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BEST OF BURGUNDY CRUISE - CANAL
DU NIVERNAIS
Auxerre
to Clamecy on the Canal du Nivernais
Itinerary
Saturday: Paris to Auxerre
Welcome to Elisabeth! -
You’ll be met mid-afternoon in Paris and chauffeured to
Elisabeth at anchor in Auxerre - the Medieval town rising dramatically
behind the Quai. After the traditional champagne welcome, there
will be time to unpack and take a stroll before the first of
many gourmet dinners on board.
Sunday: Auxerre to Vincelles
Auxerre to the Countryside -
Begin the day with a “tasting” of local Cremes, wine
to which fruit-based alcohol mixes have been added. Then tour
Auxerre, a lovely cobblestoned town with buildings from many
eras, including the Gothic Cathedral St. Etienne. Back on board,
you’ll enjoy a lunch buffet on deck during your lazy afternoon
cruise to Vincelles. Bicycle or walk the towpath - or just stay
on board and watch the amazing scenery float by!
Monday: Vincelles to Vermenton
Wine, Wine, Wine!
An early morning start means a long and languid cruise to the
charming port of Vermenton. Then it’s on to wine tasting,
first in the 11th-century cellars of the Berson family in St.
Bris, followed by a second tasting in the famed wine town of
Chablis. Back on board, you’ll taste wines of the area
at dinner.
Tuesday: Vermenton to Mailly-le-Chateau
Prehistoric Cave,
Sheena leads a fascinating visit to the Grottes d’Arcy,
caves used as shelter in the Stone Age and containing numerous
paintings from the Neolithic and Mesolithic periods. (Sheena
is the only outside guide allowed in the cave.) Then back to
Elisabeth for a cruise to Mailly le Chateau and a walk in the
village before dinner.
Wednesday: Mailly-le-Chateau to Lucy-sur-Yonne
Stunning Basilica,
Cruise this morning to the pretty village of Lucy sur Yonne,
followed by a magical tour of the Basilica de Marie Magdelene
at the top walled city of Vezelay. Walk the winding cobblestoned
streets, lined with old houses and boutiques. Then it’s
back to Elisabeth in time to take a bicycle ride before another
gourmet dinner.
Thursday: Lucy-sur-Yonne to Clamecy
Living Chateau,
Following the morning cruise to Clamecy, you’ll depart
for Chateau de Bazoches, a rare example of a fully furnished,
working chateau. Then it’s back to the barge to prepare
for the festive Captain’s dinner which ends your cruise
in high style.
Friday: Clamecy to Paris
A Sad Farewell,
You’ll depart at 9:00 AM and chauffeured back to Paris;
estimated time of arrival is noon. We hope to see you back again
on Elisabeth!
Note:This
itinerary runs in opposite directions - Clamecy to Auxerre
- on alternate weeks.
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"Elisabeth
family cruise" -
CANAL DU NIVERNAIS -
Six-night cruises can be chartered -
June 20 - August 21, 2009
Auxerre to Clamecy on the Canal du Nivernais
Saturday: Paris to Auxerre
Pickup as usual in Paris or at the airport. Then a drive down
to Elisabeth moored in Auxerre. On the way down we always stop
for a short rest break. On arrival the adult members of the party
can enjoy the champagne while the younger group has fruit juice.
Time to wander in the town before dinner. This is your first
chance to shop.
Sunday: Auxerre to Vincelles
Winetasting and Ice Cream,
This morning we will drive over to chablis for the local regional
market, great fun for all. After the market the adults can go
for a wine tasting while Peter takes the children for ice creams.
Back to Elisabeth for lunch and our afternoon cruise to Vincelles.
Lots of good cycle paths for the whole afternoon.
Monday: Vincelles to Accolay
Tree Walking Adventure!,
This morning we will cruise to Accolay on the Vermenton branch
of the canal. After an early lunch we depart for the Puisaye
and the Chateau de Guerdelon. This is a twenty five year project
in which a Medieval chateau is being built using materials and
methods of the period. Great visit for all the family members.
From here we drive just a few kilometers to the Bois de la Folie
and a fabulous "tree walking" park. Those that wish
to can carry the adventure upwards into the trees and the rest
can stay on the ground to take photos and enjoy. Back to Elisabeth
early evening for dinner.
Tuesday: Accolay to Mailley-le-Chateau
Prehistoric Cave.
This morning's cruise is to Mailly-le-Chateau. After lunch we
drive across to the Grottes D'Arcy sur Cure. A visit that is
fantastic for all the family. Stalagtites, Stalagmites and amazing
cave paintings. We have found this is a favorite with adults
and children alike. Back to Elisabeth for dinner.
Wednesday: Mailly-le-Chateau to Lucy-sur-Yonne
Canoeing on the River,
Today's cruise takes us to Lucy-sur-Yonne and from here we drive
to the River Cure at St. Pere to pick up our canoes for an afternoon
on the river. The canoeing is very safe and passes through some
beautiful scenery. Half way one of the crew members will meet
us with drinks and refreshments. Any passenger who prefers not
to canoe can meet us at the halfway point to take photos or to
just relax and read a book. After we arrive at base we will head
back to Elisabeth for dinner.
Thursday: Lucy-sur-Yonne to Clamecy
Historic Chateau,
This morning we take our final cruise into Clamecy. After lunch
we will drive to the chateau de Bazoches, the home of French
architect Marechal de Vauban. It's history for the parents and
a romp in a chateau for the children. Back to Elisabeth for time
in Clamecy before our final dinner.
Friday: Clamecy to Paris
A Sad Farewell,
After breakfast we leave Elisabeth for the return to Paris. We
hope you have enjoyed your adventure with us!
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"Chocolate
and Wine" Cruise -
Canal de Bourgogne
6
night cruises between April 4 - June 12, 2009,
and August 29 - October 30, 2009,
tanlay to pouillenay-On the Canal de Bourgogne
Saturday: Paris to Tanlay
Welcome to Elisabeth!
Pick up in Paris at 2pm. Drive to the Elisabeth moored in the
delightful chateau village of Tanlay. Settle in after a champagne
reception and maybe take a stroll around the village. We start
our chocolate week with tonights dessert.
Sunday: Tanlay to Ancy-le-Franc
Divinely Beautiful Chateau,
This morning we will cruise to Ancy-le-Franc where we will visit
the chateau, beautifully restored and a real delight to visit.
Back on board a wine tasting of the local Tonneroise wines is
in order.
Monday: Ancy-le-Franc to Ravieres
Chocolate Tasting - YUM!
Today's cruise is to Ravierres and here we will depart for a
pleasant drive through the villages to Chablis for our wine tasting
and a visit to the chocolaterie to hear the history of and taste
the chocolate Pillars of Chablis. Back to the barge via medieval
Noyer, one of the top five prettiest villages of France.
Tuesday: Ravieres to Montbard
Cheesetasting, Winetasting and More Chocolate,
Today starts with a leisurely cruise to Montbard. From here we
will go to Eppoisse for a cheese visit and a wine tasting. For
those that are interested we can arrange a cooking demonstration
today. Back to Elisabeth for dinner and our second chocolate
dessert.
Wednesday: Montbard to Venarey-les-Laumes
Gorgeous Cruising, Ancient Abbaye,
This morning we will start to notice the climb up the valley
to Veneray les Laumes. The cruising just gets prettier as we
go. Our visit this afternoon is to The Abbaye de Fontenay, a
Unesco World Heritage Site. This wonderful abbey is the last
complete Cistercian monastery left in France. Tranquility and
beauty describe it perfectly. Back at Elisabeth our chef will
give a demonstration on the making of tiny chocolate petit fours.
Thursday: Venarey-les-Laumes to Pouillenay
Village where "Chocolat" was Filmed
Our last cruise takes us to Pouillenay, a climb up and fabulous
views over the countryside. We finish our week with a lunch in
the village of Flavigny (WHERE THE FILM CHOCOLAT was made ) and
a walking tour of the village. From here we will drive the short
distance to Alesia to see the site of the last great battle between
the Romans and the Gauls. The Roman ruins and amphitheatre date
back to 345bc. Returning to Elisabeth in time for a rest before
Captains dinner and our last chocolate feast.
Friday: Pouillenay to Paris
A Sad Farewell
This morning we drive you back to Paris after breakfast. We hope
you have enjoyed your cruise aboard the Elisabeth.
This itinerary runs in the opposite direction - Pouillenay to
Tanlay - on alternate weeks.
