Dijon to Escommes
Sunday – Dijon
You are met at the meeting hotel 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 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 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 country side. 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
9.00. (suggested train to Paris TGV 6710 departing
Dijon at 9.57 and arrive in Paris, Gare de Lyon at 11.37am).
This is a sample itinerary and is subject to
change. On alternate weeks, the cruise is in reverse
|
