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
SAMPLE ITINERARY*
Burgundy:
Canal de Bourgogne, Saone River, Canal du Centre:
Dijon to St Leger sur Dheune
Saturday
Meet at the Dijon train station at 4:15 p.m. The bus will wait until all passengers are on board or 5:30 p.m. Bus transfer to Caprice and welcome aboard drinks with introduction of the crew. As you are getting acquainted with your new sailing mates the Caprice will begin its journey along the Canal de Bourgogne to its evening mooring at Ouges.
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
Transfer to Dijon train station after breakfast.
*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.
SAMPLE ITINERARY*
Burgundy:
Canal du Centre
Chagny to Parey-le-Monial
The Canal du Centre offers some of the richest and most beautiful regions of pastoral France. We begin our cruise from Chagny 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.
Saturday
Our meeting place is Le Creusot TGV train station at 3:15pm. (TGV Duplex 6617 from Paris Gare de Lyon arrives at 3:15 -- train and times subject to change). 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 night's 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 night's mooring in the canal town of St Leger sur Dheune. On the way we will pass through many locks offering passengers excellent opportunities to walk or bicycle along the towpath. 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. Our cruise today is to Paray-le-Monial where the 12th century basilica was built as a smaller reproduction of the Abbey 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.
Note: This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change. This route is 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
|
|
*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 |
What's Included
- 7 days and 6 nights on the barge in a cabin with private bath
- Transfers from Dijon or Le Creusot train station to the barge and return, depending on cruise route
- 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 or Le Creusot train station to the barge and return, depending on cruise route
- 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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Last Update: January 19, 2010
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