New to our L’Impressionniste itinerary, we visit the enchanting Domaine Chanson, located in the heart of the Burgundy ‘terroir’ since 1750. Here’s a sneaky peek at what’s in store for this brand-new excursion…
As well as its charming history, culture and gastronomy – the French wine region of Burgundy is most famously known for its picturesque UNESCO-listed ‘Climats, terroirs’ – a specific selection of vineyard found exclusively on the slopes of the Côte de Nuits and the Côte de Beaune. Whilst you’ll have the opportunity to experience this fascinating site on many of our Burgundy cruises, you can get up-close-and-personal with a walk through a Côte de Beaune vineyard, followed by a private tour, tasting and mouth-watering lunch – all included in your visit to Domaine Chanson when you book your cruise aboard L’Impressionniste.
After time exploring the vineyard, you’ll then drive to Chez Chanson for a further tour, private tasting of the domaine’s great wines and gastronomic lunch. A real highlight at Chez Chanson is the spectacular 15th century defence tower. Once a watch tower, the bastion (known locally as the Bastion de l’Oratoire) is classed as an historical monument that became the property of Chanson after the French Revolution. Featuring 8-metre-thick walls, today, the tower is used as the perfect spot for aging Domaine Chanson wines – simply because of its constant temperature and humidity level.
Domaine Chanson’s wholesome approach to winemaking perfectly fuses an age-old respect for traditional manual harvesting, the ‘whole bunch fermentation process’, and barrel aging within its 15th century bastion cellar is something quite spectacular.
Be among the first to experience the spectacular Domaine Chanson on our Southern Burgundy cruise aboard L’Impressionniste.
What is hotel barging?
Despite the growing popularity of cruising, especially on large river vessels, hotel barging is still a little known niche concept. Most hotel barges started life as cargo vessels but have since been painstakingly converted to offer luxury boutique accommodation for small groups of up to 20 passengers.
This is cruising, but in a very different style to ships plying the big rivers or oceans. The pace is slow, with a 6 day cruise covering maybe just 50 miles along a rural canal. Passengers can walk or bike the towpaths as their floating hotel glides gently along. Guests enjoy an intimate atmosphere, high levels of personal service and immersion into the culture, history and gastronomy of regions of Europe such as Burgundy, the Midi, or the Italian Veneto.
Every day there is an excursion, perhaps to a chateau, a vineyard for a wine tasting, or some other ‘off the beaten track’ location. About half of European Waterways’ bookings are for whole boat charters, ideal for families. Otherwise, clients book a cabin to join other like-minded people. A ‘slow boat’ European Waterways barge cruise offers the ultimate in experiential travel. A truly unique experience!
European Waterways offer luxury hotel barge cruises on the beautiful canals and rivers of Europe, such as through Burgundy, the Midi, Alsace, the Po Valley, Holland and the Scottish Highlands.
The exclusive collection of hotel barges accommodate up to 20 passengers who may charter a whole barge with family or friends, or join a small group of like-minded travellers on an individual cabin basis.
Each barge is fully crewed with a Captain, chef, hostesses, deck-hand and tour guide. The 6-night cruises include gourmet meals, fine wines, open bar, excursions and the use of facilities such as bicycles and spa pools.