Burgundy to Beaujolais

A delightful cruise along the bucolic river Saone with historical riverside towns, Beaujolias wine country, Lyon, the second city and gourmet capital of France, Romanesque churches and the abbey of Cluny.  This itinerary is also ideal for wine lovers as it cruises through several major producing areas.

Cruise Highlights:
Visit to Lyon, settled 1000 years ago by the Romans
Visit to Beaujolais Vineyards
12century Abbey of St Phillibert
Cluny and remains of Benedictine monastery
Chalon Sur Soane, birthplace of photography
Hospices of Beaune
Dijon, Capital of Burgundy, Ducal Palace

LIBELLULE

A delightful cruise along the bucolic River Saône is the perfect way to experience historic riverside towns and indulge in exceptional Burgundy wines. Lyon is France’s second city and its hands-down gourmet capital.

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 
Passengers who have taken our Optional Paris Transfer meet in the lobby of the Hotel Regina 192 Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris (telephone 01 42 60 31 10)  at 1:00 p.m.  (1300)  by 1^st Class High Speed TGV Train to Dijon where a the Libellule's own private motor coach will take us to Libellule moored a short drive away in the village of St. Jean de Losne. Sip champagne as we welcome you on board and introduce you to the crew. Settle in on our cruise to nearby Seurre, with time for a lovely pre-dinner stroll around this pleasant town. Join us back on board for the first of many superlative meals.

For those transferring on their own meet us at the Dijon Train Station at 4 p.m.  (1600) just opposite the Quick Restaurant at the station..

  SUNDAY
After breakfast, drive to Dijon for a walking tour of this historic capital, including the Ducal Palace and lovely medieval district. Afterward, stroll the city on your own. See the many fine mansions that line the city streets and, if you choose, pay a visit to the Fine Arts Museum. We return to Libellule and cast off during lunch on a cruise through delightful pastoral scenery. Late this afternoon, we dock in Chalon-sur-Saône, birthplace of photography. Moor in the heart of the city, close to St. Vincent Cathedral and the medieval quarter, now a pedestrian zone.

MONDAY
After breakfast, we head for Beaune, center of Burgundy’s wine trade. Our drive follows the Côte de Beaune, whose villages read like a fine wine list: Puligny-Montrachet, Meursault, Auxey Duresses, Volnay, Pommard. In the walled town of Beaune, take a guided visit of the Hôtel-Dieu, a charity hospital founded in 1443. A masterpiece of late medieval architecture, it houses priceless art and is topped by a remarkable glazed-tiled roof. Afterward, explore on your own. After lunch and strolling time in Chalon, we cruise to historic Tournus, home to the Romanesque-style Collegiate Church of St. Philibert.

TUESDAY
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast, before visiting the famous perched village of Brancion and the castle of Cormatin. Return to Tournus for lunch, then explore the town. Back underway, we cruise through pastures populated with the famed white Charolais cattle that are native to this area. A mid-afternoon mooring in Mâcon leaves time for exploring, biking, or a quiet walk along the river.          

WEDNESDAY
This morning we visit the Beaujolais hills, an area of outstanding natural beauty. Grapes for exclusive wines grow in the northern hills, where limestone deposits give the wines extraordinary quality and body. Enjoy a private tasting before returning to Mâcon for lunch. This afternoon, cruise past several villages before anchoring in picturesque Trevoux, an attractive, partially fortified town and former capital of a local principality.

THURSDAY
Stroll through charming Trevoux before cruising into the chic northern suburbs of Lyon, the culinary capital of France. Entering the city by river affords views not available to those traveling by road, including elegant river front homes and the city’s oldest quarter. Take a guided walking tour of the Old Town followed by leisure time to explore France’s second city. Tonight, sit down to a gala farewell dinner.

FRIDAY
After breakfast, transfer to the Lyon Perrache railroad station. Those taking our transfers board the first-class TGV train back to Paris.  Our transfer services end at Paris Gare de Lyon.

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.

The above describes a southbound cruise.  For north bound cruises with transfers the meeting place is the same in Paris.  For those on their own transfer the meeting place is the Hotel Chateau Perrache which is opposite the Lyon Perrache RR Station. at 4:30 p.m.   (1630)

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)