Floating Foodie Heaven – Barging Meets 3-Star Michelin Dining on France’s River Saone

Nov. 10, 2011 - PRLog -- Lyon, France – Francophiles and foodies can join forces on the new barge Sojourn, a deluxe, 8 passenger charter vessel offering gourmet themed departures on France’s River Saone in 2012. Sojourn will wine and dine its guests at two top Michelin-rated restaurants and offer a full program of wine tasting, sightseeing and private cooking lessons. Ellen Sack, The Barge Lady, an American based broker for French barge vacations, represents the Sojourn.  Sack explains, “This is an opportunity for foodies to immerse themselves into the French gourmet scene and meet many individuals associated with the experience: chefs, winemakers, and producers of specialty ingredients.  Giving the Sojourn program an added dimension is that guests actually cruise through the center of France, from one enchanting village to another on the River Saone.”

Six night cruises float through the Burgundy and Beaujolais wine regions on a route between the classic riverside town of Chalon-sur-Saone and Lyon, famed as a gourmet center. Specialized food and wine experiences are offered daily.  Lunches at the Michelin 3-star chef venues of Paul Bocuse, located outside of Lyon, and Georges Blanc, in the charming village of Vonnas, are exclusively offered by Sojourn. At Paul Bucose, some lucky guests might be greeted by the chef himself.  

In the petite village of Beaujeu, guests mingle with locals at the outdoor produce market, then enjoy a tasting of freshly pressed gourmet cooking oils and take home such exotic flavors as pine nut and hazelnut.  They will sample fine Beaujolais vintages at a chateau surrounded by vineyards and are invited into the home kitchen of a local chef for a private cooking class.  A tour of the 17th century Chateau of Cormatin completes the sightseeing itinerary.

Sojourn’s English-speaking crew of four includes a chef who creates flavorful cuisine featuring fresh ingredients.  Twenty four cheeses and twenty four wines are introduced and tasted throughout the cruise. Guests are housed in four double-occupancy cabins, each with en-suite tiled bathrooms with a large step-in shower, custom linens and ample storage space.  Public spaces include a salon, separate dining room and shaded deck.

Six night cruises begin every Sunday between the dates of May 6th - October 21st, 2012.  The cruise fare for a charter party of eight is $46,000 and includes the two Michelin restaurant lunches, all food, wine and open bar on board, the private cooking lesson, and all other visits and wine tastings.  Ellen Sack, The Barge Lady, has been a broker of European canal barge vacations since 1985 and represents 45 other vessels in France, England, Ireland, Holland, Germany, and Scotland.  

For more information Contact:
Caroline Sack Klein
caroline@bargelady.com
800.880.0071
http://www.bargeladycruises.com

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The Barge Lady, Ellen Sack, has been a broker of European canal barge vacations since 1985 and represents 46 vessels in France, England, Ireland, Holland, Germany, and Scotland. We are European Specialists and offer expert trip planning.