Wine Appreciation Barge Cruise Itinerary
Auxerre to Chevroches
This comprehensive wine itinerary includes additional winery visits, private tastings, the services of a professional wine guide, and an upgrade of the wine list to include additional premier and grand cru wines. Barge L'Art de Vivre cruises one of France's longest-established canals, the Canal du Nivernais in Burgundy.
Sunday, Day 1 - Auxerre
Guests are met at their choice of location in Paris and transferred by private chauffeured minibus to L'Art de Vivre moored in Chevroches. Following a Champagne Welcome and an outline introduction to the week's wine cruise, you are free to explore the medieval town of Auxerre or take a bike ride or a stroll along the banks of the River Yonne before returning for dinner on board.
Monday, Day 2 - Auxerre to Vincelles
Our morning cruise takes us past vineyard-clad hillsides to Vincelles where we moor in rural bliss. After lunch, accompanied by our wine guide, we drive to St Bris with its extraordinary network of medieval passages beneath the town. Following a tour of the Bersan family's 12th century cellars, we taste the unique selection of wines made in this little known Burgundian village. Dinner on board.
Tuesday, Day 3 - Vincelles to Mailly-la-Ville
Morning cruise past gently rolling hills and vineyards interspersed with cherry orchards. Charolais cattle glance up as we pass them grazing in the lush fields alongside the river. Cruise through lunch. At St Pallaye our wine guide takes us over the nearby hills to the legendary vineyards surrounding the world famous town of Chablis. A tour of the Grand Cru vineyards is followed by an exclusive visit to a state of the art winery, either Domaine Laroche or perhaps Domaine William Fevre. Return to the barge awaiting us at Mailly la Ville. Dinner on board.
Wednesday, Day 4 - Mailly-la-Ville to Le Saussois
In the morning we cruise past the prehistoric coral reefs, which now form the spectacular cliffs at Mailly le Chateau and Le Saussois, a favourite rendezvous for rock climbers. From here we enjoy an excursion to Vézelay, one of Burgundy's most famous treasures with the Romanesque Basilica of St Mary Magdalene, craft shops and fine views of the surrounding countryside while sipping a glass of wine from the ancient monastic vineyard. Dinner on board.
Thursday, Day 5 - Le Saussois to Lucy-sur-Yonne
An early start after breakfast for the drive to Beaune arriving late morning for a tasting in the Grand Cru vineyards at Puligny Montrachet which include Philippe Chavy or Philippe Duvernay (Chassagne). Lunch in the center of Beaune followed by a visit to the famous Hôtel Dieu Hospices de Beaune. This afternoon drive north through the Côte de Nuits vineyards passing Romanée Conti and Clos Vougeot and arrive back on board for short evening cruise to Lucy sur Yonne and a light dinner on board.
Friday, Day 6 - Lucy-sur-Yonne to Chevroches
A morning cruise through beautiful countryside takes us to our final mooring at the pretty canalside village of Chevroches and again this is a perfect time for a walk or a bicycle ride. In the afternoon, we visit the elegant Château de Bazoches, built in the 12th century and whose illustrious visitors included Richard the Lionheart. The château was later remodelled by Maréchal Vauban and there are wonderful views from its elevated hillside setting. Captain's Farewell Dinner on board.
Saturday, Day 7 - Chevroches
After breakfast, guests are transferred by private chauffeured minibus to central Paris.
NOTES:
- Wine-themed barge cruises are for private charters only. See Rates for additional supplement.
- On alternate weeks the cruise is in the reverse direction.
- This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change.
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