Barge & Narrowboat Cruises

France - Belgium

The age old delights of Britain,from small village pubs to mountainous lochs, are yours when you step aboard ournarrowboats and barges- and you have all the time in the world to savor them.
The boats are small worlds in themselves, with private cabins, comfortablelounges, and well stocked bars. The boat crews, many of whom are the ownersthemselves, are friendly and take great pleasure in sharing their love of thecountry and its waterways with a few privileged guests each week.
The pace is slow, with time to explore or follow leisurely pursuits. Those whoare energetic may help the boats through the locks or lift bridges. Simply enjoythe pleasures of the countryside that a cruise will bring to you.

All cruises are for six nights startingon Sunday and ending Saturday.

2001 Schedule

Apr 18 (I), Apr 25 (I), May 2 (I), May 9 (m), May 16 (m),May 23 (m), May 30** (m), Jun 6** (h), Jun 13** (h), Jun 20** (h), Jun 27** (h), Jul 4** (h), Jul 11 (h), Jul 18 (h), Jul 25 (h), Aug1 (h), Aug 8 (h), Aug 15 (h), Aug 22 (h), Aug 29 (h), Sep 5** (h), Sep 12** (h), Sep 19** (h), Sep 26** (h), Oct 3** (h),Oct 10** (I), Oct 17** (I), Oct 24** (I)

Cruises marked ** are scheduled for the Nivemais. Allother cruises are on the Canal de Bourgogne.

Letters in brackets indicate the price band as follows: l= low season; m = mid season; h = high season. See Pricelist for details

See Pricelist for details

ITINERARY FOR BURGUNDY CRUISE

There are two separate Burgundy routes, one from Tonnerre to Montbard,and a second from Montbard to Pouilly-en-Auxois.  Your cruise will be on one of these routes, dependenton cruising conditions.

TONNERRE to MONTBARD

As our tour starts and we leave Tonnerre with its 13th Century hospicedominating the skyline we pass close by Tanlay, one of the most ornate and impressive chateaux in the whole ofFrance.  Between this and Ancy-le-Franc lie delightful, sleepy villages: St. Vinnemer, Argentenay andAncy-le-Libre. Open pastureland is succeeded by woodland as we climb the waterway.  We are close to the vineyards ofChablis which we tour in the barge's bus. Romantic moorings abound on this canal and we moor at Cry, an ancient villageof great character and charm, and Buffon from which we can visit Avallon or the exceptional medieval centreof Noyers. Near the market town of Montbard is the Abbey of Fontenay, its 12th centurybuildings largely intact and situated on a site of great beauty.

MONTBARD to POUILLY-EN-AUXOIS

The section upstream of Montbard is one of the most remarkable of all,the canal sweeping splendidly through wooded arcades before climbing into hill country, the route swinging this wayand that between the locks, each turn presenting a new view of the real France, beautiful and totally unspoiled. On Mount Auxois nearby, in 52 BC, Julius Caesar finally conquered Gaul. On other hills in the district are the ancient towns of Flavigny and Semur.  In the barge's bus visits may bemade to local chateaux, Bussy-Rabutin, or beautiful Commarin, while from nearer Pouilly-en-Auxois we can drive down toBeaune, the wine capital of Burgundy, with its celebrated hospice and caves.  The vineyards of thisregion - Savigny, Meursault, Pommard, Nuits St-Georges, Clos de Vougeot - are, of course, bywords.  All arewithin striking distance of Beaune. The stretches of canal in the region of St. Thibault near the summit, areamongst the most beautiful of all.  Close enough to Dijon and the modern routes of commerce they are spiritually athousand miles away, the very best of sanctuaries from the pace of modern life.

ITINEERARY FOR NIVERNAIS CRUISE

There are two separate Nivernais routes, one from Auxerre to Clamency,and a second from Clamency to Baye. Your cruise will be on one of these routes, dependent on cruising conditions.

 AUXERRE to CLAMENCY

You will be transported from the hotel rendezvous in Paris to Luciole,moored on the magnificent river frontage at Auxerre.  Time is allowed to explore the City's narrow, fascinatingstreets, the Cathedral of St. Etienne, its two adjacent churches and 15th century clocktower. Near at hand are the vineyards of Chablis, a short journey in the barge's bus,whilst even closer to the route are the charming, characterful wine villages ofSt. Bris, Coulanges and Irancy. In this region the waterway, though known as the Canal du Nivernais, has manyriver sections.  Shining waterfalls lie near the locks, where lady keepers wind the sluices, or give usherbs from their gardens.  The route changes constantly, from regions of open country, where the Yonne windslanguidly, to overhanging cliffs and narrow sections of canal. You will moor in the basin at Chatel-Censoir, overlooked by a 15th Centurychurch.  This is a convenient point from which to visit Vezelay, the hill town with its spectacular basilica fromwhere in 1146 St. Bernard proclaimed the Second Crusade against the Moors. One day's cruise upstream from Chatel-Censoir is Clamency, an attractive markettown with a 14th Century church, narrow streets and stairways.

CLAMENCY to BAYE

Leaving Clamency to the North the hills move closer, and we see clumpsof woodland interrupted by lift bridges, turreted mansions and the villages of Villiers, Tannay and Chitry, where achateau overlooks the wide canal basin. Some superbly scenic excursions are at hand:  to Avallon and to thechateau of Villemolin, set as in a fairy tale alberghi b&b Techirghiol on the lovely road to Vezelay. At Tannay, poised on a hill, a remarkable cellar gives an insight into wineproduction before it became big business. The final flight of locks and the thicketted cuttings at the summit provide theNivernais' most dramatic feature, with three short tunnels before theundergrowth suddenly parts to reveal the lake at Baye, a blissful mooring after the climb.

2001 Schedule

Low Season price applies on: Apr 1, 8, 15,22; Jul 29; Aug 5, 12, 19 ,26; Sept 2; Oct 28; Nov 4.

High Season price applies on: Apr 29; May 6,13, 20, 27; Jun 3, 10, 17, 24; Jul 1, 8, 15, 22; Sep 9,16, 23, 30; Oct 7, 14,21.

SeePricelist for full details

ITINERARY– Beziers to Trebes

SUNDAY:Passengers ar met by the Captain at Beziers which has excellent air and TGV raillinks with Paris. Champagne Welcome on board followed by evening cruise acrossthe impressive River Orb aqueduct and ascend the 100 foot flight of locks atFonseranes.

MONDAY: A morning visit to Beziers’ 13thC fortified cathedralof Saint Nazaire,with a commanding view across the Pyrenees Mountains. Explore I’OppidumD’Enserune, a pre-Roman hilltop settlement with Greek and Iberian excavationsdating from 600 BC. Cruise to Capestang in the afternoon through the world’soldest canal tunnel at Malpas to Domaine de Guery for a pre-dinner wine tasting.

TUESDAY:Today’s excursion is to Narbonne, a roman Mediterranean capital where theVisigoth Monarchs once lived. Enjoy a visit to the Archbishop’s Palace andHorreum. Explore the indoor market at the hub of this bustling town, relaxingatmosphere. Afternoon cruise to Le Somail, where we moor near the old stonebridge, a perfect setting to enjoy the evening on board.

WEDNESDAY:The day begins with a trip to Lezignan market, full of vivid colours andcharacters. Following a leisurely cruise we sample the full-bodied Corbiereswine of 17thC Chateau La Voulte Gasparets. This evening we dine ashore at acharming canalside inn in the heart of the village of Homps.

THURSDAY:Enjoy a morning cruise to Puicheric. In the afternoon an excursion to Minerve,the ancient capital of the Minervois, to see the 12thC Cathar fort that issurrounded by deep limestone gorges. Beseiged by Simon de Montfort in 1215, itshilltop location affords spectacular views. A fascinating recreation inminiature of the bloodthirsty Cathar rebellion and small museum complete theintriguing picture. Twilight cruise to Marseillette and dinner on board.

FRIDAY:In the morning there will be a fascinating tour of Carcassonne. Dating back tothe Gallo-Roman era, this is the most complete mediaeval fortified city inexistence today. It has 52 watchtowers, portcullis and an extraordinaryrepertoire of defenses which resisted the many armies that tried to storm thisCamelot setting. Afternoon cruise to Trebes through vineyards and pine trees.Captain’s Farewell Dinner on board.

SATURDAY:After breakfast passengers are escorted back to Beziers.

  AUTUMNCRUISES IN PROVENCE

In late autumn (from October 21) there are Roman architecture and wineappreciation cruises in the Camargue/Provence region. Visits include Avignon,VanGogh’s Arles and Chateauneuf du Pape. Pick-up point for these cruises isthe Alliance Metropole Hotel in Montpelier, and they are priced at “Low”season rates.

Further details on request.

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