A
delightful cruise along the bucolic River Saône is the
perfect way to experience historic riverside towns and
indulge in exceptional Burgundy wines.
Saturday - JEAN DE LOSNE
Passengers meet at the Dijon railway station at 16h30
(4.30 pm) (by Transco bus stop N°17). Coach transfer to
Libellule, a short drive to St Jean de Losne. Welcome
champagne and presentation of the crew, then time to
settle into your comfortable cabins. Time to stroll
around this small pleasant barging center town. Dinner
will be served at 7.30pm this evening.
Sunday - JEAN DE LOSNE/SEURRE
After breakfast, we ride north to
Dijon,
the ride takes about 30 minutes and crosses the plain of
the river Saône. We pass by the
Abbey of Citeaux,
a monastery founded in 1098 which led to the creation of
the Cistercian order, the most powerful of all monastic
orders during the 12th & 13th C. We have a guided
walking tour of Dijon, seat of government of the present
region of Burgundy and former capital of the four great
Valois Dukes. The tour will take us to the
Ducal Palace
and the heart of the medieval district. Afterwards
there will be free time to stroll and discover some of
the many fine mansions and Fine Arts Museum. We return
to Libellule and cast off during lunch.
Afternoon cruise to Seurre, a town of 3000 inhabitants.
Monday - SEURRE/CHALON SUR SAONE
Cruise to
Chalon sur Saone,
birthplace of photography and the second city of
Burgundy after Dijon with 80,000 inhabitants. This city
has been, because of its location, a very important
trading center since Roman times. Our mooring is in the
heart of the city center, close to St Vincent Cathedral
and the surrounding medieval quarter of half timbered
houses and narrow streets reserved for pedestrians.
Afternoon visit to
Beaune,
center of the Burgundy wine trade. Our drive follows
the Côte de Beaune, the wine slopes of Beaune with
villages whose names read like a wine list, Puligny
Montrachet, Meursault, Auxey Duresses, Volnay and
Pommard. On arrival in the walled town of Beaune, a
guided visit to the
Hospices de Beaune,
a world famous charity hospital founded by the
chancellor to the Duke of Burgundy in 1443. This is a
masterpiece of late medieval architecture and houses
numerous priceless pieces of art as well as having the
most remarkable colourful glazed tiled roof. Return to
Chalon, and free time in town before dinner.
Tuesday – CHALON-TOURNUS-GIGNY
Morning
cruise to
Tournus,
once the seat of a large monastery and important river
port, where the boat moors around 10.30. Walk in the
town center to visit the St Philibert Abbey. The 11th C
collegiate church is considered a landmark of Romanesque
architecture. Lunch on board in Tournus. Beginning of
afternoon, coach excursion to
Brancion,
medieval village that offers breathtaking views of the
Burgundy countryside. Return to the boat late afternoon,
in
Gigny,
small riverside village on the Saône river.
Wednesday - GIGNY-CHAGNY
We enter the Canal du Centre from the river through a
lock with a fifty-foot rise and cruise along an
attractive winding stretch, with good opportunities to
walk or cycle along the green cycling track recently
built along the Canal du Centre between Chalon and St
Léger. Excursion to the nearby village of Rully
for a guided tour of the twelfth century château and
winery.
Thursday - CHAGNY-ST LEGER SUR DHEUNE
Cruise through the morning to
Santenay
and moor in time to explore this famous wine-producing
village of the Côte de Beaune before lunch. Wine
tasting. Good cycling and walking all day on the
restored towpath. An excursion this afternoon will take
us to the medieval chateau of
La Rochepot,
a splendid castle-fortress in a beautiful setting. This
evening is our farewell gala dinner.
Friday - ST LEGER SUR DHEUNE
After breakfast, transfer to the Dijon railway station.
|
Note:
This is a
sample itinerary: it is subject to modification in
the case of unforeseen circumstances and canal
closures. Please check our web site
for latest
update on our detailed itinerary. We cruise in
opposite direction on alternate weeks. Excursions
may change if necessary. |
