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Barges In France: Caprice
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Cruise in France on the Burgundy Canal, Saone River, and Canal du Centre in Central and Southern Burgundy on the First Class Hotel-Barge CAPRICE

SEVEN DAYS / SIX NIGHTS

The 21-passenger Caprice is a classic Dutch Luxemotor hotel barge returning to service in 2010 to cruise between Dijon and St Leger sur Dheune in Southern Burgundy. Caprice has a cozy salon and bar and dining area with comfortable furnishings, and a two-level forward sundeck at the bow, wreathed in flowers, chairs and parasols, and even including a barbecue for an outdoor lunch one day during the cruise, weather permitting.

On the lower deck are 11 comfortable cabins (two double bed cabins, 8 twin cabins, and one single cabin) with ample storage in closet and beneath beds and each with private bath including shower. The Caprice offers a laptop computer for passenger use, two French cell phones for rent while on board and hot air ballooning where available (fee to be paid on board).

Caprice follows a popular itinerary along the Burgundy Canal, one of the most beloved in France, with an incredible abundance of interesting shore excursions by coach, on foot, by balloon or by bicycle. This incomparable region is world-renowned for its exquisite cuisine and fine wine. The cruise route affords plenty of opportunity for walking or biking along the canal.

Highlights include:

  • The barging capital of Europe, St Jean de Losne
  • Dijon, the capital of Burgundy
  • The 12th century monks winery of Clos de Vougeot
  • Medieval town of Chalon-sur-Saone
  • The 12th Century Chateau of Rully
  • The picturesque village of Chagny
  • Wine tasting in Meursault
  • A tour of historic Beaune, the capital of the vineyards
  • The world famous Hotel Dieu, the first charity hospital of Europe founded in 1443
  • A mooring in the vineyards of Santenay
  • A tour of the Chateau de Marguerite of Burgundy, one of the best preserved vestiges of a vast medieval fortress.
  • A tasting of wine at Chateau de Marguerite of Burgundy


Features

  • Size of barge: 128 ft by 17 ft
  • Number of Passengers: 21
  • Number of Cabins (all with private bath): 11
  • Crew: 7
  • Air Conditioning and Central Heating:Yes
  • Salon: Salon with banquette seating, bar area and separate dining area, all with large picture windows 
  • Bar: Cash bar - wine included with lunch and dinner
  • Deck: Bi-level sundeck at bow with small tables and chairs
  • Spa Tub: No
  • Cabin Features: Two doubles, 8 twins, 1 single, from 68 to 98 sq ft each (average 82 sq ft), including ensuite bathroom with shower
  • Vehicle for Transfers/Excursions: Motorcoach
  • Accessibility: Not wheelchair accessible.
  • Bicycles: Yes

Caprice's Deck Plan
Caprice's Deck Plan


SAMPLE ITINERARY*
Burgundy:
Canal de Bourgogne, Saone River, Canal du Centre:
Dijon to St Leger sur Dheune

The Burgundy Canal, the most beloved in France, offers an incredible abundance of interesting shore excursions by coach, on foot, by balloon, or by bicycle. This incomparable region is world-renowned for its exquisite cuisine and fine wine.

Saturday
Meet at the Dijon railway station on Saturday afternoon at 4:15 P.M..   We will then transfer you to the hotel barge located along the Burgundy Canal east of Dijon.  Sip Kir Royale (with champagne) as we welcome you on board and introduce you to the crew. (Meanwhile, your luggage is quietly taken to your cabin.) After everyone is aboard we will continue cruising the canal to our evening mooring in Ouges.  Before dinner there will be time to walk the tow path or bicycle to the next lock.  Tonight you will enjoy your first gourmet dinner on board.

Sunday
After your buffet breakfast aboard Caprice, our motor coach will whisk you to Dijon for a tour of this capital of Burgundy. Meanwhile Caprice continues down the Canal de Bourgogne. Passengers will return to Caprice for lunch and continue cruising along the canal. There are many opportunities for guests to walk along the towpath or cycle into nearby villages. This evening we will moor in St Jean de Losne, traditionally the center of barging in Burgundy. It is in St Jean de Losne that the Canal de Bourgogne merges with the River Saone. There is ample opportunity to walk through the village before dinner and stroll the quiet streets after dinner. There are hundreds of barges moored here in addition to major barge manufacturers. Live-aboard barge owners are abundant. It is a unique village.

Monday
This morning your guide will take you to visit Clos de Vougeot. Wine was produced here as early as the 12th century, by none other than the local monks. A private wine tasting follows before we return to Caprice. This afternoon we will cruise to Chalon sur Saone. Chalon sur Saone is the second largest city in Burgundy and has been an important trading center since Gallo-Roman times. There will be time to visit the beautiful medieval town center surrounding the Cathedral St Vincent.

Tuesday
Today we enter the Canal du Centre from the Saone through a lock with a 50-foot rise. We will cruise along an attractive winding stretch where a good towpath and fairly frequent locks give ample opportunities to walk or cycle the towpath. This afternoon we will have an excursion to the nearby village of Rully for a private guided tour of the 12th century Chateau. When we return to Caprice it will be moored in the lovely little town of Chagny.

Wednesday
Morning excursion to Beaune. Beaune is the wine capital of Burgundy and home to the magnificent Hotel-Dieu, a charity hospital founded in 1443. This monument boasts the finest Burgundian-Flemish architecture in the world. Afternoon cruise through the meanders of the Canal du Centre to moor in the midst of the famous vineyards of Santenay.

Thursday

Today we navigate to the quiet village of Dennevy. Drive to Couches to visit the chateau of Marguerite of Burgundy, the beautifully preserved vestiges of a vast medieval fortress, followed by a tasting of the wines made here by Emmanuel Cayot, son of the owner. Ample time for walking or cycling today. Later we cruise on to the picturesque village of St Leger-sur-Dheune for a farewell gala dinner.


Friday

After breakfast, transfer to the Dijon railroad station.  Arrival at Dijon Railway Station is between 11a.m. and noon.

*Note: This is a sample itinerary and it is subject to modification in the case of unforeseen circumstances and canal closures. This cruise may run in reverse on alternate weeks.



Caprice
2010 Season Cruise Schedule*
Week Route Season
Apr 3 Dijon-St Leger Value
Apr 10 St Leger-Dijon Value
Apr 17 Dijon-St Leger Value
Apr 24 St Leger-Dijon Regular
May 1 Dijon-St Leger Regular
May 8 St Leger-Dijon Regular
May 15 Dijon-St Leger Regular
May 22 St Leger-Dijon Regular
May 29 Dijon-St Leger Regular
Jun 5 St Leger-Dijon Regular
Jun 12 Chagny-Paray-le-Monial Regular
Jun 19 Paray-le-Monial-Chagny Regular
Jun 26 Chagny-Paray-le-Monial Regular
Jul 3 Paray-le-Monial-Chagny Regular
Jul 10 Chagny-Paray-le-Monial Regular
Jul 17 Paray-le-Monial-Chagny Value
Cruise Schedule* ... continued
Week Route Season
Jul 24 Dijon-St Leger Value
Jul 31 St Leger-Dijon Value
Aug 7 Dijon-St Leger Value
Aug 14 St Leger-Dijon Value
Aug 21 Dijon-St Leger Value
Aug 28 St Leger-Dijon Regular
Sep 4 Dijon-St Leger Regular
Sep 11 St Leger-Dijon Regular
Sep 18 Dijon-St Leger Regular
Sep 25 St Leger-Dijon Regular
Oct 2 Dijon-St Leger Regular
Oct 9 St Leger-Dijon Regular
Oct 16 Dijon-St Leger Value
Oct 23 St Leger-Dijon Value
Oct 30 Dijon-St Leger Value


Caprice
2011 Season Cruise Schedule*
Week Route Season
Apr 2 Dijon-St Leger Value
Apr 9 St Leger-Dijon Value
Apr 16 Dijon-St Leger Regular
Apr 23 St Leger-Dijon Regular
Apr 30 Dijon-St Leger Regular
May 7 St Leger-Dijon Regular
May 14 Dijon-St Leger Regular
May 21 St Leger-Dijon Regular
May 28 Dijon-St Leger Regular
Jun 4 St Leger-Dijon Regular
Jun 11 Dijon-St Leger Regular
Jun 18 St Leger-Dijon Regular
Jun 25 Dijon-St Leger Regular
Jul 2 St Leger-Dijon Regular
Jul 9 Dijon-St Leger Regular
Jul 16 St Leger-Dijon Value
Cruise Schedule* ... continued
Week Route Season
Jul 23 Dijon-St Leger Value
Jul 30 St Leger-Dijon Value
Aug 6 Dijon-St Leger Value
Aug 13 St Leger-Dijon Value
Aug 20 Dijon-St Leger Value
Aug 27 St Leger-Dijon Regular
Sep 3 Dijon-St Leger Regular
Sep 10 St Leger-Dijon Regular
Sep 17 Dijon-St Leger Regular
Sep 24 St Leger-Dijon Regular
Oct 1 Dijon-St Leger Regular
Oct 8 St Leger-Dijon Regular
Oct 15 Dijon-St Leger Regular
Oct 22 St Leger-Dijon Value
Oct 29 Dijon-St Leger Value


*Note: Cruise directions and sample itineraries may be in reverse and are subject to change and may depend on bookings and local navigation conditions. Alternate excursions of equal appeal are substituted when needed. For charter cruises special itineraries can be arranged.


CAPRICE
2010 SEASON PRICES in US DOLLARS
ACCOMMODATION VALUE
Apr 3 thru Apr 23
Jul 17 thru Aug 27
Oct 16 thru Nov 5
REGULAR
Apr 24 thru Jul 16
Aug 28 thru Oct 15
Cabin (per person, double occupancy)
$2,590
$2,790
Single Occupancy Supplement
$990
$990
Charter for up to 21
$46,620
$50,220


CAPRICE
2011 SEASON PRICES in US DOLLARS
ACCOMMODATION VALUE
Apr 2 thru Apr 15
Jul 16 thru Aug 26
Oct 22 thru Nov 4
REGULAR
Apr 16 thru Jul 15
Aug 27 thru Oct 21
Cabin (per person, double occupancy)
$2,690
$2,890
Single Occupancy Supplement
$1,290
$1,290
Charter for up to 21
$48,420
$52,020



What's Included
- 7 days and 6 nights on the barge in a cabin with private bath
- Transfers from Dijon train station to the barge and return
- All meals beginning with dinner on Saturday through breakfast on Friday
- All wines with lunches and dinners
- All escorted side-excursions (hot air balloon at extra cost when available)
- Use of bicycles

What's Not Included
- Overseas air transportation to Paris and return
- Transfers from Paris to Dijon train station to the barge and return
- Special services such as hot-air balloon excursions, booked separately with the balloon company, but coordinated by the crew.
- Bar drinks: beer & wine 3 Euros, mixed drinks & champagne 5 Euros, cognac, martini, cosmopolitan, Armagnac & liqueurs 6 Euros, soft drinks & juice 2 Euros -- to be paid in euros to the cruise manager on board at the end of the cruise.
- Suggested gratuity for the crew (barge suggests 110 Euros per passenger, to be given to the barge manager)

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For booking information,
Phone (toll-free): 1-877-64-BARGE (1-877-642-2743)
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Last Update: August 6, 2010

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CLIA-Cruise Lines International Association, OSSN-Outside Sales Support Network. 
Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover Cards Welcome