Typical Burgundian Cuisine Aboard
* Terrine de Pecheur facon Maison
*Tourte Chaude d'Escargots a la Ciboulette
* Filet d'Agneau au Basilic
*Magret de Canard
*Poulet a l'Estragon
Wine Cellar
Sancerre, Chablis, Pouilly Fume, Cote de Nuits, Hautes Cotes de Beaune, Vosne Romanee, Domaine Laroche, Nuits St-Georges, Epineuil
Cheese Board
Aisy Cendre, Bouton de Culotte, Epoisses,
Ami du Chambertin

Highlights of a
Week on L'Impressionniste
On the Burgundy Canal

• A walking tour of old Dijon including a visit to the vivid flower and produce market and Ducal Palace
• A visit of Clos de Vougeot and private tasting of Vosne Romanee, Gevrey Chambertin, Cote de Nuits and Nuits-St-Georges at the family run Domaine Jafflin
• 13th century Chateau de Commarin
• Lunch at a Michelin starred restaurant
• Visit Beaune, the Cote d'Or capital of Burgundy wines
• Walking and biking along the towpath in the beautiful Ouche Valley.

The Lower Burgundy Canal
Dijon to Escommes

Sunday – Dijon
You are met at the meeting hotel at 4.30pm and transferred to the elegant L’Impressionniste moored in the Port of Dijon for your cruise through Burgundy. A Champagne reception welcomes you on board and provides you with a chance to meet the crew. Enjoy a stroll into Dijon before Dinner aboard.

Monday – Dijon to Fleurey sur Ouche
This morning experience your first day’s cruise along this enchanting canal, which also promises a walk or cycle along an ever present towpath, as we ascend gradually to the canal summit, past sleepy villages and pretty lock houses. Leaving Dijon, we pass Lake Kir and cruise by the limestone escarpments, which feed the nearby vineyards. After lunch we visit Clos de Vougeot, headquarters of the esteemed Chevaliers du Tastevin, who award every year a special prized label to the finest Cote d ‘Or vintages. We offer a private tasting of Vosne Romanee, Gevrey Chambertin, Cote de Nuits and Nuits-St-Georges at the family run Domaine Jafflin in the heart of Nuits-St-Georges on the route des Grands Crus. Our excellent relationship with the Jafflin family goes back over 20 years. Dinner aboard.

Tuesday – Fleurey sur Ouche to Gissey sur Ouche
After breakfast, enjoy a walking tour of old Dijon including a visit to the vivid flower and produce market, mustard shops and the flamboyant 14th century Ducal Palace (or enjoy some excellent shopping time). Return to the boat for lunch and leisurely afternoon cruise to Gissey sur Ouche. Dinner aboard.

Wednesday – Gissey sur Ouche to La Bussiere
This morning we visit the moat - encircled 13th century Chateau de Commarin. Going back 26 generations, the de Vogue family ownership portrays an insight into the glamorous lives of French aristocracy as well as showing off the Chateau, stables and landscaped gardens. After lunch we cruise to La Bussiere, passing grazing white Charolais cattle, rolling hills and picturesque villages. Dinner aboard.

Thursday - La Bussiere to Crugey
Early morning cruise and exclusive tour of the magnificent 12th century Abbaye de la Bussiere. The ornamental gardens and lake, wine press, crypt and cellars are interwoven with ancient colonnades, stone staircases and huge stained glass windows. After a Kir Royale aperitif in the private music room, the former chapel, we enjoy the gastronomic delights of Master Chef Olivier Elzer in the vaulted Michelin starred restaurant whilst enjoying the sommelier’s choice of local burgundies. This afternoon we continue to the mediaeval village, craft shops and castle of Chateauneuf-en-Auxois, once an outpost of the Dukes of Burgundy and offering a fine overview of the feeder lakes, canal and surrounding country side. Dinner aboard.

Friday – Crugey to Escommes
Our last day’s leisurely cruise takes us to the canal summit, 1250 feet above sea level, just before the Pouilly tunnel. In the afternoon we cross the premier cru vineyards into Beaune, capital of Burgundy wine country with a history going back over 2000 years. We absorb the fascinating 15th century Hotel Dieu Hospice and visit Maison Champy, Beaune’s oldest winery established in 1720 with even older cellars. Captain’s Farewell Dinner aboard.

Saturday - Dijon
After breakfast disembark the barge and transfer to Dijon station by 9.00. (suggested train to Paris TGV 6710 departing Dijon at 9.57 and arrive in Paris, Gare de Lyon at 11.37am).

This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change. On alternative weeks the cruise operates in reverse direction and the pickup and drop off points are reversed.