Tag Archives: French Barge

The Route of the Grand Cru Wines of France – Barge Cruise

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Wine-making is a tradition in Burgundy dating back to the days of Charlemagne when monks started it. With an art so old, the locals obviously got years of experience to make the perfect wines in the region. This is the most enchanting countryside of France and has the honor of having some world-class wineries. Burgundy is one of the most important historic sites in France with some prominent places listed on UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

The winegrowers in Burgundy have only small vineyards which are hardly more than 10 hectares and they produce small volumes of very good wine. Burgundy reds are produced from pinot noir grapes and the best vintages demand 10 to 20 years of age whereas the whites are produced from chardonnay.

The Route of the Grand Cru Wines (the Route des Grands Crus) is the most famous wine route in Burgundy region and a much sought after tourist attraction.

Starting from Dijon in the north and expanding to the wine village of Santenay in the south, the Route des Grands Crus, takes you through the vineyards of the Côte de Nuits and the Côte de Beaune and the back hills (Hautes-Côtes) behind and above the wine slopes. This 60-kilometre stretch is punctuated by around 38 picturesque localities including villages and little towns, many with  picturesque churches.

The Grands Crus Wine Route is only a few hundred yards wide and positioned at an altitude of between 300 and 400 meters. The route is signaled by panels with a brown background showing a white bunch of grapes (Route Touristique des Grands Crus de Bourgogne).

From Santenay through Chassagne-Montrachet, Mersault, Nuits St Georges, Beaune, Gevrey-Chambertin and all the other famous names of 38 villages on the Cote d’Or to Dijon, the Route Touristique des Grands Crus de Bourgogne is a well-signposted route for cars, cycling or walking exploring the vineyards of Burgundy. The area is normally peaceful with the exception of the main towns. So as you travel off the main roads, it will help you discover some of the nuances of the countryside which make some areas more special than others.

And it’s not about vineyards only as you travel along the Grands Crus Wine Route. On the way, you will come across some of the prettiest villages in France as the wine growers are as much attentive about their villages as their vineyards. You will be delighted to see the clusters of stone houses decorated with geraniums. The narrow cobbled streets in between further add to the beauty of these villages.

Book your family vacation on our France barge cruise or Burgundy cruise and take an unforgettable road trip through the Route of the Grand Cru Wines and marvel at the breathtaking vineyards, historic monuments and some exquisite UNESCO World Heritage Sites!

For more information contact: Europeanbarging, 888-869-7907, jan@europeanbarging.com

Louvre Museum

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A destination in France that should not be missed

The Louvre, the world’s most famous museum, was originally a royal palace. The greatness and popularity of this museum can be easily understood from the fact that it is the most visited museum in the world. So, no doubt, it is a must see destination for anyone who visits Paris and particularly for those interested in art and history. A visit to the Louvre after a French barge cruise is a great way to see famous artist’s renderings of some of the sites you have seen on your while on your cruise.   So, get on board a Paris river cruise and discover the wonders of artistic expression both inside and out.

Though the Louvre Museum is house to countless number of works, the most celebrated ones include the Mona Lisa and the Venus of Milo. One of the finest art galleries in the world, the Louvre takes pride in a collection of over one million classic and modern masterpieces. However, about 35 000 are on display, spread out over three wings of the former palace. The works include Near Eastern Antiquities, Egyptian Antiquities, Greek, Etruscan, and Roman Antiquities, Islamic Art, Sculptures, Decorative Arts, Paintings, Prints and Drawings. This is a jewel in the crown of French culture and a grand celebration of European history and civilization.

Some of the greatest works of art in the museum are the Venus of Milo, the Nike of Samothrake, the Dying Slave by Michelangelo and of course Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa.

The Louvre Museum put up its first exhibition of works in the 16th century as the private collection of King Francis I. He purchased some of the works of art, one of which was the now famous Mona Lisa painting.

You enter the museum through the Louvre Pyramid or via the Carrousel du Louvre, thereon you have access to three large wings: Sully, Richelieu and Denon. As you walk through the museum, you feel as if you are walking through the history of France and into the minds of kings and revolutionaries. The major contribution towards making this museum what it is today is attributed to the reigns of Louis XIII and Louis XIV. During their reigns, there was major expansion and a linking of the palaces and halls.

The iconic pyramid building of the Louvre Museum is surrounded by Carrousel gardens. These gardens are enchanting and are a fascinating area in France to relevant to discuss Paris art and reflect on the wonders of the great Louvre Museum!