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Length
7 Days
Ship category
Luxury
Ship type
Small Ships
Capacity
12 Passengers
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What we truly appreciate about L'Impressionniste is how it redefines modern river expedition cruising in Burgundy.
From its light and airy saloon featuring rich-colored teak flooring and gorgeous prints reminiscent of the Impressionist era to its relaxing top-deck hot tub, L’Impressionniste offers a refined yet deeply immersive experience. Days are shaped by meandering along quiet towpaths on the ship's all-terrain bicycles and encountering beautiful hilltop medieval villages, while evenings are spent relaxing on board with sweeping Ouche Valley views and exceptional hand-selected wines. Comp … Read more about L'Impressionniste
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Transfers to and from ship
Observation Deck
Heater
Visiting
All meals
Air conditioning & private bathroom
Library
English guides
Internet/Wifi
Alcoholic Beverages included
Sundeck with jacuzzi
Dining on board reflects regional flavors paired with international cuisine, prepared with fresh, locally sourced ingredients whenever possible. Menus change regularly to mirror the regions visited, with attentive service and flexible dietary accommodations.
Mornings begin with an array of fresh pastries and artisanal breads delivered direct from local bakeries, alongside freshly squeezed orange juice. Lunches are a relaxed but highly refined affair, showcasing colorful regional specialties served al-fresco or in the saloon, paired with premier local wines chosen by the chef. Dinners elevate the French culinary art to a candlelit, four-course gourmet peak—culminating in the prestigious Captain’s Farewell Dinner on the final evening. Our onboard chef and hosts readily tailor these menus with 8 weeks' notice to accommodate any dietary preferences or medical restrictions, ensuring an exceptional culinary journey for all.
When booking online, you can choose the option to "Upgrade to single occupancy". This will guarantee you the whole cabin to yourself, for an additional fee. If you don't select this option, then another traveler of the same sex might be placed into the same cabin with you. Exceptions may apply.
Comfortable accommodation in air-conditioned, ensuite staterooms or suites
Gourmet meals prepared by the on-board chef, complemented with fine wines
An open bar consisting of premium spirits, fine wines, and non-alcoholic beverages
Private and often exclusive daily excursions to handpicked hidden gems
Comfortable private air-conditioned transfers throughout your cruise
Complimentary bicycle use, and on most barges a spa pool on the sun deck
Personalised, but unobtrusive, service from an experienced crew – Captain, Chef, Tour Guide, and Hosts
Service charge is not included in the cruise fare. Tipping is entirely discretionary but is greatly appreciated by the crew if you would like to acknowledge recognition for the standard of service provided. As a guideline, the recommended industry standard is between 5 and 10% of the cruise fare if you are fully satisfied with the service you have received. If you have any questions on the above, please speak to the Captain.
You are welcome to walk or cycle using the on board bicycles as often as you wish.
The approximate transfer duration between Paris and L’Impressionniste is 4 to 5 hours.
We recommend you bring sufficient clean clothing for your cruise as there are no laundry facilities on board.
Please try and fit everything for your cruise into one reasonably sized suitcase and one piece of hand luggage per person.
Tap water in France and on board L’Impressionniste is potable and bottled water is available.
For fire safety reasons, smoking is not permitted anywhere inside the barge.
Long-haul flights and the on-the-ground program generate 2.1 t CO₂e on this trip. Rivertours regularly measures and monitors the carbon footprint of its journeys and actively reduces emissions through sustainable travel design: no unnecessary flights, fewer feeder flights, integration of rail and public transport, and promoting longer stays for a more balanced relationship between travel distance and impact.
From 2018 to 2024, we supported carbon reduction projects equivalent to the emissions generated. Recognizing the limits of traditional offsetting, we now focus on active environmental protection through our own rainforest project, Forest Guardians.
More information on our climate and environmental responsibility: https://www.venturatravel.org/impact
Price
Upon Request
Clos de Vougeot Castle
Old Town Dijon
Medieval Bastion de l’Oratoire
Châteauneuf-en-Auxois
Best Price Guarantee: Find a better price elsewhere, and we’ll match it.
River Cruise Specialists: We focus exclusively on river expeditions, with recommendations grounded in first-hand expertise.
Travel that gives back: Every booking directly supports rainforest conservation project.
What we especially appreciate about Classic Cruise – Southern Burgundy is its elegant balance of gentle cruising, fine wine, and classic Burgundian culture. The journey begins in Fleurey-sur-Ouche and follows a leisurely route past sleepy villages, lock houses, and towpaths, with time to walk or cycle alongside the barge.
The cultural program is excellent: Old Dijon, Clos de Vougeot, Beaune, Domaine Chanson, the Hôtel-Dieu Hospice, Château de Commarin, and Châteauneuf-en-Auxois all feature in the week. Compared with many European canal cruises, this itinerary feels particularly rich in wine heritage and aristocratic country character, while still remaining relaxed and intimate.
For us, the sweet spots in Burgundy are May, June, September, and early October, when temperatures are usually pleasant and the countryside is at its most inviting. Summer is generally warm rather than hot, with average highs often around the mid-20s °C / mid-70s °F, while spring and autumn tend to be milder and especially pleasant for walking, cycling, and vineyard visits. Winter is cooler and less suitable for this style of cruise.
Keep in mind this is an expedition cruise, so your itinerary will depend greatly on the weather, amount of ice and wildlife breeding behavior.
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Guests are met at our meeting point in Paris and transferred by private chauffeured minibus to the elegant L’Impressionniste.
A champagne reception welcomes you on board and the opportunity to meet the captain and crew. Then enjoy your first dinner on board.
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This morning, experience your first day’s cruise along this enchanting canal, which also promises a walk or cycle along an ever-present towpath past sleepy villages and pretty lock houses.
After lunch we visit Clos de Vougeot, headquarters of the esteemed Chevaliers du Tastevin, who award a special prized label to the finest Côte d‘Or vintages every year. On the way back to the hotel barge we enjoy a tour and a private tasting of fine Burgundy wines.
Dinner on board.
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After breakfast, enjoy a walking tour of Old Dijon, including a visit to the vivid produce markets, mustard shops and the impressive Notre-Dame de Dijon church, or enjoy some excellent shopping time.
Return to the hotel barge for lunch and a leisurely afternoon cruise to La Bussière and perhaps a walk or bicycle ride to the next lock or two.
Dinner on board.
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After a short morning cruise, we set off on a drive through the slopes of the UNESCO-listed vineyards of the Côte de Beaune. Here, our expert guide will offer an insight into the production of the region’s finest premier and grand cru wines.
We continue to Beaune – the capital of the Burgundy wine country, for a private tour and tasting at the renowned Domaine Chanson. The tour includes its medieval Bastion de l’Oratoire, a 15th century defence tower whose 25-foot-thick walls now maintain the perfect temperature for ageing wine. This is followed by a private gastronomic lunch in the domaine’s chateau.
Afterwards, we visit the fascinating Hôtel-Dieu Hospice with time to explore the town, before returning for a short evening cruise to Pont d’Ouche.
Dinner on board.
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After breakfast, we cruise to Vandenesse-en-Auxois, passing grazing white Charolais cattle, rolling hills and picturesque villages, crossing the only aqueduct on the Burgundy Canal.
This afternoon we visit the moat-encircled Château de Commarin where we are lucky enough to enjoy a private tour with a majestic falconry display***, followed by the opportunity to meet Count Bertrand de Vogüé – the current resident and 26th generation of the de Vogüé family to maintain continuous residence since the 13th century. Guests can then explore the regal interior, rustic stables and surrounding gardens.
Dinner on board.
***Weather dependent.
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Our last day’s leisurely cruise takes us to the canal summit, 1,250 feet above sea level, just before the Pouilly tunnel.
After lunch on board, we visit the medieval village, craft shops and castle of Châteauneuf-en-Auxois, once an outpost of the Dukes of Burgundy and offering a fine overview of the feeder lakes, canal and surrounding countryside.
Captain’s Farewell Dinner on board.
After breakfast, guests are transferred to Paris.
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