Libellule

Burgundy Canal from Lyon to Dijon

The Libellule is an ideal riverboat with a forward saloon and large windows affording excellent views of the surrounding countryside and a separate dining room.  She has very spacious cabins, making her one of the most comfortable of the barges.

NEW ITINERARY IN 2009 - SEE BELOW

Saturday, DAY 1  Lyon
We meet in Lyon at 4pm , passengers using our transfers from Paris will meet at 12.30, Hotel Regina and transfer by TGV train to Lyon .  Transfer to Libellule moored in the heart of Lyon with a welcome champagne reception on board.

Sunday, DAY 2  Lyon / Trevoux
This morning, after breakfast, a guided walking tour of the wonderful city including the ancient town, the oldest Renaissance district in France .  Free time afterwards to explore on your own before returning to Libellule in time for lunch.  Afternoon cruise on the river Saone to Trevoux, a delightful riverside town.

Monday, DAY 3  Trevoux / Macon
A morning cruise to Macon, close to the heart of the Beaujolais wine country.  After lunch on board, we will visit one of the wine growers of this famous region and have a private wine tasting.  We return to Libellule in the late afternoon.

Tuesday, DAY 4  Macon/ Chalon sur Saone  
Today we cruise to Chalon sur Saone , a busy market town in the heart of Burgundy.  In the afternoon, a visit to the Photography museum where it is said photography was invented. Time to stroll around, lots of interesting shops to browse.

Wednesday, DAY 5  Chalon sur Saone / Beaune / Seurre
This morning, a visit to Beaune, capital of the Burgundy wine growing area.  Here we will visit the magnificent 15C Hospice de Beaune, an ancient charity hospital dating from 1544.  The hospice was financed in part by the wine growers of the region donating small portions of their vineyards.  To this day, the price of Burgundy wine is fixed by the auctions that take place here every November.  Free time to explore afterwards.  We then return to Libellule and cruise to the sleepy riverside town of Seurre.

Thursday, DAY 6  Seurre / St Jean de Losne
This morning, a visit to the capital of Burgundy, Dijon with its medieval architecture including the Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy with a guided tour of the principal sights.  Free time to explore the many wonderful stores including the Grey Poupon mustard shop.  Return to Libellule for lunch and an afternoon cruise to St Jean de Losne, our final destination.  Farewell Gala dinner on board this evening.

Friday, DAY 7  St Jean de Losne / Dijon
This morning after breakfast, transfer to Dijon railroad station, transfers back to Paris by TGV train for those passengers who have purchased them.  

Dijon-St Léger sur Dheune

Canal de Bourgogne, Saône River, Canal du Centre

Saturday, DAY 1  Dijon
Passengers taking our transfers will meet at TBA Paris at TBA Transfer to Dijon by TGV and  to Libellule moored in the port of Dijon , close to the city centre, where we stay for the night. The crew will serve a welcome cocktail as the bags are taken to the cabins, after which there will be time to settle in or walk into town before dinner is served on board.

Sunday, DAY 2  Dijon / Longecourt en Plaine 
Disembark after breakfast to drive through the vineyards of the Côte de Nuits for a guided visit of the château of Clos Vougeot, medieval monastic winery and present-day headquarters of the Confrèrie des Chevaliers du Tastevin.

Monday, DAY 3   Longecourt en Plaine / St Jean de Losne / Seurre
Cast off during breakfast. Morning cruise to St Jean de Losne, traditionally the centre of barging in Burgundy and situated at the junction of the Canal de Bourgogne with the river Saône. After lunch coach excursion to Beaune, the centre of the Burgundy wine trade, for a guided visit of the Hôtel Dieu, world famous charity hospital which was founded in the fifteenth century and is a masterpiece of late-medieval architecture. Free time to visit the town with its wine museum, magnificent Romanesque church and wine cellars. Return to Libellule at Seurre, charming brick-built riverside town.

Tuesday, DAY 4  Seurre / Chalon sur Saone  
Today is market day in Dijon , so after an early breakfast we drive there for a guided tour of the principal sights of the city centre followed by time free to explore the market and the excellent shopping centre. Return to Libellule in Seurre for lunch and cruise through the afternoon down the Saône river to our mooring for tonight, Chalon sur Saône, second largest city in Burgundy and important trading centre since Gallo-Roman times. Time to visit the beautifully preserved medieval town centre surrounding the Cathedral of St Vincent before dinner.

Wednesday, DAY 5  Chalon sur Saone / Chagny
We cast off from our mooring in Chalon during breakfast; however there will be an opportunity to stay in town to visit the excellent shops or the Niecephore Niepce museum, inventor of photography and native of Chalon. We enter the Canal du Centre from the river through a lock with a fifty-foot rise and cruise along an attractive winding stretch, with good opportunities to walk or cycle along the green cycling track recently built along the Canal du Centre between Chalon and St Léger.

Towards the end of the afternoon we mak e an excursion to the nearby village of Rully for a  guided tour of the twelfth century château.Return to Libellule at our mooring for tonight in the lively little town of Chagny .

Thursday, DAY 6  Chagny / Santenay / Dennevy / St Leger sue Dheune
Cruise through the morning to Santenay and moor in time to explore this famous wine-producing village of the Côte de Beaune before lunch. Wine tasting. Cruise over lunch and through the afternoon to St Leger for our gala dinner.

Good cycling and walking all day on the restored towpath.

Friday, DAY 7  St Jean de Losne / Dijon
This morning after breakfast, transfer to Dijon railroad station, transfers back to Paris by TGV train for those passengers who have purchased them.  

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