Guided Walking Tour Barge Cruise

Enjoy the countryside of Burgundy with a Walking Tour Barge Cruise which includes daily walks with a professional walking guide.

Map of Canal de Bourgogne – Northern Burgundy France

Sunday, Day 1 – Venarey-les-Laume

Guests are met at the designated meeting point in Paris and transferred by private air-conditioned minibus to La Belle Epoque. A full crew welcome aboard with champagne and canapés during which we hear about the week’s itinerary, its walks and activities. After settling into your cabin, we gather for our first dinner, introducing you to Burgundy’s excellent cuisine.

Monday, Day 2 – Venarey-les-Laume to Montbard

After a short cruise, we climb out of the valley as our first walk takes us past fields of Charolais cattle and through the hamlet of Benoisey. En route, enjoy the week’s best views across the Brenne Valley and Canal de Bourgogne before return to meet the barge. Lunch on board.

Later, stroll the “Chocolat” village of Flavigny-sur-Ozerain or tour the medieval town of Semur-en-Auxois. Descending Mount Auxois, we visit the museum at Alesia, where Gauls and Romans fought their final battle in 52 BC. Dinner on board.

Tuesday, Day 3 – Montbard to Ravières

Our walk this morning takes us through the ancient town of Montbard, passing by the Parc de Buffon, to enjoy the beauty of the forest. Then we escort you to the exquisite UNESCO World Heritage Site of Abbaye de Fontenay founded by St Bernard in 1118. Fontenay’s virtually intact early Cistercian architecture, peaceful gardens, and monastic spaces offer a rare glimpse into monastic life.

We have our lunch back on board the barge then continue our cruise. In the late afternoon, there is the option to take a walk through a medley of woodland, rolling fields and forest to a ruined castle perched on a hilltop. Dinner on board.

Wednesday, Day 4 – Ravières to Ancy-le-Franc

A truly unique day lies ahead. Following breakfast aboard we head to Les Riceys, the only wine growing area of the Champagne region to have three Appellation d’Origine Contrôlées. Here we visit Maison Taisne Riocour, viewing the vineyards and winery before tasting some of their champagnes. We then head to Château de Ricey-Bas; with its 12th-century vaulted cellars and thousand-year history it’s the ideal location to appreciate the rolling vineyards and enjoy a glimpse of family life in a rural Château.

Here we will be greeted for a Champagne aperitif and a gourmet lunch with the Baroness herself. Join her for a Champagne aperitif and gourmet lunch in her private salon or vaulted 13th century kitchen. We will spend the remainder of the afternoon strolling the beautiful gardens or exploring the regal chateau interiors. We return to the barge and begin our cruise to Ancy-le-Franc, with plenty of opportunity to walk or cycle along the towpath… or sit on deck with another glass of bubbly. Dinner on board. Dinner on board.

Thursday, Day 5 – Ancy-le-Franc to Lezinnes

This morning we visit Château d’Ancy-le-Franc. This beautifully symmetrical, 16th-century masterpiece contains France’s largest collection of Renaissance murals and is set in magnificent gardens and parkland.

In the afternoon, a gentle cruise as your hotel barge continues along the Burgundy Canal and descends through the picturesque locks to moor at Lezinnes. Dinner on board.

Friday, Day 6 – Lezinnes to Tanlay

This morning, our final walk takes us through pastoral, wooded landscapes and we return by minibus to the barge for lunch. For those wishing to stay on board, our cruise is through forests and landscapes ablaze with the gold, yellow and orange colors of Autumn, to our final mooring at Tanlay.

In the afternoon we tour the vineyards and town of Chablis, dating back to Roman times and enjoy a private wine tasting at a renowned winemaker such as the family-run Domaine Jean-Marc Brocard, which makes the most of the region’s wonderful local terroir to produce high quality wines. Captain’s Farewell Dinner on board.

Saturday, Day 7 – Tanlay

After breakfast, disembark La Belle Epoque and transfer to the designated drop off point in Paris.

NOTES:

• On alternative weeks the cruise is in reverse direction. This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change.
• Walking themed cruises are for private charter only.

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