Culinary Canal Barge Cruise of Southern Burgundy - October 24-30th, 2027
Culinary Canal Barge Cruise of Southern Burgundy - October 24-30th, 2027
Step aboard and discover Europe from a unique perspective, where service is personal yet unobtrusive, and uniquely curated experiences take you further off the beaten path.
Let us ignite your senses with local flavours, vibrant cultures, and unforgettable sights as we meander along tranquil rural waterways. Now is the time to relax and indulge in the art of slow travel and create memories that last a lifetime...
All barges are sold on a “per cabin” basis. We will only be selling 6 cabins for a maximum of 12 people on board our chartered canal boat. Each cabin can be configured with a double bed or two twins, and includes modern ensuite shower rooms. Price per cabin is $17995. We require a $5000 deposit, with the balance due 130 days prior to departure. I will contact you for deposit payment, and if you pay by check, Venmo. or Apple Pay, you can avoid the additional credit card fees.
Our cruise is fully crewed and all-inclusive, which means:
- 6 nights’ accommodation (Sunday to Saturday) on-board in an air-conditioned en-suite cabin.
- All transfers to / from the designated meeting point, plus daily excursions by chauffeured barge minivan inclusive of entry fees.
- The services of our experienced Captain, Chef, Tour Guide, Housekeeper(s) / Deck Hand.
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner aboard. All lunch and evening meals are a gastronomic adventure using local produce prepared with dedication by our Private Chef.
- A lunch or dinner ashore at a Michelin Star restaurant or similar.
- An excellent selection of fine regional and international wines and premium spirits, plus an all-day open bar, soft drinks, tea and coffee.
- Use of barge facilities such as bicycles, Wi-Fi, boules, library. Most of our hotel barges also have a spa-pool.
Not Included: Gratuities, Insurance, Pre & Post Hotels, Flights
If you are a lover of fine food and particularly how and where locally-grown ingredients are sourced, our culinary cruises in southwest France aboard luxury hotel barge L’Impressionist will really tickle your taste-buds.
Sunday, Day 1 Escommes
Guests are met in Paris* and transferred by private chauffeured minibus to the elegant L’Impressionniste. A champagne reception welcomes you on board and the opportunity to meet the captain and crew. Perhaps enjoy a stroll into Escommes before dinner on board.
Monday, Day 2 Escommes to Vandenesse
We begin our voyage this morning from the canal summit in Escommes, 1,250 feet above sea level and cruise to Vandenesse-en-Auxois. We then drive to the Auberge du Cheval Blanc, a charming hotel-restaurant, to be given a Burgundian cooking lesson by the skilled chef and enjoy the fruits of our labours for lunch. This afternoon we visit the moat-encircled Château de Commarin, where we are lucky enough to enjoy a private tour with a majestic falconry display***, and the opportunity to meet Count Bertrand de Vogue – the current resident and 26th generation of the de Vogue family to maintain continuous residence since the 13th century. Guests can then explore the regal interior, rustic stables, andsurrounding gardens. We also visit the nearby shop with its wonderful selection of local products such as Cassis, organic flours, veal, even goat sausages, from La Ferme du Rabutin. Dinner on board.
Tuesday, Day 3 Vandenesse to Pont d’Ouche
This morning, we visit the Gaugry Fromagerie, a specialist maker of several flavoursome Burgundian cheeses. Gaugry is the last cheesemaker still producing raw milk Epoisses, first made by monks in the 16th century, as well as other cheeses such as Plaisir au Chablis, matured with Chablis to give its unique flavour. After a guided tour and of course, a tasting of a number of delicious cheeses, we visit the medieval hilltop village of Châteauneuf-en-Auxois, once an outpost of the Dukes of Burgundy and offering a fine overview of the feeder lakes, canal and surrounding countryside. After lunch back on board, we cruise to Pont d’Ouche, crossing the only aqueduct on the Burgundy Canal and a perfect time to explorethe towpath on foot or bicycle. Dinner on board.
Wednesday, Day 4 Pont d’Ouche to La Bussière
After a short morning cruise, we set off on a drive through the slopes of the UNESCO-listed vineyards of the Côte de Beaune. Here, our expert guide will offer an insight into the production of the region’s finest Premier and Grand Cru wines. We continue to Beaune – the capital of the Burgundy wine country, for a private tour and tasting at the renowned Domaine Chanson. The tour includes its medieval Bastion de l’Oratoire, a 15th century defence tower whose 25-foot-thick walls now maintain the perfect temperature for ageing wine. This is followed by a private gastronomic lunch in the domaine’s chateau. Afterwards, we visit the Edward Fallot Moutarderie. The Fallot family have been making mustard since the 1840s using traditional methods and we are given a fascinating ‘Sensational Experiences’ tour and a private tasting of some diverse mustard-based products. We return to the hotel barge for a short evening cruise to La Bussière. Dinner on board.
Thursday, Day 5 La Bussière to Sainte-Marie-sur-Ouche
After breakfast, we cruise to Sainte-Marie-sur-Ouche, again with plenty of opportunity to walk or cycle along the ever-present towpath past sleepy villages and pretty lock houses. After lunch, we drive to Abbaye de Citeaux, where the Cistercian monks have been making cheese since the 1920s. Citeaux is made from the milk of the white Montbéliarde cows that graze in the Abbaye’s meadows and only 300 cheeses are made every Monday and Tuesday. We enjoy a cheese tasting, before moving on to visit Clos de Vougeot, headquarters of the esteemed Chevaliers du Tastevin, who award a special prized label to the finest Côte d‘Or vintages every year. Dinner on board.
Friday, Day 6 Sainte-Marie-sur-Ouche to Fleurey-sur-Ouche
This morning, we enjoy a walking tour of old Dijon, including a visit to the indoor food market to admire the wonderful local produce and help our chef buy the freshest of ingredients for today’s lunch. Time afterwards perhaps to visit the impressive Notre-Dame, a mustard shop or two, or enjoy some shopping time. We return to the hotel barge for lunch and a leisurely afternoon cruise, with perhaps a walk or bicycle ride to the next lock or two, to arrive at our final mooring at Fleurey-sur-Ouche. Captain’s Farewell Dinner on board.
Saturday, Day 7 Fleurey-sur-Ouche
After breakfast, guests are transferred to their choice of location in Paris**
*This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change. On alternate weeks the cruise will be in the reverse direction.
Each Culinary Theme cruise includes cooking demonstrations by the on board chef, wine and food pairings for each meal, Burgundian cuisine which focuses on the freshest local produce and presentations of all cheeses and wines.