Take a magnificent journey through the Saône-et-Loire and La Côte d'Or regions of France on this 7-day French canal cruise. Sail by the banks of the Saône River and discover the attractions of the Canal du Centre, 'the canal of the two seas.' Linking the Saône River to the Loire River, the Canal du Centre is a must see. Cruise past hills and lush green pastures, invigorating forests and countrysides, stopping to discover small villages and renowned vineyards.
Highlights
Enjoy a tasting of the famous local wines and other delights
Tour Chalon-sur-Saône, birthplace of Joseph Nicéphore Niepce
Hike to the beautiful Cirque du Bout du Monde
Walk to the center of Santenay, a charming little wine-producing village
Board the MS Déborah in Dijon at 6 PM and settle into your cabin. Once on board, explore your new home and meet the crew before sitting down for dinner. The ship stays in port overnight.
This morning will be spent cruising. Take advantage of this first day cruising to relax and admire the beautiful Burgundy scenery, or to walk or bike alongside the boat on the canal's bicycle path. In the afternoon, join an excursion along the Grands Crus Wine Route. The touristic Grands Crus wine route passes through villages and the finest and most prestigious of the Burgundy vineyards. Return on board in Longecourt-en-Plaine.
This morning will be spent cruising. As you travel, you are free to bike along the Doubs River at any time by taking the Green Way bike path. In the afternoon, join a tour of Saint-Jean-de-Losne. Explore monuments that tell the story of the city's prestigious past, such as the monument commemorating the Siege of 1636, and the Hôtel-Dieu, which was a charitable hospital founded in 1658 and is surrounded by intricately wrought iron railings dating from the 17th and 18th centuries.
This morning will be spent cruising towards Chalon-sur-Saone. As you cruise, you'll admire the Saône River's hilly banks and typical local houses perched on its hillsides. Feel free to ride alongside the boat taking the Green Way bike path. In the afternoon, join a tour of Chalon-sur-Saône, birthplace of Joseph Nicéphore Niepce, one of the inventors of photography.
Breakfast and lunch are served on board as the ship cruises towards Chalon-sur-Saône. Alternatively, choose to bike to Chalon-sur-Saône along the banks of the Doubs River. In the afternoon, explore this charming town, the birthplace of Joseph Nicéphore Niepce, who invented photography in 1824. Enjoy an excursion around the old town, which contains wooden framed houses which were constructed during the 15th to 17th centuries. Also, view the Cathedral of St Vincent and classical dwellings from the 17th and 18th centuries. Continue to the town center and enjoy a wine tasting before returning to the ship for dinner.
Set off towards Santenay, a wine village with a priceless historical and natural heritage, which we will reach during the morning. Set off from the ship and walk to the center of Santenay, a charming little wine-producing village. Join a wine tasting session at one of the 38 wine producers' in the village. In the afternoon, you'll cruise towards Saint-Léger-sur-Dheune. Relax and admire the passing lush landscapes. Late in the afternoon, arrive in St. Leger-sur-Dheune. Tonight is the gala evening and dinner.
Day 7: Saint Leger Sur Dheune | Disembark
1 Breakfast
Enjoy one last buffet breakfast on board before disembarking at 9:00 a.m. Transfer by coach to Dijon, arriving late in the morning.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$3,516
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Main Deck
10 double cabins equipped with private bath with shower, TV, cabin-to-cabin telephone, safe, and air conditioning.
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Lower Deck
1 cabin for passengers with reduced mobility equipped with private bath with shower, TV, cabin-to-cabin telephone, safe, and air conditioning.
Initial deposit is 25%, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 100 days prior to departure by Bank transfer or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
The trip might have been the absolute best of our lifetime (thus far). We particularly want to commend our guide Peter in the Guilin area-he was so incredibly attentive, energetic, enthusiastic-and absolutely dedicated to ensuring that our meals were 100% vegetarian.