2007

Cruising the most popular canal in Burgundy

Vandenesse -Dijon--The Best of Burgundy

The Burgundy Canal offers an incredible abundance of interesting shore excursions, both from our air conditioned tour bus and by foot or bicycle in this region well know for its fine wines and hearty cuisine.

•  Cruise Highlights:
  ·         15^th Chateau de Commarin
  ·         Medieval perched village of Chateauneuf en Auxois
  ·         Wine tasting in Meursault
  ·         The Abbey of La Bussiere
  ·         Picturesque covered market of Dijon
  ·         Beaune, Capital of Burgundy
  ·         Clos de Bougeot,  private wine tasting
  ·         Ducal Palace
  ·         The world famous Hospice of Beaune
  ·         Bicycles on board
  
  Air conditioned

The Burgundy Canal, the most beloved in France, offers an incredible abundance of interesting shore excursions by coach, on foot, by balloon, or by bicycle. This incomparable region is world-renowned for its exquisite cuisine and fine wine.

About Transfers----3 of our boats have a meeting point outside of Paris.   They are the Litote, Lorraine, and Libellule.   You have to option of purchasing our First Class Paris Transfer which includes baggage handling from Paris to the boat, or meet the group at the bargeside meeting point.   Unless you will be in the barge side town for sightseeing before or after the cruise, the offered optional transfers, on those 3 boats with barge side meeting point away from Paris, are very reasonable and so convenient.  You are taken from Paris to the boat in First Class and your luggage is taken care of all the way..

The Anacoluthe and Esprit de Europe include private coach transfers from Paris to the barge.  It is included in the price of the cruise.  Baggage is handled from the Hotel Regina to your cabin onboard the barge.

SATURDAY
For those purchasing the optional Paris Transfer via first-class TGV high-speed train,  we will meet in the lobby of Hotel Regina, 192, Rue de Rivoli, Paris 75001 (Telephone 01 42 60 31 10) at  1 p.m.  (1300).   For those doing their own transfers, meet us in Dijon Railway Station opposite the Quick Restaurant at 4 p.m. (1600).   We will then transfer to Litote moored in the sleepy village of Vandenesse-en-Auxois. Sip champagne as we welcome you on board and introduce you to the crew. (Meanwhile, your luggage is quietly taken to your cabin.) Enjoy your first gourmet dinner on board this evening.

SUNDAY
Begin the day with a morning excursion to the 15th-century Cinhâteau de Commar, still privately owned and operated by the same family, the chateau is notable for its beautiful furnishings and a unique collection of Renaissance heraldic tapestries.   Continue the short distance to Chateauneuf-en-Auxois, a medieval village with majestic views of the valley and canal below. A sumptuous lunch is followed by a peaceful cruise along the Burgundy Canal to the picturesque village of Pont d’Ouche.   This is an excellent day fo pleasant walking and cycling along the towpath.

MONDAY
This morning, drive to Meursault, one of Burgundy’s many famous wine growing areas, for a private cellar visit and a chance to sample some of the most prestigious wines of this area.  We return to Litote in time for a  delicious gourmet lunch and begin crising through one of the most attractive stretchs of the Brgundy Canal to La Bussière.  We moor a short distance from the Abbey which is well worth a visit.

TUESDAY
Tuesday is market day in Dijon, and after a guided visit of the city’s historic center, we set you loose to explore the delights of this typical, picturesque, covered, French market. Return to Litote for a late lunch and lazy afternoon with cruising to Gissey sur Ouche.

WEDNESDAY
This morning, we cruise through some delightful villages with lots of opportunities to walk or cycle along the towpaths which will bring us to Pont de Pany. After another wonderful lunch, we take off for a visit to Beaune, wine capital of Burgundy and home to the magnificent Hôtel-Dieu, a charity hospital founded in 1443. This monument boasts the finest Burgundian-Flemish architecture in the world. Afterward, we return to Litote, moored in the small village of Fleurey sur Ouche.

THURSDAY
This morning we cruise towards Dijon, passing alongside Lake Kir as we approach the port of Dijon. In the afternoon, a visit to Clos de Vougeot is in order. Wine was produced here as early as the 12th century—by none other than the local monks. A private wine tasting follows before we return to Litote for our farewell gala dinner.

FRIDAY
After breakfast, transfer to the Dijon railroad station. Those taking our transfers board the first-class TGV train back to Paris.

On alternate weeks the itinerary is reversed.

 Note: This is a sample itinerary: it is subject to modification in the case of unforeseen circumstances such as canal closures. The boat cruises in the opposite direction on alternate weeks.  At Canal & Co we are constantly developing our programmes and we may modify our overnight stops and excursions without prior notice in order to assure a consistently high standard of moorings and visits.

Rates include all meals from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 7.  Wines  included with lunch and dinner. Daily excursions with a guide and entrance fees.

Rate does not include, Bar Drinks, or Crew Gratuities (Suggested $200 per cabin)