'FLEUR DE LYS'

The day to day itinerary described below is a typical cruise. However, on any one cruise the moorings may change and the places visited may vary depending on the season and guest preferences.

Sunday, Day 1 - Dijon.
On arrival at Dijon station you are met by the barge guide who escorts you on your transfer to Dijon’s Port du Canal, where you board the barge for your cruise through Burgundy. A champagne reception welcomes you on board and gives you a chance to meet the crew. Later that evening, experience your first dinner on board.

Monday, Day 2 - Cruise to Longecourt. Visit Château du Clos de Vougeot.
While the barge cruises the Canal de Bourgogne from Dijon to the River Saône your guide takes you to visit Gevray Chambertin or the Musée des Beaux Arts. Later today you visit the Château du Clos de Vougeot, a medieval château surrounded by vineyards. This is the headquarters of the Chevaliers du Tastevin, whose special label is awarded annually to the finest Côte d’Or vintages. You have the opportunity to see a family run winery and to sample wines that may never reach your corner of the world.

Tuesday, Day 3 – Visit Dijon. Cruise to St. Jean de Losne.
After breakfast, your guide takes you on a walking tour of Dijon, past the elegant houses. Visit the Ducal Palace, the market, and the Grey Poupon mustard shop. Return to the boat for lunch and an afternoon cruise. The barge leaves the Canal de Bourgogne and enters the River Saône for tonight’s mooring in St. Jean de Losne, the barging capital of France. Take some time this evening or early tomorrow to stroll around the port and see the many working and pleasure barges.

Wednesday, Day 4 – Visit Beaune. Cruise to Chalon-sur-Saône or Fragnes.
Continue to cruise the peaceful valley of the River Saône downstream to Seurre. Guests may stay on board and enjoy the passing scenery. Today includes a visit to Beaune, the capital of the wine region of Burgundy and a visit to the famous Hotel-Dieu, Hospice de Beaune. Reboard the boat for a leisurely cruise to tonight’s mooring in Chalon-sur-Saône or Fragnes. Your guide takes you on a walking tour of the pedestrian area in Chalon-sur-Saône, the last of the Burgundian style river towns and one of the major cities of the Saône Valley.

Thursday, Day 5 - Cruise to Rully. Visit Château de Rully.
The barge cruises upstream for a short distance and leaves the River Saône by clearing the lock to enter the Canal du Centre. 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 lunch, visit the Château de Rully followed by a cellar tour and wine tasting in Bouzeron or a crémant tasting in Rully. Tonight it is back to a countryside mooring in Rully.

Friday, Day 6 - Visit Couches and the Château Marguerite de Bourgogne. Cruise St. Léger.
A leisurely cruise on the Canal du Centre gives you a chance to savor the beauty of the French countryside. The barge cruises to St. Léger, another quaint village along the Canal du Centre while your guide takes you to Château Marguerite de Bourgogne in Couches, dating back to the 11th century, for a tour and wine tasting. Back on board the chef is preparing a memorable feast for your farewell gala dinner.

Saturday, Day 7 - Dijon
After breakfast disembark the barge and transfer to Dijon for your onward travel.

The day to day itinerary described below is a typical cruise. However, on any one cruise the moorings may change and the places visited may vary depending on the season and guest preferences.

Sunday, Day 1 - Dijon.
On arrival at Dijon station you are met by the barge guide and transferred to the barge at Escommes for your cruise through Burgundy. A champagne reception welcomes you on board and gives you a chance to meet the crew. Later that evening enjoy your first dining experience on board.

Monday, Day 2 - Cruise to Pont d'Ouche. Visit Château de Pommard.
After breakfast, enjoy your first day cruising on the Canal de Bourgogne. Small-unspoiled villages and green, forested hills provide exceptional views from the deck. After lunch visit Château de Pommard, a stunning building dating from 1726 and surrounded by its own vineyards. You have the chance to visit its exceptional cellar and sample its wines.

Tuesday, Day 3 - Cruise to La Bussière. Visit Beaune.
Relax on board this morning as the barge cruises towards the charming village of La Bussière. After lunch, visit Beaune, capital of the Burgundy wine producing region, for a visit to the famous Hotel-Dieu, Hospice de Beaune. Tonight's mooring is at another canal-side village, La Bussière-sur-Ouche.

Wednesday, Day 4 - Cruise to Gissey. Visit l'Abbaye de La Bussière.
Mid-morning, tour l'Abbaye de la Bussière built in the 12th century under the guidance of the Cistercian monks from Citeaux. After a stroll in the grounds enjoy lunch in the one Michelin star restaurant. This afternoon, visit Châteauneuf-en-Auxois, a medieval hill-top village, followed by a tour of the lovely countryside.

Thursday, Day 5 - Cruise to Fleurey-sur-Ouche. Visit Clos de Vougeot.
This morning the barge cruises through the Côte d'Or planted with vines that produce some of the world's most famous wines. After lunch your guide takes you to visit 'Clos de Vougeot', a medieval chateau surrounded by vineyards. This is the headquarters of the Chevaliers du Tastevin, whose special label is awarded annually to the finest Cote d'Or vintages. On your way back to the barge, enjoy a wine tasting in Vougeot. Tonight's mooring is at Fleurey-sur-Ouche.

Friday, Day 6 - Visit Dijon. Cruise to Dijon.
After breakfast, your guide takes you on a walking tour of Dijon, to visit the Ducal Palace, the market, and the Grey Poupon mustard shop. Return to the boat for lunch and the afternoon's cruise. The barge moors for the night in Dijon's Port du Canal, a short distance from the town centre. Farewell gala dinner on board.

Saturday, Day 7 - Dijon.
After breakfast, disembark and transfer to the Dijon station for your onward travel.

Monday - Cruise to Pont d’Ouche. Visit Château de Pommard & Painting.
After breakfast, enjoy your first day cruising on the magnificent Canal de Bourgogne. Small-unspoiled villages and green, forested hills provide exceptional views from the deck. There are plenty of opportunities to walk and cycle alongside the boat on the towpath that follows the canal for the entire cruise.
After lunch visit Château de Pommard, a stunning building dating from 1726 and surrounded by its own vineyards. On this wonderful site, you will have your first lesson in the art of creating pictures using pastels. We find a scenic location within the vines, and facing towards the Chateau you will create your first picture. This is such a stunning position, with the hillside behind, surrounded by these wonderful green vines with the grapes now well formed and the white stone Chateau imposing itself into the heart of countryside.

Tuesday – Art morning. Cruise to La Bussière. Visit Beaune.
This morning, we will find a beautiful spot on this magnificent ‘Burgundy Canal’ and paint a truly original French country scene. There are so many positions along this canal to choose from, but our tour guide will work with David to find a truly wonderful vantage point and you will spend the next few hours working with your easel to produce a fantastic memory of this morning.
Return to the barge for lunch and afterwards you will visit Beaune, capital of the Burgundy wine producing region, for a visit to the famous Hotel-Dieu, Hospice de Beaune. The town with its tiny centre, has hardly changed physically down the years, a circular boulevard runs round its former ramparts, many of which still stand. Within, there is a dense maze of narrow old streets. Tonight’s mooring is at another canal-side village, La Bussière-sur-Ouche.

Wednesday - Cruise to Gissey. Visit l’Abbaye de La Bussière and Pastels.
Mid-morning, tour l’Abbaye de la Bussière built in the 12th century under the guidance of the Cistercian monks from Citeaux. This beautiful abbey has now been converted into a truly luxurious hotel. After a stroll in the grounds and a tour of the property with the owner enjoy lunch in the restaurant.
This afternoon, we take a comfortable position within the grounds of this magnificent Abbaye and spend the rest of the day working with pastels. This is such a special place, and there are so many different aspects to this property, you will not know where to start! Luckily David will be on hand to direct you and by the end of this session; you will no doubt have a fabulous picture to take back to the barge - to admire over cocktails on the deck!

Thursday – Cruise to Fleurey-sur-Ouche. Visit Clos de Vougeot and Pastels.
This morning the barge cruises through the Côte d’Or planted with vines that produce some of the world’s most famous wines. After lunch your guide takes you to visit ‘Clos de Vougeot’, a medieval chateau surrounded by vineyards.
This is the headquarters of the Chevaliers du Tastevin, whose special label is awarded annually to the finest Cote d’Or vintages. Vougeot is a small village located in the heart of the ‘Route des Grand Crus’. There are so many opportunities here for finding a perfect location to settle down for the afternoon to produce yet another, wonderful Burgundy scene. Perhaps the Chateau, or a hill side of vines, even the village itself with its narrow road and ornate street lights, once again David – will help locate the best position and advise you on how to produce yet another, wonderful picture. Tonight’s mooring is in the pretty village of Fleurey-sur-Ouche.

Friday – Painting morning. Visit Dijon.
After breakfast, you will experience your final day working with David, once again we return to this beautiful canal side and find another wonderful aspect of this waterway for you to capture with your pastels. After another wonderful lunch on board, you are transferred to Dijon for a walking tour of this famous city, passing by the Ducal Palace, the market, and the Grey Poupon mustard shop. There will be free time for shopping or perhaps simply sit in one of the numerous pavement cafes and watch the world by go. The barge moors for the night in Dijon’s Port du Canal, a short distance from the town centre. The chef is busy on board preparing your Farewell gala dinner.

Saturday – Dijon.
After breakfast you will disembark the boat and continue with your onward journey.