Amaryllis: St Leger to Pontailler-sur-Saône

Board Amaryllis in the attractive village of St Léger and encounter a warm welcome from your dedicated crew, chef and guide. Toast the start of your Burgundy adventure with chilled champagne and settle into your beautiful cabin. Later, enjoy your first gourmet dining experience on board, where exquisite French specialities meet convivial conversation and balmy, bucolic views.

Relax into the rhythm of the water this morning as you cruise along the Canal du Centre. Take advantage of the unhurried pace to alight at a lock and cycle or walk alongside the barge. After a delicious lunch on board, your guide will take you to explore the vinous wonders of the Côte de Beaune. Tour the cellars of a prestigious winery and taste some of its finest vintages. Afterwards, visit the charming town of Chalon-sur-Saône, famous as the birthplace of Nicéphore Niépce who is credited with the invention of photography, but equally beguiling for its stunning central square lined with half-timbered buildings and its vintage and antique shops. Return to the barge for aperitifs and a sumptuous dinner under the stars.

Soak up the scenery this morning as the barge navigates the final section of the Canal du Centre and moors in the pretty village of Fragnes. After lunch, disembark with your guide to visit Beaune, the wine capital of Burgundy. 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. Wrap up the afternoon with an exceptional wine tasting before returning to the barge for dinner.

After breakfast, your guide will take you to the 14th-century Château de Germolles. The best-preserved residence of the Dukes of Burgundy, it offers an evocative snapshot of ducal court life in the Middle Ages. The passionate owner will guide you around his home and unravel the fascinating history, secrets and anecdotes hidden within its walls. Discover exceptional murals, sculptures and a private chapel, as well as romantic, 19th-century gardens. Return to the barge for lunch and note how the scenery changes as we leave the canal and join the majestic River Saône to Seurre, our mooring for the evening. This evening, anticipate an unforgettable dining experience at the prestigious winery Maison Champy in the heart of Beaune.

Relish a carefree morning absorbing the captivating vistas as we make our way upstream to Auxonne. After lunch, disembark 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 a divine dinner.

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 many pavement cafés. Rejoin the barge for your final cruise towards Pontailler-sur-Saône. As your chef prepares a farewell gala dinner, why not toast the end of your adventure with a refreshing kir, made from local blackcurrant liqueur and Aligoté white wine?

After breakfast the crew bid you a fond farewell as you disembark for your onward travel arrangements.