• Every dinner is a delight!
  
  Puff Pastry filled with Shrimp,
  Scallops, Mushrooms, and
  Béchamel Sauce
  Served on a Bed of Greens
  _______
  
  Traditionally Prepared Chicken
  in a Delicate Wine Vinegar Sauce
  Served with Sautéed Potatoes
  and Fresh Seasonal Vegetables
  _______
  
  Sorbet Citron
  _______
  
  Cheese Platter
  Brie de Meaux, St. Félicien,
  Epoisses, St. Agur, Livarot
  _______
  
  Fruit Tart Flambéed with Cognac
  Served with French Custard
  _______
  
  Café, Thé, Tisane
  et Petit Chocolats

Highlights of a
Week on L'Etoile in Burgundy

• The flower filled town of Dole on the River Doubs, the birthplace of Louis Pasteur
• Beaune, the wine capital of Burgundy, with its 15th century Hospice
• Wine tasting at the famous Marche aux Vins
• Chalon sur Saone, the birthplace of photography, and picturesque shopping town
• A tour of Burgundy wine country with a tasting at Chateau Meursault
• The medieval château of La Rochepot and stop at the ancient market place in Nolay to have a drink on the square or to browse the antique shops.

Canal du Rhone au Rhin, River Saone, Canal du Centre
Southern Burgundy, France

L'Etoile is in Burgundy July 27 - September, 2008
(L'Etoile cruises in Provence March - July and October)

The “good Life” in Burgundy means wine tasting, enchanting towns, historic châteaux, and gorgeous scenery. Your trusted guide and creative chef will personally introduce you to their friends and their favorite places.

Sunday Afternoon
You will be met at the location of your choice in Dole, which is easily accessible by TGV train from Paris or as a rental car return point. You will be transferred to your charming barge home, moored in Dole, a flower-filled town built on a hill overlooking the River Doubs. A champagne welcome will be followed by your first evening meal on the barge.
Monday: This morning you we go on a walking tour of Dole, the birth place of Louis Pasteur. His home - now a museum - is within walking distance. We will return to the barge for lunch and in the afternoon we'll cruise down the Canal du Rhone au Rhin towards Saint Symphorien. Passing the last lock of this canal, we enter the wide and spacious river Saone and cruise to Saint-Jean de Losne, where we will moor for the night. The charming little town is within walking distance.

Tuesday
In the morning we continue our cruise to Seurre, where we depart with the minibus to visit Beaune - the wine capital of Burgundy. The 15th century Hospice (hospital) is one of the most fascinating sites in Burgundy. Then it is on to wine tasting at the famous Marché aux Vins. If you wish, you can buy wine here, these experts will ship your purchases back home safely. We then return to the barge where dinner awaits us.

Wednesday
We start our day cruising to Chalon sur Saone. Chalon is the birthplace of photography. In 1822 Nicephone Niepce managed to capture an image on glass; there will be time to visit the photographic museum commemorating this event which is right opposite our mooring. This afternoon you are free to browse in the picturesque shopping area for regional products (Dijon mustard, wine acutrements, and unique kitchen products) or to relax in a café on the town square. Dinner will be served onboard the barge.

Thursday
We leave Chalon in the morning, cruising up to the entrance of the canal du Centre, the first lock is over 50 feet high! We moor in Fragnes, a tranquil mooring, to have lunch. This afternoon we go for a tour of the Burgundy wine country, followed by in wine tasting in the Chateau of Meursault. The chateau has been tastefully restored and today is one of the biggest and most beautiful estates in Burgundy.

Friday
This morning we continue our leisurely cruise to Chagny. We pass through thirteen locks, spaced closely together so now is a good time to take a walk on the towpath or explore the countryside by bicycle! After lunch we go for a tour in the minivan to the medieval château, La Rochepot - entered through a drawbridge. Then it’s a stop at the ancient market place in Nolay to have a drink on the town square, or to browse in the antique shops. Our last on board dinner rounds out a wonderful day.

Saturday
You'll say "Au Revoir" and depart after breakfast for transfer to Le Creusot TGV Station. You may also be transferred to the airport, rental car office, or hotel of your choice.

This route will be reversed on alternate weeks. Our sightseeing schedule is flexible and can be customized to reflect your interests. Occasionally an itinerary will be changed due to canal closures or inclement weather. The Captain will substitute an equally interesting route. Change in itinerary will not be accepted as a cause for cancelling your cruise.