What's for Dinner?
Roquefort souffle on a bed of rocket with homemade sweet chili jam
*
Maigret of duck with ceps and Burgundy jus
Potatoes Dauphinoise with creamed leeks
*
Plum and strawberry clafoutis
with plum syrup and Creme Anglais
*
Cheese plate of Chaource, Epoisses, Valancay
*
Coffee
Chocolates

Luciole's Extensive Photo Gallery

Highlights of a
Week on the Nivernais Canal

• The Nivernais Canal itself is one of the oldest and most beautiful in France with curved stone bridges, peaceful villages, vistas of vineyards and lush green pastures
• Auxerre, the bustling market town of the Nivernais Region
• Burgundy wine village of Chablis with wine tasting in a charming wine cave
• Pretty medieval town of Noyers
• Hilltop artisan village of Vezelay with sweeping views and the Basilica of Mary Magdelene
• Chateau de Bazoches, fascinating home of the Marquis de Vauban, France's great military engineer
• Pretty villages along the canal to explore
• Plenty of opportunity for walking, biking and playing the French game of petanque
• A friendly, casual yet attentive crew

Cruising on LUCIOLE
THE NIVERNAIS CANAL, NORTHERN BURGUNDY
Auxerre To Clamecy

Sunday - Paris to Auxerre
The rendezvous in Paris at the Hotel Mansart with the ‘Luciole’ representative is at 2.30 pm, followed by the journey to Auxerre in the barge’s private bus. There the ‘Luciole’ herself is moored on the impressive river frontage of the city Auxerre, overlooked by the Cathedral, the 13 - 15th Century Abbey and Parish Church. A Champagne reception welcomes our guests on board.



Monday - Auxerre to Bailly
A cruise upriver leads us into beautiful pastoral countryside intermingled with sweeping reaches of the River Yonne. After lunch we arrive at the Crément-making centre of Bailly. An afternoon visit is made to a wine cellar in the vicinity of Chablis. The picturesque villages of St Bris and Irancy, also devoted to wine stand nearby.

Tuesday - Bailly to Accolay
The morning’s cruise along the Nivernais takes us up an arm of the canal to the village of Accolay. In the afternoon we return for a tour to historic Auxerre, providing also a good opportunity to visit the shops and take time to enjoy French provincial life.

Wednesday - Accolay to Mailly-le-Chateau
From Accolay, we make the short journey to delightful Noyers-sur-Serein. With its friendly market stalls, half timbered houses and turreted ramparts it is easy to see why Noyers is considered ‘one of the most beautiful villages in France’. After lunch ‘Luciole’ continues southwards to a night-time mooring beneath the walls of Mailly-le-Château.

Thursday - Mailly-le-Chateau to Lucy-sur-Yonne
A morning drive takes our group to Vézelay, where the spectacular 12th Century Basilica dominates the town. Here St Bernard preached the 2nd Crusade. In the afternoon ‘Luciole’ cruises through a region where dramatic cliffs stand by the waterside, to an evening mooring at Lucy-sur-Yonne.

Friday - Lucy-sur-Yonne to Clamecy 
A morning voyage takes us to the delightful Medieval town of Clamecy, a worthy venue for the climax of our cruise. Our final visit is to the imposing Château of Bazoches. Set on a hillside amidst splendid rolling countryside, this was the 17th Century home of the Marquis de Vauban, France’s great military engineer.

Saturday - Transfer to Paris
An after-breakfast departure, in our bus for Paris, anticipates arrival there around 1pm. For guests wishing to travel elsewhere in France, by train or hire car, a stop can always be made in Auxerre again on our journey up to Paris.

Please note: our itinerary will be in the reverse if the Luciole is moored in Clamecy.