Luxury charter barge cruise program
New concept, new adventures, new discoveries
M.S. Niagara now offers a unique and exciting way to discover all the delights and secrets of the gourmet cuisine and exceptional wines from Burgundy , whilst cruising along the majestic Canal, passing through beautiful villages and breathe taking countryside.
Freedom cruising...
With such a flexible program, your barge cruise will automatical adapt to your exact needs and wishes.
Day 1: Friday, arrival at Dijon
Your pre-cruise meeting point is at "Chateau la Chassagne", Pont de Pany, near Dijon. At 5 pm transfer in air-conditioned Minibus to the barge. A warm welcome aboard from captain and crew with a Kir-Royal cocktail, the start to
a unique and memorable stay in Burgundy. The captain takes us on a visit
to the old city centre of Dijon, a tour of the Ducal palace, the "Rue
de la Liberté" and some of the old streets with timber houses
beside the cathedral of "Notre Dame". Tonight the Captain will invite you to a restaurant for the "Welcome Dinner".
The evening is brought to a pleasant
close on the sun deck of the barge, by the pool and the calm setting of the Port of Dijon at night.
Day 2: Saturday, cruise Dijon to Fleurey sur Ouche
While we are having breakfast "M.S. Niagara" leaves Dijon and
heads for the first of a total of 45 locks on the "Canal de Bourgogne".
We make our way along Lake Kir with its leisure facilities via Plombieres
to Velars sur Ouche. The captain will explain how the locks function and principle
of the canal, if you're looking for some exercise you can always help preapre the lock,
most of them are still manually operated.
Guests are free to leave the boat at anyone of the
picturesque locks and to continue on foot or bicycle along the towpath
to the next one. After a break for lunch, we continue on our leisurely
way before reaching Fleurey sur Ouche, where we will moor for the night.
Depending on your mood, you may wish to visit the castle of Malain and the Gallo-Roman archaeologial site, but whatever you decide, food and drink will be at its French
best !
Located beside the canal, the Village of Fleurey sur Ouche offers an excellent
table at the Restaurant de l'Ecluse. The "Auberge Gourmande" is only five minutes away, their menus are varied and of excellent quality.
Day 3: Sunday, cruise Fleurey to Gissey sur Ouche
The third day brings us into the heart of Burgundy, into the glorious
Ouche Valley. Comfortably seated on the sundeck, we will travel back through
time to an unhurried world, past the enchanting village of Pont de Pany
and "Chateau
la Chassagne", and pass through Sainte Marie sur Ouche. Why not sit in
the heated pool and watch the countryside go by ? We finally moor up in
the charming village of Gissey with the oak and elm forest covered hills providing a panoramic background.
For tonight's dinner you could dress and try the nearby Chateau with the Chaine des Rotisseurs
restaurant, if you prefer to stay in the village there is a typical "Bistro" with a terrace perfect for aperitifs.
Day 4: Monday, Beaune wine excursion
After a copious breakfast, we set off on a day's excursion with the captain to
Beaune and explore the wine country. Here we will visit the world famous Hospices de Beaune, built in 1443 and the Collegiate Church of Notre Dame. The Hospices is a voyage through the centuries of Burgundy history,
with an insight into the daily life of the people through the ages.
Another highlight offered is the painting The Last Judgement
by Rogier van der Weyden (1400-1464).
This is also a unique occasion for wine-tasting
in a wine-grower's cellar, to discover the vineyards such as Corton, Pommard, Meursault
and many other great Crus of the region. This is a great opportunity to walk through the vineyards
and discover how wine is made. Perhaps we will be here during the wine
harvest in September? Lunch could be in one of the most highly recommended restaurants of Beaune
or perhaps the secret recipie of the Coq au Vin in the Cellier Volnaysian at Volnay.
The afternoon is an excellent time to explore
the town centre, with the cobbled streets and boutiques of Beaune. The cafes and terraces are abundant, a time to relax and drink with friends.
There are also small shops of all kinds, selling cheeses, wines and breads.
The return to the ship on the small country roads of the Valley Ouche is also a perfect time to stop and buy bottles with a small wine grower.
Once back on board, the pool is a refreshing moment and the evening has a wonderful buffer ready on the table.
Day 5: Tuesday, cruise Gissey to Pont d'Ouche
In the morning "M.S. Niagara" continues to cruise, through the
village of Saint Victor with its feudal castle hidden in the hills,
then on to La Bussiere where a visit to the Cistercian abbey is an absolute
must to visit. The construction of Abbaye de la Bussiere is rich in history and dates back to
the years 900 A.D, with splendid gardens and trees.
After lunch we continue our cruise past Veuvey sur Ouche, on our
way to today's destination: the small port of Pont d'Ouche, the tow path offers wonderful cycling and walking during the afternoon's cruise.
You may also drive to the town of Saulieu, Relais Chateaux Bernard Loiseau one of worlds most reknowned culinary temple.
Day 6: Wednesday, cruise Pont d'Ouche to Vandenesse en Auxois
Today's destination requires the barge to cruise through part of the
"stair case" of locks near Vandenesse en Auxois. At this time the barge will
be passing below the imposing medieval hillside village of Châteauneuf
en Auxois, which dominantes the landscape.
Later in the afternoon, an excursion is always planned for the village of Châteauneuf, with a history dating back to 1030 A.D.
There many tiny streets, antique shops and old houses, all with stories to tell.
A splendid panaoramic view of the Auxois valley will help you discover the secret of the Burgundy canal.
There is also plenty of time to explore the village of Vandenesse.
Beside the barge moorings, there are key elements which make the whole
canal system function, your barge captain will enjoy showing and explaining them to you.
The Captain invites you to a "Farewell Diner", a final culinary delight in a nearby restaurant which is a grand way to close the cruise.
Day 7: Thursday, Vandenesse
After a generous breakfast and sitting below the impressive fortied castle of Chateauneuf, passengers leave the boat and are driven back
to "Chateau la Chassagne", to the train station or Dijon airport
depending on the arrangements made with the boats captain.
The historical highlights, information about some of the visits along the cruise.
On board the barge, bicycles, games and books are provided for all passengers, if you have any special requirements, please simply let us know and we will do our best.
As this is a one-way cruise, the itinerary
is also operated in the opposite direction according to starting date.
We reserve the right to alter the leisure program.