Rates & Dates:
Trip Length: 7 Days/ 6 Nights
Prices from: $5,090 pp/do*
Single Price: $6,940 pp
2016 Dates: Sunday departures from April 10th thru October 23rd.
Ships: L'Impressionniste Barge
Notes: During Value Season, Stateroom prices start at $5090 pp/do. Regular Season fares start at $5890 pp/do. Rates do not include Airfare, Cancellation Insurance, or Gratuities.
*Per Person/Double Occupancy. Special Single Rates apply where listed.
L’Impressionniste is a 12-passenger Deluxe Barge, cruising the canals of Southern Burgundy. You can charter the entire barge, or book a cabin for a non-chartered date, to make new friends while you enjoy local wine and bike through the French countryside!
Is the L’Impressionniste right for you? The barge is comfortable, light and airy, with picture windows to remind you of the beauty you’re cruising through. You’ll be immersed into the French lifestyle, with fine dining, culture, history and an exploration of the wines of France. The guides have exclusive bike tours, providing you insider access to the charming people and landscape. You can walk along the canals for a morning stroll (probably walking faster than the barge).
The L’Impressioniste season lasts from April thru October. The deluxe barge can be chartered for 10, 11, or 12 passengers, or individuals may purchase staterooms or one of the junior suites. Call our agents for charter prices: 800-578-1479.
Cruise rates include:
- chauffeured transfers from Paris to the barge and return
- all meals, from dinner the first night to breakfast the last morning
- all wines with lunch and dinner
- open bar
- daily escorted excursions
- use of onboard bicycles.
Cruise rates do not include airfare, cancellation insurance and gratuities.
Sunday: Paris to Escommes
You’ll be met by your chauffeur at 2:30 in the lobby of the Warwick Westminster Opera. You’ll drive to the barge in Escommes, a tiny harbor on the Canal de Bourgogne in Burgundy. A traditional champagne welcome and crew introduction will begin once onboard, then you can walk into town before your first gourmet dinner!
Monday: Escomme to Vandenesse-en-Auxois
The morning will be spent cruising – your first opportunity to experience the L’Impressionniste in motion. In the afternoon, visit the privately-owned Chateau de Bussy-Rabutin. Learn about the history of the family, including the scandalous behavior of French nobility! Stroll through the gardens before returning.
Tuesday: Vandenesse-en-Auxios to Pont d’Ouche
Cruise this morning, or choose the towpath on foot or bike for an easy-going morning. After lunch, you’ll visit the medieval village and castle of Chateauneuf-en-Auxois. The pastoral view of the surrounding countryside will have you reaching for your camera. Explore the village and craft shops before returning to the barge for dinner.
Wednesday: Pont d’Ouche to La Bussiere
This morning we’ll set off on a drive through Premier Cru vineyards, stopping for a presentation by a local wine expert. Then we’ll continue to Beaune for a winter tour and private tasting of Bouchard et Pere Fils wines and a gastronomic lunch of Chateau de Beaune. This afternoon, tour the 15th century Hotel-Dieu Hospice and the town shops before returning to the barge.
Thursday: La Bussiere to Sainte-Marie-sur Ouche
The morning, as usual, will be barge cruising, or you are welcome to bike or walk the towpath. This afternoon will be wine tasting in the cellars of Chateau Andre Ziltener and a visit to Clos de Vougeot, headquarters of the Chevaliers du Tastevin.
Friday: Sainte-Marie-sur Ouche to Fleurey-sur Ouche
Take a walking tour of old Dijon, including visits to flower and produce markets, mustard shops, and Notre-Dame de Dijon. After lunch onboard L’Impressionniste, enjoy the afternoon at your leisure. Bike to the next lock or walk the towpath before the final mooring at Fleure-sur Ouche. Clink your glasses and offer ‘santé’ to your traveling companions at the Captain’s Farewell dinner.
Saturday: Fleurey-sur Ouche to Paris
You will be chauffeured back to the Hotel Westminster, estimated arrival time in Paris 1pm.
This is a sample itinerary, subject to change depending on local conditions. Route also runs in reverse on alternate weeks.
