Barging – Southern Burgundy
CAD $TBA
7 Days / 6 Nights
Sister ship to La Belle Epoque, L’Impressionniste began life as a cargo barge in Holland before undergoing a complete transformation into the gorgeous hotel barge she is today. Her light and airy interior features picture windows and a selection of prints, fabrics and wall coverings reminiscent of the era after which she has been named, while each comfortable cabin is complemented by an en suite shower room. The spacious, wood-panelled saloon features comfortable leather sofas and individually designed fitted furniture. A week cruising aboard L’Impressionniste on the Burgundy Canal introduces you to a wonderful blend of Burgundian countryside, history and viticulture.
Itinerary
| Day | Destination | Activities |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fleurey-sur-Ouche | EMBARKATION
Enjoy dinner on board |
| 2 | Fleurey-sur-Ouche
Sainte-Marie-sur-Ouche |
Morning spent cruising, biking, or walking along the canal
Visit Clos de Vougeot, and enjoy a tasting of Burgundy wine |
| 3 | Sainte-Marie-sur-Ouche
La Bussière |
Walking tour of old Dijon
Discover produce markets, mustard shops, and the Notre-Dame de Dijon |
| 4 | La Bussière
Pont d’Ouche |
Learn about the production of Gran Cru and Premier Cru wines
Private tasting of Bouchard Père et Fils wines |
| 5 | Pont d’Ouche
Vandenesse |
Cross the only aqueduct on the Burgundy Canal
Visit the medieval village of Châteauneuf-en-Auxois |
| 6 | Vandenesse
Escommes |
Cruise 1,250 feet above sea level as you approach the canal summit
Visit Château de Bussy-Rabutin |
| 7 | Escommes | DISEMBARK |
FLEUREY-SUR-OUCHE
Guests are met at the Hotel Westminster in Paris and transferred by private chauffeured minibus to the elegant L’Impressionniste. A champagne reception welcomes you on board and the opportunity to meet the captain and crew. Then enjoy your first dinner on board.
FLEUREY-SUR-OUCHE / SAINTE-MARIE-SUR-OUCHE
This morning, experience your first day’s cruise along this enchanting canal, which also promises a walk or cycle along an ever-present towpath past sleepy villages and pretty lock houses. After lunch we visit Clos de Vougeot, headquarters of the esteemed Chevaliers du Tastevin, who award a special prized label to the finest Côte d‘Or vintages every year. On the way back to the hotel barge we enjoy a tasting of fine Burgundy wines in the reputable domaine, Château André Ziltener, a family-run winery built on the foundations of an old Cistercian abbey. Dinner on board.
SAINTE-MARIE-SUR-OUCHE / LA BUSSIERE
After breakfast, enjoy a walking tour of old Dijon, including a visit to the vivid produce markets, mustard shops and the impressive Notre-Dame de Dijon, or enjoy some excellent shopping time. Return to the hotel barge for lunch and a leisurely afternoon cruise to La Bussière and perhaps a walk or bicycle ride to the next lock or two. Dinner on board.
LA BUSSIERE / PONT D’OUCHE
After a short morning cruise, we set off on a drive through the vineyards, stopping en route at the “vigne de l’enfant Jesus”, a famous vineyard owned by the Domaine Bouchard Père et Fils. There, a wine expert will give us a real insight into the domaine’s production of its Grand Cru and Premier Cru wines. We continue to Beaune, capital of Burgundy wine country, for a winery tour and private tasting of Bouchard Père et Fils wines before enjoying a gastronomic lunch in the orangery of Château de Beaune, owned by the winery since 1820. Afterwards, we visit the fascinating 15th century Hôtel-Dieu Hospice and explore the town, before returning to the barge for a short evening cruise to Pont d’Ouche. Dinner on board.
PONT D’OUCHE / VANDENESSE
After breakfast, we cruise to Vandenesse-en-Auxois, passing grazing white Charolais cattle, rolling hills and picturesque villages, crossing the only aqueduct on the Burgundy Canal. After lunch on board, we visit the medieval village, craft shops and castle of Châteauneuf-en-Auxois, once an outpost of the Dukes of Burgundy and offering a fine overview of the feeder lakes, canal and surrounding countryside. Dinner on board
VANDENESSE / ESCOMMES
Our last day’s leisurely cruise takes us to the canal summit, 1,250 feet above sea level, just before the Pouilly tunnel. This afternoon we visit Château de Bussy-Rabutin and see the portrait gallery created by the disgraced courtier of King Louis XIV, before strolling through the gardens and enjoying views of the château surrounded by its moat. Captain’s Farewell Dinner on board.
ESCOMMES
After breakfast, guests are transferred to the Hotel Westminster in Paris.
Dates & Prices
| Sailing Season | Price per person |
|---|---|
| Value Season (April, July, August, October) | Stateroom* From $7,150 |
| Value Season (April, July, August, October) | Suite* From $7,420 |
| Regular Season (April, May, June, July, August, September) | Stateroom* From $8,310 |
| Regular Season (April, May, June, July, August, September) | Suite* From $8,580 |
* Price per person based on double occupancy. Due to the dynamic nature of availability and pricing, please click here to contact us directly for sailing schedule and full pricing
Featured Inclusions
Comfortable accommodation in air-conditioned
Gourmet meals prepared by the onboard chef, fine wines and an open bar
Daily escorted excursions to places of interest and private wine tastings in air-conditioned minibuses
Local transfers e.g. to and from Paris
Bicycles and on most hotel barges, an on-deck spa pool
Attentive service from an experienced crew
Ship Information
L’Impressionniste
L’Impressionniste is in many ways similar to our other 12 passenger hotel barge in Burgundy, La Belle Epoque, offering an onboard ambience that combines traditional and more modern French influences.
