Burgundy Cruises » Magnolia
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Magnolia is a classic French peniche built in1956 and converted in 2014 to a spacious luxury hotel barge accommodating 6 passengers. Owners, Magali and Nicolas Rancelot, have years of experience in the hotel barging industry, providing their guests with a wonderful experience, cruising through the Burgundy Canal and Ouche Valley.
From begining to end our cruise on the Magnolia exceeded all expectations. Immediately we felt relaxed by the warm welcome from Magali and Nicolas. Bike riding, exploring the villages, cafes and local sights with a flexible schedule. Superb accommodation, facilities onboard, wonderful experience. We will be recommending it to all our friends.
Karen & Peter, Annie & John, Australia
Discover the rich landscape of Burgundy aboard Magnolia, as it cruises along the meandering Canal du Bourgogne through the picturesque Ouche valley.
Magnolia's owners, Magali and Nicolas Rancelot, have years of experience in the hotel barging industry. They will ensure your comfort and well being throughout your stay onboard the Magnolia. They are happy to share their love of barging with you, making your vacation a unique experience.
Magnolia is a spacious barge, originally built in 1956 and converted into a luxury hotel barge in 2014. Designed with both comfort and contemporary style, Magnolia offers a large lounge and dinning room, equipped with TV, DVD, library, iPod dock, and Wifi. There are accomodations for up to 6 guests in two double-beded cabins, and a twin or double-bedded suite, each with large ensuite bath.
Two sundecks, one with deck furniture and outside demonstration kitchen, the second one has a spa and is accessible directly from the cabins corridor.
Bicycles are provided to explore this beautiful region of France, or Magnolia's qualified tour guide will drive you in the mini-van to visit historical châteaux, famous vineyards, and the fascinating towns and villages of Burgundy.
Magnolia offers three and six day cruises, half board or full board, for 4-6 passenger private charters, as well as individual cabin bookings for select weeks.
The Navigating Gite is a new concept where guests take care of their own meals, while the crew is in charge of the navigation. A fully equipped kitchen is available, and the crew assists with shopping. If you don't feel like cooking, you will find restaurants nearby the cruising route.
The cruise route is from Dijon to Escommes, or reverse. Six touring bikes are available for cyclying through the Burgundy countryside. As an option for an additional fee, Magnolia's experienced tour guide and mini van will provide exucrusions around the Ouche valley.
This cruise option is available for six passenger private charters only, between April 14 and August 31.
The intinerary runs in opposite direction on alternate weeks
Saturday
Dijon to Plombières
You are met at the Dijon train station at 3:00 pm and transfered to Mirage, where you are welcomed aboard with a toast. The crew will help you get settled in before setting off on a cocktail cruise to Plombières, where we will moor for the evening. Your personal chef will prepare dinner, which is served on deck when weather permits.
Sunday
Plombières to Fleurey sur Ouche
This morning, following a continental breakfast, Magnolia cruises to Fleurey sur Ouche. Relax on deck and watch the scenery as you glides by, or cycle along on the canal towpath for a bit of exercise. Lunch is served onboard.
In the afternoon you will visit Clos de Vougeot, headquarters of the Chevaliers du Tastevin, built in the 12th Century by the monks of Citeaux. Before returning to Magnolia for dinner, enjoy wine tasting in Vosne-Romanée at Armelle Rion, a family-owned domaine.
Monday
Fleurey sur Ouche to Lock 34
Magnolia takes a morning cruise, navigating through 8 locks, and mooring at Lock 34. Following lunch served onboard, you'll visit the Chateau l'Or des Valois, where you'll have the exciting opportunity to go truffle hunting with specially trained 'truffle dogs' and have a taste of this rare treat. Return to the barge for dinner onboard.
Tuesday
Lock 34 to La Bussière
This morning Chef will accompany you to the fabulous Les Halles market in Dijon, where he will help with selecting ingredients for your lunch. After enjoying the sites of this colorful city, the Capital of the Dukes you'll return to Magnolia where Chef will prepare lunch à la planch on deck in the outdoor kitchen.
Following lunch, you'll cruise to La Bussière, navigating through 8 locks. Enjoy the afternoon lounging on deck, cycling on the towpath, or walking alongside the barge between locks. Dinner is served onboard.
Wednesday
La Bussière to Pont d'Ouche
Enjoy a relaxing morning cruising through 6 locks to Pont d'Ouche. An excursion to Beaune follows lunch. Beaune is an ancient city, whose settlement pre-dates Roman times. About half of the battlements, ramparts, and moat of the Medieval walled city remaining intact. You'll visit L'Hôtel-Dieu, a hospital and refuge for the poor, which received its first patient on January 1, 1452. Its beautiful patterned tile roof, a style unique to the Burgundy region, offers a wonderful opportunity for photography, as does the interior, with breathtaking stained glass and ornate woodwork.
Return to Magnolia for dinner onboard.
Thursday
Pont d'Ouche to Escommes
This morning Magnolia cruises through 19 locks, mooring in Escommes. After lunch onboard, you'll visit Chateauneuf en Auxois, a 12th Century castle with surrounding medieval village. A festive farewell dinner awaits you back at Magnolia.
Friday
After breakfast, you'll disembark and transfer to the Dijon train station.
The intinerary runs in opposite direction on alternate weeks
All meals served onboard are included in fare. Meals onshore that are at passengers' expense are noted in the itinerary.
Saturday
Dijon to Plombières
You are met at the Dijon train station at 3:00 pm and transfered to Mirage, where you are welcomed aboard with a toast. The crew will help you get settled in before setting off on a cocktail cruise to Plombières, where we will moor for the evening. Your personal chef will prepare dinner, which is served on deck when weather permits.
Sunday
Plombières to Fleurey sur Ouche
This morning, following a continental breakfast, you'll take visit the Chateau l'Or des Valois, where you'll have the exciting opportunity to go truffle hunting with specially trained 'truffle dogs' and have a taste of this rare treat, with lunch served at the truffle farm. (Lunch is included in your fare)
In the afternoon, Magnolia cruises to Fleurey sur Ouche. Relax on deck and watch the scenery as you glide by, or cycle along on the canal towpath for a bit of exercise. Lunch is served onboard.
Dinner is served onboard.
Monday
Fleurey sur Ouche to Lock 34
Magnolia takes a morning cruise, navigating through 8 locks, and mooring at Lock 34. Following lunch served onboard, you'll visit a family domaine, Armelle Rion in Vosne Romanée, where we will have a prestigious tasting of the grand cru Clos de Vougeot.
Dinner at Lock 34, an authentic lock house converted into a welcoming guinguette where you will enjoy the owner's original cuisine. (Dinner is at passenger's expense.)
Tuesday
Lock 34 to La Bussière
This morning Chef will accompany you to the fabulous Les Halles market in Dijon, where he will help with selecting ingredients for your lunch. After enjoying the sites of this colorful city, the 'Capital of the Dukes', you'll return to Magnolia where Chef will prepare lunch à la planch on deck in the outdoor kitchen.
Following lunch, on board, you'll cruise to La Bussière, navigating through 8 locks. Enjoy the afternoon lounging on deck, cycling on the towpath, or walking alongside the barge between locks.
Dinner at l'Abbaye de La Bussière or in Barbirey sur Ouche. (Dinner is at passenger's expense.)
Wednesday
La Bussière to Pont d'Ouche
Enjoy a relaxing morning cruising through 6 locks to Pont d'Ouche. Lunch ashore in Pont d'Ouche or at the Chateau de Sainte Sabine. (at guest's expense). An excursion to Beaune follows lunch. Beaune is an ancient city, whose settlement pre-dates Roman times. About half of the battlements, ramparts, and moat of the Medieval walled city remaining intact. You'll visit L'Hôtel-Dieu, a hospital and refuge for the poor, which received its first patient on January 1, 1452. Its beautiful patterned tile roof, a style unique to the Burgundy region, offers a wonderful opportunity for photography, as does the interior, with breathtaking stained glass and ornate woodwork.
An authentic French home-cooked dinner hosted by a local family. (Dinner is included in fare.)
Thursday
Pont d'Ouche - Escommes
This morning Magnolia cruises through 19 locks, mooring in Escommes. Lunch is in Chateauneuf or "Chez Lucotte", traditional French restaurant in Vandenesse en Auxois.(at guest's expense)
After lunch onboard, you'll visit Chateauneuf en Auxois, a 12th Century castle with surrounding medieval village. A festive farewell dinner awaits you back at Magnolia.Friday
After breakfast, you'll disembark and transfer to the Dijon train station.
The Navigating Gite is a new concept where guests perpare their own meals, take care of bed-making and clean up, while the crew is in charge of the navigation. A fully equipped kitchen is available and the crew will assist with food shopping, although the purchase of supplies is at your expense. If you don't feel like cooking, you will find restaurants nearby the cruising route. Bicycles are onboard for touring. Also available, as an option for an additional fee, are guided tours with a qualified tour guide in Magnolia's minivan. The Navigating Gite cruise is only available for 6 passenger private charters, between April 14 and August 31, 2019
Magnolia has a fully equipped kitchen, and onboard chef preparing beautifully presented, delicious French cuisine for full and half-board cruise meals. There is also an open-air kitchen deskside, where you can enjoy watching Chef prepare lunch with ingredients you select at the Dijon market.
Passengers have full use of the kitchen for self catering Navigating Gite cruises.
Full Board Private Charter
6 Passengers: US$ 39,000
5 Passengers: US$ 34,500
4 Passengers: US$ 28,800
Included with full board charter:
transfers from and to Dijon train station and the barge, full continental breakfasts, lunches and dinners onboard, open bar, bicycles, guided tours with a mini-van.
