Escommes and Gissey near Dijon, Burgundy
Sunday: Paris to Escommes
Meet your chauffeur-driven minibus in Paris and relax on the transfer down to the Saroche, moored on the Burgundy canal in the quiet hamlet of Escommes
Enjoy a champagne welcome upon arrival with plenty of time to settle in before Dawn presents your first of many gourmet meals onboard.
Monday: Escommes to Chateaueuf-en-Auxois
Today's cruise takes you down the flight of locks from the summit pound to the foot of the beautiful Chateauneuf-en-Auxois.
After lunch, Jason will take you to visit a chocolatier for a delightful tasting and talk on this wonderful product.
Today is all about relaxing, with both lunch and dinner on board and canal life at it's best.
Tuesday: Chateauneuf-en-Auxois to Pont-d'Ouche
After breakfast, Jason will drive you up the long, sinewy hill to the village of Chateauneuf-en-Auxois, perched high above the canal.
This 11th-century chateau is a famous landmark in the area visible from miles away and hides a quaint hamlet behind its stone walls.
After a tour of the chateau, there is plenty of time to explore the village before returning to the barge for lunch.
In the afternoon we set sail and head downstream to Pont d'Ouche, our mooring for the night.
There is an excellent towpath all the way, ideal for walking or cycling, or perhaps you would rather slow down and simply watch the world go by from the deck?
Once moored up, Dawn will once again regale you with another gourmet feast.
Wednesday: Pont-d'Ouche to Veuvey-sur-Ouche
Today we leave the Saroche and head over the hills to Beaune.
In the morning, Jason will present a guided tour of the world-renowned Hospice du Beaune, as famous for its wines as it is for the stunning glazed tiled roof!
No trip to Beaune is complete without some fine dining, and we will eat lunch in a gourmet restaurant.
After lunch, we venture into the Cote du Beaune, known for its soft reds and complex, delectable white wines.
You will walk in the vineyards and be given an explanation as to why Burgundy wines are so well renowned, before enjoying a comprehensive tasting in a private winery.
Return to Saroche for a wonderfully relaxing sundowner cruise before a light dinner on board.
Thursday: Veuvey-sur-Ouche to La-Bussiere
After breakfast, we set sail and cruise down to La-Bussiere, with another gentle towpath for those who wish to walk or cycle.
After lunch on board Saroche, Jason will drive you into the Cote de Nuits where you will visit the Clos du Vougeot, the 11th-century Cistercian monastic winery, now home to the Knights of the round table of wine-tasting, before heading into one of the villages for a tasting.
The Cote de Nuits is famous for its red wines, and Jason will show you why the world raves about the Pinot Noir from this area.
Friday: La Bussiere to Gissey
Friday is Market day!
Dijon is the capital of Burgundy, once home to the Dukes of Burgundy and home to Gustave Eiffel, who designed the market square.
After a walking tour of the old town, you will have plenty of time to explore the market and the classic French shops and boutiques of Dijon.
We return to Saroche for lunch before setting sail for Gissey, our final destination of the week.
This beautiful village nestled in the heart of the Ouche valley is classically French, and exploring the village is a must!
Tonight Jason will be your host for Captain's Dinner where Dawn will round off your culinary experience with another gourmet delight.
Saturday: Gissey to Paris
After a relaxing and final breakfast, your chauffeur-driven minibus will return you to Paris, with time to reflect on a magical week aboard the hotel barge Saroche.