Spectacular South West and Barging Through Burgundy

This evening we meet in Paris for welcome drinks. Our hotel is a centrally located, four star hotel, close to restaurants, historic sights and shops.

Today we leave by the fast train to the city of Bordeaux, where we are met by our private 22 seater bus and driven to the village of St Emilion. Our accommodation is a four star luxury hotel in the heart of the vineyards of St Emilion. During your stay here we can enjoy the magic of a 19th century château and its luxurious annexes, discover the gastronomy of Southwest France accompanied by great growth wines, and pamper yourself in the spa!

This evening we enjoy a 3 course dinner in the lovely hotel restaurant. (B, D)

Today we discover the village of St Emilion and its fascinating history with a guided tour of the village – including the grotto of the monk Emilion, the Trinity Chapel, Catacombs and the monolithic church which is one of the largest in Europe. Free time will be allowed for lunch before returning to the chateau for an afternoon of relaxation and pampering if you would like to indulge in a spa treatment!

This evening we enjoy a 3 course dinner in the lovely hotel restaurant. (B, D)

This morning we enjoy a unqiue experience becoming oenologists ourselves at Pomerol, a few kilometres from St Emilion. Using three varieties of grapes, in this entertaining workshop we will try and produce as closely as possible the sample proposed. Successful or not, you will take home your bottle, labelled just for you!

For lunch we visit a Grand Cru Classé estate and enjoy regional specialties paired with their excellent wines. Afterwards, we depart by bus to our home for the next 5 days, Sarlat-La-Caneda. Sarlat is an exquisite restored medieval town set amid forested hills. The town is a seductive tangle of golden cobblestone alleys that are off-limits to cars, and peppered with beautiful buildings and tempting shops! Warmly lit at night, the town is perfect for after dinner strolls.

Our hotel is a charming 3 star residence five minutes walk from the centre of historic Sarlat, offering tastefully decorated rooms, bar and swimming pool and the freedom to wander the village in the evenings, choosing your restaurant from the wide variety available. (B, L)

This morning we will explore Sarlat on foot, our walking tour taking in the medieval cathedral, the “Lantern of the Dead”, and the historic homes surrounding the picturesque Place des Oies. Today is market day and the colourful atmosphere makes the tour even more enjoyable.

After lunch a visit to the C12 Chateau of Castelnaud, with its fascinating medieval military museum and stunning views over the Dordogne Valley. Afterwards we take the scenic route along the Dordogne River to the feudal village of Beynac, tumbling down a steep hill from its massive castle to the river far below. Some of the film “Chocolat” was filmed here. We discover the fascinating history of both these castles, linked with the Hundred Years’ War between England and France. This evening the first of our gastronomic treats as we dine at the beautiful “Le Presidial” restaurant in Sarlat. You are eating in what was once the Royal Court in the 16th century! (B,D)

This morning we visit the beautiful riverside village of La Roque Gageac , classified as one of the plus beaux villages de France. Our visit here includes an hour cruising on a “Gabare” or traditional Dordogne river boat, so that you can enjoy the wonderful views of the village and castles from the river.

A highlight of our day today is a gourmet lunch at the undiscovered village of St. Chamassy – our restaurant is a well guarded secret by the locals – many of our guests comment that this is the most memorable meal they have ever had (and no tourists know about it)! (B, L)

Today we travel to the spectacular historic village of Rocamadour, an ancient pilgrimage centre steeped in history. Famous visitors to this religious shrine (part of the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela) included Eleanor of Aquitane, Richard the Lionheart and Henry Plantagenet. Enjoy lunch at your leisure at any one of the numerous cafes and restaurants in the village, many with spectacular views over the Alzou Valley.

The Dordogne region is famous for its prehistoric caves and cave paintings, and this afternoon we visit the Grotte de Peche-Merle, one of the last caves in Europe with prehistoric paintings still open to the public. We tour with an expert guide who will show us this incredible display of bison and reindeer in reddish hues, dating back 15,000 years. This visit is a fascinating experience and one whose days are numbered due to the growing need to protect this treasure. (B)

Today we leave Sarlat and the Dordogne for Burgundy. This is a relatively long bus ride during which we stop for refreshments and lunch. We also stop to visit one of the most powerful sites in France – the memorial village of Oradour-Sur-Glane. This village was tragically machine gunned and burned on June 10th, 1944 by Nazi troops and nearly every one of the 644 residents killed. Today the ghost town, left untouched for 60 years, so that the village is exactly as it remained after the Germans' departure, greets every pilgrim who enters with one English word: Remember.

Late afternoon we arrive at our next destination – in Burgundy, your first sight of the “Belle Epoque” moored at the side of the canal will fill you with anticipation for the week ahead! The Captain and crew await us with a Champagne welcome. We then have time for a stroll through the logging capital of Clamecy before our first mouth watering dinner aboard (B, D)

After leaving Clamecy we enjoy a morning cruise through beautiful lush green countryside. As in all the days ahead, you have the opportunity to ride one of the bikes provided or walk along the tow path, hopping on and off as you wish when we stop at the numerous locks. If exercise doesn’t appeal, simply relax on deck and watch the world go by, enjoying a cup of tea or coffee (or whatever takes your fancy!) in the sunshine. In the afternoon we visit the fabulous Chateau de Bazoches, home of Maréchal Vauban, a very famous French figure who was Louis IV’s chief military engineer and responsible for many of the fortified villages of France. (B, L, D)

Today you will begin to enjoy the next week of fabulous food and wine – provided by our talented on-board chef, each meal is a new and exciting gourmet treat, accompanied by delicious French cheeses from a variety of regions! Enjoy your first drink of each evening on deck, with the sun setting over the river – a relaxing, delightful end to your day of barging…..

Today we cruise past the renowned cliffs of Saussois, a paradise for international climbers. Our memorable day includes a visit to the picturesque hilltop town of Vezelay, with its amazing views and the Basilica of St Madeleine - treasured for its Romanesque architecture and relics of Mary Magdelene. Back on the barge we cruise to Mailly le Château. (B, L, D)

This morning we cruise to Mailly le Château and then on to the old logging hamlet of Vermenton. We will leave the boat to visit the weekly market in the charming village of Noyers, which boasts beautiful half-timbered buildings. This evening’s dinner is on-shore at a delightful local auberger. (B, L, D)

Our excursion this afternoon is to the fascinating village of St Bris, where we descend into the medieval underground cellars for one of the most unforgettable wine tastings you will ever experience, one which truly typifies the different Burgundy wines and helps us understand the differences in the French system. These ancient passages have been put to many uses over the centuries, from protection in the Dark Ages to secret assignations in modern times! We will also visit the Les Caves de Bailly, local champagne cellars set in the cliffs, for an aperitif. Again, these caves have a fascinating history from World War II when the German Air Force used them to hide a whole fleet of Messerschmitt aircraft! Here there are 5 million bottles of wine stored in 3.5 acres of underground stone quarries. Tonight we moor in Vincelles. (B, L, D)

This morning take in the rustic beauty of vineyard-clad slopes as you cruise to Auxerre. In Auxerre we visit the Cathedral of St Etienne and wander the streets lined with half-timber houses. Many shopping opportunities to be had here! An elegant Captain's Farewell Dinner follows on board, the climax of a wonderful week of food, wine and great company. (B, L, D)

Today we leave the Belle Epoque and after farewelling the crew, we return to Paris by bus, arriving late morning. This evening, we celebrate the end of the tour with a dinner cruise on board the Bateaux Parisiens, enjoying a wonderful meal and wine whilst cruising past the illuminated monuments of Paris – an unforgettable experience. (B, D)

Today after breakfast the tour finishes.

Note: On alternative weeks the barge cruise is in the reverse direction and therefore the itinerary is subject to change. Daily itinerary may also be re-arranged at the Captain’s/Tour Manager’s discretion but content is not compromised.

• Two nights’ accommodation in Paris in centrally located 4 star hotel
• Continental breakfast each day during the tour
• Welcome drinks at your Paris hotel
• Transfer to Bordeaux by 1st class train/private air conditioned bus
• 2 nights accommodation at 4 star chateau hotel
• 3 course dinner each night at the hotel restaurant, including ½ bottle of wine per person
• Lunch at winery estate
• Tours/wine tastings/workshops while in the Bordeaux region
• 4 nights’ accommodation at 3 star hotel, Sarlat
• Dinner at « Le Presidial » restaurant, Sarlat including ½ bottle of wine per person
• Lunch at St Chamassy including ½ bottle of wine per person
• Tours/cruises/entries while in the Dordogne region
• 6 night/7 day all-inclusive barge cruise on the “Belle Epoque” – all meals, wine, other beverages including mixed drinks, excursions, entries & bus transfer return to Paris
• Dinner/Cruise on the Bateaux Parisiens, including food, wine, entertainment & return transfers from the hotel
• All tips/gratuities on board the barge
• The full time services of your professional tour director, including history, local lore and comprehensive information about each location we visit on the tour.