Ultra Deluxe | 8 Passengers | 5 Crew
- 127 Feet Long
- 4 Twin/Double Suites (265sq ft incl. en suite)
- Spa Pool
- Air-Conditioned / Centrally Heated
- Demonstration Open Gallery
Hotel Finesse Barge Cruise
Finesse - Southern Burgundy Cruise
Hotel Finesse Barge Cruise
Cozy sun deck of Barge Finesse
Relaxing Barge Finesse spa pool
Overview
Hotel Barge Finesse is a luxurious double-decker vessel designed for comfort and style, offering spacious cabin suites and elegant public areas. The contemporary saloon features panoramic windows that maximise natural light, while the open-plan demonstration galley allows guests to watch the chef at work. The large sun deck includes alfresco dining, comfortable seating, and a spa pool. Cruising through Southern Burgundy, Finesse offers private wine tastings, a visit to Beaune’s Hôtel-Dieu, a tour of Autun’s Roman amphitheatre, and exclusive dining in the cellars of Maison Champy.
Itinerary
Deck Hotel Barge Finesse
Day 1 Paris St-Julien-sur-Dheune
Guests are met in Paris** and transferred by air-conditioned minibus to Finesse for a champagne welcome and the opportunity to meet the crew. Then there is time to wander along the towpath to admire the classic Burgundy scenery before dinner on board.
Overnight stay onboard Hotel Barge Finesse in a Suite.
Selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages included.
Dinner
Day 2 St-Julien-sur-Dheune St-Léger-sur-Dheune
This morning, begin your voyage through Southern Burgundy along the Canal du Centre through undulating countryside to moor at the little village of St-Leger-sur-Dheune. Descend a series of 11 locks while cruising past the villages along the way.
After lunch on board, visit the 14th century Château de Germolles, the best preserved of the residences of the Dukes of Burgundy, with its ducal chapel, medieval wall paintings and romantic gardens Dinner on board.
Overnight stay onboard Hotel Barge Finesse in a Suite.
Selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages included.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Germolles
Day 3 St-Léger-sur-Dheune Remigny
This morning, head to Autun, founded by the Romans as Augustodunum it has retained many of its original Antique monuments such as Roman gates, ruins of a Temple and a 17,000 seat amphitheatre. Return to the barge for lunch, then cruise to the rural setting of Remigny, passing picturesque Burgundian villages such as the famous wine-producing village of Santenay. Dinner on board.
Overnight stay onboard Hotel Barge Finesse in a Suite.
Selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages included.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Clos de Vougeot
Day 4 Remigny Rully
After breakfast, set off on a drive through the UNESCO-listed Côte de Beaune vineyards to the town of Beaune itself, which is the capital of Burgundy’s wine country. First stop will be a visit to the oldest winemakers in Burgundy, Maison Champy. You will enjoy a private tour of the wine cellars and experience a wine tasting, learning from an expert about the production of the region’s finest Premier and Grand Cru wines.
A private lunch is served in a unique dining venue, which has been created from one of the winery’s historic large wooden wine vats or “cuves”. Then go on to visit the stunning 15th century Hôtel-Dieu Hospice and return to the barge for an afternoon cruise past the charming little town of Chagny, to your mooring near the village of Rully. Dinner on board.
Overnight stay onboard Hotel Barge Finesse in a Suite.
Selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages included.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Beaune
Day 5 Rully Fragnes
This morning, continue our cruise along the Canal du Centre at a leisurely pace to moor at the village of Fragnes. There are perfect opportunities to walk or cycle along the towpath en route.
The afternoon excursion is a leisurely walk or cycle (weather permitting) to the renowned Santenay domaine, Jean Baptiste Jessiaume. A short drives takes guests on a guided visit to the family ‘Clos’ or vineyard with a family member, followed by a cellar tour and a private tasting of their biodynamic wines hosted by a member of the Jessiaume family. The wines are accompanied by a selection of gougères – a classic Burgundian savoury choux pastry delicacy. Dinner on board
Overnight stay onboard Hotel Barge Finesse in a Suite.
Selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages included.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 Fragnes Chalon-sur-Saône
This morning, visit the wall-enclosed vineyard of Clos de Vougeot, headquarters of the esteemed Chevaliers du Tastevin (translates as “Fraternity of Knights of the Wine-Tasting Cup”), who award a special prized label to the finest Côte d‘Or vintages every year. Here, you’ll enjoy a tour of the iconic cellars.
Continue along the Route des Grands Cru through the Côte de Nuits to stop at the prestigious vineyard of Romanée Conti for a brief history on the significance of its wines. Back on board Finesse, you’ll make your final cruise of the week, passing through the last lock on the canal which lowers us an impressive 35 feet. Then head out onto the peaceful River Saône and turn downstream to our mooring at Chalon-sur-Saône with its elegant waterfront, imposing cathedral, and opportunities for some last-minute shopping. Captain’s Farewell Dinner on board.
Overnight stay onboard Hotel Barge Finesse in a Suite.
Selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages included. ***On Friday afternoon, charter groups might wish to visit Dijon with its Cathedral and mustard shops instead of Clos de Vougeot. This can be discussed with the Captain once onboard.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Farewell Dinner
Day 7 Chalon-sur-Saône Paris
After breakfast, you are transferred by private chauffeured minibus to your choice of location in Paris.
Breakfast
