CRUISE MAP
Burgundy
cruise Itinerary - Ancy-le-Franc to Auxerre
SUNDAY, Day 1 Paris to Ancy-le-Franc
Your chauffeur collects you from your Paris hotel at 2.00pm
for the drive to the "Savoir Faire", moored
at Ancy-le-Franc on the Burgundy Canal. Your host and
Captain, Chris, welcomes you aboard with a Champagne
Reception and an introduction to your crew and ship.
After a well deserved aperitif on deck you are served
your first of many splendid dinners aboard, prepared
by your very own master chef.
MONDAY. Day 2 Ancy-le-Franc to Tanlay
Fresh ground coffee and fluffy croissants and pastries
straight from the local baker - a delicious breakfast
sets us up for our gentle cruise past the beautiful 16th
century Renaissance palace and gardens of Chateau d'Ancy
le Franc, towards the picturesque village of Tanlay where
we moor overnight. There's plenty of opportunity to wander
or cycle ahead as the vessel descends through a series
of quaint hand operated locks. After a leisurely lunch
we stroll over to the 16th century Renaissance-style
Chateau de Tanlay, nestling serenely within this picturesque
village, which also boasts a challenging 9-hole golf
course (advance bookings required). The interior is luxuriously
furnished and decorated by some astonishing frescoes.
Dinner on board.
TUESDAY, Day 3 Tanlay to Tonnerre
After breakfast we take a short ride to the Chateau of
Ancy-le-Franc. This Renaissance jewel, set in the centre
of a large park on the banks of the canal, houses the
biggest collection of Renaissance murals in France making
Ancy-le-Franc a direct contender of Fontainebleau Palace.
The immense quadrilateral, which is a classified historic
monument, holds a rich decor attributed to some of the
most celebrated Italian, Flemish and Burgundy artists
of the 16th and 17th century. After lunch we cruise past
sleepy hamlets and cattle grazing by the canal banks.
Our cruise today takes us to Tonnerre, one of the few
places along the canal where you will find vineyards.
This town is the centre of a small wine growing area
of about 60 hectares producing excellent reds and roses
under the name "Bourgogne Epineuil". Of particular
interest is La Fosse Dionne. Situated in the centre of
the old town this natural spring, the second deepest
in France, has long mystified people and is well worth
a visit. In 1758 it was converted into a "Lavoire".
The most beautiful reminder of Tonnerre's past is the
old hospital, built in 1293 by Margueritte of Burgundy.
The chapel has a magnificent entombment, a masterpiece
of 15th century Burgundian art. Dinner on board
WEDNESDAY, Day 4 Tonnerre to St Florentin
An opportunity to visit the morning market before your
cruise along the Burgundy Canal. Today we visit one of
the great Cistercian monasteries of France. The Abbey
of Pontigny was founded in 1114. Charming and rather
understated on the outside, the great spaces of the interior
really are something special and not to be missed if
you are in northern Burgundy. More recently Pontigny
Abbey has also played an important role in French culture
- from 1922 to 1939 there was an annual get together
of the great European intellectuals of the time at the
abbey, including TS Eliot, Thomas Mann and Jean Paul
Sartre. Let's not forget the Cistercian monks of Pontigny
Abbey, who first planted vines in the Chablis region.
Dinner on board.
THURSDAY, Day 5 St Florentin to Gurgy
We begin our cruise along the final stretch of the Burgundy
Canal before we join the river Yonne, which winds its
way upstream to the riverside town of Auxerre. Locks
with sloping walls and electric gates make for stark
contrast to those quaint hand operated gates on the Burgundy
Canal. Before lunch your tour guide drives you to the
world famous town of Chablis where you'll take a tour
of the ancient press and cellars of Domaine Laroche,
followed by a wine tasting of their various fine vintages.
After seeing Chablis we drive a short distance to a beautiful
secluded spot where you can enjoy a panoramic vista of
the Grand Cru vineyards and the surrounding countryside.
Your chef has prepared a surprise picnic with offerings
worthy of a King's table. Great wine, great food and
the companionship of friends and loved ones make for
the perfect setting. Fully replenished we return to the "Savoir
Faire" to continue our cruise to the sleepy riverside
hamlet of Gurgy, where we moor overnight. Dinner on board.
FRIDAY, Day 6 Gurgy to Auxerre
Our cruise this morning takes us to our final destination
and what is undoubtedly one of the prettiest towns in
France. Auxerre, the capital of lower Burgundy, is situated
in the heart of a wine growing region most famous for
its Chablis wine. The success of this thriving town is
celebrated by architectural jewels such as the ornately
painted 15th century Clock Tower, the soaring Gothic
cathedrals of Saint Germain and Saint Stephen and an
abundance of ornate Renaissance houses bordering tree
lined squares. Every street offers a golden opportunity
for the aspiring photographer. After lunch your tour
guide is at hand to show you around this delightful town.
Relax before dinner with a drink from the bar and enjoy
the best view in town from the panoramic deck of the "Savoir
Faire". Tonight your chef adorns your table with
a special Farewell Dinner. Candlelit crystal and gleaming
silverware add to the romantic ambiance of your celebration.
Laughter, great times and the warmth of friendship contribute
to those "Golden Memories" that last a lifetime.
SATURDAY, Day 7 Auxerre to Paris
Finally time to say farewell to the Savoir Faire and her
Captain and crew, but not before a rather special breakfast.
Leave the barge by 9.30am and transfer to Paris.
On alternate weeks the cruise is in the reverse direction.
This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change.
SAVOIR
FAIRE - EXTENDED THREE COUNTRY CRUISE-15th May & 16th
October 2011 Departures
Amsterdam to Paris
CRUISE MAP
Sunday, Day 1 Amsterdam to
Ouderkerk
Guests are met at their hotel in Amsterdam at 2pm (Pickup
at Schiphol Airport can also be arranged) and driven to
the Savoir Faire for a champagne welcome and a cruise through
the heart of the city to the quaint little town of Ouderkerk.
Captains Welcome Dinner onboard.
Monday, Day 2 Ouderkirk to Gouda
Morning cruise along the canals to the town of Gouda,
famous for its cheese. Afternoon visit to the Keukenhof
Gardens, the largest display of flowers in the world. Here
you will see hundreds of varieties of tulips, hyacinths
and other bulbs. After we return to the Savoir Faire there
will be time for a stroll around Gouda where we will find
the most magnificent stained glass windows in Holland.
Tuesday, Day 3 Gouda to Wilemstad
A
cruise out of Gouda to the river Ijssel and across the Holland’s
Diep, part of the Dutch estuaries, to the charming old
fortress town of Wilemstad. This town is preserved
in its original state, with windmill dykes, an old church
and a 15th century arsenal. There will be an optional visit
to the famous Delta Project which is one of the greatest
feats of water engineering in the world involving damming
the great estuaries.
Wednesday, Day 4 Wilemstad to Antwerp
Today we will leave Holland and cross the border into
Belgium and travel to Antwerp. Antwerp is the city of Rubens,
where we can take a tour of Rubens' house, then a walk
in the old quarter of this beautiful Flemish city.
Thursday, Day 5 Antwerp to Ghent
We
catch the flood tide up the winding "Sea Schelde" which
takes us to the town of Ghent. You will have plenty of
time to visit this beautiful town in the afternoon.
Friday, Day 6 Ghent to Bruges
You
cannot pass through this part of the world without a visit
to the
beautiful little town of Bruges, known as
the "Venice of the North". The chef will pack
a picnic lunch, so there will be plenty of time to explore
the many museums, buy some of the handmade lace or take
a boat trip in the small canals that wander through the
town. Rejoin the Savoir Faire in late afternoon to cruise
along the river Schelde to the French/Belgian frontier.
Saturday, Day 7 Bruges to Arleux
Guests who have selected 6 nights will be transferred
to Brussels Airport or Ghent by about 11am. After clearing
customs at the frontier, (a simple formality), the Savoir
Faire continues along the river Schelde, through the town
of Valenciennes to the junction of Canal du Nord at the
little French village of Arleux. The cars will take guests
to Valenciennes along the way.
Sunday, Day 8 Arleux to The Vermandois Hills
The Savoir Faire begins her climb over the Vermandois
Hills of Picardie through the many locks and several tunnels
of the Canal du Nord. The scenery is splendid - rural France
at her best, and a good tow path allows guests to walk
between locks. After lunch, the cars take an excursion
to Amiens to visit what must be one of the greatest of
all the Gothic cathedrals with its powerful, towering columns.
Monday, Day 9 The Vermandois Hills to Compiegne
The cruise continues along the Canal du Nord as it drops
down into the valley of the river Somme; a short trip on
the Somme before climbing over another watershed and down
to the valley of the river Oise to moor in the riverside
town of Compiegne. There are many places to visit, including
the train where the World War I Armistice was signed, as
well as the Royal Palace.
Tuesday, Day 10 Compiegne to Pontoise
As the Savoir Faire continues down the lovely Oise River,
guests are taken on an afternoon excursion to the old Roman
town of Senlis with its quaint narrow streets, ancient
churches and interesting museums, rejoining the Savoir
Faire for an evening cruise to the river town of Pontoise.
Wednesday, Day 11 Giverny
Loaded down with a picnic lunch, deck chairs and tables,
the cars take guests on a day excursion to Giverny to visit
the home and gardens of the Impressionist, Claude Monet.
The gardens should be at their best at this time of the
year, and we can visit the water lily pond and the Japanese
bridge that inspired so many of Monet's paintings. Moor
for the night in Pontoise.
Thursday, Day 12 Pontoise to Paris
Cruise to Bougival in the morning and visit Malmaison,
the home of Napoleon, its many rooms lavishly furnished
by Josephine. Guests rejoin the Savoir Faire for an evening
cruise into Paris and we moor in the heart of Paris, beside
the Place de la Concorde.
Friday, Day 13 Paris
A day moored in Paris with a chance for guests to tour
and shop in Paris Centre. Your guide will be available
to accompany through Paris. Farewell Gala Dinner on board.
Saturday, Day 14 Paris
After breakfast guests are driven to Paris.
This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change.
In October the cruise is in the reverse direction.
European
Waterways - Savoir Faire Hotel Barge 2011 Rates 
