6 Night Barge Cruise In Southern Burgundy Wine Region, France

Details

Courtesy of France Cruises, experience a 6 night Burgundy Barge Cruise aboard the “La Vie En Rose” for 2 guests staying in a shared cabin for two. Cruise includes: transfers from Le Creusot train station or Dijon (hotel or train station), to the barge and return; all meals onboard, except for 4 meals which will be at the winner’s expense at local restaurants; complimentary wine with meals onboard and bar drinks on board (including a large range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks); Sightseeing excursions and the use of bicycles. Stay is valued at approximately $7,590 USD / £6,010 GBP*. Please note all additional purchases including further meals, drinks, excursions, purchases, etc. must be paid for by the winner separately. Cruise excludes: trip cancellation & travel insurance; flights and transport to your agreed collection point; personal expenses; and gratuities are not included.

Auction cruise dates: to be taken between 30 May 30 to 05 June 2021 only, subject to boat availability.

France Cruises is almost 20 years old and began with a clear vision: to be the best resource for canal and river cruising, authentic hotel packages, and country tours in France. They are travel experts, offering professional advice and insider tips to create your ultimate luxury vacation package in France, with first-class service and fine accommodations. From the smallest, intimate cruise such as their canal hotel barges right up to their legendary larger scale riverboat cruises. Their cruises cater to individuals, couples, and groups and can be customised to include tours and experiences of your choice and cover a range of budgets.

The winner and their guest will be going on a magical 6 night Burgundy Barge Cruise aboard the “La Vie En Rose”. La Vie En Rose will cruise on the picturesque Canal du Centre in the Southern Burgundy wine region. This week-long peaceful barging experience goes beyond visits of exceptional sites and beauty of the landscapes: La Vie En Rose is also about being welcomed by true locals who are eager to share with you the regional culture & traditions, including the “Pleasure of the Table”. A truly wonderful cruise package that provides you the opportunity to “live like a local” and experience authentic local restaurants along the route, all carefully selected and recommended by your Captain.

Cruise highlights include:
Visit the magnificent XIIe Century fortress of Chateau de Couches, the most complete medieval fortified city in existence
Discover the wine appellation Maranges while touring the three “Maranges villages” with their charmingly old-fashioned homes of the winemakers.

Visit the wonderful Château de Sully, “The most beautiful Renaissance Courtyard in France”.

Admire and taste the treasures of Southern Côte de Beaune wine country, as you take the famous “Route des Grands Crus”.

Enjoy Market Day in Beaune followed by a private tour of the “Hospices de Beaune” and the Hotel Dieu.

Experience exclusive wine tastings at the “Patriarche Cellars”, the longest cellars in Burgundy, and at the “The Château de Chamirey” in Mercurey.

Tour Chalon-sur-Saône with its impressive Cathedral and lively squares.

Half-Board cruise with 4 meals onshore gives you the opportunity to enjoy the local gastronomic delights at the “table” of your choice: from a local “auberge” to an iconic Michelin star restaurant.

Included in your cruise:
Transfers from Le Creusot train station or Dijon (Hotel or train station), to the barge and return.
Six nights accommodation onboard.
All meals onboard, except for 4 meals (lunch or dinner) at passenger expense at local restaurants, all carefully selected and recommended by your Captain, for a true regional culinary experience.
Open bar 24/7 with a large range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
Wine with meals onboard, and bar drinks on board.
Sightseeing excursions with escort and air-conditioned vehicle.
The services of 3 crew.
Use of bicycles.

Items excluded from your cruise:
Trip Cancellation & Travel insurance.
Overseas air transportation to Paris and return.
Transportation from Paris to the barge pick up point and return.
4 meals onshore.
Personal expenses.
Gratuities are not included. Tipping is entirely discretionary if you are fully satisfied with the level of service. As guidance our passengers on average tip 5% of the cruise fare.

Itinerary:
Sunday, Day 1 – Saint-Julien-sur-Dheune
Guests are met at Le Creusot TGV railway station (Alternative pick up points available such as Dijon hotel/train station) in the afternoon and taken by minibus to La Vie en Rose, which is moored on the tranquil Canal du Centre in the pretty village of Saint-Julien-sur-Dheune. Champagne Welcome and dinner in the evening give us the opportunity to chat about the coming week’s itinerary, while you gently unwind from your journey.

Monday, Day 2 – Saint-Julien-sur-Dheune to Saint-Léger-sur-Dheune
The day begins with a cruise to the village of Saint-Léger-sur-Dheune which will be our mooring for the evening. After lunch aboard La Vie en Rose, we visit by minibus the famous Château de Couches known as the Château de Marguerite de Bourgogne. It is a magnificent XIIe Century fortress classified as “Monument Historique” which presents all the different phases of its building from end XIe up to XIXe. On the way back to La Vie en Rose, we will go through the charming 3 villages of Maranges and of course a tasting of the unique Maranges Appellation! We will end this first magical day in a local auberge to discover the regional cooking (not included).

Tuesday, Day 3 – Saint-Léger-sur-Dheune to Santenay
We depart Saint-Léger-sur-Dheune for a leisurely cruise to the village of Santenay, which nestles amongst the famous vineyards and preserved landscape of the Southern Côte de Beaune. This morning we will take the Route des Grands Crus from Santenay up to the Village of Pommard. Today for lunch, you will be introduced to Le Cellier Volnaysien (not included) a restaurant very appreciated by local people. Located in the heart of the Cote de Beaune, this authentic restaurant & wine cellar with a unique selection of local estate-grown wines welcomes you in a one-of-a-kind setting where you will discover Burgundy’s traditional cuisine. After lunch, we depart for the visit of the wonderful Château de Sully. The most beautiful Renaissance Courtyard in France according to Bussy Rabutin, a French soldier and courtier exiled from Louis XVI’s court for writing stories about the King’s mistresses. We return to La Vie en Rose for a restful evening and dinner on board.

Wednesday, Day 4 – Santenay to Chagny
We start the day with a short cruise to the town of Chagny where we will moor for the evening. After a relaxing breakfast, we depart for the historic town of Beaune, the wine capital of Burgundy. Today is the market day and our visit will include the historic (with a private guide) Hospices de Beaune and the Hotel Dieu, built in the XVe century. For lunch, we propose the restaurant Le Conty (not included) a wonderful dining place with a pleasant cellar atmosphere. We will dedicate the afternoon for a wine tasting at the famous Patriarche Cellars. These cellars are the longest in Burgundy, and the history of the wine merchant’s is one of the oldest. We return to La Vie en Rose through the vineyards for a restful evening and dinner on board.

Thursday, Day 5 – Chagny to Fragnes
This morning we continue with our cruise towards Fragnes, ideally situated to discover the “Côte Chalonnaise”, where we will moor for the evening. In the south of the Côte de Beaune, the Côte Chalonnaise propose ruby-coloured red wine and delicate white wine of great renown coming from Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, or Aligoté. After lunch taken on board, we have arranged a private tasting at The Château de Chamirey in Mercurey. The Devillard family owner of the Château, old acquaintance of the Captain family will give you a warm welcome. After the tasting, you might also wish to enjoy a short drive to discover the magnificent views offered by this region. This evening you will enjoy a dinner taken ashore (not included) in a local auberge or, if you wish a Gastronomic Experience, you might appreciate the restaurant Lameloise the only Michelin 3 stars *** restaurant in Burgundy, icon of the French cuisine.

Friday, Day 6 – Fragnes to Seurre
This morning we take a short car ride to the town of Chalon-sur-Saône (the birthplace of the photography). Chalon has a Cathedral with a lovely square surrounded by medieval buildings. As it is market day today, the square filled with fruit and vegetables stalls, and the other streets littered with all sorts of market traders selling a plethora of goods. A real insight into French life. We return to La Vie en Rose for lunch and a leisurely cruise to the village of Seurre. This evening your farewell meal starts with cocktails and canapés on the deck overlooking the Saône river.

Saturday, Day 7 – Seurre
After a last breakfast, guests are taken by our private chauffeur to Le Creusot TGV railway station in good time to catch their train, (alternative return points available such as Dijon hotel/train station). Route runs in reverse on alternate weeks and may differ on selected cruise dates. The cruise program has been set-up in order to optimize the mini-bus transit time but the visits during the week can be tailored to the Guest’s wishes, such as visit of Dijon or Clos de Vougeot.

Terms and Conditions

Luxury Travel Diary terms and conditions apply. *This auction item is valued at approximately $7,590 USD by France Cruises – please note this valuation is the list price provided to Luxury Travel Diary by the Auction Prize Provider and should be used as a guide only as cheaper discounted rates may be available. No cash alternative is available. This auction item excludes flights and transport, except for the transfers and cruise mentioned above – you will need to arrange your own flights/transportation to and from your home to your agreed Burgundy Barge Cruise collection point to coincide with your booking. Your cruise is subject to availability, must be booked in advance, and taken between 30 May 30 to 05 June 2021 only. Please note all additional purchases including further meals, drinks, excursions, purchases etc. must be paid for by the winner separately. Cruise excludes: trip cancellation & travel insurance; flights and transport to your agreed collection point; personal expenses; and gratuities are not included. Please note any associated taxes/entrance fees etc. and all additional purchases will be collected from the winner by the relevant property at the time of booking your cruise or on departure and will not be deducted from the amount bid for the item. Winners must pay for their auction item in full via PayPal within 48 hours of the auction end. The full Terms of our auctions can be found here. To the fullest extent permitted by law, Luxury Travel Diary will not be liable for any loss or damage arising out of the winners’ use or enjoyment of the prize; and the winner acknowledges that Luxury Travel Diary accepts no responsibility whether directly or indirectly for any claims whatsoever arising in respect of the prizes provided by third-party providers or sponsors.