Lafayette
Southern Burgundy and Eastern Loire Cruise
The Lafayette is a Dutch built barge of infinite charm. The main deck
includes a spacious sundeck, a lounge with bar area and dining room, while the
lower deck has 12 comfortable cabins, each with its own bathroom.
The Lafayette 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.
Join fellow "Upscale Singles"
on a barge cruise
of Burgundy France
Cruise the canals of Burgundy France
1 pre-night hotel stay at Chateau Gilly including dinner
6 nights aboard the barge in twin cabin with private bath
all meals during cruise
wine with meals, open bar
all activities & excursions listed
bicycles on board
2 post-night hotel stays in Paris with tour
$2850 land and cruise only per person double occupancy
$3700 land and cruise only per person single occupancy
$1990 cruise only per person double occupancy
$2560 cruise only per person single occupancy
$325 - 3 day Paris extension at hotel per person double occupancy
$525 - 3 day Paris extension at hotel per person single occupancy
Thursday, June 3 Depart for Paris.
Friday Paris - Vougeot, June 4 Arrive Paris. Transfer to Chateau Gilly. Options available for wine tours or hot air ballooning. Dinner at Chateau Gilly included in package.
Saturday Vougeot - St Jean de Losne - Seurre, June 5 We meet in lobby of hotel, coach transfer to St Jean de Losne at the junction of Burgundy canal and river Saone. Board the Lafayette. Welcome aboard and afternoon cruise to Seurre.
Sunday Seurre – Chalon-sur-Saone, June 6 Morning excursion to Beaune, centre of the wine trade in Burgundy, for a guided visit of the Hôtel Dieu, world famous charity hospital which was founded in the fifteenth century and is a masterpiece of late-medieval architecture. Free time to tour the town. Shops are open.
Monday Chalon-sur-Saone – Chagny, June 7 Morning cruise on Canal du Centre to Rully. We visit the Chateau de Rully, where we will tour a couple of rooms, have a wine tasting and join Countess de Ternay for lunch. Return to the Lafayette for afternoon cruise to Chagny. Late afternoon visit to Santenay for wine tasting.
Tuesday Chagny – St Leger, June 8 Cast off during breakfast and cruise through the morning along this delightful canal, options fro biking and walking. Afternoon visit to the nearby village of Couches where we visit the château of Marguerite of Burgundy, the vestiges of a vast medieval fortress which was one of the outposts of the Dukes of Burgundy and which has a fascinating history and legends connected with it. After a guided tour of the historic buildings we can visit the château’s cellar to taste some of the wines made here by Emmanuel Cayot, son of the proprietor. Return to Lafayette at a quiet mooring in Montchanin.
Wednesday St Leger – Montchanin, June 9 During the morning there will be an excursion to the city of Autun, originally seat of the first Gallo-Roman University founded by the Emperor Augustus and today centre of the rural Morvan district of Burgundy. A guided tour of the city with its Romanesque cathedral, Roman city gates and amphitheatre will be followed by free time. Return to Lafayette for lunch and continue cruising on the canal to Montchanin.
Thursday Montchanin – Montceau les Mines, June 10 Cruise over lunch and this afternoon we take the coach to La Clayette to visit Master chocolate maker Bernard Dufoux, after which there will be an opportunity to visit the "Centre du Goût" (centre for taste) in the village, where local artisans who make foodstuff and wines exhibit their products and offer samples. There is a characteristic wine from the village of Mailly called "le vin des Fossils", sometimes growers from the Beaujolais will also be present as well as apiculturists with their honey, gingerbread makers and goose farmers with their "foie gras". We return to
Friday Montceau - Paris, June 11 After breakfast, transfer to train station for transfer back to Paris. Check into Hotel. Free time in town.
Saturday Paris, June 12 Free time to enjoy the sights of Paris. Optional excursions to museums, and such sights as D-Day landing sites, Versailles, Monet’s home – Giverney.
Sunday - Paris, June 13 After breakfast coach transfer to Airport for flight home.
FEATURES
* Cabins : 6 twins, 4 doubles and 2 single
* 22 Passengers
* 7 Crew members
* Air conditioning / Central Heating
* Bicycles on board
* Handicap Access - NO
