Fleurey-sur-Ouche (near Dijon) to Pont Royal
50 miles of beautiful canal scenary - sample itinerary for Burgundy
We also cruise in the Champagne and Alsace regions.

Sunday
You will be met by a Papillon crew member at your hotel in Paris at 1pm and driven to the Papillon moored near Dijon in the village of Fleurey-sur-Ouche.
On the way we can visit the fabulous château of Vaux-le-Vicomte – a mini rival to Versailles. Alternatively you can take the fast TGV train from Paris and a Papillon crew member will meet you at the railway station in Dijon. Upon arrival, you will be welcomed aboard Le Papillon with a Champagne reception and introduced to the crew of four – time to settle in before dinner.

Monday
Onboard Le Pappilon After breakfast, we will start cruising along the Canal de Bourgogne. There will be ample opportunities to take a bike or walk along the canal towing path. By mid afternoon we shall be moored in the delightful village of Gissey-sur-Ouche. A short drive in the minibus will take us to the medieval quarter of Dijon for a walking tour followed by a visit to the Musée des Beaux Arts in the ducal palace. Our drive back to Papillon will include the Route des Grands Crus through the vineyards of the Côte de Nuits, passing by Clos Vougeot.

Tuesday
Food lovers can make an early start and accompany our chef to the busy morning food market in Dijon. This is an opportunity to meet our cheese, fish, meat and vegetable suppliers, of whom we are very proud, face to face. Maybe take a coffee with the chef and discuss some of your favourite dishes. There will be some free time for any shopping – the Rue Verrerie with its famous antique shops is nearby. Lunch back aboard and then cruise to the village of Veuvey-sur-Ouche.

Wednesday
This morning’s cruise will take us to Pont d’Ouche where we cruise over the Ouche river. After lunch we will drive through the nearby hills and descend into the Cote d’Or vineyards and visit Beaune – a thriving little town and proud capital of the wine trade. By far the most famous sight is the hospice with its multicoloured roof tiles which was built in 1443 by Nicolas Rolin, chancellor to the dukes of Burgundy. Next door in the spectacular cellars of the Marché aux Vins we can taste some of Burgundy’s finest wines or alternatively stop at one of the vineyards on our way back to Papillon. During the afternoon Papillon will have cruised on to La Repe where she will be moored for the night.

Thursday
A 5 minute drive from Papillon will take us up to the hilltop village of Chateauneuf-en-Auxois. Highly restored and very picturesque, the village also offers a fine aerial view of the canal. Back onboard, we will climb the remaining locks before reaching the summit level of the canal – the highest point on this water route from the Mediterranean to the English Channel. After lunch we can visit the little chateau of Commarin with its fine tapestries. And then on through one of the wonders of the canal sysyem – a two mile tunnel leading to the town of Pouilly-en-Auxois.
Nearby the chateau of Chailly has a fine golf course.
Friday
Today’s cruise will take us through lovely rolling countryside to Pont Royal. From there, a pleasant circular trip in the minibus could include visits to the hilltop village of Flavigny where ‘Chocolat’ was filmed, the Cistercian abbey of Fontenay (UNESCO world heritage sight) and the virtually undiscovered medieval town of Semur-en-Auxois.

Saturday
After breakfast, minibus transfer to Dijon train station or your hotel or airport in Paris.
Onboard Le Pappilon The above description of a week on Le Papillon, cruising from Fleurey to Pont Royal contains similar points of interest as a cruise in the opposite direction from Pont Royal to Fleurey, although times for excursions will clearly differ between the two routes. No two cruises on Le Papillon are ever exactly the same however, since we always mould each voyage to fit the interests of our passengers. Whatever your passion is – golf, tennis, biking, walking, side trips in the minibus, just relaxing on deck, or a little of everything – we’ll make sure you do it.

Paris to Champagne
sample itinerary; (August 2008 only)

SUNDAY
You will be met by a Papillon crew member at your hotel in Paris at 1.30pm. Visit to Claude Monet’s house and garden at Giverny with a private guided tour in English. Transfer to the barge moored in Paris. Champagne welcome aboard and meet the four crew.

MONDAY
This morning we cruise along the Canal St. Martin through the heart of Paris. We will pass the ‘atmospheric’ Hotel du Nord and sail underneath the Place de la Bastille before joining the river Seine and cruising around ‘Notre Dame’ and l’Isle de la Cité. During lunch we will cruise onto the river Marne and start our journey towards Champagne. In the afternoon, our driver will propose a minibus excursion to the gorgeous chateau of Vaux-le-Vicomte; this is the one that inspired Louis XIV to build Versailles partly out of jealousy and to show that his wealth was greater than that of his finance minister, Nicolas Fouquet! Our overnight mooring will be by an island in the fashionable leafy suburbs.

TUESDAY
This morning we will step ashore in the bustling little market town of Lagny-sur-Marne to explore the medieval quarter and take on fresh supplies. Much of today’s cruising is canal offering the chance to bike and walk. After lunch we will arive in Meaux with time to explore its cathedral which took over 300 years to build; construction started about 1180 and was halted during the hundred years war with the English. This is the centre of Brie cheese and no visit would be complete without a tasting of this ‘King of Cheeses’ formerly known as the King’s Cheese before the French Revolution! We will then get another two or three hours of lovely cruising in before mooring for the night.

WEDNESDAY
After a short morning cruise we will halt in the village of La Ferte-sous-Jouarre. There are beautiful riverside walks to be had here. Alternatively hop into the minibus and just 10 minutes away is the Benedictine abbey of Jouarre, parts of which still date back to the 7th century. After lunch enjoy a leisurely afternoon of cruising the most impressive section of the Marne valley – stunning! We will tie up in time for you to explore some of the pretty villages and cycle amongst the vines before dinner.

THURSDAY
By mid-morning we will have cruised into the centre of Chateau-Thierry; the town where Jean de la Fontaine wrote his fables. On the edge of the town we can visit Belleau Wood, Hill 204 and the American Monument remembering the courageous fighting of American troops during the First World War. Back on board and the cruising will take us past acres and acres of immaculately tended vines, producing the most famous drink in the world – Champagne. We shall be sure to fit a tasting in before dinner!

FRIDAY
Our final day of cruising will take you through rolling countryside to Epernay – capital of this Champagne world. We shall offer you more tastings although we believe our ‘house champagne’ from the sister house of Salon is hard to beat. Our minibus will also make a visit to Reims cathedral during the day – everybody should see this UNESCO world heritage sight at least once - either today or when you return!

SATURDAY
After breakfast minibus transfer to your hotel or airport in Paris

The above description of a week on Le Papillon, cruising from Paris to Epernay contains the same points of interest as a cruise in the opposite direction, although times for excursions will clearly differ between the two routes. No two cruises on Le Papillon are ever exactly the same however, since we always mould each voyage to fit the interests of our passengers. Whatever your passion – golf, tennis, biking, walking, side trips in the minibus, just relaxing on deck, or a little of everything – we’ll make sure you do it.

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