Sample Itinerary
L'Impressionniste
Sunday - Dijon
You are met
at the Hotel de la Cloche in Dijon or Dijon
TGV Station (on request) and transferred to the elegant
L�Impressionniste moored in Fleurey sur Ouche for your
cruise through Burgundy. A
Champagne reception welcomes you on board
and provides you with a chance to meet the crew. Dinner
on board.
Monday - Fleurey sur Ouche to Gissey sur
Ouche
This
morning experience your first day's cruise along this
enchanting canal, which also promises a walk or cycle
along an ever-present towpath, as we ascend gradually to
the canal summit, past sleepy villages and pretty lock
houses. Leaving Dijon,
pass Lake
Kir
and cruise by the limestone escarpments which feed the
nearby vineyards. After lunch we visit Clos
de
Vougeot,
headquarters of the esteemed
Chevaliers
du Tastevin, who award every year a
special prized label to the finest Cote d'Or vintages.
On the way back to the barge, visit one of the great
cellars of Burgundy
where we enjoy a private wine tasting of fine
Burgundy
wines. Dinner aboard.
Tuesday - Gissey sur Ouche to La
Bussiere
After breakfast, enjoy a walking tour of
old Dijon
including a visit to the produce market,
mustard shops and the flamboyant 14th century
Ducal
Palace which hosts the art museum of
Dijon (or enjoy some excellent shopping time). Return to
the boat for lunch and leisurely afternoon cruise to
Gissey sur Ouche. Dinner aboard.
Wednesday - La Bussiere to Pont D'Ouche
Early morning cruise and exclusive tour of
the magnificent 12th
Century Abbaye de la
Bussiere.
The ornamental gardens and lake, wine press, crypt and
cellars are interwoven with ancient colonnades, stone
staircases and huge stained glass windows. After a
Kir
Royale aperitif,
enjoy the gastronomic delights of Master Chef Olivier
Elzer in the vaulted Michelin starred restaurant whilst
enjoying the sommelier's choice of local burgundies.
This afternoon, visit the moat-encircled 13th century
Chateau
de Commarin. Going back 26 generations,
the de Vogue family ownership portrays an insight into
the glamorous lives of the French aristocracy as well as
showing off the Chateau, stables and landscaped gardens.
Light dinner aboard
Thursday
- Pont D'Ouche to Vandenesse
After
breakfast you will cruise to Pont D'Ouche, passing
grazing white Charolais cattle, rolling hills and
picturesque villages crossing the only canal bridge of
the Burgundy
Canal.
In the afternoon you'll cross the premier cru vineyards
into Beaune, capital of
Burgundy
wine country with a history going back over 2000 years.
Absorb the fascinating 15th century Hotel
Dieu
Hospice and visit
Maison Champy, Beaune's oldest winery established in
1720 with even older cellars. Dinner on board.
Friday - Vandenesse to
Escommes
The last day's leisurely cruise takes you
to the canal summit, 1250 feet above sea level, just
before the Pouilly tunnel. Mid afternoon you'll continue
to the medieval village, craft shops and castle of
Chateauneuf-en-Auxois,
once an outpost of the Dukes of Burgundy and offering a
fine overview of the feeder lakes, canal and surrounding
countryside. Captain's Farewell Dinner on board.
Saturday - Dijon
After
breakfast disembark the barge and transfer to Dijon TGV
station, Dijon
centre or Hotel de la Cloche.
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