Barging in South Burgundy
Meet Monte Mathews
We have teamed up with Monte Mathews, a New York based food writer and chef who travels the world and brings back to his kitchen ideas and recipes that home chefs can use in the real world.
Join Monte on our culinary exploration of France’s Burgundy region sailing the Canal de Bourgogne in complete luxury aboard “L’Impressionniste”, a European Waterways river barge, on a trip that includes every meal, every tour, every drink every day of our 7-day tour.
Saloon
L'Impressionniste
Picture windows and light, airy interiors are L’Impressionniste’s hallmark. Its spacious salon and dining area are the centers of relaxed socializing. There’s also an expansive deck with plenty of lounge chairs. There’s even a hot tub. Every stateroom has an en-suite. There’s a choice of twin or double beds in 4 staterooms. Or opt for one of two junior suites. Our crew of six will take care of us beautifully.
Expect absolutely glorious meals aboard L’Impressionniste. All locally-sourced and seasonal, with an eye to good health, our on-board chef complements his beautifully presented meals with inventive table settings, and of course, great Burgundian wines.
Stateroom
Itinerary
Guests are met in Paris and transferred by private chauffeured minibus to the elegant L’Impressionniste. A champagne reception welcomes you on board and the opportunity to meet the captain and crew. Perhaps a stroll along the towpath before your first dinner on board.
Experience your first day’s cruise along this enchanting canal, which also offers a walk or cycle along a towpath past sleepy villages and lock houses. After lunch, we drive to Abbaye de Citeaux, where the Cistercian monks have been making cheese since the 1920s. Citeaux is made from the milk of the white Montbéliarde cows that graze in the Abbaye’s meadows. Only 300 cheeses are made every Monday and Tuesday. Enjoy a cheese tasting, before visiting Clos de Vougeot, headquarters of the esteemed Chevaliers du Tastevin, who award a prized label to the finest Côte d‘Or vintages every year. Dinner on board.
After breakfast, we enjoy a walking tour of old Dijon, including a visit to the indoor food market to admire the wonderful local produce and buy the freshest of ingredients. Time afterwards perhaps to visit the impressive Notre-Dame, a mustard shop or two, or enjoy some shopping time, before a lunchtime cooking lesson to prepare and eat the fruits of our shopping labours. Return to the hotel barge for a leisurely afternoon cruise to La Bussière, with perhaps a walk or bicycle ride to the next lock or two en route. Dinner on board.
After a short cruise, we drive through the vineyards, stopping en route at the “vigne de l’enfant Jesus”, a famous vineyard owned by the Domaine Bouchard Père et Fils. An expert will give us insight into the domaine’s production of its Grand Cru and Premier Cru wines. Continue to Beaune, capital of Burgundy wine, for a winery tour and private tasting of Bouchard Père et Fils wines before a private lunch in the orangery of Château de Beaune. Afterwards, we visit the Edward Fallot Moutarderie, using traditional methods, for a tour and a private tasting. After a short cruise to Pont d’Ouche, dinner on board.
This morning, we visit the Gaugry Fromagerie, a specialist maker of several Burgundian cheeses. Gaugry is the last cheese-maker still producing raw milk Epoisses, first made by monks in the 16th century, as well as others such as Plaisir au Chablis, matured with Chablis to give it’s unique flavor. After a guided tour and cheese tasting, return to the barge. Our afternoon cruise is to Vandenesse-en-Auxois, passing grazing white Charolais cattle, rolling hills and picturesque villages, crossing the only aqueduct on the Burgundy Canal. Dinner on board.
Our last day’s leisurely cruise takes us to the canal summit, 1,250 feet above sea level, just before the Pouilly tunnel. This afternoon we visit the moat-encircled Château de Commarin for a private tour, accompanied by Count Bertrand de Vogue, the current resident and 26th generation of the de Vogue family to maintain continuous residence since the 13th century. Count de Vogue will offer insight into the Château’s fascinating history, after which guests can explore the regal interior, rustic stables and surrounding gardens. Captain’s Farewell Dinner on board.
After breakfast, guests are transferred to their choice of location in Lyon.
Deck
Includes
•6 nights accommodations
•All meal and wines
•All transfers
•All activities and tastings
•Cooking demonstrations by the on board chef, wine and food pairings for each meal, Burgundian cuisine which focuses on the freshest local produce and presentations of all cheeses and wines.
Not Included
•Gratuities
•Other excursions
•Airfare
Pricing
Cost: On request