he Canal du Centre offers some of the
richest and most beautiful regions of pastoral France. We begin our cruise
from Chagney in the very heart of the famous Burgundy wine region. We moor
among the vineyards. Then we cruise southwest along the Canal du Centre to
Paray-le-Monial. On the way we will stop to visit charming villages dating
from medieval times, an ancient Roman Amphitheater, a picturesque Chateau were
we will taste some excellent wines, an ancient Abbey, a spa town and an master
chocolatier.
This route offers some of the best
bicycling and walking of all the canals regions of France. The terrain is
gentle and the villages are inviting you to come explore.
Lorraine cruises Southern Burgundy and
Upper Loire April 10, 17., 24; May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; June 5.
Caprice cruises Southern Burgundy and
Upper Loire June 12, 19, 26; July 3, 10, 17
Saturday
Our meeting place is Le Creusot Mo
TGV train
station at 3:15. (TGV Duplex 6617 from Paris Gare de Lyon arrives at
3:15---train and times subject to change by SNCF). You will be met at the
station and transferred to your barge which awaits you at Chagny.
Welcome drink on board while the crew stores your bags in your cabin. Then
we will
begin cruising to our first nights mooring in the delightful
vineyard village of Santaney. There will be time for a stroll around the
village or a bicycle ride before we enjoy our first Gourmet Dinner aboard.
Sunday
Excursion to Chalon for a guided visit
to this charming town. The we return to the barge to cruise for our second
nights mooring in the canal town of St Leger su Dheune. On
the way we will pass through many locks offering passengers excellent to walk or
bicycle along the tow path. You can even venture into some villages for a
personal look.
Monday
Today's shore excursion is to the lovely
Chateau de Rully where we will be personally greeted by the Countess de
Rully and treated to a private wine tasting in her cave. Our cruise
for today will be to Montchanin which is the highest point on the Canal
du Centre
Tuesday
Today we will experience some delightful
cruising through picturesque countryside to Montceau les Mines. Our
shore excursion today is to Cluny, a world heritage sight. Cluny
houses the remains of the famous Benedictine Abbey founded in 910 by
William the Pious. Before the construction of St Peter's in Rome, Cluny
contained the largest church in Christendom.
Wednesday
Our cruise continues through beautiful
valleys to the village of Genelard. Along the way we will
visit the ancient city of Autun which was founded by the emperor
Augustus. Here we will find the remains of a Roman Theater and two
decorative city gates. We will also visit the cathedral of St Lazare
and the medieval district of Autun with its winding cobble stone streets
that visitors have been walking on for 1000 years.
Thursday
Chocolate lovers will really love
today. We drive to the town of La Clayette to visit the premises of
the Master Chocolate maker Bernard Dufoux. Of course we will
have some samples. Then we will have a visit to the
Automobile museum which is housed in a 14th Century Castle La Clayette.. Our cruise
today is to Paray-le-Monial where the 12th century basilica was built as
a smaller reproduction of the Abby Church of Cluny. Our visit will
offer time to stroll around the town center before we return to the barge to
enjoy our Gala Farewell dinner.
Friday
After breakfast you will board our bus for
the journey to Le Creusot rail station and the end of a perfect week
