Caprice
Southern Burgundy and Eastern Loire Cruise
The Caprice is a Dutch built barge of infinite charm. The main deck
includes a spacious sundeck, a lounge with bar area and dinning room, while the
lower deck has 11 comfortable cabins, each with its own bathroom.
The Caprice this year travels through Burgundy, cruising in the heart of the
famous wine country. Along the way we take in a host of ancient abbeys,
cathedrals and chateaux. The boat follows the lovely Canal du Centre
through charming pastoral landscapes and the world famous Burgundy vineyards.
Saturday,
Day 1
Chagney to Santenay
Meeting point: 11.30am at the Normandy Hotel in Paris, and transfer by TGV to Le
Creusot. Coach transfer to the boat moored in Chagny. Welcome cocktails on
board. Pleasant cruise on the Canal du Centre to the wine-growing village of
Santenay.
Sunday, Day 2 Santenay to Saint-Léger-Sur-Dheune
Excursion to Beaune, wine capital of Burgundy.
Guided visit of the 15th century Charity Hospice and masterpiece of late
medieval architecture, with time off to stroll around town. Cruise to Saint-Léger-Sur-Dheune,
passing through many locks - a good opportunity to walk or cycle along the
towpath
Monday, Day 3 Saint-Léger-Sur-Dheune to Montchanin
Visit to Margaret of Burgundy’s 12th century
château at Couches, in the vicinity, past many signs of the region’s medieval
past; tasting of wines made by the Château owner’s son, Emmanuel Cayot.
Cruise to Montchanin, highest point on the Canal du Centre.
Tuesday, Day 4
Montchanin to Montceau-les-Mines
Delightful cruising through picturesque countryside
to Montceau-les-Mines. Drive to Cluny for guided tour of the remains of
the famous Benedictine abbey founded in 910 by William the Pious, Duke of
Aquitaine, and site of the biggest church in Christendom prior to the
construction of St Peter’s in Rome.
Wednesday, Day 5 Montceau-les-Mines to Genelard
Cruise through rural scenery past several
hamlets to the quiet village of Génelard. Excursion to the city of Autun,
founded by Augustus, where the remains of a Roman theater and two decorative
city gates can still be seen. Visit to the cathedral of Saint Lazare,
one of the most remarkable Romanesque buildings in Burgundy, and the medieval
district with its winding cobbled streets, half-timbered buildings, and tempting
shops.
Thursday, Day 6 Genelard to Paray-le-Monial
Drive to the town of La Clayette to visit
the premises of master chocolate maker Bernard Dufoux ; there may also be an
opportunity to visit the automobile museum in the outbuildings of the
beautifully restored 14th century castle. Cruise through a lovely stretch of the
Canal du Centre to Paray-le-Monial where the 12th century basilica was built by
the Cluny Benedictines as a smaller reproduction of their abbey church.
Time to stroll around the town center. Farewell gala dinner on board.
Friday, Day 7 Paris
Coach transfer to Le Creusot TGV railway station ,
return by TGV to Paris Gare de Lyon, arriving at 1:01pm).
Note : The route is run in reverse on alternate weeks and excursion days and
mooring places may change
