Luxury charter barge cruise program
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A unique 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.
The relaxing charter cruise...
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. Tonight the Captain will invite you to 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, take the 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".
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.
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.
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.
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 dominants 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 panoramic 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 the historical
and technical achivements of the canal, such as the 3.3 kilometre long tunnel
at the summit of the canal which connects Escommes to the market town of
Pouilly en Auxois built
in 1823.
For your final evening the Captain invites you to a "Farewell Diner", a final culinary delight with quality wines is a grand way to close your cruise.
Day 7: Thursday, Vandenesse
After a generous breakfast and sitting below the impressive 11th century 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.
Check the cruise availabilities and see if your dates are still free, click here.
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.
If you have Google Earth® take the virtual barge cruise now.
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.