Rivers Of Wine – A Burgundy Cruise Tour

Overview

A tour & cruise package featuring three days of cruising on the delightful Canal du Nivernais in Burgundy, complemented by easy days out on the coach to some of the great centres of this celebrated wine region and with included guided visits to the UNESCO-listed Basilica of Vézelay and the restored Cistercian Abbaye de Reigny. Taking-in the scenic western edge of the Morvan regional park, the Canal du Nivernais is arguably the prettiest of the many canal cruise routes in central and eastern France. Our three full days of cruising takes us between the medieval town of Clamecy and the delightful city of Auxerre, representing about 20 hours of cruising time over 70km through beautiful rolling countryside, and passing through 35 locks and a number of lift-bridges. Indulge in some of the delightful wines of the "Gateway to Burgundy", including locally-produced Crémant de Bourgogne, the fine reds of Irancy, the newly admitted appellation of Vézelay, and of course the great wines of Chablis.

What To Expect

Itinerary

Day 1: Ashford, UK - Auxerre, France Pass By: Troyes La Champagne Tourisme, 16 rue Aristide Briand, 10000, Troyes France Scenic drive southward via Autoroute with a stop for lunch close to Reims. In the afternoon our motorway journey continues across the great agro-plain of Southern Champagne to Troyes, and from here it a scenic cross-country journey on quiet roads to Auxerre. Meals included: • Dinner

Accommodation included: 3* Hotel Normandie in Auxerre

Day 2: Visit UNESCO-listed hilltop Basilica of Vézelay & cruise Canal du Nivernais and River Yonne Stop At: Vézelay Abbey, 89450 Vézelay, France This morning we lave the hotel at 09:00 to make our way to the UNESCO-listed hilltop Basilica of Vézelay, following a lovely route along the Cure Valley through a succession of quiet villages. Shortly after its foundation in the 9th century, the Benedictine Abbey of Vézelay acquired the relics of St Mary Magdalene and since then it has been an important place of pilgrimage. St Bernard preached the Second Crusade there in 1146 and Richard the Lion-Heart and Philip II Augustus met there to leave for the Third Crusade in 1190. We enjoy a guided introduction courtesy of local expert Chris Kelly, before moving on to nearby Clamecy where our cruise begins to a toast of local Crémant de Bourgogne, and lunch is accompanied by wine from Domaine La Croix Montjoie, one of the newest of French AOCs. Our afternoon of cruising follows the Canal du Nivernais and River Yonne as far as the village of Châtel-Censoir where we conclude for the day.

Duration: 1 hour

Meals included: • Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner

Accommodation included: 3* Hotel Normandie in Auxerre

Day 3: Cruising the Nivernais back to Cravant Pass By: Rochers du Saussois, Merry-sur-Yonne France Cruising continues today as we re-board at Châtel-Censoir and follow the Nivernais back to Cravant, where we turn onto the short branch canal leading us through to Accolay where we conclude. We pause for lunch alongside the spectacular limestone crag known as les Rochers du Saussois – home to a population of Peregrine Falcons – and lunch is accompanied by a choice of local wines including St Bris, Coulanges-la-Vineuse and Irancy.

Meals included: • Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner

Accommodation included: 3* Hotel Normandie in Auxerre

Day 4: Day visiting Beaune, its Wines Museum and Basilique de Nôtre-Dame Stop At: Basilique Notre-Dame de Beaune, Impasse Notre Dame, 21200, Beaune France We take advantage of the coach and the convenience of the A6 Autoroute to visit the delightful town of Beaune in the heart of the Côte d'Or vineyards and home to the famous 15th Century Hôtel-Dieu, setting for the town's wine auction in November each year. We will schedule plenty of time to explore the sights of Beaune either side of our restaurant lunch, with its Wines Museum and Basilique de Nôtre-Dame amongst the attractions.

Duration: 1 hour

Meals included: • Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner Accommodation included: 3* Hotel Normandie in Auxerre

Day 5: Cruising and a special meal at Abbaye de Reigny Stop At: Abbaye de Reigny, Reigny, 89270 Vermenton, France Another spectacular cruise beckons as we continue along the Nivernais and Yonne into Auxerre, which offers one of the greatest of riverside vistas. We aim to pause late morning to moor at the Caves de Bailly for a tasting of locally produced Crémant, and we will theme today’s lunch around an array of delicious local cheeses including Chaource, Époisses and Soumantrain. This evening we have a special treat in store as we board the coach to return to Vermenton and the Abbaye de Reigny where we will enjoy a guided tour and supper. The lovingly restored Abbaye occupies a sheltered spot alongside the River Cure and has one of only three surviving Cistercian refectories in all of France. There are also kingfisher nestboxes to look out for!

Duration: 1 hour

Meals included: • Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner

Accommodation included: 3* Hotel Normandie in Auxerre

Day 6: Chablis & Auxerre Pass By: Rue de la Mairie, 89290 Irancy, France For our final full day, we first take the coach to pause at the magnificent hilltop viewpoint overlooking the wine village of Irancy. From here it is quite a short hop into the iconic wine town of Chablis where we enjoy time for some sightseeing in the centre; and we then return to Auxerre where after lunch on board the boat guests have a free afternoon to explore the medieval centre and/or riverfront or just savour the atmosphere at a pavement café, or simply stay on board to savour the river views.

Meals included: • Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner

Accommodation included: 3* Hotel Normandie in Auxerre

Day 7: Return journey home Pass By: Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Reims, Place du Cardinal Lucon, 51100, Reims France We leave Auxerre after breakfast to follow a reciprocal course back to Calais, aiming for a lunch-break close to Reims and an onward journey targeting the 18:50 crossing from Calais to be back in Kent around 6.30pm our time.

Meals included: • Breakfast

No accommodation included on this day.