H2olidays

Itinerary

Fleurey-sur-Ouche  to Escommes

Sunday - Fleurey-sur-Ouche
Guest are met at the designated meeting point in Paris and transferred to the elegant L’Impressionniste moored in Fleurey-sur-Ouche for your cruise through Burgundy. A Champagne reception welcomes you on board and provides you with a chance to meet the crew. Dinner on board.

Monday - Fleurey-sur-Ouche to Saint Marie sur Ouche
This morning experience your first day’s cruise along this enchanting canal, which also promises a walk or cycle along an ever-present towpath cruising past sleepy villages and pretty lock houses. After lunch we visit Clos de Vougeot , headquarters of the esteemed Chevaliers du Tastevin , who award a special prized label to the finest Cote d‘Or vintages every year. On the way back to the hotel barge we enjoy a tasting of fine Burgundy wines in the cellars of the reputable domaine Chateau André Ziltener, a family-run winery built on the foundations of an old Cistercian abbey. Dinner on board.

Tuesday - Sainte Marie sur   Ouche  to La Bussiere
After breakfast, enjoy a walking tour of old Dijon including a visit to the vivid produce markets, mustard shops and the impressive Notre-Dame de Dijon, or enjoy some excellent shopping time. Return to the hotel barge for lunch and a leisurely afternoon cruise to La Bussière and perhaps a walk or bicycle ride to the next lock or two. Dinner on board.

Wednesday - La Bussiere to Pont d’Ouche
After a morning cruise to Pont D’Ouche , we are given an exclusive tour of the magnificent 12th century Abbaye de la Bussière . The ornamental gardens and lake, wine press, crypt and cellars are interwoven with ancient colonnades, stone staircases and huge stained glass windows. After a Kir Royale aperitif, we savour the gastronomic delights of Master Chef Emmanuel Hébrard in the Bistro or Garden Restaurant, whilst enjoying a selection of local burgundies. Mid-afternoon, we visit the medieval village, craft shops and castle of Châteauneuf-en-Auxois , once an outpost of the Dukes of Burgundy and offering a fine overview of the feeder lakes, canal and surrounding countryside. Dinner on board.

Thursday - Pont d’Ouche to Vandenesse-en-Auxois
After breakfast we cruise to Vandenesse-en-Auxois , passing grazing white Charolais cattle, rolling hills and picturesque villages crossing the only canal bridge on the Burgundy Canal. We then drive through the premier cru vineyards into Beaune , capital of Burgundy wine country. We absorb the fascinating 15th century Hotel Dieu Hospice, before visiting another of Burgundy’s oldest winemakers, Bouchard Pere et Fils, renowned for its Grand Cru and Premier Cru wines and of course, enjoy a tasting. Dinner on board. 

Friday - Vandenesse-en-Auxois to Escommes
Our last day’s leisurely cruise takes us to the canal summit, 1,250 feet above sea level, just before the Pouilly tunnel. This afternoon we visit Chateau de Bussy , once the home of the Comte Roger de Bussy-Rabutin who was exiled to his estate due in part to his scandalous lifestyle and satirical chronicles of French nobility which found him in great disfavour with King Louis XIV. The bitter Bussy-Rabutin amassed a collection of portraits that included former mistresses, mistresses of French kings as well as military greats of the time. The galleries give insight into the decadent reign of the Sun King. There is time to stroll through the French-style garden and enjoy the views of the château surrounded by its moats.Captain's Farewell Dinner on board.

Saturday - Escommes
After breakfast, guests disembark L'Impressionniste and transfer to the designated drop off point in Paris.

*This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change. On alternate weeks the cruise is in the reverse direction. The designated meeting and drop off point is Paris. Other arrangements can be made for charter groups.