Sunday,
Family Cruise Day 1 - Paris to Auxerre
Guests
are met at Hotel Ampere in Paris at 1:30 PM and transferred to the
elegant La Belle Époque in Auxerre, Burgundy. Following a Champagne
Welcome, you are free to explore the medieval town of Auxerre by
bicycle or foot or take a stroll along the banks of the River Yonne
before returning for dinner aboard.
Monday,
Family Cruise Day 2 - Auxerre to the Caves de Bailly
There
is a choice this morning or either ice-skating, swimming and perhaps if
there is time a game of 10 pin bowling as well. An alternative tour is
St Bris with its extraordinary network of medieval passages beneath the
town. A wine tasting introduces you to the outstanding Chardonnay and
Pinot Noir wines produced in Monsieur Bersan’s 12th century cellars.
Dinner aboard.
Tuesday,
Family Cruise Day 3 - The Caves de Bailly to Accolay
This
morning's choice of excursions depends on the children ages but you can
choose quad biking (12+) Paint Balling (16+), potholing (10+) or pony
riding (3+). Alternatively visit Auxerre and discover the medieval town
centre. Originally the capital of Lower Burgundy, Auxerre prides itself
on its fine churches. We cruise through rich pasturelands and past
grazing Charolais cattle to Accolay. Dinner ashore in a local auberge.
Wednesday,
Family Cruise Day 4 - Accolay to Mailly la Ville
Visit
the caves this morning of Arcy sur Cure. The site of Arcy sur Cure, a
major one for the medium and late palaeolithic age in northern France,
is located between Auxerre and Avallon. It includes a set of caves dug
out by the Cure River into a coral massif that emerged at the end of
the secondary era. Alternatively this morning, we visit the charming
mediaeval village of Noyers, one of the most beautiful villages in
France, on an excursion through delightful countryside. We then return
to the barge for a cruise southwards through the Yonne valley past
dramatic steep cliffs to the market town of Mailly. Dinner aboard.
Thursday,
Family Cruise Day 5 - Mailly la Ville to Lucy sur Yonne
In
the morning we cruise past the Saussois cliffs where an international
climbing centre creates a spectacular setting, mooring at Lucy sur
Yonne. All ages will love a canoeing trip or rafting on the River Cure
near Vezelay. The canoeing really is a fantastic excursion, which we
feel, should not be missed. For those a little less adventurous we can
visit the Chateau of Bazoches, whose illustrious visitors included
Richard the Lionheart and which was later remodelled by Maréchal
Vauban. Dinner aboard.
Friday,
Family Cruise Day 6 - Lucy sur Yonne to Clamecy
This
morning we visit Cardoland, which is a vast wooded park about 7km from
Vezelay. The sculptor, Cardo, created this wonderful prehistoric world
of life size dinosaurs. It has a museum, caves, exhibition and
prehistoric play area. Cardoland is a wonderful visit for families with
younger children. An alternative to Cardoland is an excursion to the
town of Vézelay, one of Burgundy’s most famous treasures with the
Romanesque Basilica of St Mary Magdalene, craft shops and fine views of
the surrounding countryside. A cruise this afternoon takes us through
beautiful countryside then takes us to Clamecy. Take a short walk into
Clamecy to visit the town, the Cathedral and also the Logging and
Barging Museum. The narrow streets lined with ancient buildings also
present an opportunity for shopping. Captain’s farewell dinner aboard.
Saturday,
Family Cruise Day 7 - Clamecy to Paris
Disembark after breakfast and arrive at
Hotel Ampere in Paris by about 1pm.
Note:
