Burgundy: river cruise in the heart of the vineyards during the grape harvest

Want to experience a river cruise in Burgundy with a difference?

In autumn, during the grape harvest, embark on a river cruise on the Canal Latéral à la Loire and navigate through golden vineyards, wine-growing villages and welcoming cellars. The perfect combination of river tourism, nature and wine tasting. Here is the cruise we recommend!

A river cruise in Burgundy between Briare and Châtillon-En-Bazois during the grape harvest

Navigating between Briare, Decize and Châtillon-En-Bazois, means choosing a one-way itinerary that is calm, green and very accessible, ideal for a first houseboat cruise experience during the grape harvest. Along the canal running parallel to the Loire, vineyards stretch across the hillsides, wine cellars open their doors and the atmosphere is festive.

From your licence-free houseboat, you can enjoy a new stopover every day:

• Briare and its iconic canal bridge
• Ouzouer-sur-Trézée and its little cycle paths
• Sancerre and its vine-covered hills
• Decize and its old town surrounded by water
• Châtillon-sur-Loire, the perfect place to end a relaxing week

Wine estates to visit on foot or by bike from the river stops

The strength of this itinerary is that it allows you to visit several estates on foot or by bike from the ports where you moor your licence-free houseboat. Here are the ones we recommend:

• La Cave de la Petite Fontaine - 06.85.67.23.20
• Le Domaine Vacheron - 02.48.54.09.93
• Le Domaine Fouassier - 02.48.54.02.34
• Le Domaine Bizet - 02.48.79.34.43
• Le Domaine les Chaumes - 03.86.39.15.87
• Saget La Perrière - 03.86.39.57.75
• Le Domaine Barillot - 03.86.39.15.29
• Le Domaine Tinel Blondelet - 03.86.39.13.83

In September, the grape harvest is in full swing and the atmosphere in the wine-growing villages is unique. Some estates organise open days with entertainment, guided tours and even grape harvesting workshops. From the deck of your licence-free houseboat, you can enjoy incredible views of the hillsides and rows of vines gilded by the late summer sun. An unforgettable visual and taste experience!

🚤 Ready to embark? Book your licence-free houseboat hire for a wine cruise in Burgundy and experience the grape harvest in a different way!