Boat Holidays in France - Burgundy East: Vosges, Franche-Comte, South Burgundy

Go south from St Leger-sur-Dheune and Chalon-sur-Saône is an essential stop. This traditional Burgundy town is noted for its history and fine food. Tournus, another picturesque medieval town, marks the frontier to a different landscape, with its Mediterranean feel.

After Tournus, you turn off onto the River Seille for a journey into the heart of the countryside. This intimate waterway twists and turns past delightful Bresse villages before reaching Louhans.

A select band of fishermen and boaters have already discovered the River Seille, and now we offer a one-way base at Loisy, in an area designated as being of outstanding natural interest for its fauna, flora and ecology.

Cruising the Canal du Centre from St Leger-sur-Dheune you pass through some of the most renowned vineyards of the Cote Chalonnaise. Along the misting valley of the Dheune sparkle the varnished tile roofs of charming villages.

At the foot of the Cote Chalonnaise are world-famous wine producing villages: Mercurey, Santenay with its 13th century church of St Jean de Naroise standing amid the vines, Montrachet, synonymous with fine whites, and Rully with its 12th century castle.

The Saone is one of France's most attractive rivers, with few locks, rural scenery, and generously proportioned farmhouses, their windowboxes pretty with flowers. Enjoy the well-preserved villages in the Maconnais and the Dole region.