'Reine Pedauque'

The ‘Relaxing Dream Cruise’, between Dijon and Vandenesse on The Burgundy Canal

Day 1 : Friday—Check in at Dijon. At the meeting point of Château la Chassagne near Dijon, an air-conditioned bus will drive you to the barge at 5 pm. You are welcomed in grand style with a glass of the famous Kir Royal champagne. Once shown to your cabin and settled on board, you will discover the city of Dijon, ancient throne to the Dukes of Burgundy and birth town of Gustave Eiffel. The city is also know as ‘the town of a hundred bells’, is famous for Cassis and the tradition of making mustard. At your first evening on board you will be invited to our traditional welcome-dinner where you will learn all the details about your cruise. Afterwards you can enjoy drinks on the sundeck and beside the pool.

Day 2 : Saturday—Dijon to Fleurey sur Ouche. While having breakfast, Reine Pedauque leaves the port of Dijon and begins to pass through the locks on the canal; there will be a total of 45 during the cruise. A splendid lunch menu or brunch is prepared and served by the crew. The barge passes by Lake Kir, then Plombières les Dijon and Velars sur Ouche. If you're not a connoisseur of grand Burgundy wines and specialties, as the barge continues to advance, you will soon become one. The barge has a snail like pace and the tempo is set by the canal locks, in the late afternoon the barge moors in the village of Fleurey sur Ouche. In the afternoon, you will enjoy an excursion away from the barge. Back on board you will enjoy again a typical French dinner.

Day 3 : Sunday—Fleurey to Gissey sur Ouche. The voyage takes you into the heart of Burgundy and the magnificent Ouche valley. From the sun deck you can savour the real Burgundy while passing through traditional villages such as Pont-de-Pany, then on to Saint Marie sur Ouche. Tonight the barge is moored in a hidden romantic spot, beside the river Ouche and a Gallo-Roman bridge, one of the most photographed and painted views in the village of Gissey sur Ouche. At the evening the traditional farewell party -which sometimes develops into a midnight champagne pool party- is an ideal opportunity to say good bye to the passengers who booked a Mini-Cruise (Friday to Monday).

Day 4 : Monday—Private excursion to Beaune for the 6 night cruise passengers. Check out / check in 4-days / 3-nights Mini Cruise passengers. Today, you will make an excursion into the vine yards of Burgundy and the wine capital town of Beaune. Wine tasting with experts to guide you and answer all your questions, visits to some of the most important names in Burgundy such as Corton, Volnay and Mersault. For Lunch you will be invited in a highly reputed village restaurant surrounded by Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vines. In the afternoon there is plenty of time to visit the famous Hospice de Beaune, visit the charming boutiques lining the cobbled streets of the historic market town. Return to the barge is via the "Hautes Côtes" along the country roads and past the source of the river Ouche. With a drink at the bar you will get to know the new passengers who have booked the 4-days/3- nights Mini cruise and got on board in the meantime. For dinner you chef will surprise you with something very special...

Day 5 : Tuesday—Gissey sur Ouche to Pont d'Ouche. Reine Pedauque leaves Gissey sur Ouche in the morning and heads on to Saint Victor sur Ouche and La Bussière. After a delicious lunch buffet the cruise goes on along Veuvey to reach today's destination Pont d'Ouche. When your hotel barge is moored, you will be invited to visit Chateauneuf en Auxois which you will pass tomorrow with the boat. Walk into this medieval village with its cafes, antique and curiosity shops along the picturesque streets and it's bistro bars which invite to settle in a drink in the hand. There is also a fantastic view over the Auxois plains, with lakes and the distant Morvan hills. Dinner is served on board once more.

Day 6 : Wednesday—Cruise from Pont d'Ouche to Vandenesse en Auxois. A wonderful opportunity to enjoy the countryside, relax on the sun-deck, walk or cycle ahead. In the surroundings of Crugey you will have a Burgundy Menu for lunch. After the barge has arrived in the port or Vandenesse, it is up to you to decide the destination of today's excursion: the water château of Commarin, the tunnel entrance in Pouilly-en-Auxois or a nearby cheese dairy. Sometimes we organize a ‘petanque’ (French bowls) championship between the passengers and the crew. Beginning with cocktails on board, you can learn the art of "Sabrage", where you slash open a Champagne bottle with a sword, as the Dukes of Burgundy did hundreds of years ago. Then everybody will be in the right mood for the great farewell dinner and the remittance of your ‘Lock Diploma’ as well as a selection of several Dijon mustards.

Day 7 : Thursday—Check-Out. After a grand breakfast, disembarkation is generally at 10:30 am. Depending on your personal plans we can drive you to the meeting point hotel Château la Chassagne, to the railway station or airport. Reine Pedauque’s sister ship the MS Niagara offers the same itinerary.

PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS A SAMPLE ITINERARY AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE. ON ALTERNATE WEEKS CRUISES WILL BE IN REVERSE DIRECTION.