2011

Heart of Burgundy Itinerary

South Bound, Dijon to St Leger, on Caprice

Scroll to bottom of page for hyperlink to North Bound Itinerary

80% Canal Cruise

Your Heart of Burgundy cruise on Lorraine or the Caprice begins in Dijon where the cruise group meets at the Dijon railway station.  From Dijon you will cruise the Burgundy Canal, one of the oldest in France. From there you will join the Saone River for a one day cruise to the Canal du Centre where you will enter the vineyards of Burgundy.  Whether your mooring is in a vineyard or a quaint village, the Heart of Burgundy offers unlimited opportunities to make the the best vacation of your life.

Weekly April thru October on Caprice

Departures each Saturday---7 Day 6 night Cruise
Meeting Place Dijon Railway Station

Return to Dijon Railway Station following Friday    

Cruise Highlights:

• Dijon, the capital of Burgundy

• The barging capital of Europe, St Jean de Losne

• The 12th century monks winery of Clos de Vougeot

• Wine Tasting at Nuit St George

• Walking tour of Seurre

• Medieval town of Chalon Sur Saone

• The picturesque village of Chagny

• The 12th Century Chateau of Rully with a wine tasting and guided tour of the property.

• A tour of historic Beaune, the capital of the vineyards

• Market Day in Beaune

• The world famous Hotel Dieu, the first charity hospital of Europe founded in 1443

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• Caprice is Air Conditioned    

Photos of Caprice's cruise are located below within the Itinerary Chart.

Your heart of Burgundy Cruise offers a true taste of the treasures of Burgundy.  This cruise 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

SATURDAY

 

Meet at the Dijon railway station on Saturday afternoon at 4:15 P.M..   We will then transfer to Caprice located at the Port in Dijon where a welcome  aboard Kir Royale (with champagne) awaits you. We will then introduce you to the crew and to Caprice while your luggage is quietly taken to your cabin.).  Before and after dinner there will be time to use the internet cafe at the Port, have a quiet drink at the Bargie Lounge across the street, stroll along the tow path or walk uptown.  Dijon center is but 10 minutes away.  Tonight you will  enjoy your first gourmet dinner on board Caprice.

 

 

Sunday
After your buffet breakfast we begin our cruise on the Canal de Bourgogne.  Later our motor coach will whisk us off for a tour of  Dijon, the capital of Burgundy.  After we return to Caprice we will continue via the Canal de Bourgogne.   There are many opportunities for guests to walk along the towpath or cycle into nearby villages. This evening we will moor in Longecourt, a quiet canalside town.   Our mooring spot allows a magnificent view of the Chateau Longecourt  from the forward deck.  There is time to explore the village after dinner, stroll along the tow path, or sit on the deck and get to know your fellow passengers. 

 

Monday
This morning your guide will take you to visit to Clos de Vougeot. Wine was produced here as early as the 12th century—by none other than the local monks. A private wine tasting follows in Nuits St Georges  before we return to Caprice.   We continue our cruise to St Jean de Losne where the Canal de Bourgogne merges with the river Saône.  There are hundreds of barges moored here in addition to major barge manufacturers. Live aboard barge owners are abundant. We will continue our cruise on the Saône to Seurre, a lovely riverside town with a 16th century church and beautiful brick houses from the 17th century.

Tuesday

This morning we will visit the Museum of Seurre before setting our on a beautiful river cruise to Chalon sur Saône  where we arrive in mid afternoon.  A guided walking tour of old town begins after we arrive. There will be time for shopping in the town's elegant shopping district. 

Wednesday

Today we enter the Canal Du Centre from the Saône through a lock with a fifty foot rise.  Our shore excursion today will be to beautiful  Beaune.  Beaune is  the 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.  Wednesday is market day in Beaune.  We will spend some time at the market before returning to Caprice and setting off for the canal side town of Chagney.  Your cruise today is in the midst of the vineyards of the Chalonaise and Santenay. There is ample time to walk and cycle the tow path.

Thursday

Our shore excursion will be to the village of Rully for a private guided tour of the 12c Chateau Rully.  Chateau Rully has been in the same family for 900. years. 

This Medieval fortress is built around a 12th century keep and reveals some interesting featurs of medieval military architecture with its parapet walk, battlements, machicoulis and loopholes.  The main building dates bact to the Renaissance.

The vaulted kitchen in the keep has a monumental fireplace and an extensive range of copper utensils.  An 18th Century building boasts Burgundy's largest stone roof.  The Rully vineyards surround the Chateau.

Ample time for waking or cycling today. Later we cruise on to the picturesque village of  St léger-sur-Dheune for a farewell gala dinner.

Tonight our chef presents the Gala Dinner.  Your last dinner aboard Caprice.

A sample menu is listed below.

Click Here to see details and photos of the Caprice

Click Here for North Bound Itinerary

FRIDAY

After breakfast, transfer to the Dijon railroad station.  Arrival Dijon Railway Station is between 11a.m. depending on traffic which should allow time for a visit to the famous Dijon Friday market or a leisurely lunch before train time.  Recommended train departs Dijon for Paris at 1:59 p.m.

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 110 euros per person) 

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 Barging Thru France we are constantly developing our programs and we may modify our overnight stops and excursions without prior notice in order to assure a consistently high standard of moorings and visits.

Caprice Departures Each Saturday beginning April 2 thru Oct 29

Click Here for North Bound Itinerary

Escargot, a specialty of Burgundy

Every turn of the canal is another picture postcard.

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Got a sweet tooth?

Picturesque medieval villages dot the landscape.