Lilas: Lyon to Auxonne

You’re welcomed aboard in Lyon by your private crew and guide. Toast the start of your Burgundy cruise with chilled champagne and settle into your generous cabin. The serene palette and natural materials create a soothing sanctuary for the week to come. Later, enjoy your first gourmet dining experience on board, a perfect blend of seasonal delicacies, irresistible wines and balmy, bucolic views.

Disembark after breakfast to visit Lyon, France’s third largest city, prized for its outstanding cultural scene, adventurous gastronomy and fantastic shopping. Dominating the skyline is the ornate Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière, which offers sweeping panoramas from its hilltop perch. Enjoy a walking tour with your guide to discover the secret passageways, or ‘traboules’ of the old town, the Roman ruins and famous city murals. Afterwards, there’s time to stroll, explore or shop at leisure. Return to the barge for lunch and unwind on the top deck as you glide along the River Saône. Reaching the pretty riverside town of Montmerle you moor for the night and enjoy a sumptuous dinner on board.

After a breakfast of local specialities, unwind on board and admire the spellbinding beauty of Southern Burgundy. A dip in the on-deck pool is the perfect way to prepare for the adventures ahead. After lunch on board, alight with your guide for a walk to the Abbey of Saint-Philibert, a gem of Romanesque architecture. This is followed by a short drive to the secluded medieval town of Brancion where you can admire awe-inspiring views over the verdant Brionnais region. Tonight’s mooring is in the attractive town of Tournus. Dinner is served at a fabulous local  restaurant.

This morning, admire the scenery on deck as you cruise to the pretty market town of Chalon-sur-Saône. Savour lunch on shore at a charming local restaurant, before spending the afternoon exploring Beaune, the capital of the Burgundy wine region. A treasured highlight here is the Hôtel-Dieu, a magnificent former charitable hospital renowned for its glorious coloured-tiled roof and artistic gems. After your visit, stroll through Beaune’s cobbled streets and discover its enticing shops before heading to the Joseph Drouhin cellar, where the King of France and the Duke of Burgundy used to store their precious wines. Enjoy an exceptional tasting before returning to the boat for a relaxing evening and dinner on board.

Absorb the beauty of the French countryside on a leisurely morning cruise. Enjoy lunch on board as the barge winds its way up the River Saône. Alight afterwards for a drive down the celebrated Route des Grands Crus, passing through the famed villages of the Côte d’Or. Stop to visit the historic Clos de Vougeot, built in the 12th century by the monks of nearby Cîteaux. A symbol of almost 1,000 years of Burgundy history, the imposing château is now the headquarters of the Burgundian wine society, the Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin. Explore the ancient winery with its four huge presses and the cellar built to accommodate 2,000 casks. Afterwards, enjoy a private wine tasting at a reputed local producer, before returning to the barge for dinner under the stars.

After breakfast, disembark with your guide to visit Dijon, the former capital of the Duchy of Burgundy. The compact centre, rich in medieval and Renaissance buildings, makes it ideal for a walking tour. Visit the monumental Ducal Palace, once home to Burgundy’s powerful dukes, browse the traditional covered market and enter the famous Maille mustard shop. There will be some free time for shopping and to enjoy lunch at one of the pavement cafés. Rejoin the barge for your final cruise towards Auxonne and relax on board as your chef prepares your farewell gala dinner. Why not toast the end of your adventure with a refreshing kir, made from local blackcurrant liqueur and Aligoté white wine?

Please check out this morning by 09:00. 

After breakfast, your crew bids you farewell as you disembark for your onward travel arrangements. We look forward to welcoming you back on board soon. 

Please note, in exceptional circumstances it may be necessary to alter the route without prior notice.