MERGANSER CRUISE ITINERARY FRANCE 2007

LANGRES to AUXONNE 

On your arrival at Merganser you will have time to visit Langres, a historic and interesting small town dating from Roman times. Its ancient ramparts command wide views of the Marne valley. The following morning we set off along the Canal de la Marne à la Saône , passing through a lock which takes us to the summit level of the canal, where we pass through the 4.8km.long Balesmes tunnel.. Once through the tunnel we start our descent towards the valley of the River Saône. There are 45 locks taking us down to the river, a fall of over 550'. The frequency of the locks, the existence of numerous small villages beside the canal, and the beautiful views make this an ideal canal for towpath walking or cycling. The region we are cruising borders the Côte d'Or, and as we descend from the Langres plateau  we see these celebrated hills covered in vines on our right. Entering the River Saône by the small town of Pontailler, we call at St. Jean de Losne, a small town marking the entrance to the Canal de Bourgogne, and an important centre of inland navigation, before arriving at Auxonne. There is time to visit the town’s fine mediaeval fortifications and monuments before our farewell dinner aboard Merganser.

Chalon-sur-Saône

 AUXONNE to CHALON-SUR-SAONE

 On your arrival at Merganser you will have time to settle in and, before dinner aboard Merganser, visit Auxonne, a small town with interesting historic associations. The following morning we start our cruise down the River Saône reaching St.-Jean-de-Losne, a small town marking the entrance to the Canal de Bourgogne, and an important centre of inland navigation. Cruising past peaceful villages we spend a night at  Seurre. The river now winds gracefully past cultivated fields, scattered villages and distant woodland, its progress occasionally interrupted by locks, until we reach Verdun-sur-le-Doubs, a charming small town situated at the junction of the Saône and the River Doubs, where we moor for the night. The following day we visit Beaune,  which, lying in the heart of the Burgundian vineyards, also boasts the incomparable Hôtel-Dieu, well-preserved ramparts, gardens and old houses. Our cruise now continues to Chalon-sur Saône, which we have time to visit before our farewell dinner aboard Merganser. During this cruise we also visit the famous Clos de Vougeot, where you will see ancient wine presses used by the monks who made wine in those far off days.

Hôtel-Dieu, Beaune                   Photo Mary Jordan

Cruise barge Merganser: features, cabin plan