A FRENCH COUNTRYSIDE ITINERARY - A leisurely cruise up the River Yonne and Canal du Nivernais


DAY ONE—Board the Golden Odyssey at the beautiful town of Auxerre, perched on the left bank of the River Yonne. Undoubtedly one of the prettiest towns in France, Auxerre is the capital of Lower Burgundy and is situated in the heart of the Chablis wine growing region. You may content yourself with simply relaxing on deck with your party and looking at this ancient and impressive city, or explore the twisting cobbled streets and visit the Cathedral of St. Etienne, one of the finest examples of gothic architecture in France, which was three hundred years in the building. Shopping for local products or antiques and beginning your Chablis education are other possibilities before returning aboard to your first experience of Golden Odyssey cuisine.

DAY TWO—You may decide to remain in Auxerre for the morning before getting underway for the first days cruising through a variety of landscapes until we turn into a divergence canal, which leads us to Vermenton, our mooring for the night. This is in ancient wine country, and the remnants of a Roman portal can still be seen. Wine, of course, was an important resource for the Roman Legions, as it kept better than water. Happy Centurions! They did not have a heated spa pool, however, which is one of your options aboard.

DAY THREE—By now you will have fully adapted to the pampered lifestyle aboard, and may decide to sleep late and breakfast on deck. When you are quite ready, we will get underway for our cruise to Mailly le Chateau. Perched high above the valley of the Yonne, the impressive chateau has a commanding view of the valley and surrounding countryside.

DAY FOUR—Today, we propose a cruise to the town of Clamecy, which is situated at the junction of the Yonne and Beuvron Rivers. En route, we will pass the very dramatic cliffs named Le Sausois. Perhaps we will stop and bring ashore a picnic, or swim in the lovely clear water, as you wish. We arrive in this charming old town, and wander the narrow streets, with its half-timbered houses leaning out overhead, to be transported into another century. Have a Pernod or a glass of wine in an old bar and see that life here has a quiet pace. But not, perhaps as quiet as aboard the Golden Odyssey, where you will eventually return for another in the continuing series of memorable dinners.

DAY FIVE—Again you may decide to spend some more time in this medieval river town, which, incidentally, was the birthplace of the famous writers Romain Rolland and Claude Tellier, as well as the celebrated sailor Alain Colas, who was lost at sea. Perhaps visit a museum, which graphically displays the ancient practice of assembling huge rafts of wood to float to Paris in the old days, a practice that accounted for much of the commerce of this town. We can also take a short cruise to Chevroches, an enchanting village perched high above the river not far from Clamecy. We will eventually come to Tannay, which the guidebooks call “…a joyful wine city”. The chalky hills that surround the town are covered with vineyards, which produce an excellent dry white wine that you must sample with some local cuisine.

DAY SIX—We will now pass through country of green pastoral landscape, dotted with white Charolais cattle (yes, we do obtain Charolais beef from a local butcher), through old wooden bridges. We will moor for lunch in a suitably idyllic spot and perhaps you will doze in the sun as we wend our way to the riverside town of Chitry les Mines, a charming port. Another town to explore, more wine to taste, and perhaps a special last night dinner; a glass of good cognac in the pool is always a delightful prelude to a quiet nights sleep in this beautiful country surrounding.

DAY SEVEN—Your morning, as always, is yours to spend. Sleep late, sightsee, bicycle the towpaths, or simply lounge in a deckchair and reflect on the past week over a cup of coffee with your friends until it is time for the chauffered car to arrive and transport you back to reality.