We will use our unique
in-depth experience
to find you your
perfect barge cruise
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Summary
Although cruising deep within Burgundy’s lush landscapes and ancient canals, Grand Cru’s modern design provides the clean lines and open spaces of contemporary living. Four generous and beautifully appointed staterooms and her living areas offer relaxed and luxurious cruising comfort, whilst more active passengers are encouraged to explore the route’s charming canal side villages by bicycle or on foot.
Grand Cru features the ‘best of Burgundy’s best’, in local cuisine, wines and liqueurs, excursions to châteaux and gourmet food markets, and guided tours in the towns of Dijon and Beaune.
Grand Cru is owned by Earl and Candy Robertson who have years of experience in operating the hotel barges Rendez-Vous and Prospérité, as well, and bring their priceless experience to bear in the selection of top class crew and the flawless running of Grand Cru barge.
Key Features
- Supreme class (6*)
- Canal de Bourgogne, Burgundy
- Charter bookings only, 6 nights, 7 days, April to October
- 8 guests / 4 suites
- Air conditioning and heating throughout
- Full board, on-board dining
- Sun deck with dining area, loungers and hot tub
The Classic Cruise — Grand Cru
Classic Cruise Itinerary
| Route | Between Vandenesse-en-Auxois and Plombières-les-Dijon, Canal de Bourgogne |
| Pick-up | Paris at 14:00, or 16:00 in Dijon |
| Dining | All inclusive | 6 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 5 dinners on board. 1 dinner at Michelin starred restaurant |
Canal de Bourgogne Cruise Highlights
- Walking tour of Dijon
- The covered market of Les Halles and boutique shops
- Personal welcome to Domaine Pierre Amiot for a tour and wine-tasting
- Dinner at Michelin-starred restaurant
- Explore Beaune, center of the Cote d’Or wines
Themed cruises
Golf is a great passion for many and France has wonderful courses. Enquire for a charter party cruise that includes a choice of great courses along the route.
Similarly, those who wish to focus fully on a wine experience can enquire about the sommelier cruise, spending more time immersed in the Route des Grands Crus with expert instruction.
Please enquire.
Day 1 — Sunday
Arrival in Vandenesse-en-Auxois
In the afternoon, you will be met by a crew member at the designated meeting point. From here, relax as you are chauffeured to Grand Cru, moored in the village of Vandenesse-en-Auxois. A traditional champagne welcome and introduction to the crew awaits you, before your first gourmet dinner aboard.
Day 2 — Monday
Cruise to Pont d’Ouche | Excursion to Châteauneuf-en-Auxois
Simply relax into the ambiance of the tranquil countryside during your first cruise this morning. This afternoon, your Tour Guide escorts you to Châteauneuf-en-Auxois, a castle overlooking the Canal. A walking tour through the Château reveals the architectural details and timeworn relics which speak to the deprivations and decadence so prevalent in France’s history. Then it’s back to Grand Cru to socialize with a delicious cocktail before Chef presents your evening meal.
Day 3 — Tuesday
Cruise to La Bussière-sur-Ouche | Excursion to Domaine Pierre Amiot for winetasting | Dinner at Michelin starred restaurant
Cheers to Southern Burgundy! A morning visit to a boutique winery begins your gourmet day. Amble amidst the lovely vineyards of Domaine Pierre Amiot, a family-owned producer focusing on the Pinor Noir grape varietal. After the secrets of growing this iconic French fruit are revealed, swirl, sip, and savor these exceptional elixirs at a hosted wine-tasting. Return to the barge for an afternoon cruise before your dinner ashore at the Abbaye de la Bussière, an ancient Cistercian abbey now converted to a luxury hotel with a Michelin star rated restaurant.
Day 4 — Wednesday
Cruise to Gissey-sur-Ouche | Excursion to Beaune
Begin the day with a leisurely morning cruise. Visit your Captain in his wheelhouse or join Chef in the open kitchen for an informal culinary demonstration. In the afternoon, a drive in your private vehicle through the Cote d’Or vineyards culminates in the charming town of Beaune, the region’s wine capital. Your Tour Guide will accompany you through the Hospice de Beaune, a prestigiously preserved Medieval hospital built in the 15th century. Return to the barge where Chef is putting the final touches on tonight’s dinner party.
Day 5 — Thursday
Cruise to Fleury-sur-Ouche | Excursion to Château d’Arcelot
Your day begins with a visit to the Château d’Arcelot, the first neoclassical castle in Burgundy. After being personally welcomed by the castle’s owner, Madame la Comtesse de Loisy, take a tour of the beautiful grounds and then savor a taste of the homemade gourmet specialties. Return to the Grand Cru for lunch and an afternoon cruise. Relax on deck in the hot tub or explore the waterside towpath with a gentle stroll or leisurely bicycle ride before an evening of drinks and dinner onboard.
[Pic ©Château d’Arcelot]
Day 6 — Friday
Cruise to Plombières-les-Dijon-les-Dijon | Excursion to Dijon
A morning cruise through pastoral countryside is the perfect time to sip a cup of coffee on deck. This afternoon, exploring the urbane town of Dijon offers a pleasurable excursion ashore. Preserved palaces and beautiful churches recalling the reign of the Dukes of Burgundy vie for attention with specialty boutiques, small cafes, and serene gardens. Shop, sip, and stroll your way through this small city brimming with authentic Burgundian life. Return to Grand Cru for cocktail hour as Chef prepares tonight’s dinner.
[Pic ©French-Waterways]
Day 7 — Saturday
Departure from Plombières-les-Dijon
After breakfast, chauffeured transport to the designated drop off point in Paris, Dijon or Geneva.
Please note: This route is subject to change and runs in the reverse direction on alternate weeks.
“The whole Grand Cru experience was absolutely amazing and could not have been better. The boat and its facilities are beautiful, and the entire crew were so friendly and fun and went above and beyond to make sure we were looked after. Grand Cru is a world class offering. I would recommend Grand Cru to anyone without hesitation”
JR, AUS 2023
“Christina, we enjoyed a wonderful cruise on the Grand Cru Barge. It is very difficult to say what we liked the most, because absolutely everything was great.
Thank you very much, we wish you much success and many guests like us. We were probably the only Slovaks who have ever been on such a barge. On behalf of all of us, I greet you, good luck. Please pass on our warm and very personal regards to: Eric, Arnaud, Neal, Kristyna, Brigitte and BARBARA.”
MT and party, Czech 2023
“We had a wonderful time on the Grand Cru! Everything was first class. Not one bad thing. The crew was fantastic and always had a smile. The food was excellent…. The chef made the most delicious items….. can’t wait to sail again with you all!”
JP, USA 2022
Accommodations and Facilities
- Dimensions: 128 ft (39m) long x 16 ft (4.9m) wide
- Four cabins with ensuite bathroom, each 260 sq ft with 6’8″ ceiling height
- Choice of King size bed or two oversized twin beds
- Individually controlled AC and heating
- Shower and separate tub in bathroom, with heated floor and towel rack, bathrobes
- Vanity dressing area
- Ironing board and iron
- Safe
- IPhone/Ipad/Ipod chargers
Other items on board:
- Professional English-speaking crew of 6 – captain, tour guide, chef, matelot, and 2 hostesses
- 6’9″-7′ ceiling height in social areas
- Salon, separate dining room and open demonstration kitchen
- Top quality furnishings and picture windows throughout
- Main deck powder room
- i-pad and docking stations for i-phones
- 8 adult-size bicycles and helmets
- Wifi (limited in some places)
- Air-conditioned Mercedes executive minibus for transfers and excursions
Facilities At A Glance
Fine Wines — Fine Dining
Breakfast selections consist of freshly baked breads and pastries from a local boulangerie, along with fruit, cereal, yogurt, cheese, coffee, tea, and juice. For lunches and dinners, your private chef creates regionally and seasonally inspired dishes.
Lunch is typically a light buffet featuring hearty salads and savoury entrées, and your multi-course gourmet dinner is served with grand table settings and fine crockery, all in a festive setting. Wine pairings feature a red and a white from the local Burgundy vineyards, along with a cheese platter of artisanal favourites.
Lunch menu
Whole Baked Salmon in Salt, Buerre Blanc Sauce
Salad of Carrot & Coriander
Haricot Vert
Blueberry and Pistachio Clafoutis, Vanilla bean ice cream
Cheeses: Emmental, Morbier, and Valencay
A Selection of Coffees, Teas, and Biscuits
And Michelin meal is included in the cruise rate
Dinner menu
Confit quail on Aubergine Caviar with Orange Saffron Réduction and Toasted Walnuts
Aged Charolais Beef Filet in Rosemary Green Pepper Croûte Rossini style, Foie Gras & Port Sauce
Cheeses: Tomme de Savoie, Saint-Felicien and Langres
Pistachio Grand Marnier soufflé
A Selection of After Dinner Drinks
WINES
Bâtard Montrachet, Grand Cru, 2014
Meursault Charme 1er Cru, 2013
Chablis Les Clos Grand Cru, 2014
Corton Grand Cru, 2013
Gevrey Chambertin Les Cazetiers 1er Cru, 2012
Nuits Saint Georges Les Damodes 1er Cru, 2011
Photo Gallery
Grand Cru cruises on the Canal de Bourgogne in Burgundy
– [below] In the region: Besancon, River Saone, Canal de Bourgogne, Vandenesse-en-Auxois, Burgundy Route des Vins, Dijon, Macon –
Besancon ©M Akpovi | Beaune ©Michael Evans | Tasting ©bringingburgundytoyou.com| Others ©FW, wikimedia, n/a
Classic cruise rates and dates
All rates and prices will be confirmed at time of booking. Special Offers are available from time to time – contact us
What’s included:
6 nights accommodation
Return transfers to the barge
All meals and drinks on board
Guided excursions, fees and associated transport
What’s not included:
Air fares and travel to pick-up
Travel, medical and cancellation insurance
Crew gratuities (5-10% suggested)
Personal expenses
2023
Charter only bookings
Sunday to Saturday
Rates and dates
Regular rate weeks
April 16, 23, 30
May 7, 14, 21, 28
June 4, 11, 18, 25
July 9. 16. 23, 30
August 6, 13, 20, 27
September 3, 10, 17, 24
October 1, 8, 15, 22
8 guest charter: 68,000 USD
7 guest charter: 65,100 USD
6 guest charter: 61,800 USD
2024
Charter only bookings
Sunday to Saturday
Rates and dates
Regular rate weeks
April 21, 28
May 5, 12, 19, 26
June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
July 7, 14, 21, 28
September 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
October 6, 13, 20
8 guest charter: 76,000 USD
7 guest charter: 71,400 USD
6 guest charter: 66,000 USD
Low rate weeks
March 31
April 7, 14
August 4, 11, 18, 25
8 guest charter: 66,000 USD
7 guest charter: 63,000 USD
6 guest charter: 60,000 USD
Note: All September bookings will be charged at the the full 8 guest rate
Hotel Barge Enquiry
Booking a luxury barge vacation isn’t the kind of thing one does with just a mouse-click or two. It takes a little research, thought and understanding, and we hope that our pages have provided you with all the information and inspiration you need to take this next step.
Why should you book with us? Because…
We’ve explored the waterways of France on our own boat since 2003 and know each of the barges and their routes.
We’re independent, impartial and enthusiastic – and we are the only France cruising specialist that can offer you the benefits of our own in-depth cruising knowledge and experience.
We love France, we love the rivers and canals of France, we love hotel barging – and we love talking about all three!
There’s nothing like speaking to a friendly expert to help you see the wood for the trees and to make the best possible decision about the vacation cruise of a lifetime. Get in touch – we’re here to help.
We will use our unique
in-depth experience
to find you your
perfect barge cruise
