MERGANSER CRUISE ITINERARY FRANCE 2007

 Chalon-sur-Saône to Digoin: June 23^rd

Digoin to Nevers: June 30^th

 
  Transfers between Paris and the Barge

Chalon sur Saône streetscene

CHALON-SUR-SAONE to DIGOIN

 On arrival at Chalon-sur-Saône there is time to visit the old quarters in the centre, which harbour a number of remarkable old houses and towers, before dinner aboard Merganser. Our cruise on the Canal du Centre starts next morning and as we climb towards its summit level we see the vineyards of the Cote d'Or spread out in the distance. Passing Chagny and St. Leger sur Dheune we arrive at Monchanin, the highest point of the canal. The canal now follows the course of the River Bourbince, passing through pretty countryside flanked by distant woods, past small villages where red tiled houses cluster round the bridges and locks. At Ecuisses we visit La Maison du Canal, where the interior of a traditional French péniche has been restored and,  having passed Montceau-les-Mines, arrive at the important town of Paray-le-Monial. Boasting one of the finest examples of Romanesque architecture of Cluny in the Basilique du Sacré-Coeur the town has become the centre of the worship of the Sacred Heart and an important place of pilgrimage. We visit the Basilica and the town, then cruise to Digoin, our final destination. At Digoin there is time to  visit the famous aqueduct over the River Loire before our farewell dinner aboard Merganser.

On your arrival at the Barge you will have time to settle in before dinner. The following morning we set out on our cruise along the Canal Latéral à la Loire. Immediately we cross the celebrated aqueduct over the River Loire, pass the junction of the Digoin-Roanne Canal to moor in a remote and quiet setting by Avril-sur-Loire. As we continue along the canal we pass small villages with red pantiled roofs on houses clustering round a Romanesque church or a small château, small farms and distant woods, now and then catching a glimse of the infant Loire. At Decize we turn onto an arm to drop down to the Loire itself, mooring by this busy little town. Our cruise now continues to Nevers, capital of the Nivernais, with its great Cathedral, 16^th Century Ducal Palace and cosmopolitan shops, which we have time to visit before our farewell dinner aboard Merganser.

 Digoin Aqueduct

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