2011

Heart of Burgundy 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:

• The barging capital of Europe, St Jean de Losne

• Dijon, the capital of Burgundy

• The 12th century monks winery of Clos de Vougeot

• Medieval town of Chalon Sur Saone

• The 12th Century Chateau of Rully

• The picturesque village of Chagny

• Wine tasting in Meursault

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

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

• A mooring in the vineyards of Santenay

• A tour of the Chateau de Marguerite, one of the best preserved vestiges of a vast medieval fortress.

• A tasting of wine at Chateau de Marguerite of Burgundy

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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 along the Burgundy Canal east of Dijon.  Sip Kir Royale (with champagne) as we welcome you on board and introduce you to the crew. (Meanwhile, your luggage is quietly taken to your cabin.) After everyone is aboard we will continue cruising the canal to our evening mooring in Ouges.  Before dinner there will be time to walk the tow path or bicycle to the next lock.  Tonight you will  enjoy your first gourmet dinner on board Loraine.

 

 

Sunday
After your buffet breakfast aboard Lorraine our motor coach will whisk you for a tour of  Dijon, the capital of Burgundy, while Lorraine continues down the Canal de Bourgogne.   Passengers will return to Lorraine for lunch and continued cruising along the canal. There are many opportunities for guests to walk along the towpath or cycle into nearby villages. This evening we will moor in St jean de Losne, traditionally the center of barging in France.  It is in St Jean de Losne that the Canal de Bourgogne with merges with the river Saone.  There is ample opportunity to walk the village before dinner and stroll the quiet streets after dinner.  There are hundreds of barges moored here in addition to major barge manufacturers. Live aboard barge owners are abundant.

 

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 before we return to Caprice.  This afternoon we will cruise to Chalons sur Saone.  CHALON SUR  SAONE is the second largest city in Burgundy and has been an important trading center since gallo-roman times. There will be time to visit the beautiful medieval town center surrounding the Cathedral St Vincent.

Tuesday

Today we enter the Canal du Centre from the Saone through a lock with a fifty foot rise.  We will cruise along an attractive winding stretch where a good towpath and fairly frequent locks give ample opportunities to walk or cycle the tow path. This afternoon we will have an excursion to the nearby village of Rully for a private guided tour of the 12c. Chateau.  When we return to Caprice it will be moored in the lovely little town of Chagny.

Wednesday

Morning excursion to Beaune.  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.  Afternoon cruise through the meanders of the canal du centre to moor in the midst of the famous vineyards of SANTENAY

Thursday

Today we navigate to the quiet village of Dennevy. Drive to Couches to visit the chateau of Marguerite of Burgundy, the beautifully preserved vestiges of a vast medieval fortress, followed by a tasting of the wines made here by Emmanuel Cayot, son of the owner.  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.

Click Here to see details and photos of the Caprice

FRIDAY

After breakfast, transfer to the Dijon railroad station.  Arrival Dijon Railway Station is between 11a.m. and noon.

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

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.