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WELCOME TO MACLEAN ADVENTURES

Burgundy Barge Cruise: October 2025

Departure Dates: October 7 – 16, 2025

 

Note that the rooms are small on barges, but you won’t be in your room much!

I am always asked, what has been one of my favorite Adventures? All of them! However, one of my all-time favorite Adventures, aside from skiing, has been a barge trip through the picturesque canals of France. France boasts an extensive canal system, spanning over 5,000 miles, which has been in use for several hundred years. These canals served as vital arteries for transporting goods across the country, dating back to 1667, long before the advent of steam or other modern engines. Horses were used to tow the barges along the canals, with dedicated paths on either side for the equine workers.
 
The journey along these canals is a mesmerizing experience, offering glimpses of the French countryside at its finest. Passing through vineyards, traversing valleys via viaducts, and navigating hills through tunnels, each stretch of water unfolds like a painting. The ingenious system of locks ensures that climbing or descending elevation is effortlessly managed, allowing the barges to gracefully navigate the terrain.
 
While the canals still serve as routes for transporting goods, a new industry has emerged – tourism. Many of the old barges have been converted into floating hotels, accommodating anywhere from a cozy couple to larger groups of up to 50 people. Barges offer a unique way to explore France’s hidden gems at a leisurely pace.
 
A typical day aboard a barge is a blend of relaxation and exploration. As you gently glide through the countryside, the onboard staff prepares local delicacies for breakfast, lunch, or dinner (paired with French wines). There’s ample time to disembark and immerse yourself in the charm of nearby towns and villages. Whether it’s a leisurely bike ride along the towpaths or a thrilling hot air balloon ride above a famous chateau, the possibilities for adventure are endless. Whether you’re savoring a glass of wine on the deck as the sun sets over the horizon or indulging in a gourmet meal crafted from fresh, local ingredients, every experience is infused with the magic of French hospitality.
 
We will be chartering our own private barge. Space is limited to 20 people. We are planning on possibly the middle of June 2025. We have to pay a deposit to hold our dates. The tentative pricing is about $7,100 per person/double occupancy. To hold your spot, please email us and a $2,500 deposit. The deposit is refundable if we do not fill the barge. Once we have our group of 20, we will work on the pre and post trip activities.
 

This will be another Adventure of a Lifetime, that you will not want to miss!

The trip itinerary is below – all of this is included for the price of $7,100 per person double occupancy.

October 7 – Arrive in Paris (flights not included)

  • Transfer to Hotel
  • Welcome Dinner

October 8 – Paris Sightseeing

  • Breakfast at the Hotel
  • Dinner Cruise on the River Seine

October 9 – Transfer to Dijon, Board the Barge

BARGE CRUISE PROGRAM (7 DAYS / 6 NIGHTS)

From Dijon to Port-sur-Saône, cruise on the majestic Burgundy canal where charming cities and stories await you. Go back in time through guided tours and discover Dijon, former capital of the Dukes of Burgundy, or the unparalleled elegance of the Château de Champlitte. Take a breath of fresh air and immerse yourself in arts, traditions and architectural gems through this journey across Burgundy all the way to the Haute-Saône.

Day 1 – October 9 : DIJON

We will board the ship at 6:00 p.m. in Dijon.  After comfortably settling into your cabins, enjoy a welcome cocktail before dinner.

Day 2 – October 10 : DIJON – LONGECOURT-EN-PLAINE

Join us for a guided tour of Dijon. We’ll discover the former capital of the Valois Dukes of Burgundy, the Palace of the Dukes, and the Estates of Burgundy in the Parliament district, passing by the Notre Dame church and meandering through the medieval streets. The afternoon will be spent cruising towards Longecourt-en-Plaine. You can use the bicycles available onboard to ride alongside the boat on the canal’s bicycle path. We’ll arrive in Longecourt-en-Plaine in the evening.

Day 3 – October 11: LONGECOURT-EN-PLAINE – AUXONNE

Join us on an excursion along the Grands Crus wine route. The touristic Grands Crus wine route passes through villages and the finest and most prestigious of the Burgundy vineyards. We’ll stop along the way for a wine-tasting session. We’ll return on board and start sailing towards Auxonne. You will also have the opportunity to bike along the banks of the Doubs River by following the Green Way.  We’ll arrive in Auxonne in the evening.

Day 4 – October 12 : AUXONNE – GRAY

We’ll spend the whole day cruising towards Gray. You can spend some time walking or biking along the canal’s banks. We’ll arrive in Gray at the end of the afternoon.

Day 5 – October 13: GRAY – RAY-SUR-SAÔNE

Join us on a guided tour of Gray. We’ll discover the wonderful treasures of the town as we meander through its streets. We’ll return on board and start cruising towards Ray-sur-Saône. You can use one of the on board bicycles and enjoy a ride along the Green Way. Feel free to bike alongside the boat and come and go as you please, returning on board at any time. We’ll arrive in Ray-sur-Saône early in the evening.

Day 6 – October 14: RAY-SUR-SAÔNE- PORT-SUR-SAÔNE

Join us on a visit to the medieval castle in Champlitte which has been a listed historical monument since 1909 and hosts the Museum of Popular Arts and Traditions. We’ll start sailing towards Port-sur-Saône. From the boat, you can admire the lush, green landscapes as well as the impressive castle of Ray-sur-Saone as we cruise by. This evening is our gala evening.

Day 7 – October 15 : PORT-SUR-SAONE

  • Enjoy one last buffet breakfast on board before we disembark at 9.00 a.m.
  • Transfer to Bern
  • Stay at the Hotel Schweizerhof Bern & Spa, a luxury hotel that opened in 1859 – centrally located and within a short walk to the Old City of Bern, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
  • Dinner together in Bern

October 16

  • Train to Zurich Airport (1 hour 20 minutes by train)
  • Flights home (flights not included in trip price)