We will use our unique
in-depth experience
to find you your
perfect barge cruise
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Summary
A beautiful barge for up to 12 guests cruising in glorious southern Burgundy. She is richly decorated, with a wood-panelled saloon and upper and lower deck dining tables on which to savour the delicious regional dishes and fine wines served on board. Relax on deck or take a bike and explore the towpaths and waterside villages in this sought-after region.
L’Impressionniste is also able to offer themed cruises and occasional Wine Appreciation weeks. Taste and learn about the glorious wines of the Burgundy region from an expert sommelier during your cruise.
Key Features
- Excellence class (4*)
- Canal du Bourgogne, Cote D’Or
- Charter and cabin bookings, 6 nights, 7 days, March to October
- 12 guests / 6 suites
- Themed cruises available and Biking Plus
- Full board, on-board dining
- Sun deck with spa tub
The Classic Cruise — L’Impressionniste
Classic Cruise Itinerary
| Route | Between Fleurey-sur-Ouche to Escommes, Canal de Bourgogne |
| Pick-up | Central Paris hotel |
| Dining | Dining programme: All inclusive | 6 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 6 diners on board. One lunch in local restaurant |
Classic Cruise Highlights
- Wine tastings of famous Burgundy domaines
- Visit to Clos de Vougeot, home of the Chevaliers du Tastevin
- Walking tour of Dijon
- Explore Beaune and the Hôtel-Dieu Hospice with gastronomic lunch
- Visit to medieval Châteauneuf-en-Auxois
- Tow-path for walking, cycling and Biking Plus option
Themed cruises
Wine Appreciation
Join this small convivial group for private vineyards tours and tastings at the famous châteaux of the Côte d’Or and surrounding region. This book-by-cabin week is available on 12 April 2021.
Themed cruises for charter groups are also available for Family, Golf and Culinary charter cruises. Extra supplements apply.
Please enquire.
Day 1 — Sunday
Arrival at Fleurey-sur-Ouche
Your guide will collect you from the Hotel Westminster in Paris for transfer by private chauffeured minibus to L’Impressionniste, currently moored at Fleurey-sur-Ouche. Over a delicious and refreshing champagne reception, meet the captain and crew and take time to settle in before your first gourmet dinner on board.
Day 2 — Monday
Cruise to Sainte-Marie-sur-Ouche
The first day’s cruise along this enchanting canal also offers a walk or cycle along the towpath. You might like to try the Biking Plus option available aboard this barge. After lunch on board Impressionniste there’s a visit Clos de Vougeot, headquarters of the esteemed Chevaliers du Tastevin, who award a special prized label to the finest Côte d‘Or vintages every year. Then, on the way back to Impressionniste enjoy a tour of the cellars and a private tasting of fine Burgundy wines at another long-established domaine.
Day 3 — Tuesday
Cruise to La Bussière
After breakfast, enjoy a walking tour of old Dijon, capital city of the Burgundy region. Visit the produce markets, mustard shops and the impressive Notre-Dame de Dijon, a Roman Catholic church, considered to be a masterpiece of 13th-century Gothic architecture. Return to the hotel barge for lunch and a leisurely afternoon cruise to the village of La Bussière sur Ouche and perhaps a walk or bicycle ride.
Day 4 — Wednesday
Cruise to Pont d’Ouche
After a short morning cruise, we set off on a drive through the slopes of the UNESCO-listed vineyards of the Côte de Beaune. Here, our expert guide will offer an insight into the production of the region’s finest Premier and Grand Cru wines. We continue to Beaune – the capital of the Burgundy wine country, for a private tour and tasting at the renowned Domaine Chanson. The tour includes its medieval Bastion de l’Oratoire, a 15th century defence tower whose 25-foot-thick walls now maintain the perfect temperature for ageing wine. This is followed by a private gastronomic lunch in the domaine’s chateau.
Afterwards, we visit the fascinating Hôtel-Dieu Hospice with time to explore the town, before returning for a short evening cruise to Pont d’Ouche. Dinner on board.
Day 5 — Thursday
Cruise to Vandenesse
After breakfast, cruise to Vandenesse-en-Auxois, passing grazing white Charolais cattle, rolling hills and picturesque villages, crossing the only aqueduct on the Burgundy Canal. After lunch on board, a visit to the medieval village, craft shops and castle of Châteauneuf-en-Auxois, once an outpost of the Dukes of Burgundy with fine views of the feeder lakes for the canal and the surrounding countryside.
Day 6 — Friday
Cruise to Escommes
The last day’s leisurely cruise is up to the canal summit, 1,250 feet above sea level, just before the Pouilly tunnel. After an early lunch, visit the moat-encircled Château de Commarin to be treated to a private demonstration of the medieval sport of falconry. Afterwards, meet Count Bertrand de Vogue, the current resident, who will give a fascinating insight into the Château’s history and a private tour of the building. Farewell dinner on board.
Day 7 — Saturday
Departure from Escommes
After breakfast, disembark the barge at 10am for transfer back to the Hotel Westminster in Paris.
This itinerary is subject to change and on alternate weeks the cruise is in the reverse direction.
“The cruise was magnificent and could not have gone better…We had a lot of fun with our cruise mates. There is a lot of potential for things not to go so well when you put eight to twelve people in a small box with an open bar for a week, but all went well. We enjoyed all of them and they all seemed to enjoy the company of each other. You folks at French Waterways, the peniche, the crew – everything was so good and so well done that we’re kind of reluctant to consider another cruise at the risk of having a second-best experience!”
R.C USA, June 2023
Accommodations and Facilities
- Dimensions: 126ft (38.4m) x 16ft 6″ (5.05m)
- Junior suites are approx 150 sq ft; Staterooms are 115 sq ft
- All suites have twin or double beds
- Cabins have opening windows and air-conditioning
Other items on board
- Professional English-speaking crew of 6 – Captain, Master Chef, Tour Guide, Deck Hand/Steward and two Hosts/Hostesses
- Small library of books and maps
- Collection of board games and boules
- Nordic walking sticks (on request)
- Hi-Fi System, CDs and player, radio and iPod docking station.
- Wifi (limited in remote countryside)
- 12 bikes
- Air-conditioned minibuses for transfers and excursions
Facilities At A Glance
Fine Wines — Fine Dining
All meals on board are freshly prepared by your chef and most meals are a set-menu (there is no choice available). However, vegetarian, pescatarian and vegan dishes, and non-allergenic dishes, can be served given at least 8 weeks notice prior to your departure date.
Breakfast: wholesome and balanced variety of breakfast foods, along with fresh breads & pastries, freshly-squeezed orange juice and hot beverages.
Lunch: regional specialities, accompanied by a selection of quality wines.
Dinner: a candlelit four-course gourmet experience.
Captain’s farewell dinner is held on the last night. Guests may choose to dress slightly formal.
Regional Specialities
Magret de Canard au Ratafia de Bourgogne Poulet à L’Estragon
Filet de Boeuf Charolais avec Sauce Epoisses cheese
Aisy Cendré; Bouton de Culotte; Epoisses; Ami du Chambertin; Le Petit Vougeot
Photo Gallery
Hotel barge L'Impressionniste cruises in the Burgundy region
– [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 Paris
All meals and drinks on board
Excursion fees, tour guide and associated transport
What’s not included
Air fares to and within France
Travel, medical and cancellation insurance
Crew gratuities (5-10%)
Personal expenses
2023
Charter and Cabin bookings
Sunday to Saturday
Rates and dates
Value rate weeks
April 2, 9, 16, 23
July 16, 23, 30
August 6, 13, 20
October 8, 15, 22
8 guest charter: 60.200 USD
9 guest charter: 62,200 USD
10 guest charter: 63,800 USD
11 guest charter: 65,400 USD
12 guest charter: 67,000 USD
Per Cabin bookings
Stateroom Double Cabin: 5,950 USD per person
Junior Suite Double Cabin: 6,390 USD per person
Single Occupancy Supplement: 2,200 USD
Regular rate weeks
April 30
May 7, 14, 21, 28
June 4, 11, 18, 25
July 2, 9
August 27
September 3, 10, 17, 24
October 1
8 guest charter: 70,000 USD
9 guest charter: 72,300 USD
10 guest charter: 74,200 USD
11 guest charter: 76,100 USD
12 guest charter: 78,000 USD
Per Cabin bookings
Stateroom Double Cabin: 6,950 USD per person
Junior Suite Double Cabin: 7,490 USD per person
Single Occupancy Supplement: 2,500 USD
These USD prices are for US and Canadian residents only.
Pricing is available in GBP for UK residents only, and in EUR for residents from all other countries.
Please enquire.
2024
Charter and Cabin bookings
Sunday to Saturday
Rates and dates
Value rate weeks
March 31
April 4, 14, 21
July 21, 28
August 4, 11, 18
October 6, 13, 20
8 guest charter: 64,900 USD
9 guest charter: 67,100 USD
10 guest charter: 68,900 USD
11 guest charter: 70,700 USD
12 guest charter: 72,500 USD
Per Cabin bookings
Stateroom Double Cabin: 6,450 USD per person
Junior Suite Double Cabin: 6,950 USD per person
Single Occupancy Supplement: 2,400 USD
Regular rate weeks
April 28
May 5, 12, 19, 26
June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
July 7, 14
August 25
September 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
8 guest charter: 75,700 USD
9 guest charter: 78,200 USD
10 guest charter: 80,300 USD
11 guest charter: 82,400 USD
12 guest charter: 84,500 USD
Per Cabin bookings
Stateroom Double Cabin: 7,4900 USD per person
Junior Suite Double Cabin: 7,990 USD per person
Single Occupancy Supplement: 2,700 USD
These USD prices are for US and Canadian residents only.
Pricing is available in GBP for UK residents only, and in EUR for residents from all other countries.
Please enquire.
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
