Sunday, Day 1 Tanlay

Guests are met at the designated meeting point and transferred to the barge moored in Tanlay. A full crew Welcome Aboard with Champagne and canapés. After time to settle into your cabin you are invited to join us for a first dinner on board and introduction to Burgundy’s excellent cuisine and wines.

Monday, Day 2 Tanlay to Lezinne

Wake to the aromas of ground coffee and French patisseries, enjoy a leisurely breakfast and your wine guide collects you for your visit to the Grand Cru vineyards of Chablis where you get a wonderful view of these world famous Chardonnay vineyards. A brief history of the region is given then on to a great local wine producer to taste a selection of wines including 1er Premier Cru and Grand Cru’s. Return to the barge and cruise this afternoon to Lezinne. Dinner on board.

Tuesday, Day 3 Lezinne to Ancy le Franc

This morning we visit Les Riceys, the centre of Champagne producing region of the Aude. A visit and tasting at an excellent local Champagne producer followed by a wander around the old town centre. We return to the barge and enjoy a lazy cruise gently up to Ancy le Franc with plenty of opportunity to wander or cycle ahead as the vessel ascends through the locks towards the beautiful 16th century Renaissance palace and gardens of Chateau d’Ancy le Franc. Dinner on board.

Wednesday, Day 4 Ancy le Franc to Ravieres

Morning visit to the medieval Noyers sur Serein to enjoy the vegetables, cheeses, colours and delights of the local market, or wander the town ramparts in one of the most beautiful villages of France. A lazy afternoon cruising past grazing white Charolais cattle and before dinner on board, cycle or wander around the village of Ravieres. Dinner on board.

Thursday, Day 5 Ravieres to Montbard

Leaving the barge shortly after breakfast we drive south to some of the most prestigious vineyards in the world. In the town of Nuits St George, we visit a small family wine producer to visit their cellar and taste some of their world renowned Pinot Noirs from villages, including Gevrey-Chambertin and Vosne-Romanée. Lunch in the wine capital of Beaune during today. Return to the barge and, if time allows, cruise to Montbard passing the Forges de Buffon where later in the day we see various examples of early Industrial Revolution engineering on the banks of the tiny yet powerful Armancon River, whose power was harnessed to run the forge. Dinner on board.

Friday, Day 6 Montbard to Venarey les Laumes

Morning cruise through woodlands and rolling fields with great towpath biking and walking opportunities past the tiny canal side villages of Nogent, Courcelles and Les Granges. During the cruise your wine guide joins the barge and while cruising he will give a wine talk whilst you taste samples of wines from different villages of Burgundy .This afternoon we escort you to the exquisite World Heritage Unesco site of Abbayé de Fontenay founded by St Bernard in 1118. Representing a distinctive example of early Cistercian architecture and virtually intact, Fontenay allows an exceptional glimpse of early Cistercian life and industry with its peaceful gardens and ponds and fascinating cloisters, dormitories and scriptorium. Captain’s Farewell Dinner on board.

Saturday, Day 7 Venarey les Laumes

Disembark after breakfast and transfer to the designated drop off point.

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