'Amaryllis'

St Leger to Dole (or reverse), on the Canal du Centre, River Saône and Canal du Rhone au Rhin, Burgundy

Sunday – Dijon
You are met by the barge guide who escorts you on your transfer to St. Léger where you board the barge for your cruise through Burgundy. A champagne reception welcomes you on board and gives you a chance to meet the crew. Enjoy an early evening cocktail cruise before dinner.

Monday - Cruise to Rully. Visit Couches.
Following a typical French breakfast, the barge cruises to Rully, another quaint village along the Canal du Centre. Relax on board and enjoy the passing scenery. Alternatively cycle or walk along the towpath and meet the barge further down the canal. This afternoon you visit Château Marguerite de Bourgogne in Couches, a château dating back to the 11th century. The tour includes a private underground wine tasting conducted by the owner.

Tuesday – Visit Château de Rully. Cruise to Chalon-sur-Saône.
This morning, your guide escorts you on a tour of the Château de Rully followed by a cellar tour in Bouzeron or crémant tasting in Rully. Your last lock on the Canal du Centre is the deep lock which takes you from the canal into the River Saône just north of Chalon-sur-Saône where the barge moors for the night. Here the scenery changes from the close proximity of the canal banks to the expanse of this beautiful river.

Wednesday – Visit Chalon. Cruise to Verdun. Visit Beaune
After breakfast, enjoy a walk along pedestrian area of Chalon and visit the museum of photography. Return to the barge for lunch and to continue your cruise. Later, your guide escorts you to Beaune, capital of the wine region of Burgundy, and a visit to the famous Hotel-Dieu, Hospice de Beaune.

Thursday - Cruise to St. Jean de Losne. Visit Clos de Vougeot.
Today, your guide is planning a visit to the Clos de Vougeot, a medieval château surrounded by vineyards. This is the headquarters of the Chevaliers du Tastevin, whose special label is awarded annually to the finest Côte d’Or vintages. A visit to Chambolle-Musigny for a wine-tasting follows. Afternoon cruise to St. Jean de Losne where the barge moors for the evening.

Friday - Visit Dijon. Cruise to Dole.
Today is market day in Dijon and one must experience a French market day. Your guide takes you on a walking tour of the town, a visit to the Ducal Palace, the market and the Grey Poupon mustard shop. Return to the barge for lunch and enjoy the lovely countryside of the Franche Comté as you cruise to tonight’s mooring in the town of Dole. Enjoy a walking tour of Dole in the late afternoon. Back on board the chef is preparing a memorable feast for your farewell dinner.

Saturday – Dijon-Paris.
After breakfast disembark and transfer to your hotel or the Dijon rail station for your onward travel.

Dijon to St Leger sur Dheune (or reverse), on the Burgundy Canal, Canal du Centre and River Saône

Sunday - Dijon.
You are met at Dijon train station by the barge guide who escorts you on your transfer to Dijon’s Port du Canal, where you board the barge for your cruise through Burgundy. A champagne reception welcomes you on board and gives you a chance to meet the crew. Later that evening, experience your first dinner on board.

Monday - Cruise to Longecourt. Visit Château du Clos de Vougeot.
While the barge cruises the Canal de Bourgogne from Dijon to the River Saône your guide takes you to visit Gevray Chambertin or the Musée des Beaux Arts. Later today you visit the Château du Clos de Vougeot, a medieval château surrounded by vineyards. This is the headquarters of the Chevaliers du Tastevin, whose special label is awarded annually to the finest Côte d’Or vintages. You have the opportunity to see a family run winery and to sample wines that may never reach your corner of the world.

Tuesday – Visit Dijon. Cruise to St. Jean de Losne.
After breakfast, your guide takes you on a walking tour of Dijon, past the elegant houses. Visit the Ducal Palace, the market, and the Grey Poupon mustard shop. Return to the boat for lunch and an afternoon cruise. The barge leaves the Canal de Bourgogne and enters the River Saône for tonight’s mooring in St. Jean de Losne, the barging capital of France. Take some time this evening or early tomorrow to stroll around the port and see the many working and pleasure barges.

Wednesday – Visit Beaune. Cruise to Chalon-sur-Saône or Fragnes.
Continue to cruise the peaceful valley of the River Saône downstream to Seurre. Guests may stay on board and enjoy the passing scenery. Today includes a visit to Beaune, the capital of the wine region of Burgundy and a visit to the famous Hotel-Dieu, Hospice de Beaune. Reboard the boat for a leisurely cruise to tonight’s mooring in Chalon-sur-Saône or Fragnes. Your guide takes you on a walking tour of the pedestrian area in Chalon-sur-Saône, the last of the Burgundian style river towns and one of the major cities of the Saône Valley.

Thursday - Cruise to Rully. Visit Château de Rully.
The barge cruises upstream for a short distance and leaves the River Saône by clearing the lock to enter the Canal du Centre. Now you are back into the canal environment where you may disembark the barge at each lock, bicycle alongside or walk and keep up with the pace of the barge. After lunch, visit the Château de Rully followed by a cellar tour and wine tasting in Bouzeron or a crémant tasting in Rully. Tonight it is back to a countryside mooring in Rully.

Friday - Visit Couches and the Château Marguerite de Bourgogne. Cruise St. Léger.
A leisurely cruise on the Canal du Centre gives you a chance to savor the beauty of the French countryside. The barge cruises to St. Léger, another quaint village along the Canal du Centre while your guide takes you to Château Marguerite de Bourgogne in Couches, dating back to the 11th century, for a tour and wine tasting. Back on board the chef is preparing a memorable feast for your farewell gala dinner.

Saturday - Dijon-Paris.
After breakfast disembark the barge and transfer to Dijon train station for your onward travel.

St Leger sur Dheune—Lyon (or reverse) on the Canal du Centre and the River Saône

Sunday – Dijon
At Dijon station you are met by the barge guide who escorts you on your transfer to St. Léger where you board the barge for your cruise through Burgundy. A champagne reception welcomes you on board and gives you a chance to meet the crew. Later that evening, enjoy your first dining experience on board.

Monday - Cruise to Rully. Visit Couches.
Following a typical French breakfast, the barge cruises to Rully, a quaint village along the ‘Canal du Centre’. Today, your guide takes you to Château Marguerite de Bourgogne in Couches, dating back to the 11th century for a tour and wine tasting. In the afternoon, guests may elect to stay on board and enjoy the passing scenery, bicycle and keep up with the barge, or walk along the towpath and meet the barge further down the canal.

Tuesday - Cruise to Chalon-sur-Saône. Visit Beaune.
Your last lock on the Canal du Centre is the deep lock which takes you from the canal into the River Saône just north of Chalon-sur-Saône where the barge moors for the night. The scenery changes from the close proximity of the canal banks to the expanse of this beautiful river. After lunch your guide escorts you to Beaune, capital of the wine region of Burgundy, and a visit to the famous Hotel- Dieu, Hospice de Beaune.

Wednesday - Visit Tournus and Château de Cormatin. Cruise to Mâcon.
This morning the barge cruises to Tournus where you disembark to visit the Romanesque church of St. Philibert on the banks of the Saône. Over lunch the boat continues to cruise towards Mâcon. Later in the afternoon your guide takes you to visit the Château de Cormatin notable for its painted, sculpted and gold-leafed interiors from the reign of Louis XIII. If there’s time, you’ll also visit the Benedictine Abbey Church in Cluny, the largest church in the whole of western Christendom. Our mooring this evening is Mâcon, a thriving market town bordering both the Mâconnais and the Beaujolais vineyards.

Thursday - Cruise to Montmerle. Visit Beaujolais Region.
In the morning, you’ll take a drive to the Roche du Solutré, a picturesque site with a superb view of Mâcon, the River Saône and the Pouilly-Fuissé vineyards. Back on board you may wish to relax on deck and watch the passing scenery. After lunch you’ll visit the Beaujolais region, a region known for its vineyards and gastronomy. Your guide has wine tasting on the agenda and perhaps a visit to the Car Museum.

Friday - Cruise to Lyon. Visit Lyon.
Today’s visit is Lyon, one the three Roman capitals of Gaul and the second city of France. Lyon is a cultural, historic, gastronomic, and commercial center, little known outside of France. Dominating the city is the splendidly ornate Basilica of Notre Dame de Fourvière. The standard of Lyon's shopping facilities is renowned for its quality and includes many chic boutiques and a market hall devoted entirely to antiques. Back on board, the chef is preparing a gala dinner the last evening of your cruise.

Saturday - Lyon-Paris.
After breakfast disembark and transfer to the Lyon station for your onward travel.

Escommes to Dijon (or reverse) on the Burgundy Canal

The day to day itinerary described below is a typical cruise. However, on any one cruise the moorings may change and the places visited may vary depending on the season and guest preferences.
Sunday – Dijon
At Dijon station you are met by the barge guide who escorts you on your transfer to Escommes where you board the barge for your cruise through Burgundy. A champagne reception welcomes you on board and gives you a chance to meet the crew. A cocktail cruise introduces you to the delights of cruising. Later that evening enjoy your first dining experience on board.

Monday - Cruise to Pont d’Ouche. Visit Abbey de Fontenay.
After breakfast, enjoy your first day cruising on the Canal de Bourgogne (Burgundy Canal). Smallunspoiled villages and green, forested hills provide the traveler with exceptional views from the deck. After lunch your guide takes you to visit Chateauneuf-en-Auxois. Both the village and the chateau have a long and interesting history. This is followed by a tour of the stunning surrounding countryside, and the opportunity to see the entrance to the 2 mile long canal tunnel and the largest of the reservoirs which feed the Burgundy Canal.

Tuesday – Cruise to La Bussière. Visit Clos de Vougeot.
Relax on-board this morning as the barge cruises towards the charming village of La Bussière. After lunch, your guide takes you to visit Clos de Vougeot, a medieval château surrounded by vineyards. This is the headquarters of the Chevaliers du Tastevin, whose special label is awarded annually to the finest Côte d’Or vintages. On your way back to the barge, enjoy a wine tasting in Vougeot.

Wednesday - Cruise to Gissey. Visit l’Abbaye de La Bussière
Mid-morning, your guide takes you on a tour of l’Abbaye de la Bussière built in the 12th century under the guidance of the Cistercian monks from Citeaux. Today, you have the option to take lunch off the barge if you wish. This afternoon, visit the Château de Commarin, an interesting castle whose celebrated tapestries with the coat of arms of the Vienne family, take the place of a family tree.

Thursday – Cruise to Fleurey-sur-Ouche. Visit Beaune.
This morning the boat cruises through the Côte d’Or planted with vines that produce some of the world’s most famous wines. After another delicious lunch your guide escorts you to Beaune, capital of the wine region of Burgundy, for a visit to the famous Hôtel-Dieu, Hospice de Beaune. Tonight’s mooring is at another canal-side village, Fleurey-sur-Ouche.

Friday - Visit Dijon. Cruise to Dijon.
After breakfast, your guide takes you on a walking tour of Dijon, to visit the Ducal Palace, the market, and the Grey Poupon mustard shop. Return to the boat for lunch and the afternoon’s cruise. The barge moors for the night in Dijon’s Port du Canal, a short distance from the town centre. Meanwhile the chef is preparing a gala dinner for your last evening on board.

Saturday – Dijon to Paris.
After breakfast, disembark and transfer to the Dijon train station for your onward travel.