Finesse

Sunday, Day 1 St-Julien-sur-Dheune

Guests are met in Paris** and transferred by air-conditioned minibus to Finesse for a champagne welcome and the opportunity to meet the crew. Then there is time to wander along the towpath to admire the classic Burgundy scenery before dinner on board.

Monday, Day 2 St-Julien-sur-Dheune to St-Léger-sur-Dheune

This morning, we begin our voyage through Southern Burgundy along the Canal du Centre through undulating countryside to moor at the little village of St-Leger-sur-Dheune. We descend a series of 11 locks while cruising past the villages along the way. After lunch on board, we visit the 14^th century Château de Germolles, the best preserved of the residences of the Dukes of Burgundy, with its ducal chapel, medieval wall paintings and romantic gardens Dinner on board.

Tuesday, Day 3 St-Léger-sur-Dheune to Remigny

This morning, we head to Autun, founded by the Romans as Augustodunum it has retained many of its original Antique monuments such as Roman gates, ruins of a Temple and a 17,000 seat amphitheatre. We return to the barge for lunch, then we cruise to the rural setting of Remigny, passing picturesque Burgundian villages such as the famous wine-producing village of Santenay. Dinner on board.

Wednesday, Day 4 Remigny to Rully

After breakfast, we set off on a drive through the UNESCO-listed Côte de Beaune vineyards to the town of Beaune itself, which is the capital of Burgundy’s wine country. Our first stop will be a visit to the oldest winemakers in Burgundy, Maison Champey. Guests will enjoy a private tour of the wine cellars and experience a wine tasting, learning from an expert about the production of the region’s finest Premier and Grand Cru wines. A private lunch is served in a unique dining venue, which has been created from one of the winery’s historic large wooden wine vats or “cuves”. We then we go on to visit the stunning 15th century Hôtel-Dieu Hospice and return to the barge for an afternoon cruise past the charming little town of Chagny, to our mooring near the village of Rully. Dinner on board.

Thursday, Day 5 Rully to Fragnes

This morning, we continue our cruise along the Canal du Centre at a leisurely pace to moor at the village of Fragnes. There are perfect opportunities to walk or cycle along the towpath en route. In the afternoon we escort you on a winery tour and private tasting to the delightful Domaine Chanzy, one of Burgundy’s must-see wine estates thanks to its 80 hectares of vines growing over the three Burgundy hillsides. Dinner on board.

Friday, Day 6 Fragnes to Chalon-sur-Saône

This morning, we visit the wall-enclosed vineyard of Clos de Vougeot, headquarters of the esteemed Chevaliers du Tastevin (translates as “Fraternity of Knights of the Wine-Tasting Cup”), who award a special prized label to the finest Côte d‘Or vintages every year. Here, we’ll enjoy a tour of the iconic cellars. Continue along the Route des Grands Cru through the Côte de Nuits to stop at the prestigious vineyard of Romanée Conti for a brief history on the significance of its wines. Back on board Finesse, we’ll make our final cruise of the week, passing through the last lock on the canal which lowers us an impressive 35 feet. We then head out onto the peaceful River Saône and turn downstream to our mooring at Chalon-sur-Saône with its elegant waterfront, imposing cathedral, and opportunities for some last-minute shopping. Captain’s Farewell Dinner on board.

Saturday, Day 7 Chalon-sur-Saône

After breakfast, guests are transferred by private chauffeured minibus back to Paris**.

*This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change. On alternate weeks, the cruise will be in the reverse direction.

**other locations available for private Charter bookings