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Luciole

Cruising the Nivernais Canal

SUNDAY: AUXERRE

Meeting at the Hotel Mansart in Paris at 2.15 p.m., followed by the journey to Auxerre in our bus. 'Luciole' is moored on the spectacular city frontage, over looked by the Cathedral, Parish Church and the Abbey. A Champagne reception welcomes our guests on board.

MONDAY: AUXERRE TO VINCELLES

The cruise upriver leads us into beautiful pastoral countryside intermingled with sweeping reaches of the River Yonne. After lunch we pass by Bailly. Here in 1972 local winemakers restored the fortunes of these ancient vineyards with the production of sparkling Cremant de Bourgogne in the large limestone Caves de Bailly. The picturesque villages of St Bris and Irancy, also devoted to wine, stand nearby. We moor for the evening on the wide river in Vincelles. A journey in the afternoon is made to a wine cellar in the Chablis vineyards, barely sixteen kilometres to the east of Auxerre. Chablis is one of the greatest names in wine, with production within a strictly-defined area. The most prestigious wines are produced from vineyards on the south of the town on 'Grand Cru Hill'.

TUESDAY: VINCELLES TO ACCOLAY

In the morning the canal takes you towards the River Cure on the 'Vermenton Arm' and the village of Accolay. Our excursion to historic Auxerre is in the afternoon. The city offers many historic features: the Cathedral of St Etienne, Abbey of St Germain, with the Romanesque crypt and attractive clock tower in the centre of the town, built in the 15th Century. The Church presides over one of the most attractive waterfronts in France, recently renovated and where the Luciole now has her own private mooring. Auxerre was originally a Roman camp and became a centre of learning and pilgrimage in the Middle Ages. It was declared a holy city by the Pope in the 11th Century. The afternoon provides a good opportunity to visit the shops and take time to enjoy French provincial life.

WEDNESDAY: ACCOLAY TO MAILLY LE CHATEAU

In the morning we travel from Accolay, to the delightful town of Noyers-sur-Serein. With its friendly market stalls, half timbered houses and turreted ramparts it is easy to see why Noyers is considered one of the most beautiful villages in France. Above the town, the reconstruction of the medieval castle progresses. Catholic Henry IV ordered the destruction of the Protestant-owned chateau in 1599. Look out for the orchids in May and June

After lunch (on shore), the Luciole's journey continues southwards to a night-time mooring beneath the walls of Mailly-le-Chateau. Here you can take the steep path from our mooring at Bourg d'en Bas, or Lower Town up to Mailly-le-Chateau where a terrace offers spectacular views of the Yonne Valley.

THURSDAY: MAILLY LE CHATEAU TO LUCY SUR YONNE

From Mailly we make the short journey to Vezelay. We visit Vezelay is in the morning, where the spectacular 11th Century Basilica dominates the steep sided hill town which has numerous shops and cafes. Vezelay was the historic starting point for two of the Crusades to the Holy Land, where Saint Bernard preached to the Crusaders in the presence of Louis VII and Eleanor of Aquitaine. V?zelay owed its position of influence and prestige since it holds the relics of Saint Mary Magdalene and a Papal declaration attesting to their authenticity. The town was a high point of Medieval pilgrimage and was a major gathering point for the Crusaders on the way to Santiago de Compostela in northern Spain. There is plenty of time to soak up the atmosphere of this hilltop town and a super chance to visit the numerous craft shops selling clothes and gifts. Another opportunity too, to stop at one of the local cafes and watch the world go by (very French cafe life!). We cruise in the afternoon to an evening mooring at Lucy-sur-Yonne, passing through a region where dramatic cliffs stand by the water's edge. Watch out for the delightful ducks and geese, who have made this canal bank their home. Along the cruise route the Rochers du Parc and those at Les Saussois are regularly used by climbers. Do take a look at our video for a true idea.

FRIDAY: LUCY SUR YONNE TO CLAMECY

Our final cruise in the morning takes us to the delightful Medieval town of Clamecy, a worthy venue for the climax of our cruise. The town features the 12 -16th Century church of St Martin that stands up on the hill in the town centre. Beside the river, stands the church of Our Lady of Bethlehem, which was opened in 1927. It was dedicated to the 50 successive bishops of Bethlehem who, unable to preside in Bethlehem itself, were resident at Clamecy from 1225 until the French Revolution in the late 18th Century. Our final tour is to the imposing Chateau of Bazoches. Set on a hillside amidst splendid rolling countryside, this was the 17th Century home of the Marquis de Vauban (1633-1707). Vauban was France's great military tactician and engineer, who was responsible for the creation of the first coherent network of fortifications surrounding the developing kingdom of France. He was also a prolific and at times visionary writer who remained steadfastly loyal to his roots in the Morvan region around Avallon and Vezelay and considered the Chateau of Bazoches as his true home.

SATURDAY: RETURN TO PARIS

After breakfast, the Luciole bus departs for Place Vendome, central Paris where taxis are available for onward travel. Anticipated arrival is at 1pm. For guests wishing to travel elsewhere in France by train or hire car, a stop can always be made in Auxerre en-route to Paris.

On alternate weeks the route will be in reverse

Luciole Video

 

LUCIOLE
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LUCIOLE
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