The Waterways of Burgundy

We meet in St Pancras at our dedicated Departure Office ahead of our Eurostar journey to Paris. From here we continue to Dijon by rail where we board our hotel barge, the Jeanine, for a six night cruise along the Burgundy, Saône and Canal du Centre. After a complimentary drink, we enjoy our first dinner on board.

Dijon was first established as a settlement under the Romans, but was only ever of minor importance and had no established trading reputation. But in 1032, Robert the Old became the first Duke of Burgundy, and proclaimed Dijon as his capital. In this privileged position, the city enjoyed vast wealth and power and developed a rich cultural heritage. Dijon was then situated on the ‘spice route’, and became known for its popular gingerbread and eponymous mustard. As the gateway to a number of vineyards, Dijon was also famous for the many wines produced in the Burgundy region. We delve into the history of this delightful city on a guided tour that includes sights such as the Palace of the Dukes and Notre Dame church. Afterwards we set sail for Longecourt-en-Plaine, our mooring point for the night.

We cast off this morning and the Jeanine picks up the Grands Crus Wine Circuit on an excursion to the six villages in the area that produce the finest Burgundy wines. The ‘road of the great wines’ runs from Dijon in the north to Santenay in the south, and the route is punctuated by a collection of vineyards and attractive towns that have become prosperous with the growth of the wine trade in this region. Many of the vineyards in this region are quite small, averaging around 10 hectares, producing a small quantity of very high quality wine. Some of the best vintages require between 10 and 20 years to mature, further restricting the volume of wine produced. Following our time along this captivating wine route we return to the ship and continue cruising to Auxonne.

Continue sailing through verdant landscapes as our barge makes its way along the Petite Saône Canal to the town of Gray today. Perhaps relax on board and socialise with your fellow sailing companions as you soak up the scenic views. Alternatively you might like to take one of the available bikes for a gentle ride along the canal’s banks.

We disembark this morning for a guided tour of Gray, a riverside town with a history that dates back to the 7th century. The centre is a jumble of period houses from across the decades; here 18th century architecture sits happily, and quirkily, alongside 12th century fortifications and Baroque style chapels from the 1600s. The rest of the day is spent making the leisurely journey to Savoyeux, arriving early this evening.

Our day begins with a guided excursion to Champlitte’s medieval castle. Occupying an important defensive position on the boundary line between both the Duchy and County of Burgundy, the castle has been a strategic stronghold as well as family home in its later years. The impressive external structure is complemented by the rustic décor, almost provincial in style. Tonight a special gala dinner is served, helping us celebrate such a memorable cruise.

Disembark after breakfast today, meeting your Tour Manager for the return journey to Paris where we join Eurostar service back to London St Pancras International.