Dole to Besançon: The France Comté Cruise
Saône Valley
Dole
Sunday
We will meet you at the station or your local hotel in Dole at 5 p.m and drive to MS Maïtena, moored in Choisey, a short drive from the historic town of Dole.
After settling in, enjoy your first gourmet dinner on board, a first taste of Burgundy's refined flavours.
Dinner on board.
Dole to Audelange
Monday
On Monday morning, after a good breakfast, we'll explore the fascinating medieval town of Dole, the birthplace of Louis Pasteur. With its picturesque old quarter, canals, and the Collegiate Church of Notre-Dame, we step back in time in this captivating town.
After lunch on board, MS Maïtena begins her peaceful cruise along the tree-lined Doubs River. Watch the Captain at work as he steers through the locks passing through sleepy villages as we journey toward Andelande, our mooring for the night.
Enjoy dinner on board, prepared by your private chef.
Dinner on board
Audelange to Ranchot
Tuesday
After a good breakfast, we'll go to visit the Royal Saltworks of Arc et Senans, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. After lunch on board, we will continue our cruise to Ranchot, our next stop where we spend the evening under the stars. What a way to dine!
Dinner on board
Ranchot to Thoraise
Wednesday
On Wednesday morning, we continue our cruise through the beautiful Doubs valley, arriving at Thoraise. You can enjoy walking or cycling alongside if you wish!
In the late afternoon, we'll visit the beautiful Town of Arbois (the capital of Jura Wines), and enjoy a private wine tasting and local charcuterie tasting in a historic cellar, nestled in the heart of the old town.
We return to MS Maïtena for dinner on board.
Dinner on board
Thoraise to Besançon
Thursday
Today, you might like to join the Captain in the wheelhouse once again to admire his skills while passing through the Thoraise tunnel and across the aqueduct, which leads us into Besançon. The town of Besançon is nestled beneath its UNESCO listed Citadel.
After lunch, enjoy a guided tour of the old town before returning to the barge.
A gala dinner awaits! The perfect moment to reminisce and capture the very essence of the fabulous MS Maitena.
Dinner on board
Besançon: Au revoir!
Friday
After a hearty breakfast, disembarkation will be at 10 AM with a transfer to a predesignated point (Besancon TGV Station, local hotel...).
Dole to Besançon: The France Comté Cruise rates
The rates shown are standard, before any applicable discounts or promotions.
| Whole boat charter for 4 people | 22, 000€ | ||||
| Whole boat charter for 2 people | 19, 000€ |
Prices include:
Local transfer between local meeting point and the hotel barge (approximate transfer duration 30 minutes), a luxury 5 night cruise*, all meals from dinner on day one to breakfast on the last morning; wines and soft drinks, tea and coffee; excursions and admittance fees as per the itinerary, the services of 2 crew and use of the barge facilities, which includes bicycles.
*Shorter and longer cruise durations may be available upon request
The cruise may run in the opposite direction; please ask us for details.
2026 Departure dates
From May to late October