The Canal du Bourgogne and Burgundy Region
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The Canal du Bourgogne promises a voyage to discovery with some of the most beautiful treasures of cultural Burgundy along its path. From the river Yonne, it threads its way past the Château de Ancy-le-Franc, l'Abbaye de Fontenay, past Châteauneuf-en-Auxois through the picturesque Ouche valley and on to Dijon before joining the river Saône at St-Jean-de-Losne. The images are of vibrant fields of yellow rape, wooded hillsides, verdant pastures, fields of poppies and ripening wheat, lock houses brimming with geraniums and poplar trees lining the banks standing to attention. The canal is 242 km in length with 190 locks along the way running from Migennes to Dijon.
From April to October, the luxury hotel barges and cruisers journey up and down the canal, introducing their passengers to the gastronomy of the region, visiting the châteaux and places of interest. There's plenty of activity on the tow paths too, with cyclists, joggers and walkers
Boutique Hotel Barges is pleased to represent 5 luxury barges cruising in the Burgundy Region and on Canal du Bourgogne: Après Tout, C'est la Vie, Prospérité, Magnolia, Nymphea, Le Papillon, La Nouvelle Etoile, Finesse, La Vie en Rose, Renaissance, and Saroche.
Not every location listed below is included in a single week's barge cruise. Check the itinerary for your vessel and cruise date of choice for the visits scheduled for your group.
Dijon, the historic ancient capital of the Dukes of Burgundy, invites you to a feast of the senses! Famous for its beautiful architecture, colorful flag- and flower-bedecked streets, and of course, the mustard, Dijon offers many opportunities for exploring historic sites, visiting museums, and shopping.
Sample the excellent cheeses and wines of the Burgundy region at the bustling indoor 'Les Halles' style market, or spend an afternoon enjoying the regional cuisine during a leisurely lunch at one of the city's many fine restaurants and cafés.
In Dijon's restored medieval core you'll discover one of France's oldest museums, the Musée des Beaux-Arts, the elegant Palace of the Dukes, and the opulent 1614 Hôtel de Vogue mansion.
The lime- and chestnut-lined paths of Cours du Parc, which dates from the 17th Century, provide the perfect setting for a quiet afternoon stroll.
Read about Dijon's Les Halles Market on the BHB Blog.
Vandenesse is a picture-perfect Burgundian village of less than 350 residents. It is surrounded by rolling pastures and agricultural fields. The peace and beauty of the countryside provide ample opportunities for photographers to capture the pastoral charm of Burgundy.
The Côte-d'Or village of Gissey-sur-Oche is alive with the charm of Burgundy. Enjoy a stroll along the Canal or venture out along the many woodland pathways surrounding the village.
Founded in 1131 by an Englishman, Stephen Harding, third Abbot of Cîteaux, the Abbaye's origins are deeply rooted in the Cistercian Order's long tradition of humility, peace and hospitality.
Set in 15 acres of beautiful parkland, the old buildings have been transformed into a luxurious country house hotel where you can relax and enjoy the unique, refreshing atmosphere of this ancient place. The monks have long gone but Abbaye de la Bussière still retains an air of tranquillity, hard to find in the modern world.
Abbaye de la Bussière is just a short drive over the Hautes Côtes de Nuits to Nuits Saint Georges and the famous Côte d'Or vineyards, making it the ideal base for wine tours and tastings.
This charming winemaker's village is situated on the Route des Grands Crus in the Côte de Nuits. The village is noted for the Grand cru Burgundy wine that is produced from its vineyards.
Archaeological digs in Gevrey-Chambertin have uncovered evidence of Gallo-Roman vines dating back to the 1st Century BC. The outline of 120 vine stocks was discovered in 2008. This archaeological discovery corroborates with texts written by Pliny the Elder and Columella, making it credible that the Gallo-Roman vines in Gevrey-Chambertin were the first vines to be planted in Bourgogne.
Beaune is an ancient city, with a rich historical and architectural heritage. The settled area of Beaune dates from pre-Roman times, and its history extends through Medieval and Renaissance periods, up to current day. The town is surrounded by some of the world's most famous wine villages, with the facilities and cellars of many producers, large and small, situated in Beaune itself. It is considered the "Capital of Burgundy Wines".
Beaune is a walled city, with about half of the battlements, ramparts, and the moat having survived and in good condition. The central "old town" is extensive. There is a comprehensive "traditional" shopping area clustered around the central square, with a focus on gourmet food, fashion, and wine.
A major point of interest is the Hôtel-Dieu de Beaune, a hospital and refuge for the poor, which received its first patient on January 1, 1452. The elderly, disabled and sick people, women about to give birth, and the destitute have all been uninterruptedly welcomed for treatment and refuge, from the Middle Ages until today. It's beautiful pattered tile roof offers a wonderful opportunity for photography. It is also the location for an annual charity wine auction on the third Sunday in November, amid a three-day festival devoted to the food and wines of Burgundy called Les Trois Glorieuses.
Read more about Beaune on the BHB Blog.
Pont d'Ouche is a small village in Burgundy's Côte d'Or. Located on the slopes Saône over the Burgundy Canal where it makes a 120° turn back to the northwest, at one time Pont d'Ouche was an important port. This is the point at which the Ouche shares its valley with the Canal de Bourgogne. The village is dominated by more than 25 m viaduct. There is a well stocked shop and a café.
The part of the Burgundy Canal that flows through the Ouche Valley possesses a wild and quiet beauty - some place it in the top positions of the entire network of French waterways.
On a rocky outcrop, the imposing silhouette of the medieval castle still shows the defensive role was hers for centuries. Overlooking the Canal de Bourgogne, the fortress of Châteauneuf-en-Auxois is one of the last vestiges of the Burgundian military architecture of the fourteenth century. Go through the enclosure and dive into the heart of history!