'Impressionniste'

Dijon to Escommes on the Burgundy Canal

Sunday – Dijon
You are met at the meeting hotel in Dijon at 4.30pm and transferred to the elegant L’Impressionniste moored in the Port of Dijon for your cruise through Burgundy. A Champagne reception welcomes you on board and provides you with a chance to meet the crew. Enjoy a stroll into Dijon before Dinner aboard.

Monday – Dijon to Fleurey 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, we 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. We offer a private tasting of Vosne Romanee, Gevrey Chambertin, Cote de Nuits and Nuits-St-Georges at the family run Domaine Jafflin in the heart of Nuits-St- Georges on the route des Grands Crus. Our excellent relationship with the Jafflin family goes back over 20 years. Dinner aboard.

Tuesday – Fleurey sur Ouche to Gissey sur Ouche
After breakfast, enjoy a walking tour of old Dijon including a visit to the vivid flower and produce market, mustard shops and the flamboyant 14th century Ducal Palace (or enjoy some excellent shopping time). Return to the boat for lunch and a leisurely afternoon cruise to Gissey sur Ouche. Dinner aboard.

Wednesday – Gissey sur Ouche to La Bussiere
This morning we 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. After lunch we cruise to La Bussiere, passing grazing white Charolais cattle, rolling hills and picturesque villages. Dinner aboard.

Thursday - La Bussiere to Crugey
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 in the private music room, the former chapel, we 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 we continue to the mediaeval 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. Dinner aboard.

Friday – Crugey to Escommes
Our last day’s leisurely cruise takes us to the canal summit, 1250 feet above sea level, just before the Pouilly tunnel. In the afternoon we cross the premier cru vineyards into Beaune, capital of Burgundy wine country with a history going back over 2000 years. We absorb the fascinating 15th century Hotel Dieu Hospice and visit Maison Champy, Beaune’s oldest winery established in 1720 with even older cellars. Captain’s Farewell Dinner aboard.

Saturday - Dijon
After breakfast disembark the barge and transfer to Dijon station by 9.00am or Dijon Centre. (Suggested train to Paris TGV 6710 departing Dijon at 9.57am and arrive in Paris, Gare de Lyon at 11.37am).

This itinerary is subject to change. On alternative weeks, the cruise is in reverse direction.