ART WEEK with David Napp

During the Artistic Impressions Week aboard Fleur de Lys, the barge will cruise along the Burgundy Canal towards Dijon taking in the picturesque sites of Château de Pommard and the city of Beaune, which is the capital of the Burgundy wine region and home to its many Grand Crus vineyards; all beautiful locations to create a wonderful Burgundy scene on canvas.

Sunday - Paris to Dijon.
On arrival at Dijon station you are met by a representative of Fleur de Lys who escorts you on your transfer to Escommes 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 and your art tutor, David Napp.  A cocktail cruise introduces you to the delights of cruising. Later that evening enjoy your first dining experience on board.

Monday - Cruise to Pont d’Ouche.  Visit Château de Pommard & Painting.
After breakfast, enjoy your first day cruising on the magnificent Canal de Bourgogne. Small-unspoiled villages and green, forested hills provide exceptional views from the deck.  There are plenty of opportunities to walk and cycle alongside the boat on the towpath that follows the canal for the entire cruise.   After lunch visit Château de Pommard, a stunning building dating from 1726 and surrounded by its own vineyards.  On this wonderful site, you will have your first lesson in the art of creating pictures using pastels.  We find a scenic location within the vines, and facing towards the Chateau you will create your first picture.  This is such a marvelous position, with the hillside behind, surrounded by these wonderful green vines with the grapes now well formed and the white stone Chateau imposing itself into the heart of countryside.

Tuesday – Art morning. Cruise to La Bussière. Visit Beaune.
This morning, we will find a beautiful spot on this magnificent ‘Burgundy Canal’ and paint a truly original French country scene.  There are so many positions along this canal to choose from, but our tour guide will work with David to find a truly wonderful vantage point and you will spend the next few hours working with your easel to produce a fantastic memory of this morning.  Return to the barge for lunch and afterwards you will visit Beaune, capital of the Burgundy wine producing region, for a visit to the famous Hotel-Dieu, Hospice de Beaune.  The town with its tiny centre, has hardly changed physically down the years, a circular boulevard runs round its former ramparts, many of which still stand.  Within, there is a dense maze of narrow old streets.  Tonight’s mooring is at another canal-side village, La Bussière-sur-Ouche.

Wednesday - Cruise to Gissey.  Visit l’Abbaye de La Bussière and Pastels.
Mid-morning, tour l’Abbaye de la Bussière built in the 12th century under the guidance of the Cistercian monks from Citeaux. This beautiful abbey has now been converted into a truly luxurious hotel.  After a stroll in the grounds and a tour of the property with the owner enjoy lunch in the restaurant. This afternoon, we take a comfortable position within the grounds of this magnificent Abbaye and spend the rest of the day working with pastels.  This is such a special place, and there are so many different aspects to this property, you will not know where to start!  Luckily David will be on hand to direct you and by the end of this session; you will no doubt have a fabulous picture to take back to the barge - to admire over cocktails on the deck!

Thursday – Cruise to Fleurey-sur-Ouche. Visit Clos de Vougeot and Pastels.
This morning the barge cruises through the Côte d’Or planted with vines that produce some of the world’s most famous wines. After lunch your guide takes you to visit ‘Clos de Vougeot’, a medieval chateau surrounded by vineyards.  This is the headquarters of the Chevaliers du Tastevin, whose special label is awarded annually to the finest Cote d’Or vintages. Vougeot is a small village located in the heart of the ‘Route des Grand Crus’.  There are so many opportunities here for finding a perfect location to settle down for the afternoon to produce yet another, wonderful Burgundy scene. Perhaps the Chateau, or a hill side of vines, even the village itself with its narrow road and ornate street lights, once again David – will help locate the best position and advise you on how to produce yet another, wonderful picture.  Tonight’s mooring is in the pretty village of Fleurey-sur-Ouche.

Friday – Painting morning.  Visit Dijon.  
After breakfast, you will experience your final day working with David, once again we return to this beautiful canal side and find another wonderful aspect of this waterway for you to capture with your pastels. After another wonderful lunch on board, you are transferred to Dijon for a walking tour of this famous city, passing by the Ducal Palace, the market, and the Grey Poupon mustard shop. There will be free time for shopping or perhaps simply sit in one of the numerous pavement cafes and watch the world by go. The barge moors for the night in Dijon’s Port du Canal, a short distance from the town centre. The chef is busy on board preparing your Farewell gala dinner.

Saturday – Dijon.
After breakfast you will disembark the boat and continue with your onward journey.


Note: This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change.


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