A delightful cruise along the bucolic river Saone with historical riverside towns, Beaujolias wine country, Lyon , the second city and gourmet capital of France , Romanesque churches and the abbey of Cluny .  This itinerary is also ideal for wine lovers as it cruises through several major producing areas.

I T I N E R A R Y
SATURDAY, Day 1
Lyon Meet at 1: 30 p.m. at  Hotel Château Perrache located next to the Gare Lyon Perrache train station. The  motor coach of Libellule is waiting at the meeting place to transfer you to the Libellule, moored nearby.  You will be welcomed aboard with champagne, presentation of the crew and time to settle into your cabins before dinner on board in the evening.

SUNDAY, Day 2
Lyon to Trevoux This morning, after breakfast, you are treated to a guided walking tour of France ’s second city, including the famous traboules (narrow indoor alleys) in the medieval area.  We return to the barge in time for lunch and begin cruising upstream, passing the chic northern suburbs, this affords us views that are not seen when traveling by car.  We arrive in the delightful riverside town of Trevoux in the late afternoon, giving you time for a stroll before you depart.

MONDAY, Day 3
Trevoux to Tournus A morning cruise brings us to Macon and from here we can visit the famous vineyards of Beaujolais , set in the hills and an area of outstanding beauty.  The best wines are located in the northern part of the hills where limestone deposits cover the granite bedrock.  We return to Libellule and cruise to the small town of Tournus , arriving in the evening.

TUESDAY, Day 4
Tournus to Chalon sur Saone After breakfast, a visit to Cluny to see the remains of the Benedictine monastery, founded here by William of Aquitaine in 910.  At its height in the 13thC, Cluny was the head of an order of no fewer than 1111 monasteries and over 10,000 monks stretching from Northern England to Germany and Spain .  The abbey church here was the largest in Christendom prior to the construction of St Peter’s in Rome .  We cruise in the afternoon to Chalon sur Saone , known as the birthplace of photography and the second city of Burgundy with a population of 80,000.  Our mooring is in the center of the town, within easy walking distance of the cathedral and the medieval quarter.

WEDNESDAY, Day 5
Chalon sur Saone to Seurre This morning, after an early breakfast, a visit to Beaune, center of the Burgundy wine trade.  Our first stop is a guided visit of the Hospice de Beaune, a famous charity hospital, founded by the chancellor to the Duke of Burgundy in 1443 and a masterpiece of late-medieval architecture.  Afterwards, free time to explore this delightful town.  This afternoon a cruise to Seurre, a sleepy town with interesting buildings everywhere, mostly built of brick.

THURSDAY, Day 6
Seurre to St Jean de Losne We visit Dijon , the capital of Burgundy   this morning.  A guided walking tour of the city is offered taking in the Ducal Palace and the Fine Arts Museum amongst other monuments.  Afterwards, lots of free time to explore and shop, don’t forget the Grey Poupon store in the main street.  In the afternoon, a cruise to our final destination of St Jean de Losne, a waterways crossroad.  Farewell dinner on board this evening.

FRIDAY, Day 7
Dijon After breakfast, transfer to Dijon and for those who have taken the transfer option, TGV high speed train to Paris .

On alternative weeks the cruise is in reverse direction. This itinerary is subject to change.

From $2,215* per person based on double occupancy

From $2,715* per person based on single occupancy

Whole boat charters are available, please inquire for prices.

Accommodation with private bath or shower All meals with selected regional wines All sightseeing tours and admittance fees as stipulated Use of vessels’ bicycles and other facilities

*Prices are per person, based on double occupancy.  Seasonal supplements and blackout dates may apply.