Burgundy - Pommard Barge Cruise

Wine tasting and sightseeing in the heart of Burgundy

Cruise the rivers and canals of France aboard a private 4-passenger luxury barge-hotel (7 days/6 nights). Focus on Burgundy or set off on a longer cross-country journey of adventure and discovery... the choice is yours. All Burgundy-Pommard river boat cruises are customized to your exact interests and requirements and may take you anywhere from Paris all the way south to the Mediterranean.

You will be welcomed aboard the barge at the captain's champagne reception. Every morning you'll have Continental or English breakfast with tea and coffee on the barge. Delicious light lunches are prepared and served either on board or as a picnic ashore. Lovers of French food will enjoy the region's specialties: cheese, Charolais beef, mustard sauces, black currants and escargots. You'll have evening meals (at your own expense) at excellent local restaurants along the barge route.

Local excursions will take you to chateaus and museums, markets and fine shops, vineyards and wine tastings. You may even try out recipes such as Boeuf Bourguignon and Gougères (cheese puffs) or explore the chocolateries, épiceries, pâtisseries and fromageries where the recipes have been handed down through generations.

The barge is a beautiful recreation of a classic Lux Motor with all modern facilities: an attractive varnished wood interior complemented by granite and marble surfaces, two cabins (double bed in master suite and two single bunk beds in guest suite) with central heat and air conditioning, and separate self-contained crew quarters in the bow.

The wheelhouse is a very comfortable air-conditioned area with teak flooring, stereo and CD player. It seats 8 people around a circular hand-crafted table with leather inlay. The roof is removable, or it can be left in place for shade while the sides fold out flat for a more open-air experience. If you like, you can take the helm of the barge with the expert supervision of the skipper.

POSSIBLE BARGE CRUISE ITINERARIES

The home cruising area is the Côte d'Or (around Dijon), which includes the Canal de Bourgogne, the River Saône, the Canal du Centre and the Canal du Rhône au Rhin (towards Besançon). You also have the option of taking a longer trip north to Paris or south to the Canal du Midi and the Mediterranean.

Following is a list of possible sightseeing and activities in Burgundy. For other possibilities outside Burgundy, please refer to the itineraries described in our other cruise listings in those regions. Depending on availability at the time, those programs can be duplicated on this boat.

Wine tasting in the many famous regions of Burgundy: Côte de Nuits (Gevrey Chambertain, Nuits St Georges, Vosne Romanee...) or Côte de Beaune (Pommard, Volnay, Meursault, Montrachet...)

Clos de Vougeot: A medieval building and the headquarters of the "Chevaliers de Tastevin," whose special label is awarded every year to the finest Côte d'Or wine vintages. Wine was produced there as early as the 12th century by local monks.

Dijon: This ancient home of the Dukes of Burgundy boasts the 14th century ducal palace, six museums including the Musée des Beaux-Arts and the Musée d'Art Sacré, the picturesque center of the old town with colorful Burgundian/Flemish tiled roofs and half-timbered houses, the largest indoor market in Burgundy and the famous Grey Poupon mustard shop.

Beaune: Wine capital of Burgundy and home to the magnificent Hôtel-Dieu, a charity hospital founded in 1443. This monument boasts the finest Burgundian-Flemish architecture in the world.

Abbaye de la Bussière: Built in the 12th century under the guidance of the Cistercian monks of Citeaux. Visit the ornamental gardens and lake, the wine press, the crypt and cellars with their ancient colonnades, the stone staircases and the huge stained glass windows.

Château de Commarin: A moat-encircled 13th-century castle where the de Vogue family ownership goes back 26 generations.

Château de Cormatin: An elegant 17th-century chateau with an exquisitely decorated interior and beautiful gardens.

Abbaye of Cluny: A medieval center of learning founded in 910 by Benedictine monks. The convent and cloister are a masterpiece of Romanesque architecture.

Niepce Photography Museum: Located in Châlon-sur-Saône, this museum - named after local son Joseph Niecephore Niepce, the inventor of photography - has collections ranging from 19th-century photographs to current-day digital pictures.

Included

• 7 days/6 nights from Sunday afternoon to Saturday after breakfast
• Continental or English breakfasts and light lunches served on board the barge
• Open bar 24/7
• All escorted excursions in air-conditioned vehicle
• Fresh linen and towels every day
• Use of all onboard facilities (washer/dryer, galley, cold storage)
• Transfers to and from agreed meeting and departure point, usually in or around Dijon

Not Included

• Transportation to/from start/end points in Dijon
• Evening meals aboard the barge or ashore
• Health and travel insurance
• Barge crew gratuities (suggested 5% of cruise price)
• Personal expenses
• Optional activities when available
• Other items not specifically listed under "Included"

Barge Features

• 2 cabins (4 passengers)
• Master cabin has double bed, wardrobe, chest of drawers, desk, opening skylight, separate bathroom with bathtub/shower, toilet and washbowl set in marble
• Guest cabin has two single bunks, desk, wardrobe, opening skylight, separate bathroom with toilet, shower and washbowl set in marble
  
• Lounge area has sofa seating for six.
  
• Internet connection
• Size: 70 ft. x 13 ft.
  
• Central air conditioning and heating with individual cabin control
• Crew of two

Cruise Departures

Every Sunday subject to availability

This river boat is for private charters only. Various themes can be arranged to fit the specific interests of each group.

  

We have personally visited the Burgundy region of France where the river boat cruise usually takes place. See pictures from our trips:

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