Marguerite
Burgundy
Cruise
This Elegant Dutch vessel has a very special charm. The main deck has a lovely dining room, a spacious lounge with bar and a sundeck rife with flowers. All windows are double glazed. The lower deck offers 10 tastefully decorated cabins with separate systems for air conditioning and central heating.
The Marguerite follows a very attractive route from Verdun-sur-le-Doubs in Eastern Burgundy to Besancon in the heart of the outstandingly beautiful Franche-Comte region.
The cruise takes us from swift flowing Doubs to the stately Saone via the Rhine-Rhone Canal. Culinary delights include delicious Comte cheese, and of course the fabled gastronomy and wines of Burgundy.
SATURDAY,
Day 1
Verdun
- Sur-le-Doubs/ Seurre
Transfer
by TGV, high-speed train, to Dijon and then by coach to the Marguerite moored in
Verdun. Welcome aboard as we cast off, turn around and cruise up the Saône to
the attractive brick-built riverside town of Seurre.
SUNDAY,
Day 2 Seurre /
St Jean de
Losne
Drive to Beaune, and a
guided tour of the world-famous Hôtel Dieu, charity hospital. Afterwards there
will be an opportunity to visit a wine cellar and taste some of the prestigious
vintages from the surrounding villages or alternatively to explore the town.
Cruise to St. Jean-de-Losne in time to explore this small town.
MONDAY,
Day 3 St Jean de
Losne / Dole
Guided tour of Dijon,
followed by free time. Cruise to St-Symphorien, the smallest village in France
& the junction of the Rhône-Rhine canal with the Saône & then to Dole.
TUESDAY, Day
4 Dole / Ranchot
Today is market
day in Dole, so it is worth getting up early and crossing the bridge into town
to witness colourful scenes of the bustle around the heavily laden stalls as our
chef and the locals search out the best provender. A guided walking tour of the
town followed by time free. Afternoon cruise to the village of Ranchot.
WEDNESDAY, Day 5
Ranchot
/
Thoraise
Board the coach and drive
across the vast forest of Chaux to visit the Royal Saltworks of Arc-et-Senans, a
remarkable example of 18C industrial architecture, then on to the town of Arbois,
centre of the Jura wine area. Cruise to the village of Thoraise.
THURSDAY, Day 6
Thoraise / Besançon
Cruise this morning by
crossing a two hundred yard-long tunnel through limestone, which cuts out a wide
meander in the river to Besançon. After lunch we board the miniature
sight-seeing ‘train’ which takes us through the heart of the town, then
climbs the long steep hill to the imposing citadel, which stands above the city.
After a guided tour of the fort, free time before returning to the Marguerite
either on foot or with the little train.
FRIDAY, Day 7
Besançon
After breakfast,
transfer by coach to Dijon train station and TGV to Paris Gare de Lyon.
Note : This is a sample itinerary, visits are subject to availability. It operates in reverse on alternate weeks and may be modified due to canal closures for repairs, lack of water or any other unforeseen circumstances.
