Burgundy Châteaux by Canal Boat & Bicycle

Our journey begins with a private transfer to our luxury hotel, Le Bristol Paris, and an afternoon to explore or simply enjoy our opulent surroundings. Later, taste the gastronomic wonders of Executive Chef Arnaud Faye at the three-Michelin-starred Epicure restaurant, within our hotel.

We arrive by coach in the city of Dijon this morning. It is here that we board our canal boats, Belmond’s Amaryllis and Lilas. The crew welcome us aboard our respective boats, and we toast the beginning of our voyage with champagne in this delightful setting. A multi-course affair is savoured as we cruise the canal.

During our cruise of the Burgundy Canal, you have the opportunity to walk or cycle along the towpath beside the boat. Lap up the views during an al fresco lunch before disembarking for a visit to the renowned château, Clos de Vougeot. Now serving as the headquarters of the Burgundian wine society, the imposing castle represents the accumulation of 900 years of local history. After a look around Clos de Vougeot’s impressive cellar, we adjourn to a local restaurant for a hearty degustation. We then return to our mooring at Longecourt for the night.

The elegant city of Dijon lures us away from our twin watercraft this morning. Brimming with medieval and Renaissance architecture, the streets of Dijon make for a captivating setting during our walking tour. Arriving at the city’s Ducal Palace, the former seat of the Dukes of Burgundy, we pause to marvel at the opulence of its extensive exterior. From here, we head to the bustling aisles of Dijon Market Hall. Browse the wares of a great range of stalls, selecting your favourite ingredients, some of which will be used in the preparation of today’s lunch. Return to our canal boats as we prepare to depart for the small town of Seurre. You may choose to cycle within the beautiful Jura region this afternoon, meeting back up with our boat at any stage.

Navigating waters further south sees us shortly arriving in the village of Fragnes. An epicurean episode awaits us within a distinguished local restaurant. After lunch, discover more delights of the Côte de Beaune and enjoy a tasting at another celebrated cellar door. A spirited evening is enjoyed as cocktails complement a dinner beneath the stars aboard our boat.

The waters of the Canal du Centre form a peaceful backdrop to our day. You may like to cycle alongside the boat, courtesy of the canal’s adjacent towpath. Following lunch aboard our vessel, our guide escorts us to the exquisite Château de Rully. We advance beyond the property’s expansive vineyards and are welcomed by the Count de Rully. Hear stories of the count’s ancestors during a tour of the castle. Our travels then take us to one of the Côte de Beaune’s celebrated vineyards. Whet your appetite with the variety of reds and whites on offer before we return to our vessel for another gastronomic adventure.

Drift gently along the water this morning, as we approach the village of Saint-Léger-sur-Dheune. Cruise past the vineyards of Santenay, the most southerly of the Côte de Beaune. Following lunch aboard our boat, we step ashore to discover the fruits of their vines firsthand. The keen cyclists among us are welcome to enjoy further perspectives of this celebrated region at their own pace. One of the area’s prestigious wineries also invites us to taste a few of its finest vintages. Back aboard our boat, we gather for our Farewell Dinner, enjoying the seasonal delicacies prepared by our onboard chef.

We farewell the respective crews of Belmond’s Amaryllis and Lilas this morning, before driving to the Burgundy region. Rolling hills graced with verdant vines signal our arrival in the celebrated wine territory. Our hotel, Domaine de Rymska & Spa, is a picture of elegance set within a pastoral paradise. 

Get to know the region with a choice of Your World experiences:

— Set out for some independent exploration on one of the property’s electric bikes.

— Pamper yourself within our hotel’s spa.

— Take a walking tour through the village of Meursault, then return to our accommodation for a hands-on barrel coopering workshop. 

This evening, enjoy the quality produce sourced directly from the Domaine farm.