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Hirondelle
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The 8 passenger Hirondelle cruises some of the most peaceful and beautiful waterways in all of Europe. The large windows, well above the water line, and the sun-deck on the top deck of the boat make it easy for you to enjoy the passing scenery of Burgundy: renowned for its vineyards, Gothic churches and abbeys, Renaissance châteaux and picturesque villages.

Itinerary 1 - Rogny to Guetin

Sunday - Paris to Nevers. Moor in Rogny les Sept Écluses.
Depart Paris, Gare de Lyon, on the TGV train this afternoon. On arrival at Nevers station you are met by your guide who transfers you to the barge at Rogny les Sept Écluses on the Canal de Briare. A champagne reception welcomes you on board and gives you a chance to meet the crew. Enjoy your first dining experience on board.

Monday - Cruise to Châtillon-sur-Loire. Visit St. Fargeau
Today, the barge traverses the river Loire via the longest canal bridge in Europe, connecting the Canal du Briare to the Canal Latéral à la Loire. Rogny is the site of the oldest canal lock in France, a seven-step staircase lock built in the 16th century. After lunch visit the beautiful Château de Saint-Fargeau with a history spanning a thousand years.

Tuesday - Visit Gien and La Bussierre. Cruise to Léré.
After breakfast, visit a faïence factory in the beautiful town of Gien followed by an excursion to the historic Chateau of La Bussiere with it's imposing setting and medicinal gardens. Return to the barge and enjoy a wonderful lunch while cruising southward to Léré, a pleasant countryside mooring.

Wednesday - Cruise to Ménétréol. Visit Sancerre.
Late morning visit Sancerre, situated on an impressive hilltop, and have lunch in the town. This afternoon enjoy a private wine tasting at the fabulous 15thcentury Chateau Tracy, one of the most prestigious producers in the Loire, where you can taste their Pouilly Fume.

Thursday - Cruise to Passy (La Charité-sur-Loire). Visit La Charité-sur-Loire.
Take a short walk over to a local cheese producer to see the famous 'Crottin' goats cheese being produced. The barge continues its cruise from Ménétréol towards Charité-sur-Loire and moors in rural Passy. This afternoon, visit La Charité-sur-Loire, an important site of Burgundian Romanesque art and a renowned resting place for pilgrims on the road to Santiago de Compostela.

Friday - Cruise to Le Guétin. Visit Nevers and Aprémont.
Enjoy a walking tour of Nevers, the capital of the Nivernais, and a chance to buy some of the distinctive blue and gold faience at the market. This afternoon take a short drive to Aprémont, one of the most beautiful villages in France, to visit the private Château and gardens. Farewell gala dinner on board.

Saturday - Nevers-Paris.
After breakfast disembark the barge and transfer to the Nevers rail station. Return to Paris (Gare de Lyon) on the TGV where you are met by our representative who will assist you with your luggage.

 

Itinerary 2: Digoin to Guetin

Sunday - Paris to Montchanin
Depart Paris, Gare de Lyon on the TGV train in the afternoon. On arrival at Le Creusot station you are met by your guide who will escort you on your transfer to Digoin where you will board the barge for your cruise. A champagne reception welcomes you and gives you a chance to meet the crew.

Monday - Visit La Clayette. Cruise to Diou.
Enjoy a drive through the countryside to see La Clayette, its château and the specialty chocolate factory of M. Bernard Dufoux. The master himself demonstrates the art of making chocolate, followed by a private tasting.

Tuesday - Cruise to Garnat-sur-Engièvre. Visit Bourbon Lancy.
Today's visit is to the beautiful medieval town of Bourban Lancy. Enjoy a guided walking tour through the medieval quarter with its authentic timbered houses and 14th century belfry which houses a unique automaton. In the afternoon, relax on board as the barge continues its cruise to tonight's mooring at Garnat-sur-Engièvre.

Wednesday - Cruise to Decize. Visit Chateau of St Aubin.
Enjoy a full day cruising from Garnat-sur-Engièvre to Decize. Take a private tour of the chateau of St Aubin, a fine example of renaissance architecture with extensive grounds and kitchen gardens.

Thursday - Cruise to Imphy. Visit Château d'Apremont.
After breakfast your guide takes you to a "ferme des escargots" to see how this Burgundian speciality is produced. Later cruise to Chevenon, a small country mooring and a quiet place to walk or cycle. In the afternoon visit the beautiful billage and gardens of Apremont.

Friday - Visit Nevers. Cruise to Pont Canal du Guétin.
This morning enjoy a walking tour of Nevers, the capital of the Nivernais, and a chance to buy some of the distinctive blue and gold faience at the local market. During the afternoon the barge cruises to Pont Canal du Guétin, the site of the "pont canal" which traverses the river Allier. Enjoy a farewell gala dinner on board.

Saturday - Nevers-Paris.
After breakfast disembark the barge and transfer to Nevers station. Return to Paris (Gare de Lyon) on the TGV where you are met by our representative who will assist you with your luggage.
 

Itinerary 3: Digoin to Saint Leger

Sunday - Paris to Le Creusot and Digoin.
Depart Paris, Gare de Lyon, in the afternoon on the TGV train. On arrival at Le Creusot station you are met by your guide who transfers you to the barge at Digoin for your cruise through Burgundy. A champagne reception welcomes you and gives you the chance to meet the crew. Take a brief evening cruise across the Loire river on the canal bridge which connects the Canal du Centre to the Canal Latéral à la Loire.

Monday - Cruise to Paray-le-Monial. Visit La Clayette.
This morning, enjoy a leisurely cruise to Paray Le Monial. After lunch, drive through the countryside to La Clayette to visit the specialty chocolate shop of M. Bernard Dufoux. The master himself will demonstrate the art of making chocolate, followed by a private tasting. Car enthusiasts may tour the vintage car museum just around the corner where all the vehicles are for sale.

Tuesday - Tour Paray-le-Monial. Cruise to Genélard. Visit Cluny.
After breakfast, take a short walk to Paray-le-Monial, with its famous Basilica of the Sacré Coeur and site of pilgrimage since 1873. After lunch, visit Cluny, a little town dominated by its great benedictine abbey.

Wednesday – Visit Montceau les Mines. Cruise to Blanzy. Visit Autun.
This morning, take a short drive to the canal-side market at Montceau les Mines. Later, tour the city of Autun, founded by emperor Augustus and known as one of the leading cities of Roman Gaul. Visit the roman amphitheatre, one of the largest in France with a seating capacity of 17,000.

Thursday - Visit Château Marguerite de Bourgogne. Cruise to St. Julien-sur-Dheune.
Cruise to Montchanin, where you disembark for your trip to Couches. Enjoy lunch in the grounds of the Château Marguerite de Bourgogne and a private wine tasting in the secret passages beneath the chateau. Return to the barge for a late afternoon cruise to St. Julien-sur-Dheune, a small country mooring and a quiet place to walk or bicycle.

Friday - Cruise to St. Léger-sur-Dheune. Visit Beaune.
Today, tour the famous Cote d'Or, home of Burgundy's finest vineyards: Meursault, Puligny, Montrachet, Santenay. Later, visit Beaune, the capital of Burgundy for a tour of the famous 15th century Hôtel Dieu, Hospice de Beaune. Farewell gala dinner on board.

Saturday - Dijon-Paris.
After breakfast disembark the barge and and transfer to Dijon rail station. Return to Paris (Gare de Lyon) on the TGV where you are met by our representative who will assist you with your luggage.


 

Rates 2010:

Note: All prices are in Euro €

Rates include:

• Accommodation on board the barge

• All meals, table wines and alcoholic beverages

• All sightseeing and admittance fees as stipulated

• Round trip transfers from the meeting point to the barge are also included in the fares

Rates do not include:

• Train tickets

• Cancellation and holiday insurance

• On board gratuities and items of personal nature

Availibility Schedule:

Features:

• 128 ft long

• 8 passengers

• 4 crew

• 1 double stateroom

• 3 twin staterooms

• Air - conditioned

• Bikes