There may be no more beautiful way to explore the countryside villages of timeless Burgundy than from a river barge coasting the Saône River.
Save up to 20% on marine adventures
ALL IN PRICE: 20% off of the regular price $3489 CAD
Save 20% - Select Departures Aug 01 - Jul 31, 2019
Promo Code: 19GA020MAR01River
WHAT'S INCLUDED:
- National Geographic Journeys Exclusives: Burgundy Wine Talk and Horizontal Tasting, Chalon-sur-Saône
- National Geographic Journeys Exclusives: Visit Hospices of Beaune, Beaune
- National Geographic Journeys Exclusives: Local Market Visit with a Chef, Paris
- Six nights aboard the Danièle canal river barge
- Orientation walk of Dijon and Ducal Palace
- Visits to Saint-Jean-de-Losne and Longecourt-en-Plaine
- Cycle through Côte de Beaune and Côte de Nuits with wine tastings
- Use of bicycles during shore excursions
- All transport to/from included activities and between destinations
HURRY, OFFER ENDS ON AUGUST 31st 2018!
Itinerary
Day 1: DIJON
Arrive at any time. The adventure begins tonight. Feel free to explore before your welcome meeting, but make sure you’re back in time to meet the group. After introductions, your CEO will review the details of your tour. Please note that normal check-in times apply at our start hotels, but you can usually store your luggage for the day if you arrive early.
Day 2: DIJON
Enjoy an orientation walk in the morning to explore Dijon. Visit the Ducal Palace, the local market, and the old town. In the afternoon, enjoy free time before transferring to the river barge and embarking the Danièle. Explore the capital of the Dukes of Burgundy. Dijon was once second only to Paris as a centre of power in France. Visit the Ducal Palace, the local market, and the old town. Dinner is included.
Day 3: DIJON/LONGECOURT-EN-PLAINE
Depart Dijon for a full day cycling tour through the Côte de Nuits region along the Route des Grands Crus, lined with lovely vineyards and some of the most picturesque villages in the region. Enjoy a wine tasting in the quaint village of Vougeot before meeting our barge in Longecourt-en-Plaine. Leave the river behind and cycle through the Côte de Nuits region along the Route des Grands Crus - famous for the Grand Cru Burgundy wine that is produced here. Along the way, pass through the small, picturesque villages such as Chenôve, Marsannay-la-Côte, Couchey, Fixin, Gevrey-Chambertin, Morey-Saint-Denis, and Chambolle-Musigny. Stop for lunch, and a wine tasting and cellar tour in the quaint village of Vougeot. After lunch, opt to visit the famous Château du Clos de Vougeot, where one of the world's most expensive wines is produced. Continue cycling the last stretch of this beautiful route before meeting the barge in Longecourt-en-Plaine, and sit down to a well-deserved dinner on deck. Breakfast and dinner included.
Day 4: LONGECOURT-EN-PLAINE/SAINT-JEAN-DE-LOSNE
Start the day with a walk around the beautiful lush gardens of Château de Longecourt, a typical Burgundy castle. Continue the morning walking along the canal and visiting its many locks. Enjoy the Burgundy canal as we walk a 5km (3 mi) stretch of the canal between Longecourt and La Biètre lock. Climb aboard the barge and continue sailing to St-Jean-de-Losne. Free time in the afternoon to visit St-Jean-de-Losne. Breakfast and lunch included.
Day 5: SAINT-JEAN-DE-LOSNE/CHALON-SUR-SAÔNE
Cruise along the Saône River before arriving to Chalon-sur-Saône. Take in a presentation by a local wine expert and enjoy a horizontal tasting on board. Spend a relaxing afternoon walking through the footpaths around Chalon-sur-Saône. Choose to do some shopping in town or relax on board with a glass of local wine. Breakfast and lunch included.
Day 6: CHALON-SUR-SAÔNE/CHAGNY
Cycle along the Côte de Beaune, stopping at villages and vineyards along the way. Explore the vineyards of Chateau de Chassigny-Montrachet while stopping to sample some wines. This mostly flat ride is an ideal way to experience quintessential Burgundy. Breakfast included.
Day 7: CHAGNY/SAINT-LÉGER-SUR-DHEUNE
Arrive to Santenay. Enjoy a tour of the stunning Château de Santenay and indulge in a wine tasting from local wineries. Continue cruising to Saint-Léger-sur-Dheune. Enjoy lunch on board while watching the countryside go by. Upon arrival, explore the quaint village or visit the medieval castle of Château de Couches.Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Day 8: SAINT-LÉGER-SUR-DHEUNE/PARIS
Transfer to Beaune, the historic wine capital of Burgundy. Enjoy a tour with a docent, exploring the Hospices of Beaune, a charitable hospital that has been funded by the annual wine auction for over 155 years. Delve into history and discuss the relationship of the hospice with the powerful wine merchants of Burgundy. Enjoy some free time to explore before catching the train to Paris. Breakfast included.
Day 9: PARIS
Explore the historic covered Marché d'Aligre with a local chef and food expert. Rarely visited by tourists, this market is where locals come to shop for food. Meet vendors, enjoy tastings, and learn about the history of the market and the specialties offered here. The afternoon is free to explore the city on your own. Breakfast included.
Day 10: PARIS
Depart at any time.
