he 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
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
