Who Knows
Barging in Burgundy

Passengers: Up to 6
Size: 94 feet long
Last Visited: 2005
Rating: First Class
(The Who Knows is not Air Conditioned)

2008 Rates

$11,400 - party of 4
$14,000 - party of 5
$17,000 - party of 6

The cruise includes all breakfasts, five lunches and four dinners.
One lunch and two dinners are taken off Who Knows at the expense of the guest.
Arrangements and transportation will be provided.

Who Knows (probably the most unusually named barge in France!) has an interesting history. It was built in the 1930's to haul grain. As a passenger barge, it has had four owners: first and most famously, the American actor-writer Sterling Hayden, who moored it in Paris for 19 years.

In 2004, Who Knows was purchased by Jason Ashcroft and Dawn Coles, both of whom have a background in the hotel, restaurant and barging industries. Dawn is a trained chef and earned a catering and hotel degree in the U.K. Jason is also a chef and trained at the prestigious Ecole du Hotelerie in Switzerland. He worked at the hotels Connought in London and the Bar au Lac in Zurich. Besides bringing experience, Jason and Dawn bring enthusiasm. They offer a personalized welcome and a casual cruise style on this unpretentious yet comfortable barge. All three cabins have been extensively renovated with new modern luxurious bathrooms being added to each. The Who Knows has the feel of a classic yacht with dark wood panneling, teak hardwood flooring and windows with brass portholes and finishings. Guests can spread out on two decks or relax in the newly renovated cozy salon.

The Canal de Bourgogne between Dijon and Pouilly-en-Auxious is one of the most beautiful routes in French canal barging. Jason and Dawn know it well. Jason is a wine enthusiast who likes to take guests winetasting and has found some special venues. Other excursions include the beautiful preserved Hospice de Beaune; the Medieval village and chateau of Chateauneuf-en-Auxois; and Clos du Vougeot with its 15th-century wine presses.

Who Knows

Barge Cruise Itinerary

Dijon to Escommes on the Canal de Bourgogne

Sunday
At approximately 4pm meet Jason at Dijon train station or at another designated place in or around Dijon. Transfer to the Who Knows at Pont De Pany on the Burgundy canal for a champagne welcome. Time to settle into your cabin before dinner on board the barge.

Monday
Breakfast between 8am and 9am. This morning we set sail for Gissey sur Ouche cruising through the dramatic Ouche Valley and mooring up in one of the prettiest villages along the canals. Lunch on board. This afternoon we'll visit the Cistercian Abbey of Clos du Vougeot with its impressive 15th century wine presses, home today to the "knight of the round table of wine tasting". After this we will head back to Gevrey Chambertin, known locally as the king of Burgundy wines and with nine Grand Cru estates; it is easy to see why. We will do a wine tasting before heading back to the barge. Tonight's dinner is in La Ferme Auberge du Rolle, a beautiful farm house that specializes in cooking on the open wood fire.

Tuesday
This day is all about cruising with plenty of opportunity to cycle and walk along the tow-path, exploring small villages along the route or just sitting on deck and watching the world glide by. The Ouche Valley is noted for its steep-sided, tree-lined, dense, deciduous forest, with wild boar, deer, and birds of prey. We moor up for lunch in the shade of the trees. After we continue the sedate pace up to Pont d'Ouche our mooring for the night. Dinner on deck.

Wednesday
After breakfast depart for the historic town of Beaune, the wine capital of Burgundy. Visiting the world famous "Hotel Dieu," also known as Les Hospices de Beaune built in 1442. The Hospice is now a museum and is still home to the famous wine auction that is held every year on the third Sunday of November. Jason will make a suggestion for lunch. Beaune has many charming terraced cafes and restaurants to choose from. In the afternoon Jason will take you to visit Patriarche Pere et Fils, the largest cellars in Burgundy, with more than 4 million bottles of wine. We will have a private tasting in their cave reserved for select customers. It is possible to have wine shipped back to you doorstep. Return to the barge for dinner.

Thursday
Breakfast followed by a morning cruise to our next destination Vandenesse en Auxois. The barge moors in the shadow of Chateauneuf-en-Auxois, a medieval village on a hill overlooking the canal. Relish this setting whilst we cruise up the valley before Jason takes you to lunch in a local cafe. Chateauneuf is the afternoon visit which offers spectacular views of the region. Perhaps the more energetic may wish to walk back to the barge? Dinner tonight is in the restaurant Les Auxois, just 2 minutes walk from our mooring.

Friday
Another day of just cruising in paradise! Today we climb the last short flight of locks to Escommes, the summit of the Canal du Bourgogne. Jason prepares the barge in the last lock for the trip through the Pouilly tunnel. The Who Knows is one of the few vessels of her size that can pass through the tunnel, a truly wonderful experience and a perfect way to end the cruise. Captain Jason and Dawn invite you to join them for dinner tonight in a carefully chosen restaurant. Finish off your week with a truly memorable gastronomic finale!

Saturday
After breakfast depart for the Dijon train station at 9:30am and bid farewell to the barge Who Knows.

Please note: The cruise is run in reverse on alternative weeks and excursion days and moorings will therefore change. Cruise itineraries may be subject to change. 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.

Who Knows Floor Plan

94 Feet long
-One double-bedded cabin at 166 square feet and Two twin-bedded cabins at 71 square feet
-All bathrooms gutted and rebuilt in 2007
-Sundeck with large chairs and canopy
-Salon and dining area with large windows
-Lower level lounge.