Finesse

Sunday, Day 1 Chalon-sur-Saône

Guests are met in Paris or Dijon** and transferred by air-conditioned minibus to Finesse for a champagne welcome and the opportunity to meet the crew. Prior to dinner our expert wine guide joins the barge to give an introductory talk on the vineyards of Burgundy and during an on-board wine tasting of a selection of appellations, ensures that everyone has mastered their tasting technique!  Dinner on board.

Monday, Day 2 St-Jean-de-Losne to Fragnes

We begin our voyage this morning through Southern Burgundy along the peaceful River Saône, before joining the Canal du Centre at Chalon-sur-Saone to arrive at our mooring in Fragnes. After In the afternoon, our wine guide takes us on a visit to the world-famous vineyards of the Côte de Beaune where we enjoy a tour and private tasting of Puligny-Montrachet, Chassagne, Meursault and St Aubin wines at Château de Chassagne-Montrachet. Dinner on board.

Tuesday, Day 3 Fragnes to Rully

This morning, we set off  to visit Clos de Vougeot, headquarters of the esteemed Chevaliers du Tastevin, who annually award prized special labels to the finest Côte d‘Or vintages. Our wine expert will meet us there and we then continue on a drive through some of the greatest Pinot Noir vineyards in the world, and after paying homage at the fields of Romanée Conti, visit the cellars of Marchand in the centre of Nuits St Georges for a private tasting of Nuits-St-Georges, 1er Crus & Gevrey-Chambertins. We return to the hotel barge for lunch and then a leisurely afternoon cruise to our mooring near the village of Rully. Dinner on board.

Wednesday, Day 4 Rully to Remigny

After a short morning cruise to Chagny, we set off on a drive through the UNESCO-listed Côte de Beaune vineyards to the town of Beaune itself, which is the capital of Burgundy’s wine country. Our first stop will be a visit to the oldest winemakers in Burgundy, Maison Champy. Guests will enjoy a private tour of the 15th century wine cellars and experience a wine tasting, learning from an expert about the production of the region’s finest premier and grand cru wines. A private lunch is served in a unique dining venue, which has been created from one of the winery’s historic large wooden wine vats or “cuves”. We then we go on to visit the stunning 15th century Hôtel-Dieu Hospice and return to the barge for an afternoon cruise to Remigny. Dinner on board.

Thursday, Day 5 Remigny to St-Léger-sur-Dheune

This morning, we continue our cruise along the Canal du Centre at a leisurely pace to moor at the village of Fragnes. There are perfect opportunities to walk or cycle along the towpath en route. Our afternoon excursion is a leisurely walk or cycle to the renowned domaine, Jean Baptiste Jessiaume. Enjoy a guided stroll through the family ‘Clos’ or vineyards, followed by a cellar tour and a private tasting of their biodynamic wines hosted by the Jessiaume family, complete with gougères – a classic Burgundian delicacy. Dinner on board.

Friday, Day 6 St-Léger-sur-Dheune to St-Julien-sur-Dheune

In the morning we cruise along the Canal du Centre through undulating countryside to moor at the little village of St-Julien-sur-Dheune. We will be ascending a series of 11 locks with many opportunities to disembark and explore the villages along the way. After lunch, we head to Autun, a town of ancient origins with Roman gates and a 17,000 seat amphitheatre. Captain’s Farewell Dinner on board.

Saturday, Day 7 St-Julien-sur-Dheune

After breakfast, guests are transferred by private chauffeured minibus back to Paris or Dijon**.

* This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change. On alternate weeks the cruise is in the reverse direction.

** Other locations are available for private charter bookings