NORMANDY & BURGUNDY HIGHLIGHTS

Arrive at any time.

Enjoy an orientation walk in the morning to explore Dijon. Visit the Ducal Palace, the local market and the old town. In the afternoon, enjoy free time before transferring to the river barge and embarking the Danièle.

Cycle to Gevrey Chambertin, a small but well known Burgundy village. Enjoy wine tasting at the Château de Marsannay and continue to Côte du Nuit before meeting the barge in Longecourt-en-Plaine. This mostly flat route is the best way to see quintessential Burgundy.

Start the day with a walk around the beautiful lush gardens of Château de Longecourt, a typical Burgundy castle. Continue the morning walking along the canal stopping in small villages and looking at the various locks. Enjoy the Burgundy canal as we walk a 10km (6.2 mi) stretch of the canal between Longecourt and St-Jean-de-Losne. This afternoon, take in a presentation by a local winemaker and enjoy a horizontal tasting. Free time in the evening to visit Auxonne.

Have a relaxing morning on board, before a visit to the barge capital of St-Jean. Continue on to Seurre with some free time to explore on your own.

Spend the morning discovering the area around Seurre on foot. Return to the barge and continue towards Verdun-sur-le-Doubs with free time to explore.

Cycling along the Côte de Beaune, with stops in villages and vineyards along the way. Discover the vineyards of Meursault and Puligny Montrachet and stop to taste some wines. Opt to enjoy lunch in town before returning to the barge near Fragnes.

Transfer to Beaune, the historic wine capital of Burgundy. Enjoy a tour with a docent, exploring the Hospices of Beaune, a charitable hospital that has been funded by the annual wine auction for over 155 years. Delve into history and discuss the relationship of the hospice with the powerful wine merchants of Burgundy. Enjoy some free time to explore before catching the train to Paris.

Explore the historic covered Marché d’Aligre with a local chef and food expert. Rarely visited by tourists, this market is where locals come to shop for food. Meet vendors, enjoy tastings, and learn about the history of the market and the specialties offered here. The afternoon is free to explore the city on your own.

Enjoy the day free to explore Paris. Opt to visit museums, shop or take a river cruise.

Depart for Giverny to visit Claude Monet’s Garden, inspiration for the artist’s water-lily series and named as one of National Geographic’s “top 10 most magnificent gardens in the world.” Continue on to the pretty port town of Honfleur for a walk with your CEO and some free time. Arrive this evening in Bayeux and enjoy a welcome dinner at a local crêperie.

This morning we immerse ourselves in WWII history with a local, accredited expert. Begin with a lecture on the Allied invasion and visit a museum to view and handle WWII relics including vintage weapons, uniforms, and maps. Then board a WWII transport vehicle to visit Secqueville-en-Bessin War Cemetery to learn the significance of poppies, the ultimate emblem of military sacrifice. This afternoon continuing exploring with our CEO, visiting Omaha Beach, Pointe du Hoc, and the American cemetery and memorial.

Today enjoy an excursion to Mont-Saint-Michel, an island commune off the coast of Normandy. A UNESCO World Heritage site, the medieval fortress is considered one of the most stunning and imposing sites in Europe, with origins dating back to the 6th century. Take an orientation walk with our CEO then enjoy free time to explore. Opt to visit the abbey, monastery, or museums, or wander the winding lanes and cobblestone streets.

Enjoy a free day to explore Bayeux and its medieval centre. Wander its quaint streets to visit shops and cafes and opt to visit the cathedral and the famed Bayeux Tapestry.

Depart for the river port city of Rouen where we take an orientation walk with our CEO and enjoy some free time. Continue back to Paris where we visit the studio of renowned, National Geographic photographer Reza. Enjoy an exclusive behind the scenes tour with one of Reza’s assistants to learn about his work in conflict zones around the world and how his stunning photos make it from lens to page. After, enjoy some wine and cheese in this artistic setting; if we are lucky, we may even get to meet Reza.

Enjoy a morning walk with our CEO in the medieval centre of Paris; the Île de la Cité. Opt to visit inside Notre Dame, and the Sainte-Chapelle. Afterward, take advantage of free time to explore the city.

Depart at any time.