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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.
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Caprice cruises
"Southern Burgundy and Upper Loire"
June 12, 19, 26; July 3, 10, 17
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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
On
alternate weeks the itinerary is reversed.
Note:
This is a sample itinerary: it is subject to modification in
the case of unforeseen circumstances such as canal closures.
The boat cruises in the opposite direction on alternate
weeks. At Barging Thru France we are constantly developing
our programs and we may modify our overnight stops and
excursions without prior notice in order to assure a
consistently high standard of moorings and visits.
Caprice cruises
Southern Burgundy and Upper Loire June 12, 19, 26; July 3,
10, 17 |
