Impressionniste is one of our favourite French canal barges – due to its lovely interior, fabulous itinerary that includes some of the most beautiful highlights of Burgundy, and its excellent crew.
Impressionniste accommodates 12 passengers in 6 cabins. It offers 2 junior Suites for those opting for a more spacious cabin. The barge interior is light and spacious, with details such as wood paneling and attractive prints and fabrics. The salon offers panoramic windows so that you can enjoy the lovely views even when inside the barge.
Burgundy is a stunning region full of castles, spectacular vineyards and picturesque towns and villages, all of which you can discover while cruising on the Impressioniste, either while walking or cycling from the barge or on one of the fascinating daily excursions.
Features At-A-Glance
12 GUESTS
2 JUNIOR SUITES, 4 STATEROOMS, EN-SUITE BATHROOMS Junior Suites 143 - 152 sq. feet Staterooms 110 - 127 sq. feet - may be double or twin configuration
5 CREW
128 FEET (38 METRES) LONG
12 BICYCLES
AIR CONDITIONING/CENTRAL HEATING
CD PLAYER
GAMES
LIBRARY
JACUZZI ON DECK
2 AIR CONDITIONED MINIBUSES FOR EXCURSIONS
Sunday, Day 1 Fleurey-sur-Ouche
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.
Monday, Day 2 Fleurey-sur-Ouche to Sainte Marie-sur-Ouche
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 of the cellars and a private tasting of fine Burgundy wines at another long-established domaine. Dinner on board.
Tuesday, Day 3 Sainte Marie-sur-Ouche to La Bussière
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, 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.
Wednesday, Day 4 La Bussière to Pont d’Ouche
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.
Thursday, Day 5 Pont d’Ouche to Vandenesse
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. 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. Dinner on board.
Friday, Day 6 Vandenesse to Escommes
Our last day’s leisurely cruise takes us to the canal summit, 1,250 feet above sea level, just before the Pouilly tunnel. After an early lunch, we visit the moat-encircled Château de Commarin to be treated to a private demonstration of the medieval sport of falconry***. The close up encounter with these majestic birds against the backdrop of the castle grounds is an amazing experience and afterwards, we meet Count Bertrand de Vogue, the current resident and 26th generation of the de Vogue family to maintain continuous residence since the 13th century, who will give a fascinating insight into the Château’s history. This is followed by a private tour of the building. Captain’s Farewell Dinner on board.
Saturday, Day 7 Escommes
After breakfast, guests are transferred to Paris**.
This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change. On alternate weeks the cruise will be in the reverse direction.
**other locations available for Private Charter bookings
*** Weather Dependent
This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change. On alternate weeks the cruise will be in the reverse direction.
**other locations available for Private Charter bookings
*** Weather Dependent
2025 Prices
Value Season
Regular Season
Stateroom per person
Value Season: €5,990
High Season: €6,990
Junior Suite per person
Value Season: €6,450
High Season: €7,490
Single Supplement
Value Season: €2,200
High Season: €2,500
Charter Max. 8 pax.
Value Season: €60,900
High Season: €70,500
Charter Max. 9 pax.
Value Season: €62,900
High Season: €72,800
Charter Max. 10 pax.
Value Season: €64,600
High Season: €74,700
Charter Max. 11 pax.
Value Season: €66,300
High Season: €76,600
Charter Max. 12 pax.
Value Season: €68,000
High Season: €78,500
Note all our prices are in euros. Please ask us if you live in the USA and would like prices in US dollars. We convert to Australian dollars at current exchange rates on the day of payment of deposit/full payment.
Departure Dates 2025
Value Season
March 30; April 06, 13, 20
High Season
April 27; May 04, 11, 18, 25; June 01, 08, 15, 22, 29; July 06, 13
Value Season
July 20, 27; August 03, 10, 17
High Season
August 24, 31; September 07, 14, 21, 28; October 05, 12
Value Season
October 19, 26
Price is all-inclusive - inclusions are:
- Return transfers between Paris and the hotel barge (approximate transfer duration 3h 15m)
- A luxury 6 night cruise, all meals on board catered for by the on board Master Chef
- An open bar 24/7 with a large range of alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks
- All wines served throughout the cruise
- Excursions and admittance fees as per the itinerary
- The services of 6 crew
- Bicycles and jacuzzi
