LA BELLE EPOQUE WINE APPRECIATION CRUISE

Pouillenay to Tonnerre

Sunday, Day 1 - Montbard to Pouillenay
Guests are met at the Montbard TGV station at 18.04 or Hotel in Montbard at 18.30 and transferred to the barge, in a private air-conditioned minibus, moored in Pouillenay. 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 aboard.

Monday, Day 2 - Pouillenay to Venarey les Laumes
Wake to the aromas of ground coffee and French patisseries, enjoy a leisurely breakfast and morning cruise through deep Burgundian countryside Late morning your wine guide joins the barge and while cruising introduces you to the wine regions you’ll be visiting during the week. While he talks you’ll be tasting samples of these wines. After lunch we drive you to the exquisite World Heritage Unesco site of Abbey 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. Dinner aboard.

Tuesday, Day 3 - Venarey Les Laumes to Buffon
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 a 13th century cellar (Caveau des Arches) in the medieval wine capital of Beaune. Siesta in the minibus and by mid afternoon return to the barge and enjoy a cruise through the stunning Burgundian countryside. Light dinner aboard.

Wednesday, Day 4 - Buffon to Ancy le Franc
Morning visit to Noyers to enjoy the vegetables, cheeses, colors and delights of the local market. Returning to the barge we enjoy a lazy cruise gently down to Ancy le Franc with plenty of opportunity to wander or cycle as the vessel descends through the locks. Before dinner, wander around the village and across to the 16th century Renaissance Chateau d’Ancy le Franc. Dinner aboard.

Thursday, Day 5 - Ancy le Franc to Tanlay
After breakfast we drive to the picturesque town of Les Riceys, the centre of Champagne producing region of the Aude. Visit and tasting at an excellent local Champagne producer followed by a wander around the old town centre. Back on the board for lunch while cruising through woodlands and rolling fields with great towpath biking and walking opportunities past the tiny canal side villages of Lezinnes, Argentenay and Saint Vinnemer. Late afternoon arriving in Tanlay. Dinner aboard.

Friday, Day 6 - Tanlay to Tonnerre
Morning 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 then back into the bus to village a great local wine producer where many of his wines will be tasted including 1er Cru and Grand Cru’s. Return to the barge and after lunch, we to Tonnerre. Captain’s Farewell Dinner aboard.

Saturday, Day 7 – Tonnerre
After breakfast, disembark the barge and transfer to Montbard railway station in time for the 11.28am train to Paris Gare de Lyon.

On alternate weeks the itinerary is in the reverse direction. This itinerary is subject to change.

NOTES: IF YOU ARE TAKING THE TGV OUR REPRESENTATIVE WILL BE AT PARIS GARE DE LYON TGV STATION ON SUNDAY FROM 16:30 TO ASSIST GUESTS WITH THE TGV. Recommended Trains to book in advance: Paris Gare de Lyon-Montbard (TGV) Train #6789 depart Paris Gare de Lyon at 16:58hrs arriving in Montbard at 18:04hrs. End of cruise Montbard-Paris (TGV) Train #6714 Saturday depart 11:28hrs arrive Paris Gare de Lyon at 12:37hrs