Your chartered group of 12 will relish every moment of their journey as they glide along on a luxurious barge.
JOIN US FOR A UNIQUE GASTRONOMIC ADVENTURE AS YOU DINE OUT AT A DIFFERENT MICHELIN-STARRED RESTAURANT EVERY DAY. TREAT YOUR PALATE TO SOME OF THE MOST CELEBRATED CUISINE IN FRANCE AS YOU CRUISE THROUGH GLORIOUS BURGUNDY, ALIGHTING FOR FASCINATING TOURS AND PRIVATE TASTINGS.
WE MAKE IT a point of pride to ensure that your every need is taken care of—all you have to do is enjoy the ride. You’ll be looked after by both the boat’s expert chef, who carefully pairs seasonal, regional cuisine with local wines, complemented by your daily Michelin-star dining enjoying the best in local cuisine. This leaves you free to enjoy the heavenly views as you drift along picturesque riverbanks, mooring to take tailor-made excursions.
There are so many beautiful old sites to explore. As you rest your hand on the warm, sun-baked stone of a little chapel, you can feel the current of rich history that permeates the region. From the villages to the fields, it’s like stepping into a Van Gogh painting. It was in Arles and Saint-Rémy, after all, that the artist produced his best-loved work and declared: “The whole future of art is to be found in the South of France”.
As your private cruise begins, toast your friends and family with a glass of exquisite champagne. Spend time reconnecting with your favorite people, relaxing on deck as you soak up the views. Then head ashore together to discover the art of truffle hunting, go-karting or the secrets of Burgundy’s vineyards.
Accompany your chef to the market and pick out fresh produce for the evening’s dinner. Celebrate good times with your cherished companions and let your cares drift away.
CABINS
Accommodates twelve guests and six crew. Decorated by some of the most respected names in France and Italy, its four guest cabins are relaxing sanctuaries offering home-from home comforts. These include: – King-size bed (configured as twins if desired) – En-suite bathroom with twin washbasins. Two of the bathrooms have a shower and two have a bathtub with overhead shower – Bedside tables – Dressing/desk table and chair – Armchairs – Wardrobe – Safe – Hairdryer – Sockets suitable for two-pin 220-volt plugs In each cabin, there’s an individually controlled air-conditioning/ heating unit so you can adjust the temperature to your liking.
CABIN AMENITIES
We’ve provided everything for your comfort during the cruise – slippers and bathrobes, towels and face cloths and a comprehensive range of L’Occitane toiletries. Shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, soap, body lotion and hand cream are replenished as required. You’ll also find shower caps, cotton buds and cotton wool. If you’ve forgotten to bring any essential items, please speak to your Guide.
ONBOARD FACILITIES
Relax, spread out and and make the most of life on board. Enjoy: – Lounge and dining room: piano keyboard, Bose iPod docking station. Internet and WiFi access, selection of books, games, DVDs and CDs. – Sun deck: large canopy over part of the deck provides a shaded dining area; jacuzzi, sun loungers.
CREW
Our expertly trained, often multilingual crew will pamper you from the moment you arrive. Your team for this sailing is:
– Captain: navigates the barge and looks after your safety
– Chef: prepares your delicious onboard cuisine and picnics
– Two Hosts: responsible for your comfort throughout the journey
– Guide: your wealth of knowledge regarding the region’s best vineyards, landmarks, activities and customs
– Deck-hand: maintains the barge’s exterior
EXCURSIONS/SHORE ACTIVITIES
During your cruise, you’ll alight with your Guide to visit places of interest, some of which are exclusively open to guests of this barge. You’ll travel in an air-conditioned vehicle. Customize your cruise and enhance your adventure.
Customize your cruise and enhance your adventure. Below is just a small selection of the tailor-made activities we can arrange for you. Additional charges may apply – please ask your Guide for details.
BICYCLES Borrow our barge bikes and pedal off into the verdant countryside. We’ll provide maps to help you find your way. Ask one of the crew for assistance.
BOULES Fancy a go at the popular French pastime? We carry a set on board – why not challenge the crew to a match beside the towpath.
CANOEING Embark on an unforgettable ride down the crystalline waters of the Gorges du Gardon. Navigate your way through breathtaking scenery and steer beneath the historic Roman aqueduct, the Pont du Gard. We can tailor your session to your level of experience. All equipment is provided.
GOLF If we’re passing close to a great golf course, your Guide can usually organise a round for you. Hire clubs at the clubhouse or bring your own.
HOT-AIR BALLOONING Soak up breathtaking bird’s-eye views as you soar over the vibrant lavender fields, picture-perfect hillsides and majestic châteaux of Provence. Minimum of four people required.
LAVENDER MASSAGE A massage al fresco is a fabulous way to indulge the senses. Enjoy a soothing treatment surrounded by fragrant lavender and be welcomed into the private home of your host, Odile, at Bleu Lavarde in Clansaye, who will reveal the wonderful properties of this very Provençal plant.
TRUFFLE HUNTING Unearth one of gastronomy’s most soughtafter ingredients on a fun forest adventure. Learn how truffles are cultivated and special dogs trained to sniff them out, then join an expert harvester on a hunt for the elusive ‘black gold’. The final thrill is a degustation of this most aromatic prize.
ONBOARD DINING
Your journey begins with a welcoming champagne reception on deck. All lunches and dinners are accompanied by regional French wines while complimentary tea, coffee, soft drinks and alcoholic drinks are available throughout the day. When you fancy a drink, either ask your Host or help yourself from the bar. Table d’hôte meals on board are included in your fare. Enjoy Continental breakfast, lunch and dinner in the dining room or on the sun deck, weather permitting. Feel free to request a cooked breakfast if preferred. Your daily menus will include both original recipes devised by your chef and specialties of the region. Your chef will be delighted to discuss your dining preferences with you when you first arrive.
YOUR JOURNEY
DAY 1: ST-JEAN-DE-LOSNE
Your first gourmet highlight begins on the way to joining the barge in St-Jean-de-Losne. Stop for a two-Michelin-starred lunch at La Côte Saint-Jacques, situated just outside of Auxerre. At the helm of this five-star retreat on the River Yonne, Jean-Michel Lorain conjures up dishes that are colourful, playful and surprising in their simplicity, putting quality ingredients in the spotlight. Sumptuous specialties may include Back from the Islands rosette of lobster and fresh palm nut salad, and Egg Parfait with white Alba truffles and puy green lentils.
After a fabulous experience, continue to St-Jean-de-Losne to board the barge ready for your cruise along the River Saône. You’re welcomed aboard with an effervescent champagne reception and the chance to meet the crew. To start the adventure, a cocktail cruise gives you your first taste of life on the river. After a delicious dinner on board, sit back and let any tension melt away as you unwind into a slower pace of life.
DAY 2: CRUISE TO SEURRE
After breakfast, relax on board and savour the beauty of Burgundy as you cruise along the River Saône to Seurre. Alight from the barge for lunch at the three-Michelin-starred Lameloise. Here, welcoming interiors of exposed stone and wooden beams honour Burgundian heritage, while the exquisite cuisine takes the best of local tradition and transforms it into mouthwatering masterpieces.
After lunch, drive down the celebrated Route des Grands Crus, passing through the famed villages of the Cote d’Or. Stop to visit the historic Clos de Vougeot, where Cistercian monks first began making wine in the 12th century. The ancient château is now the headquarters of the celebrated Burgundian wine society, the Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin, and still houses the ancient cellar and wine presses from medieval times. Afterwards, enjoy a private wine tasting at a reputed local producer. Return to the barge for a convivial evening on board, enlivened by local musicians. Linger over dinner and soak up the magical ambience of the waterway.
DAY 3: CHALON-SUR-SAÔNE
This morning, soak up the scenery from the deck as the barge weaves its way downstream to the pretty market town of Chalon-sur-Saône. Disembark with your guide mid-morning for a visit to Beaune, the wine capital of Burgundy. Enjoy a private tour of the fabled Hôtel-Dieu, venturing behind its splendid gothic façade to discover 500 years of Burgundian history and treasures including 17th-century murals, tapestries, paintings, and furniture.
After lunch, stroll through Beaune’s cobbled streets and browse its enticing shops, and explore Joseph Drouhin’s cellar, where the King of France and the Duke of Burgundy used to store some of their wines. Return to the barge for a leisurely evening and dinner on board. Sit under the stars, read in your cabin or chat to your fellow travelers over a liqueur.
DAY 4: TOURNUS
Relax on board this morning, watching the beautiful scenery glide by as we cruise towards Tournus. Take the opportunity to unwind to the soothing, sedate rhythm of the barge as you sip a coffee or a refreshing drink. After a sumptuous lunch on board, embark on a scenic drive to the Abbaye de Cluny, a masterpiece of Romanesque art, which for centuries was the most powerful Benedictine church in the world. Founded in 910, it played an influential role across Europe, answering only to the Pope.
This evening, stroll to dinner at Aux Terrasses, just a short walk from the barge. This Michelin-starred restaurant is set in a contemporary boutique hotel in the centre of Tournus. Sample Jean-Michel Carrette’s bold, unexpected dishes that may include charcoal-grilled octopus or hay-smoked pigeon.
DAY 5: MÂCON
An early-morning cruise brings you to the iconic Roche de Solutré. Climb up the limestone escarpment for breathtaking views of Mâcon, the River Saône and the surrounding vineyards. Return to the boat for lunch and enjoy a relaxing afternoon cruising south towards Montmerle, our mooring for the evening. Absorb the sweeping views of the tranquil river and life along its banks, or take a nap in your cabin – you’re on holiday after all!
Alight with your guide for a drive to the picturesque village of Vonnas, home to the world-famous Restaurant Georges Blanc. Holding three Michelin stars since 1981, the restaurant has built up a reputation for revisiting classics in impeccable style. Think Bresse chicken reimagined or a reworking of the Vonnas pancakes Blanc’s grandmother used to make. Return to the barge and savour a digestif on deck beneath the stars.
DAY 6: LYON
Today you cruise into Lyon, the second city of France, dominated by the splendidly ornate Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière. Your guide will escort you on a walking tour, where you’ll discover the hidden ‘traboules’ or secret passageways of the old town, the Roman remains and painted walls. Take time to peruse Lyon’s boutiques and to visit the newly launched Cité Internationale de la Gastronomie. This fun, imaginative, sensorial exhibition, set across four levels of Lyon’s historic Grand Hôtel-Dieu, cements the city’s reputation as a mecca for food lovers.
Tonight’s treat is at Restaurant Paul Bocuse, holder of two Michelin stars. Black truffle soup – created for French president Valéry Giscard d’Estaing in 1975; sea bass in a puff pastry shell, and turbot with champagne sauce are just some of the delights that will leave you dazzled.
DAY 7: LYON
After breakfast the crew bid you a fond farewell as you disembark for your onward travel arrangements.
*Itineraries intended to spark your imagination. Actual itineraries may vary and other custom options are also available.
