mannequins fishing from boats and climbing trees.
The eclusiers, the French lock keepers, are colorful characters, creating beautiful and ornately decorated houses and gardens.
Some exhibit art or a small museum or sell their fresh produce such as eggs and honey.
After lunch, a visit to the chateau at Commarin and sunset watching from Châteauneuf are the ideal finale to your cruise of
Burgundy. Then return in time to enjoy cocktails and a farewell dinner on board Le Premier.
Saturday - Transfer to Dijon after breakfast.
Sunday - Arrive late afternoon in Dijon and transfer to Le Premier for a champagne welcome and your first dinner on
board. Dijon, the capital of Burgundy, is renowned for its stunning architecture. The home of the Dukes of Burgundy, the
influences of its long and varied history make it an interesting city. The center is only a short walk from the canal.
Monday - The canal passes through the outskirts of Dijon as we start our voyage down locking to the Saône valley.
During the morning you might enjoy a visit to Beaune, the wine capital of Burgundy, and the famous site of the Hospice, the
Hôtel Dieu.
After lunch on board Le Premier, the afternoon cruising includes a fascinating exhibition of canal history in the cellar of the
lock keepers house at lock 62. Le Premier moors for the night in the shade of the trees at Longecourt. An evening stroll to the
château will work up your appetite before dinner on board.
Tuesday - The tree lined canal continues its descent between apple orchards and fields of sunflowers, through the small
villages that populate the Saône valley. All the time the golden slopes of the Cote d'Or are visible in the distance.
The long escarpment is blanketed in grape vines as far as the eye can see. Later this morning you can enjoy a visit to one of
the famous domaines for lunch and a dégustation (tasting) of some of the finest wines in Burgundy.
Returning to Le Premier in the afternoon, the barge exits the Canal de Bourgogne, into the River Saône at St Jean de Losne.
This is a real crossroads of waterways and was a trading post of great significance as far back as Roman times. Lately, it was
an important center for barges before the decline in commercial canal traffic. There is an opportunity to stretch your legs
along the quayside of this attractive small town before dinner on board.
Wednesday - Today the journey down the river Saône begins early, and you'll enjoy more than 35 miles of river cruising.
There are no excursions today. Guests will find it relaxing to simply enjoy the countryside along the river and the abundant bird
life.
As Le Premier approaches the city of Chalon, she will make a sharp right turn into the Canal du Centre. Many years ago the Canals
were independently run and this canal was built as an alternative to the Canal de Bourgogne to offer a competitive route for
cargoes to Paris. The first lock of the Canal du Centre lifts the barge a massive 35 feet and she starts navigating to tonight's
mooring at the tiny village of Fragnes. Guests who would like to explore Chalon may enjoy a visit to the city before dinner.
Thursday - The Canal du Centre has automatic locks, requiring no manual opening of the lock gates or sluices, however,
you'll remain under the watchful eye of the friendly eclusiers (lock keepers) as the barge climbs slowly towards Chagny.
During the day, you might enjoy a drive through the wine growing villages of the Côte d'Or, recognizing some of the
more famous names, or perhaps a bicycle ride. Or simply enjoy the cruising perhaps from the comfort of the spa pool.
You'll reach the Port de Plaisance of Chagny, which used to be a center for the shipping of bricks and tiles from the local
works. This small market town boasts a Michelin starred restaurant just a short walk from the harbor.
Friday - Today there are more beautiful views as the canal climbs along the side of a hill through the vineyards. At
lunchtime you'll pass the village of Santenay, another famous wine growing village, allowing you the opportunity for a short
walk and another tasting before continuing along. Le Premier will arrive in the picturesque small port of St Léger in
the afternoon and turn around in the turning circle of the tiny harbor before mooring alongside for the final evening.
Saturday - Transfer to Dijon after breakfast.
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1.800.549.2575
