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.
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