Barge Cruise: Burgundy - Auxerre

Wine, history and the Burgundy countryside

Cruise the Canal de Bourgogne in France on a floating six-passenger barge-hotel (7 days - 6 nights). You can choose a family theme cruise or a "wine and chocolate" theme cruise. In either case, you will see picturesque villages, enjoy tours of local historical sites and taste the local wines and regional specialties. When the day is over, relax with a drink on the deck of the river boat and chat with the captain while your gourmet dinner is prepared.

TYPICAL BARGE CRUISE ITINERARY
(Actual program may vary.)

Wine and Chocolate Cruise

Day 1 - Saturday: Paris to Tanlay. Meet at a pre-arranged location in Paris at 2 pm and transfer to the barge, which will be moored in the delightful chateau village of Tanlay. Settle in after a champagne reception and maybe take a stroll around the village before dinner on the barge. Start the chocolate theme with tonight's dessert.

Day 2 - Sunday: Tanlay to Lezzines. This morning, cruise to Lezzines and visit the beautiful Renaissance Chateau of Ancy-le- Franc, which has been beautifully restored. Back on board the barge, enjoy a tasting of local wines. If you like, a cooking demonstration can be arranged. Dinner on the barge.

Day 3 - Monday: Lezzines to Ancy-le-Franc. After cruising to Ancy-le-Franc, enjoy a pleasant drive through the countryside to the village of Chablis for a wine tasting and a visit to a chocolate-maker. Learn the history of the chocolate Pillars of Chablis and, of course, taste them. Back to the barge, where you can watch the movie Chocolat. This film starring Juliette Binoche, Johnny Depp, and Judi Dench was made in the nearby village of Flavigny, which you'll visit on Thursday. Dinner on the barge.

Day 4 - Tuesday: Ancy-le-Franc to Ravières. Today starts with a leisurely canal cruise to Ravières. After lunch, visit the Grottes d'Arcy-sur-Cure - caves with amazing stalagmite and stalagtite formations and some of the oldest cave paintings in the world. Back to the barge for dinner and your next chocolate dessert.

Day 5 - Wednesday: Ravières to Montbard. This morning, continue cruising to Montbard. After lunch on the barge, tour the Abbaye de Fontenay, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This wonderful abbey is the last complete cistercian monastery left in France. Back on the barge, the chef will demonstrate how to make tiny chocolate petits fours before dinner.

Day 6 - Thursday: Montbard to Venarey-les-Laumes.The last day's cruise goes to Venarey-les-Laumes, a climb up with fabulous views over the countryside. Finish the week with lunch in the village of Flavigny (where the movie Chocolat was made) and a walking tour of the village. From here, drive the short distance to Alesia to see the site of the last great battle between the Romans and the Gauls. The Roman ruins and amphitheater date back to 345 BC. Return to the barge in time for a rest before the Captain's dinner and a last chocolate fest.

Day 7 - Friday: Venarey-les-Laumes to Paris. This morning transfer back to Paris after breakfast.

On alternate weeks, cruise will be in the reverse direction.
This itinerary is subject to change without notice and may be adapted to special requests for charters.

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Highlights

• Tour the Chateau of Ancy-le-Franc
• Wine tasting and visit to a chocolate-maker in Chablis
• Tour the Grottes d'Arcy-sur-Cure (prehistoric cave paintings)
• Visit the Abbey of Fontenay, a World Heritage Site
• Lunch in Flavigny, setting for the movie Chocolat
• Tour the Roman ruins at Alesia

Included

• Accommodations with private bathroom (shower) and all meals from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 7
• Wine with lunch and dinner and selected alcoholic beverages consumed aboard the barge
• Sightseeing tours
• Round-trip transfers from specified meeting point in Paris

Not Included

• Transportation to and from meeting point in Paris
• Health and travel insurance
• Barge crew gratuities (suggested 5% of cruise price)
• Superior vintage wines
• Personal expenses
• Optional activities when available
• Other items not specifically listed under "Included" above

Barge Features

• 3 cabins: can be set up as twin or double (6 passengers)
• Cabin size: 103 square feet
• Selection of DVDs for all ages
• Crew: husband and wife team plus two additional crew members and a small friendly dog (optional)
• Sundeck
• Air conditioning and central heating
• Air-conditioned minibus for excursions
• No smoking inside the minibus and the barge (smoking allowed outdoors on the sundeck only)
  

Departures

Every Saturday subject to availability (except winter)

This barge can be chartered for families and other groups. Various themes (wine, cooking, walking, art, photography, history) can be arranged to fit the specific interests of each group.

Dates and Prices

Book Your Cruise!

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