Hirondelle
Barging in Burgundy

Passengers: 8
Size: 128 feet long
Last Visited: 2006
Rating: Deluxe, A/C, Families

updated 2009 Rates - as of 3/26/09

(Must be booked before June 30, 2009.)
Whole Boat Charter:
$28,200
Individuals:
$3,400 per person in a Double occupancy cabin
$850 single supplement

These rates apply to new bookings only.  Train fare to and from the cruise route is additional and must be purchased separately.  We can pre-purchase train tickets before departure.

Hirondelle is now wholly owned by Orient Express, operator of luxury travel experiences worldwide.

We cruised on Hirondelle in August, 2006. The sky-lit salon is colorful and comfortable and encourages relaxation, as does the especially large deck, festive with red and white geraniums. Hirondelle is operated by a young and dedicated crew. They exhibit ambition and imagination. The guide schedules excursions and winetastings - but also can offer sights not seen by the average tourist.

The cruising is divinely beautiful and the scenery changes, sometimes hourly. We floated through fields of sunflowers, then through fields of haystacks such as the Impressionists would have painted. At other times the canal was entirely tree-lined. Lock houses bedecked with colorful gardens added much interest. Locals bicycled by on the towpaths - the sun glistened off the water - we encountered swans and wildlife. Hirondelle cruises easily and peacefully through this outstanding region.

Hirondelle will cruise for much of 2009 on the idyllic Canal du Bourgogne (one of the Barge Lady's favorite routes) with some departures to the east of the canal on the Dijon to Besancon route.

Hirondelle

Burgundy Barge Cruise Itinerary

Escommes to St. Jean-De-Losne

On the Canal de Bourgogne

Sunday: Paris to Dijon
Depart Paris, Gare de Lyon, on the TGV train in the afternoon. On arrival at Dijon station you are met by the Afloat in France guide who escorts you on your transfer to Escommes, a delightful mooring on the Canal de Bourgogne, where you board the barge for your cruise through Burgundy. A champagne reception welcomes you on board and gives you a chance to meet the crew. Take a brief cocktail cruise and, later that evening; enjoy your first dining experience on board.

Monday: Dijon to Escommes
Visit L'Abbeye de Fontenay
After breakfast, enjoy your first day of cruising on the Canal du Bourgogne. Small-unspoiled villages and green, forested hills provide the traveler with exceptional views from the deck. After lunch your guide takes you to visit l’Abbaye de Fontenay, one of the oldest Cistercian monasteries in Europe, making a stop on your way back at the hilltop village of Châteauneuf-en-Auxois.

Tuesday: Escommes to Fleurey-sur-Ouche
Visit Clos de Vougeot.
Relax on-board this morning as the barge is cruising toward the charming village of Fleurey sur Ouche. Enjoy lunch on board while the boat continues cruising. This afternoon visit the “Clos de Vougeot”, a medieval château surrounded by vineyards. This is the headquarters of the Chevaliers du Tastevin, whose special label is awarded annually to the finest Côte d’Or vintages.

Wednesday: Fleurey-sur-Ouche to Dijon
Visit Beaune.
Enjoy a scenic drive this morning through the vineyards of the Côtes de Beaune. We are treating you to lunch off the barge today - in one of the area's romantic wine villages! This afternoon your guide takes you to visit Beaune, capital of the wine region of Burgundy, and the famous Hôtel-Dieu, Hospice de Beaune.

Thursday: Dijon to Longecourt
Visit wine villages and Chateau de Longecourt.
Today, your guide has planned a visit to the Côte d’Or, planted with vines that produce some of the world’s most famous wines. View charming villages and visit some of the finest wine producers in France. You have the opportunity to see a family run winery and to sample wines that may never reach your corner of the world. After lunch, visit the Château de Longecourt.

Friday: Longecourt to St-Jean-de-Losne
Visit Dijon.
This morning your guide takes you on a walking tour of Dijon. Visit the Ducal Palace, the market and the Grey Poupon mustard shop. During the day the barge slowly makes its way to its final mooring at St.-Jean-de-Losne. Meanwhile the chef is preparing a gala dinner for your last evening on board.

Saturday: Return to Paris
After breakfast disembark the barge and transfer to Dijon station. Board the TGV to Paris, Gare de Lyon, where you are met by the Afloat in France representative who will assist you with your luggage.

Please note: The day to day itinerary described below is a typical cruise. However, on any one cruise the moorings may change and the places visited may vary depending on the season and guest preferences Contact The Barge Lady for reservations and more information about Barging in Burgundy on the canals and waterways of France Or call us toll free at (800) 880-0071.

Hirondelle

Guest Book

"Presentation of the wines and cheeses was outstanding.  Jacquie, our guide, presented the wines and related them to the region, vineyard, winery and even connected some to vineyards we had visited or seen.  Cat, our hostess, presented the cheeses and did so in a progression day to day with relationship of cheese to region.

The off-barge excursions maintained the high standards of execution received while on the barge.  We saw a cross section of culture and history of the area of Burgundy, including the vineyards and winemaking, influence of early day inhabitants from Romans to Cistercian monks, chateaus, abbeys, market day in Dijon, Beaune Hospice, wine tasting at La Grand Cave de Pierre DeForrest with our host, Jean Jacques Dalmas, a great visit and meal at l'Abbaye de la Bussiere, and an unbelievable wine tasting at Joseph Drouhin Winery in Beaune with Domestic Marketing Director Jean Pierre Cropsale.  It was obvious that Jacquie had carefully planned the excursions, dones her homework on the facts surrounding them, and cultivated our hosts at each location."
-Courtney and Bob Ward, 2008

"This was the first barge cruise, we have taken.  Our experience on the Hirondelle was superb!  The barge is kept in exquisite condition by the crew and it is so welcoming.  We thouroughly enjoyed this trip in Burgundy and would highly recommend it to anyone for a cultural, gastronomic and fun excursion!"
-Neil and Darlene Kalawsky, 2008

"We thoroughly enjoyed our trip with the Hirondelle crew - the food and service were outstanding and so friendly.  This was a region of France that we had not seen before, so we learned more as we cruised through the canals."
-Mary and David Edwards, 2008

"It was a lovely way to travel through a very picturesque part of France.  I brought a book to read but could never stop looking at and taking pictures of the countryside.  Even the flowers at the locks were amazing.  We would love to do this again!"
-Patrice Courboin and Matthias Lydon, 2008

"It exceeded expectations.  We were pampered!  Every wish was met with O.K. when would you like it?  Both my husband and I felt that this was a lifetime experience."
-Sheila Linehan and Joe Puopolo, 2008

"The trip was amazing. We will always have great memories. The boat was very comfortable, but it was the crew that made the trip for us. They were very personable. We enjoyed each and every one of them. The scenery was great also with the fall foliage. We especially liked getting off at locks and exploring on bicycles or walking off all the amazing food. The excursions were also very interesting and seemed catered around our group's interests."
-Very Satisfied 2007 Guests

"The Hirondelle is a beautiful craft, and its crew was first rate. Everything about the week met or exceeded our family's expectations. Thank you Ellen!"
-The Wacker Family, 2007

Hirondelle Floor Plan

128 Feet long
-One Queen-bedded cabin - 138 sq feet
-One twin-bedded cabin - 140 sq feet
-Two twin-bedded cabins - 123 sq feet
-En-suite shower baths
-Gorgeous skylit salon
-Large teak deck