Barging and Walking in Burgundy
October 2007  Following on from last month’s article on “Barge Strolling”, we are pleased to announce a special cruise for walking enthusiasts in Burgundy in October 2007. In the company of our professional walking guide, saunter along specially selected scenic routes, through dreamy old villages, past castles and vineyards. Have no fear, we provide just the right balance of exploration, exertion and relaxation! And, in the company of our walking guide, you don’t need to worry about getting lost! Burgundy boasts some of Europe’s prettiest canal routes and offers great possibilities for walkers of all abilities. Our barge La Belle Epoque on the Canal du Nivernais provides a very comfortable base (with a spa pool in which to relax those joints before or after a walk) and your own master chef to prepare delicious regional meals to provide perfect sustenance for a week’s walking! An open bar provides liquid refreshment of all types and a cheerful crew ensure all your needs are catered for. With this carefully planned cruise and walking schedule, you can properly experience the grass roots of Burgundy! Slow food, smooth cruise, calm walking…. This walking-barging cruise departs on 21 st October 2007 for 6 nights. Contact us today to enquire about the Walking Cruise. Prices: (based on 2 people sharing a cabin) £2350 / US$4350 per person – accommodation in a Junior Suite
£2490 / US$4590 per person – accommodation in a Suite La Belle Epoque Walking Itinerary
21st to 27th October 2007 Sunday - Auxerre
We meet you at Hotel Ampere in Paris at 1.30pm and you are transferred to hotel barge La Belle Epoque for our Champagne Reception and Welcome Dinner. Monday - Bailly
After cruising out of Auxerre we leave the barge to walk through farmland to the village of Vaux. Continuing along the river we arrive at La Coeur Barrée where we meet the barge for lunch. In the afternoon we tour the Chablis vineyards ending at St Bris. Here we see the intricate network of medieval passages beneath the village before tasting the outstanding wines of the region in the 12th century cellars of Monsieur Bersan, the region’s foremost producer.
Tuesday - Accolay
From Vincelottes we wander through the Auxerrois vineyards with superb views of the Yonne valley below us. En route to the ancient town of Cravant Donjon we pass through the picturesque village of Irancy, home of many well known wines. Our afternoon excursion is to the glorious gothic cathedral of Auxerre. Afterwards there is time to meander through the mediaeval streets at leisure before returning to our mooring in Accolay. In the evening we dine in a local restaurant that is well known for its Burgundian specialties and the standard of its cuisine.
Wednesday – Mailly-la-Ville
From Accolay we walk the wooded valley of the river Cure, passing the ruins of Regny Abbey before a gentle traverse back to the Yonne at the tiny hamlet of Sere where we rejoin the barge. In the afternoon we visit Noyers sur Serein, one of the most beautiful villages in Burgundy. Thursday –Lucy-sur-Yonne
From Mailly we leave the Yonne to walk through open fields to Merry sur Yonne. En route we stand on top of the dramatic Roches du Saussois, cliffs that tower dramatically 200 feet above the river. After lunch we visit the ancient Chateau de Bazoches, home of Sebastien Vauban, the Frenchman who revolutionised siege warfare in the late 17th century.
Friday - Clamecy
This morning we visit Vezelay with its stunning romanesque Basilica, the scene of the “calling” of the Second Crusade in 1146, and its fine specialty shops. In the afternoon we walk along the canal into Clamecy where there is time to wander through the narrow streets and visit the cathedral before returning to the barge. Aboard for our final evening, the captain hosts our farewell dinner.
Saturday
We disembark for a private transfer back from Clamecy to Hotel Ampere in Paris by about 1pm **This itinerary may operate in reverse according to the barge scheduling. back to top | 
Rick Stein also visited Les Demoiselles! It’s a fabulous place, right by the fishing boats, where the produce is as fresh as you can get! 
It’s mid January and the vineyards look very different now to the sea of luxuriant foliage our summer visitors admired. The vines are bare and rather grey interspersed by small columns of white smoke. We are in the middle of the pruning season when most of last year’s growth is cut back and, depending on the region, one or two branches (baguettes) will be selected to carry the fruit of 2007.
Although for most of the year Chablis is a magnet for tourists who enjoy their wine, on 12 th July 2007 she will be a magnet for a different type of enthusiast – cyclists – since the Tour de France annual cycle race will be coming through the village on this date. If you are a Tour de France enthusiast and you have been having difficulty finding accommodation while planning your French cycling trip, look no further! Savoir Faire hotel barge can provide original and novel accommodation and can also provide bicycles for passengers wishing to cycle along the hallowed path of the racers! 
Our December competition prize was a pair of limited edition signed prints (framed on handmade paper) by the prestigious Scottish Contemporary Artist - Ronnie Ford. 
