'Finesse' Cruise in Burgundy

If you are a family with children, we are able to create a bespoke itinerary and substitute a maximum of 4 excursions from our Classic Cruise Itinerary with your preferred family activities.

The following activities can usually be arranged on-board directly with the barge Captain and included in your itinerary without any extra charge, unless otherwise stated:
 

Swimming *
There are no shortage of swimming opportunities, from an indoor pool in Autun, to the gorgeous lakeside beaches of Montchanin or the Aquaparc at Dole and Beaune, complete with outdoor pools and a variety of different water rides and slides!

Giant Labyrinths & Petting Zoo *
A unique experience awaits you at Diverti’Parc where the whole family can engage in a host of different activities, including the giant maze, petting zoo and play area, hours of fun in the one location!

Ceramic Factory
Of the many ceramic factories spread along the Canal du Center at the beginning of the 20th century, the old Vairet-Baudot brickworks in Ciry-le-Noble is the most completely preserved. Built in 1893, this factory specialized in the manufacture of paving bricks and products for the chemical industry. You will see the machines, the railway networks, the locotractors, the furnaces and the vast manufacturing workshop.

Other activities* – shown below – can be arranged but, due to their nature, they should be booked directly by the passenger with the activity provider. These activities are:

Horse Riding
Set within the Morvan Massif, a number of different equestrian activities are available – including “around the pony” (brushing and caressing ponies, walking discovery, games and an introduction to acrobatics) for children aged 3 – 6 years; Pony Trekking for children under 12; Horse Riding for those over 12 years old. Please check with the barge’s itinerary as numerous durations are also offered – as well as the chance to ride under a full moon!

Hot Air Ballooning
Experience the landscape and scenery of Burgundy from a different angle as you climb into the clouds in a hot air balloon. A magical experience the whole family can enjoy, and one which will last forever in your memories.

Tree Top Climbing & Zip-Lining
Acrogivry, Burgundy’s largest adventure park has a variety of different zip line and tree climbing courses, set against the backdrop of the lush Givry forest, there is something to suit all abilities.

Go Karting
Go Karting is available at a local track, just outside of Chalons.

*Activities are payable by the passenger directly to the provider, whose individual terms and conditions apply.

All activities are subject to availability. Children’s bicycles, bicycle helmets, child car seats and high-chairs are all available without cost.

Golf cruises include four pre-booked and paid tee times and transfers to and from the golf clubs. Hire of clubs, caddy or buggy not included. Only those golfing pay the supplement. A minimum of 4 passengers on a golf charter are required to play golf.
 

Sunday, Day 1 St-Julien-sur-Dheune
Guests are met in Dijon and transferred by air-conditioned minibus to Finesse for a Champagne Welcome and the opportunity to meet the crew. Then there is time to wander along the towpath and admire the classic Burgundian scenery, before dinner on board.

Monday, Day 2 St-Julien-sur-Dheune to St-Léger-sur-Dheune
We begin our voyage this morning through Southern Burgundy through undulating countryside to moor at the little village of St-Léger-sur-Dheune. We will be descending a series of locks with many opportunities to disembark and explore the villages along the way. After lunch, we head to Chateau d’Avoise golf course, sprawling an area of 120 hectares, between groves and birches, majestic beech trees, oak trees and a lake, it offers a technical and strategic challenge to players of all categories. Dinner on board.
(18 holes, Par 72, 5708 m)

Tuesday, Day 3 St-Léger-sur-Dheune to Remigny
This morning’s cruise takes you past the famous wine-producing village of Santenay. There are perfect opportunities to walk or cycle along the towpath en route, before we moor at the pretty little port of St-Léger-sur-Dheune. In the afternoon we will escort you for a winery tour and private tasting to the 17thC. Chateau de Chamirey in Mercurey owned by the Devillard family for five generations. Dinner on board.

Wednesday, Day 4 Remigny to Rully
After breakfast, we set sail to Rully, passing the charming little town of Chagny. We then set off by minibus through the famous vineyards of Burgundy to Chateau de Chailly where you will enjoy a gastronomic lunch before tackling the golf course. This was designed by Thierry Sprecher and Géry Watine, professional champion of France in 1989. Around its 16th century chateau, the Chailly golf course offers a magnificent course audaciously marrying the classicism of a formal garden and avant-garde golfing technology as regards the golfing construction.
Dinner on board.
(18 holes, Par 72, 6146m)

Thursday, Day 5 Rully to Fragnes
In the morning we will escort you to Golf de Beaune Levernois. The course was designed in the heart of the Burgundy vineyards, within a framework of relaxation and greenery. It is a long technical course with 9 lakes and bunkers of white sand as well as many large trees. This course is reserved for all levels of player. After lunch aboard we continue our cruise along the Canal du Centre at a leisurely pace to the mooring of the village of Fragnes. Dinner on board.
(18 holes, Par 72, 6129m)

Friday, Day 6 Fragnes to St-Jean-de-Losne
This morning the barge leaves the winding canal to join the peaceful River Saône, passing delightful little river ports such as Seurre and Verdun-sur-le-Doubs on your cruise to St-Jean-de-Losne. After lunch on board, we escort you to Golf Blue Green Quetigny Grand Dijon, situated just 5 minutes from the centre of Dijon in the heart of wine producing Burgundy, where you will find a short and hilly golf course that runs along the River Mirande. Designed by Chris Pittman, and opened in 1990, this technical course offers a challenge for all levels of player; so do not be fooled by its length. Farewell Dinner on board.
(18 Holes, Par 71, 625m)

Saturday, Day 7 St-Jean-de-Losne
After breakfast, guests are transferred by private chauffeured minibus to their choice of location in Dijon.

On alternate weeks the cruise will be in the reverse direction. This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change
Alternative Pick Up and Drop Off locations available upon request

Cruises for charter groups include a comprehensive wine itinerary with additional winery visits, private tastings and the services of a professional wine guide. Also includes an upgrade of the wine list to include additional premier and grand cru wines.
 

Sunday, Day 1 St-Jean-de-Losne
Guests are met in Dijon and transferred by air-conditioned minibus to Finesse for a Champagne Welcome and the opportunity to meet the crew. Prior to dinner our expert wine guide joins the barge to give an introductory talk on the vineyards of Burgundy and during an on-board wine tasting of a selection of appellations, ensures that everyone has mastered their tasting technique!  Dinner on board.

Monday, Day 2 St-Jean-de-Losne to Fragnes
We begin our voyage this morning through Southern Burgundy along the peaceful River Saône, passing delightful little river ports such as Seurre and Verdun-sur-le-Doubs, before joining the Canal du Centre at Chalon-sur-Saone to arrive at our mooring in Fragnes. In the afternoon, our wine guide takes us on a visit to the world famous vineyards of the Côte de Beaune where we enjoy a tour and private tasting of Puligny-Montrachet, Chassagne, Meursault and St Aubin  wines at Château de Chassagne-Montrachet. Dinner on board.

Tuesday, Day 3 Fragnes to Rully
This morning, we set off  to visit Clos de Vougeot, headquarters of the esteemed Chevaliers du Tastevin, who annually award prized special labels to the finest Côte d‘Or vintages. Our wine expert will meet us there and we then continue on a drive through some of the greatest Pinot Noir vineyards in the world, and after paying homage at the fields of Romanée Conti, visit the cellars of Marchand in the centre of Nuits St Georges for a private tasting of Nuits-St-Georges, 1er Crus & Gevrey-Chambertins. We return to the hotel barge for lunch and then a leisurely afternoon cruise to our mooring near the village of Rully. Dinner on board.

Wednesday, Day 4 Rully to Remigny
After breakfast, we set off on a drive through the Côte de Beaune vineyards to the town of Beaune itself, capital of Burgundy wine country, where we will visit the fascinating 15th century Hôtel-Dieu Hospice and explore the quaint shops of the town, before enjoying a gastronomic lunch in the heart of Puligny & Chassagne Montrachet vineyards at the restaurant Le Montrachet. After lunch, we return to the barge for an afternoon cruise to Remigny. Dinner on board.

Thursday, Day 5 Remigny to St-Léger-sur-Dheune
This morning’s cruise takes you past the famous wine-producing village of Santenay. There are perfect opportunities to walk or cycle along the towpath en route, before we moor at the pretty little port of St-Léger-sur-Dheune. After lunch, we visit the nearby vineyards of the Côte Chalonnaise. Although this wine-growing region is lesser-known than its illustrious neighbours, some wonderful wines are produced in the villages of Rully, Givry and Mercurey. We meet up with our wine expert to enjoy a private tasting at Domaine de la Folie, one of the best domaines in Rully, before returning to the barge. Dinner on board.

Friday, Day 6 St-Léger-sur-Dheune to St-Julien-sur-Dheune
In the morning we cruise along the Canal du Centre through undulating countryside to moor at the little village of St-Julien-sur-Dheune. We will be ascending a series of 11 locks with many opportunities to disembark and explore the villages along the way. After lunch, we head to Autun, a town of ancient origins with Roman gates and a 17,000 seat amphitheatre. Farewell Dinner on board.

Saturday, Day 7 St-Julien-sur-Dheune
After breakfast, guests are transferred by private chauffeured minibus to their choice of location in Dijon.

On alternate weeks the cruise will be in the reverse direction. This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change
Alternative Pick Up and Drop Off locations available upon request