Elisabeth - St Leger to Dijon
Saturday Chauffeured transfer from Paris to St. Leger-sur-Dheune
A warm welcome aboard
A member of Elisabeth crew will meet your party at 2:00 pm at the one agreed-upon Paris hotel of your choice. Estimated arrival time in St. Leger is 6:00 pm. (Alternatively, you may choose to arrive by TGV train at your expense from Paris to the station at Le Creusot.) You will be greeted warmly by yours hosts Peter and Sheena Jenner and treated to the traditional champagne welcome, followed by the first of many gourmet dinners on board.
Sunday St. Leger-sur-Dheune to Chagny
Winetasting at Santenay
Begin cruising your first waterway, the Canal du Centre, as Elisabeth begins the journey into the heart of rural France. And what could be more French than a winetasting? We’ll chauffeur you to Santenay, a charming village at the southern edge of the Cote de Beaune which produces vintages featuring the Pinot Noir grape. The drive along the wine route is gorgeous!
Monday Chagny to Chalon-sur-Saone
Visit a 12th century castle
Your morning cruise continues on the Canal du Centre. Now is the time to explore by bicycle, walk the towpath or relax on deck as amazing scenery floats by .After lunch, it’s off to the fairy tale castle of Chateau de Rocheport, a 12th century building perched high over its tiny namesake village. The colorful tiled roof is typical of classic Burgundian architecture. Inside are relics of medieval period lifestyle. Then it’s back to Elisabeth for cocktails on deck as the sun sets over the landscape, followed by dinner on board.
Tuesday Chalon-sur-Saone to Seurre
Lunch and sightseeing in enchanting Beaune
Today is the day to slip onto your second waterway, the River Saone. This is one of France’s smaller rivers and it is easy to walk or bicycle its meandering shores. And let’s not forget the morning routine of enjoying pastries still warm from the village bakery! Today is the high point of the cruise, with lunch and sightseeing in the enchanting cobblestoned town of Beaune. Beaune is the wine capital of the Cote d’Or; millions of bottles are stored by top wine merchants under its cobblestoned streets. After lunch, you’ll tour the Hospice de Beaune, an immaculately preserved medieval hospital built in the 13th century and in use until the early nineteenth century!
Wednesday Seurre to Longecourt-en-Plaine
Buy gourmet cheese at an historic Monastery
This morning, we’ll cruise back onto the canals, as Elisabeth continues on to your third waterway of the cruise, Canal de Bourgogne. Float past fields, villages, and locals out for a walk as the French countryside works its magic spell! After lunch, drive to the Abbaye de Citeaux, founded in 1098. Amazingly, this is still an active monastery, its members practicing animal husbandry and farming. Abbaye de Citeaux is known for its washed rind cheese, of which only 300 are produced each week. Tour historic buildings, and then purchase some cheese as well as their honey and caramels, perfect souvenirs of this unusual excursion.
Thursday Longecourt-en-Plain to Dijon
Buy Dijon mustard right where it is made!
Spend a last lazy morning on board as Elisabeth makes its way to the last port of your cruise: Dijon. After lunch, take the new trolley from the port right into town and take your pick of interesting sights, including the famed mustard shop, the former castle of the Dukes of Burgundy and the Les Halles Covered Market (designed by Eiffel) with an amazing selection of produce, cheeses and gourmet food of all kinds. Then return to Elisabeth for a special four course dinner, which will end your cruise in style. Your cruise on three waterways has come to an end, but may the memories linger.
Friday Chauffeured transfer from Dijon to Paris
Depart after breakfast at 9:00am for your chauffeured transfer back to Paris. Estimated arrival time is 1:00 pm. Please make all onward travel plans today on the basis of this timing. (Or you may elect to take the TGV train back to Paris at your expense in less than two hours.) We wish you Bon Voyage and hope to see you again on Elisabeth!