L'Impressionniste - Ouche Valley, Burgundy Itinerary

Dijon to Escommes

Sunday, Dijon
You are met at the Hotel de la Cloche in Dijon at 4.30pm or Dijon TGV Station at 4.00pm (on request) 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 Gissey 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, as we ascend gradually to the canal summit, past sleepy villages and pretty lock houses. Leaving Dijon, we pass Lake Kir and cruise by the limestone escarpments which feed the nearby vineyards. After lunch we visit Clos de Vougeot, headquarters of the esteemed Chevaliers du Tastevin, who award every year a special prized label to the finest Cote d‘Or vintages. On the way back to the barge visit one of the great cellars of Burgundy where we enjoy a private wine tasting of fine Burgundy wines. Dinner aboard.

Tuesday, Gissey sur Ouche to La Bussiere
After breakfast, enjoy a walking tour of old Dijon including a visit to the produce market, mustard shops and the flamboyant 14th century Ducal Palace which hosts the art museum of Dijon (or enjoy some excellent shopping time). Return to the boat for lunch and leisurely afternoon cruise to Gissey sur Ouche. Dinner aboard.

Wednesday, La Bussiere to Pont D’Ouche
Early morning cruise and exclusive tour of the magnificent 12th Century Abbaye de la Bussiere. 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 enjoy the gastronomic delights of Master Chef Olivier Elzer in the vaulted Michelin starred restaurant whilst enjoying the sommelier’s choice of local burgundies. This afternoon we visit the moat-encircled 13th century Chateau de Commarin. Going back 26 generations, the de Vogue family ownership portrays an insight into the glamorous lives of the French aristocracy as well as showing off the Chateau, stables and landscaped gardens. Light dinner aboard

Thursday, Pont D’Ouche to Vandenesse
After breakfast we cruise to Pont D’Ouche, passing grazing white Charolais cattle, rolling hills and picturesque villages crossing the only canal bridge of the Burgundy Canal. In the afternoon we cross the premier cru vineyards into Beaune, capital of Burgundy wine country with a history going back over 2000 years. We absorb the fascinating 15th century Hotel Dieu Hospice and visit Maison Champy, Beaune’s oldest winery established in 1720 with even older cellars. Dinner on board.

Friday, Vanenesse to Escommes
Our last day’s leisurely cruise takes us to the canal summit, 1250 feet above sea level, just before the Pouilly tunnel. Mid afternoon we continue to the mediaeval village, craft shops and castle of Chateauneuf-en-Auxois, once an outpost of the Dukes of Burgundy and offering a fine overview of the feeder lakes, canal and surrounding countryside. Captain’s Farewell Dinner on board

Saturday, Dijon
After breakfast disembark the barge and transfer to Dijon TGV station, Dijon centre or Hotel de la Cloche by 9.40am. (Suggested train to Paris TGV 6710 departing Dijon at 9.57 and arrive in Paris, Gare de Lyon at 11.37am).

This is a sample itinerary and subject to change. On alternate weeks, the cruise is in reverse direction.

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