The Canal du Centre offers some of the richest and most beautiful regions of pastoral France.  We begin our cruise from Chagney in the very heart of the famous Burgundy wine region.  We moor among the vineyards.  Then we cruise southwest along the Canal du Centre to Paray-le-Monial.  On the way we will stop to visit charming villages dating from medieval times, an ancient Roman Amphitheater, a picturesque Chateau were we will taste some excellent wines, an ancient Abbey, a spa town and an master chocolatier.

This route offers some of the best bicycling and walking of all the canals regions of France.  The terrain is gentle and the villages are inviting you to come explore.

Lorraine cruises Southern Burgundy and Upper Loire April 10, 17., 24; May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; June 5.

April 24 -- 50% discount  ----- $1500 pp dbl

May 8, 22, Aug 14, 28 -- 33% discount ------ $2000 pp dbl

June 5 -- 23% discount  ------$2300 pp dbl

Normal price $2990 pp dbl

Caprice cruises Southern Burgundy and Upper Loire June 12, 19, 26; July 3, 10, 17

Saturday

Our meeting place is Le Creusot Mo TGV train station at 3:15.  (TGV Duplex 6617 from Paris Gare de Lyon arrives at 3:15---train and times subject to change by SNCF).  You will be met at the station and transferred to your barge which awaits you at Chagny.  Welcome drink on board while the crew stores your bags in your cabin.  Then we will begin cruising to our first nights mooring in the delightful vineyard village of Santaney.  There will be time for a stroll around the village or a bicycle ride before we enjoy our first Gourmet Dinner aboard.

Sunday

Excursion to Chalon for a guided visit to this charming town.  The we return to the barge to cruise for our second nights mooring in the canal town of St Leger su Dheune.   On the way we will pass through many locks offering passengers excellent to walk or bicycle along the tow path.  You can even venture into some villages for a personal look.

Monday

Today's shore excursion is to the lovely Chateau de Rully where we will be personally greeted by the Countess de Rully and treated to a private wine tasting in her cave.  Our cruise for today will be to Montchanin which is the highest point on the Canal du Centre

Tuesday

Today we will experience some delightful cruising through picturesque countryside to Montceau les Mines.  Our shore excursion today is to Cluny, a world heritage sight.  Cluny houses the remains of the famous Benedictine Abbey founded in 910 by William the Pious.  Before the construction of St Peter's in Rome, Cluny contained the largest church in Christendom.

Wednesday

Our cruise continues through beautiful valleys to the village of Genelard.   Along the way we will visit the ancient city of Autun which was founded by the emperor Augustus.  Here we will find the remains of a Roman Theater and two decorative city gates.  We will also visit the cathedral of St Lazare and the medieval district of Autun with its winding cobble stone streets that visitors have been walking on for 1000 years.

Thursday

Chocolate lovers will really love today.  We drive to the town of La Clayette to visit the premises of the Master Chocolate maker Bernard Dufoux.   Of course we will have some samples.    Then we will have a visit to the Automobile museum which is housed in a 14th Century Castle La Clayette..  Our cruise today is to Paray-le-Monial where the 12th century basilica was built as a smaller reproduction of the Abby Church of Cluny.  Our visit will offer time to stroll around the town center before we return to the barge to enjoy our Gala Farewell dinner.

Friday

After breakfast you will board our bus for the journey to Le Creusot rail station and the end of a perfect week.

The Canal du Centre offers some of the richest and most beautiful regions of pastoral France.  We begin our cruise from Chagney in the very heart of the famous Burgundy wine region.  We moor among the vineyards.  Then we cruise southwest along the Canal du Centre to Paray-le-Monial.  On the way we will stop to visit charming villages dating from medieval times, an ancient Roman Amphitheater, a picturesque Chateau were we will taste some excellent wines, an ancient Abbey, a spa town and an master chocolatier.

This route offers some of the best bicycling and walking of all the canals regions of France.  The terrain is gentle and the villages are inviting you to come explore.

Lorraine cruises Southern Burgundy and Upper Loire April 10, 17., 24; May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; June 5.

Caprice cruises Southern Burgundy and Upper Loire June 12, 19, 26; July 3, 10, 17