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"Chocolate and wine Cruise " 2010
TANLAY to VENERAY-LES-LAUMES
CANAL DE BOURGOGNE
Saturday: Paris to Tanlay
Welcome Aboard!
We'll meet you at one pickup location in central Paris at 2:00pm
and chauffeur your party to ELISABETH moored in the delightful
chateau village of Tanlay. After the traditional Champagne Welcome,
there is time to unpack and take a stroll around the village. The
Chateau at Tanlay is romantic in nature. It is encircled by water-filled
moats and entered across a stone-filled drawbridge. Tonight experience
the first of many gourmet dinners on board, including a chocolate
dessert, of course!
Sunday: Tanlay to Lezinnes
Chateau Ancy-le-Franc Excursion
Set an early start after breakfast featuring just-baked pastries
from the village. This morning's cruise is to the village of
Lezinnes. Now is the time to walk or bicycle on the towpath -
or just relax on deck or in the wheelhouse, both prime spots
to watch the countryside slip slowly by. This afternoon's excursion
is to the Renaissance chateau Ancy-le-Franc, pictured at left,
one of the week's high points. This is one of France's few chateaux
built in the Italian Renaissance style - the same architect was
then hired by the French King to work on Fountainebleau. Now
owned by a private company dedicated to its restoration, Ancy-le-Franc
is filled with gorgeous frescos and friezes, gilt and marble-set
in its own romantic grounds complete with stable and a "folie" built
in the middle of lake. Then it's back to ELISABETH for an on-board
tasting of Tonnerroise wines and another delicious on-board dinner!
Monday: Lezinnes to Ancy-le-Franc
Taste Wine AND Chocolate!
We'll moor today right near the Chateau. Depart after lunch for
a drive through glorious vineyard country to the village of Chablis.
Here there is both a tasting of local vinatges and the local
Chocolate, Pillars of Chablis. There will be time for a brief
stop in Noyers, one of the five prettiest villages in France!
Then return to the barge for dinner - and may we suggest a movie
night?! We have many good films - but would suggest the movie "Chocolat," which
anticipates our visit later this week to the actual village featured!
Tuesday: Ancy-le-Franc to Ravieres
30,000 year old Cave Paintings
Today begins with a leisurely cruise to Ravieres. After lunch,
depart with Sheena for her tour of Grottes D'Arcy sur Cure, a
pre-historic cave offering some of the oldest cave paintings
in the world - with new works being uncovered all the time. Sheena
is the only private guide allowed to lead tours here - and the
visit is mesmerizing. Cro-Magnon man lived and worked here 30,000
years ago! Return to dinner on board, and a chocolate dessert
or two!
Wednesday: Ravieres to Montbard
Gorgeous Cruising and More!
We'll cruise to Montbard this morning. The scenery just gets
prettier as we go. Our afternoon visit is to Abbaye de Fontenay,
pictured at left, the oldest complete Cistercian abbey in France.
Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, there are many beautifully
preserved buildings. Save your appetite for tonight's demonstration
on the making of tiny chocolate petit fours!
Thursday: Montbard to Veneray-les-Laumes
The "Chocolat" Village
Our last cruise takes us to Veneray-les-Laumes, as the canal
climbs slowly upward for panoramic views over the countryside.
Cruise right with Captain Peter Jenner in his comfortable and
shaded wheelhouse - he and Elisabeth are warmly welcomed by local
lockkeepers!Lunch is off the barge in Flavigny, pictured at right,
the village where the film "Chocolat" was filmed. If
time, we'll taste some local wines before driving a short distance
to Alesia, site of the last great battle between the Romans and
the Gauls. The Roman ruins and ampitheatre date back to 345BC.
Then it's back to ELISABETH, where the Captain's dinner ends
your cruise in style!
Friday:
Veneray-les-Laumes to Paris
A Sad Farewell
Depart at 9:00am for your chauffeured transfer back to either
central Paris or Charles de Gaulle Airport - Your entire party
must go to the same location. Estimated arrival time is noon.
(An earlier departure may be arranged. Please do not book a flight
out of Paris before 2:00pm on the day of departure.) We look
forward to seeing you back again on ELISABETH!
This itinerary runs in the opposite direction - Veneray-les-Laumes
to Tanlay - on alternate weeks. 6 night cruises begin Saturday
at mid-afternoon in Paris and end the following Friday at noon
in Paris. 2010 dates are from April 3 to November 5th.
