Fleur De Lys
Dole to Chagny
Burgundy
& Franche-Comté
Sunday - Paris to Rochefort
Your departure
from Paris Gare de Lyon on the TGV train will arrive
Dijon at approximately 15:45 where you will be met by the Fleur de Lys guide. After gathering your baggage you will be driven
by mini-van to Rochefort for your cruise
on the Fleur de Lys through Burgundy
and the Franche-Comté.
A
champagne reception welcomes you on board and gives you a chance to greet the
crew while your luggage is brought aboard. Depending on your arrival time there
may be a short afternoon cruise or the boat may remain in Rochefort for the
night and cruise for a longer period of time on Monday.
From
your mooring, if you walk toward the village look for the path between the first
two houses at the bend in the road. This path will take you to the top of the
rock where once there was a fortress. A lovely view of the river can be seen
from here.
Monday - Cruise from Rochefort to Samerey.
Visit
Dole.
Following a
typical French breakfast the barge will leave early for the cruise down the Doubs
Valley on the River Doubs and the Canal du Rhône au Rhin which transverse
the rugged Franche-Comté and the Jura regions. The canal is the subject of a
great controversy at this time. The government wants to expand the canal for
transportation from France to Germany and the locals along the way are not in
favor of having their lifestyle disrupted. Passengers may elect to stay on board
and enjoy the passing scenery, most
enjoyable while taking a dip in the pool. Bicycling is an option as well as
walking the towpath (where existing).
If you are more adventurous and wish to bicycle further afield make sure you get
your rendez-vous instructions from the guide or pilot, take a map, a phone card
and the telephone number of the boat
with you. Towpaths
do not exist on the river so you must pay attention to the traffic and know
where you are heading. You will enjoy the lovely countryside of the Franche
Comté cruising from Rochefort, stopping in the town of Dole for a walking visit, and then back to the barge for the
continuation of the cruise to Samerey.
Tuesday
- Cruise Samerey to Seurre. Visit Dijon.
Up bright
and early if you want to tour Dijon.
Today is market day in Dijon and one must experience a French market day. So,
into the van for a walking tour of Dijon. The Fleur de Lys will cruise the last
part of the River Doubs and enter the River
Saône just north of St. Jean de Losne.
There may be a refuel stop in St. Jean and then onto Seurre. Seurre is a lovely
town on the Saône and you will moor right at the main quay. From this mooring
you can explore the town or cross the lock and have a long walk on a quiet road
by the river.
Wednesday
- Cruise Seurre to Chalon-sur-Saône. Visit Clos de Vougeot.
Continuing to cruise the peaceful valley of the
River Saône downstream, the city of Chalon-sur-Saône
is the site of this evening’s mooring or, alternatively, Fragnes, a quieter
location upstream of Chalon. If you decide to go biking heed the instructions
for biking on river routes given above. An afternoon visit to the Clos
de Vougeot is on the agenda.
Thursday
- Visit Chalon-sur-Saône. Cruise Chalon-sur-Saône to Rully. Visit
Beaune.
Today before the barge “sets sail” you will
have the chance to make a walking tour of the pedestrian area of Chalon and
maybe even visit the museum to photography if that is of interest to you. It is
located just across the quay from where the boat is often moored. The barge
cruises upstream for a short distance and leaves the River Saône by clearing
the 10.76 meter lock to enter the Canal du
Centre. A different view today. Now
you are back into the canal environment where you may disembark the barge at
each lock, bicycle alongside or walk and keep up with the pace of the barge.
After another sumptuous lunch your guide will escort you to Beaune, capital of the wine region of Burgundy, and a visit to the
famous Hôtel-Dieu, Hospice de Beaune.
Tonight it is back to a countryside mooring, Rully.
Friday
- Cruise Rully to St. Léger. Visit
Domaine Prieure-Brunet and Meursault.
A leisurely cruise on the Canal du Centre gives you
a chance to review the week’s events and savor the beauty of the French
countryside. And after lunch perhaps a late afternoon wine tasting (in case you
haven’t sampled enough on board). You
will have the opportunity to see a family run winery and to sample wines that
may never reach your corner of the world. In contrast Meursault is one of the
largest wine producers of the Cote d’Or.
The barge will cruise to St. Léger, another quaint village along the Canal du
Centre. We shall pass the village of Chagny.
As we approach the town, we can see the 18th century château sitting on the
hills above the town. Back on board
the chef is preparing a feast for your farewell dinner. Bon appetit.
SATURDAY
- Disembark the Fleur de Lys. Transfer to Paris.
After breakfast you will disembark the Fleur de Lys
and all aboard the van for the last time for the drive to Dijon and your return
to Paris on the TGV , arriving Paris Gare de Lyon approximately 11:30.
