Classic Burgundy Cruise by River Barge
10 Days
from
$6,455 pp*
Highlights:
France
(Paris)
,
Europe & Baltic
(Burgundy Canal Cruise)
Trip Start/End:
Paris
/
Paris
Explore Paris before you board on a traditional barge & cruise along the picturesque villages of 16th & 18th centuries, Renaissance-style chateaux, and private vineyards of France’s Burgundy region, as your captain navigates the waters of the Burgundy Canal towards Lezinnes, Ancy le Franc, Ravieres, Montbard and Vernarey les Laumes. Voyage aboard an elegant barge, a gracefully converted hotel version of the vessels that have made their way through these same waterways for hundreds of years. Experience the enjoyment of cycling and walking into the most beautiful villages of Burgundy, as your barge comes to planned stops along the Burgundy Canal. Enjoy delightful local specialties prepared by your onboard Chef, and revel in culture and the flavour of the renowned Premier and Grand Cru Burgundy wines which were popularized in the 1950's. Each six-night cruise includes all meals, selected domaine and chateau wines, an open bar, daily escorted excursions, local transfers and the use of all barge facilities such as bicycles and spa pools.
2013: Cruise departure every Sunday from Mar 31 - Oct 27.
Available by individual cabins, or private charter. Cruise may operate in reverse order.
Trip Itinerary
Paris
Hotel Westminster Exterior
Day 1: Paris
Enjoy a private airport transfer in Paris in a private vehicle with a professional driver.
Accommodation: Westminster (4*) Westminster (4*) hotel is located close to the Place Vendome and the Opera house, 5 minutes walk from the Tuileries Gardens. This is an elegant district offering a wide variety of prestigious designer boutiques and jewellers. This is an attractive and elegant, 6 storey Parisian style hotel. The lobby is spacious and luxurious, with an impressive marble reception desk and comfortable Louis XV style central seating area. The public areas are bright and elegant. This is a very nice and traditional Parisian hotel, with a brilliant location. The hotel offers 80 rooms and 21 suites, each individually decorated by the famous interior designer Pierre-Yves Rochon. The "Westminster Fitness Club", overlooking the rooftops of Paris offers sauna, steam room, exercise room, relaxation room and Orlane beauty treatments.
Wine and Cheese Tasting
Day 2: Paris
Enjoy a shared tour of Paris with an English speaking driver-guide. You will be picked up from hotel and discover the monuments which have made Paris famous throughout the world: Louvre museum, Notre Dame Cathedral, Hotel de Ville, Le Quartier Latin, Concorde Square, Champs-Elysées Avenue, Eiffel Tower (photo stop), Montmartre. The tasting starts at noon in a beautiful tasting room of O Chateau's wine bar near the Louvre. You’ll taste five different wines, coming from five different regions of France. From Champagne to Bordeaux, from Sancerre to the Rhone, Wine and Cheese Lunch is a great opportunity not only to taste good French products but also to get an education about them. Your sommelier will suggest pairings, will explain to you why this cheese might work better with that wine. End of the tour at O Château's wine bar: near Louvre-Rivoli metro (Paris 1st district). Please note that shared tours can have up to approx. 50 people (depending on the number of people that have signed up for the tour on the particular day, and are carried out in a number of languages).
Accommodation: Westminster (4*) 
Burgundy Canal Cruise
La Belle Epoque Barge
Day 3: Paris - Tanlay - Burgundy Canal Cruise
You are met at your desingnated meeting point and transferred to the barge moored in Tanlay.
A Champagne reception welcomes you on board today, and provides you with a chance to meet the crew.
Accommodation: La Belle Epoque Barge (BLD) The 12 passenger La Belle Epoque is a state of the art luxury hotel barge and sistership to L'Impressionniste in the European fleet. The Captain leads a crew of five, comprising Master Chef, Tour guide, and two Housekeepers. La Belle Epoque has been designed with both elegance and passenger comfort in mind. It offers a sun-deck, spa pool, 12 bikes and an always open inclusive bar. These together with other luxury facilities create a vessel perfect for a relaxing, luxurious cruise.
Cycling Excursion
Day 4: Lezinnes - Burgundy Canal Cruise
This morning, experience your first day's cruise along with the aromas of ground coffee and French patisseries. Cruise to Lezinnes which also promises a walk or cycle into the picturesque 16th century village of Saint Vinemer. After lunch, you visit the 16th century Renaissance-style Chateau de Tanlay, nestling serenely within this picturesque village and also visit the 18th century Fosse Dionne.
Accommodation: La Belle Epoque Barge (BLD) 
Ancient Vineyards
Day 5: Ancy-le-Franc - Burgundy Canal Cruise
After breakfast, you will enjoy a lazt cruise up to Ancy le France with plenty of opportunity to wander or cycle ahead as the vessel ascends through the locks towards the beautiful 16th century Renaissance palace and gardens of Chateau d'Ancy le Franc. After lunch, you will visit the vineyards and town of Chablis, dating back to Roman times. You will also enjoy a private wine tasting at the Domaine Billaud Simon renowned for its premier and grand cru wines popularized by Alexis Lichine in the 1950's
Accommodation: La Belle Epoque Barge (BLD) 
Noyers sur Serein
Day 6: Ravieres - Burgundy Canal Cruise
In the morning you will visit the medieval Noyers sur Serein to admire the local produce, colours and delights of the wonderful market or you can wander the town ramparts in one of the most beautiful villages in France. After returning to the barge, you will enjoy a gentle afternoon cruise past grazing Charolais cattle to Ravieres followed by a visit to the 16th century Renaissance palace and gardens of Chateau d'Ancy le Franc
Accommodation: La Belle Epoque Barge (BLD) 
Abbaye de Fontenay
Day 7: Montbard - Burgundy Canal Cruise
In the morning, you will have excellent opportunities of cycling and walking at Montbard passing the Forges de Buffon. After lunch, you will be escorted ot the exquisite World Heritage site of Abbaye de Fontenay founded by St. Bernard in 1118. Fontenay also allows an exceptional glimpse of early Cistercian life and industy with its peaceful gardens and ponds and fascination cloisters, dormitories and scriptorium.
Accommodation: La Belle Epoque Barge (BLD) 
Semur-en-Auxois
Day 8: Venarey les Laumes - Burgundy Canal Cruise
In the morning, you will cruise through woodlands and rolling fields, with great towpath biking and walking opportunities, past the tiny canal side villages of Nogent, Courcelles and Les Granges. In the afternoon, you will stroll around the hilltop village of Flavigny sur Ozerain, where the film 'Chocolat' was located. On the way from the summit of Mt. Auxois, we look at Alesia which was the last battle site between the Gaulles and Romans that took place in 52 BC. You will also have time to enjoy the town of Semur-en-Auxois.
Accommodation: La Belle Epoque Barge (BLD) Day 9: Venarey les Laumes - Paris
After breakfast, disembark the barge and transfer to your hotel back in Paris.
Accommodation: Westminster (4*) Day 10: Paris
Enjoy a private airport transfer in Paris in a private vehicle with a professional driver.
Accommodation: Hotel (Client Booked)
Accommodations
- Hotel Westminster Exterior
Hotel Westminster Bedroom
Westminster (4*) - Paris
Westminster (4*) hotel is located close to the Place Vendome and the Opera house, 5 minutes walk from the Tuileries Gardens. This is an elegant district offering a wide variety of prestigious designer boutiques and jewellers. This is an attractive and elegant, 6 storey Parisian style hotel. The lobby is spacious and luxurious, with an impressive marble reception desk and comfortable Louis XV style central seating area. The public areas are bright and elegant. This is a very nice and traditional Parisian hotel, with a brilliant location. The hotel offers 80 rooms and 21 suites, each individually decorated by the famous interior designer Pierre-Yves Rochon. The "Westminster Fitness Club", overlooking the rooftops of Paris offers sauna, steam room, exercise room, relaxation room and Orlane beauty treatments.
- La Belle Epoque Barge
La Belle Epoque Barge (BLD) - Burgundy Canal Cruise
The 12 passenger La Belle Epoque is a state of the art luxury hotel barge and sistership to L'Impressionniste in the European fleet. The Captain leads a crew of five, comprising Master Chef, Tour guide, and two Housekeepers. La Belle Epoque has been designed with both elegance and passenger comfort in mind. It offers a sun-deck, spa pool, 12 bikes and an always open inclusive bar. These together with other luxury facilities create a vessel perfect for a relaxing, luxurious cruise.
Travel Info
Travel tips of France
VISA/PASSPORT
France is a party to the Schengen Agreement. As such, U.S. and Canadian citizens may enter for up to 90 days for tourist or business purposes without a visa. The passport should be valid for at least three months beyond the period of stay.
Citizens of other countries may require a visa. Please ask your Sales Advisor. These requirements change often and therefore it is best that you check with the Embassy of France for the most up to date visa information.
HEALTH
Health insurance is recommended. Medical facilities are good quality. We recommend that you see a health-care provider who specializes in Travel Medicine. The doctor or health-care provider will determine what vaccinations and medication you will need, depending on factors such as your health and immunization history, areas of the country you will be visiting, and planned activities. For more information on travel requirements, visit the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website: http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/france.aspx
COUNTRY INFO
Capital: Paris.
Government: Republic since 1792.
Language: French is the official language. Many people speak at least some English.
Religion: Approximately 83% Roman Catholic; Protestant 2%; Muslim 5%
Time: GMT + 1 (GMT + 2 from last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October).
Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Two-pin plugs are widely used.
Telephone: Country code +33.
Mobile Telephone: Roaming agreements exist with most international mobile phone companies. Coverage is excellent.
Internet: Public access is available at Internet cafes in most cities.
What's Included:
- Guaranteed departure - Accommodation in the hotels mentioned, 6 night cruise, Activities, Transfers, All Meals on the cruise, Fees where indicated as per the itinerary - Local and international traveler assistance during your tour - Specialised and personalised services
What's not Included:
- Tips - Laundry - Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages unless explicitly noted - Optional activities/extras – Visas (unless noted) - Vacation insurance
Trip Terms & Conditions
- Your deposit is due immediately on booking (30% of program price). The balance is due 120 days prior to departure.
- Cancellations of confirmed bookings 121 days or more prior to departure will receive full refund minus a $500 (per person) administrative fee and any non-refundable paid fees (e.g. non-refundable airfare, cruise or hotel deposits). 101-120 days will be subject to loss of 40% of program price. 100 days or less will be subject to loss of 100% of program price.
- We accept payment via credit card, certified check, wire transfer or money order.
- Tour quotes do not include airfare to/from the trip start point unless noted on the itinerary
- Cost increases in currency exchange, government fees, taxes, surcharges or hotel/lodge tariff increases between quote date and start date are payable by the client.
- Availability cannot be guaranteed until booked. We will exercise best efforts to book hotels per the itinerary, however, in busy seasons and with client bookings made within 90 days of tour date we may be forced to offer substitutes.
- Payment of the program price constitutes your acceptance of the terms and conditions set out at www.kensingtontours.com/terms-and-conditions
- Living Standards and practices at destination may differ from those in North America with respect to provisions of utilities, services and accommodation.
Stay in the know: Subscribe to our newsletter to have our hand-picked trips & specials delivered to you!