Savoir Vivre on France's Burgundy Canal
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Cruising through France
The Savoir Vivre offers an intimate journey along France's picturesque Burgundy Canal, accommodating up to eight guests in four beautiful cabins. Enjoy breakfast and lunch onboard, while dinner takes you to the finest local restaurants. The term "Savoir Vivre" reflects a deep appreciation for the art of living well—a philosophy embodied by Captain Megret, who has piloted and cooked on these canals since 1989. With his extensive knowledge of the region’s history and wines, he ensures each voyage is fun, enriching and comfortable.
About this UnTour Cruise
Itinerary Highlights: Fleurey-sur-Ouche, Clos de Vougeot wine tasting, Dijon’s Les Halles food market, meeting local cheesemaker Laure Plait, Chateauneuf-en-Auxois castle tour, Valley of the Ouche cruise, Beaune’s Hospice de Beaune, incredible dining along the way
Please note: This cruise will be offered in the opposite direction on alternate weeks.
Food
Breakfast selections consist of freshly baked breads, croissants, and pastries from a local village boulangerie, along with fruit, cereal, yogurt, cheese, coffee, tea, and juice. Catered lunches will showcase local ingredients to create regionally and seasonally inspired menus. Lunch is typically a light buffet featuring hearty salads and savory entrees with lovely table settings. Wine pairings feature a red and a white from area vineyards, along with a curated cheese platter of artisanal favorites. At dinner, you'll dine at lovely restaurants around Burgundy - all covered in the cruise price! Your Captain will make reservations and provide transportation.
Sample Lunch Menu
- Broccoli and Smoked Salmon Tart
- Roasted Loin of Pork stuffed with Caramelized Apples, Onions and Dijon Mustard (served cold)
- Beetroot, Walnut and Strawberry Salad Raspberry Vinegar dressing
- Classic Green Salad (cucumber, olives, capers, green pepper)
- Grated Carrot and Coriander Salad
Air Options
We recommend flying in and out of Paris. There are good TGV rail connections to Dijon from Paris. While we have no specific air deals on this cruise, please call 1-888-868-6871 if you would like us to assist with your airfare.
What's included
- Six nights/seven days in your cabin with private bathroom
- All meals and wines with lunch and dinner
- Open bar
- Dinners onshore each night in local restaurants or auberges (local inns)
- Transportation to and from dine-around in Burgundy restaurants
- Daily escorted excursions
- Use of onboard bicycles
- Private chauffeured transfers between Dijon and the barge in Burgundy
Itinerary
Day 1 (Sunday): Welcome Aboard
Meet your Crew!
In the afternoon, a friendly crew member from the Savoir Vivre will greet you at the meeting point. You’ll then be whisked away to the barge, gracefully docked in the charming village of Fleurey-sur-Ouche. Once aboard, you'll receive a warm welcome with a glass of traditional champagne and meet your dedicated crew. Your culinary adventure begins this evening with a delightful chauffeured trip to your first onshore dinner, setting the stage for an unforgettable gastronomic journey.
Day 2 (Monday): Fleury-sur-Ouche to Gissey-sur-Ouche
Wine, Wine, Wine!
Enjoy a tranquil traipse or gentle pedal on the towpath during a lazy and lovely morning cruise. This afternoon, your Tour Guide escorts you to Clos de Vougeot, where Cistercian monks made wine in the 12th century. The ancient Clos is now the headquarters of the revered wine society Chevaliers du Tastevin, who annually award special labels to the finest Cote d’Or vintages. Explore the preserved presses from which these iconic Burgundian wines were first produced; an informal sampling in the vineyards follows. Dinner is ashore at a local bistro.
Day 3 (Tuesday): Gissey-sur-Ouche to La Bussiere-sur-Ouche
Destination Dijon
The lively town of Dijon offers a pleasurable assault of the senses. "Les Halles”, the covered food market, presents a panorama of colorful produce, enticing pastries and boutiques of cheerful displays. Relax in green spaces and lively public squares that define this charming city. Mingle with the locals as you shop, stroll, and sip your way through this vibrant city brimming with authentic French life. Your Tour Guide returns you to the barge for an afternoon cruise. Freshen up a bit in anticipation of another memorable dinner served ashore.
Day 4 (Wednesday): La Bussiere-sur-Ouche to Pont d'Ouche
Meet and Greet a Local Cheesemaker
Today your Tour Guide introduces you to farm owner and goat expert Laure Plait. Her small herd of lively goats also extends a friendly welcome! Laure's gourmet food boutique is then opened for generous samplings of the handcrafted goat cheeses and boutique wines produced on her family's farm. Return to the Savoir Vivre for an afternoon cruise, providing the perfect time to enjoy a leisurely stroll or a gentle pedal on the towpath. Your Captain chauffeurs you to another brasserie for tonight's dinner ashore.
Day 5 (Thursday): Pont d'Ouche to La Repe
Explore a Magnificent Medieval Castle
Your Tour Guide escorts you to Chateauneuf-en-Auxois, a majestic village perched atop a hill overlooking the Canal. Chateauneuf's imposing position refers to its fascinating history as a 15th century fortress. A private tour of the Chateau reveals architectural details and timeworn relics which speak to the deprivations and decadence so prevalent in France’s history. Upon returning to the Savoir Vivre, cruise through the Valley of the Ouche, where a plethora of charming lockhouses abound. Tonight, enjoy another dinner ashore.
Day 6 (Friday): La Repe to Escommes
The Best of Burgundy in Beaune
Begin the day with a final morning cruise to Escommes, and explore the flora and fauna of the towpath with a leisurely stroll or gentle pedal. Your Tour Guide chauffeurs you to the charming town of Beaune, the region's wine capital, for a guided visit to the Hospice de Beaune, an immaculately preserved Medieval hospital built in the 15th century. Afterwards, browse the boutiques, galleries, and cafes lining the pedestrian area, or enjoy a coffee in the town square. Tonight is special, as Captain Richard joins you for the Farewell Dinner ashore.
Day 7 (Saturday): Escommes to Dijon
A Fond Adieu
After breakfast, you will be chauffeured back to the designated drop off point. We hope that your cruise on Savoir Vivre has created memories to last a lifetime!
Excursions
Included. Please see Itinerary.
Post Trip Options
The Canal de Bourgogne Cruise links well with our UnTours in Alsace, Paris and Provence. There may be a few gap days between cruise and UnTour. Inquire for details.
Ship
Savoir Vivre
The Savoir Vivre is a sleek and adaptable barge that makes the most of every inch and has everything one needs. The lounge converts to a dining room in minutes, while the kitchen is "hidden" until needed! The cabins are ingenious. Although not large, they are chic - and with lots of things done right.
Ship Features
- Four identical, 110 sq ft cabins with ensuite tiled shower bath.
- Queen or twin beds.
- Ceiling height from 6'6" to 7 feet
- "Hidden" Kitchen
- Cherry wood cabinets
- Open refrigerator and bar
- Two decks, fore and aft
- Aft deck fully shade
- Lounge chairs and sit-up chairs
- Flat-screen TV - DVD
- Laptop with 3G internet access(where available)
- 8 "Dutch Cruiser" bicycles
- 8 one-gear bikes
Reviews
Here's what our guests have to say
J. Bissell, (6/2018 & 9/19)
"We wended our way at breakneck speed (2 kilometers/hour) through the beautiful French countryside… enjoyed fantastic cuisine and local wines… explored historic sites, wineries and farms… and quickly made friends with our amiable fellow travelers. Richard Megret, our captain, served as outstanding host, organizer, French ambassador, and friend. Along with Laura, our superb tour director and Justine, our wonderful hostess, this trio of professionals turned out to be essential partners in making this trip so memorable."
K. Jones
"Everything was remarkable, and we've been on two very good cruises before this one. We've now taken four UnTours apartment stays, in addition to the barge trip, and would continue to recommend you".
Disclaimer
Our staff have inspected this cruise and the above description and photographs reflect what they saw at that time. It is possible that the supplier has made changes to the cruise without our knowledge. While we do our best to keep up with any changes or improvements made to our cruises, we cannot guarantee that everything in the above description will be accurate.
- Six nights/seven days
- Cabin with private bath
- All meals and wines with lunch and dinner
- Open bar
- Dinners onshore each night in local restaurants or auberges
- Transportation to and from dine-around in Burgundy restaurants
- Daily escorted excursions
- Use of onboard bicycles
- Private chauffeured transfers between Dijon and the barge in Burgundy
- Airfare to and from France
- Transportation to Dijon meeting point
- Crew gratuity (suggested minimum amount is 5% of the cruise price)
- Travel Insurance