Saint-Jean-de-Losne RETURN via Chalon-sur-Saône 3-Night Itinerary
This three-night break offers a wonderful introduction to the region, with longer cruising days that let you take in its very best from the most relaxing vantage point of all – your boat. Since the 17th century, Burgundy has been shaping the biggest network of magnificent waterways in France. Enjoy a gentle pace of life along these historic canals, in and amongst quiet French villages, and delight in world-class cuisine and wine.
Suggested Itinerary
Arrive at base
3pm
After you have arrived and checked-in, we’ll show you to your boat as quickly as possible. Spend time settling in, freshen up and await your pre-departure briefing which will be given by one of our base technicians. They will familiarise you with the boat’s domestic systems and give you a hands-on demonstration of the boat controls and how to operate it. They will make sure you are comfortable and confident controlling the boat, as well as navigating the waterway, before you set off.
Food for the journey: With both Lidl and Intermarché SUPER Saint-Usage grocery stores less than a 5-minute drive from our base, we recommend picking up a few essentials for any meals you’ll enjoy on board before you set off – just make sure to allow yourself a little time to pop into town and stock up.
Saint-Jean-de-Losne > Seurre
4:30pm – 6:30pm
Approx. 2hrs | 1 lock
If you’re able to set off early enough, make your way to your first overnight mooring in Seurre, about two hours away.
*Please note: if you are short on time and cannot pass through the Seurre lock before nightfall, simply spend your first evening on board in Saint-Jean-de-Losne.
Explore Seurre
6:45pm – 7pm
Enjoy a leisurely walk or a gentle bicycle ride along the lush, green canals as you make your way to tonight’s dinner spot, just a short distance from the marina.
Dinner at Restaurant La Marine, Seurre
7pm – 9pm
Enjoy a wide range of authentic French cuisine, as well as the freshest sushi at this local favourite, complete with a nice garden terrace and a unbeatable view of the River Saône.
For bookings: +33 (0)380 211 290
Overnight in Seurre
Breakfast on board
8am – 9am
Seurre > Verdun-sur-le-Doubs
9am – 11:30am
Approx. 2hrs 30mins | 1 lock
Explore Verdun-sur-le-Doubs
11:30am – 1pm
Take a stroll in the Île du Château Park, accessible by a footbridge, or stop by the Bread & Wheat Museum and learn about the many centuries of harvesting wheat and bread-making.
+33 (0)385 9157 09 | verdunsurledoubs.fr
Alternatively, hop on bicycles and take time to shop for wine and food in the town, and prepare a nice lunch to enjoy back on your boat. You could even get the fishing rods out and practice your hand at catching some local carp, pike perch, pike, catfish, roach or bream.
Lunch on board, Verdun-sur-le-Doubs
1pm – 2pm
Verdun-sur-le-Doubs > Chalon-sur-Saône
2pm – 5:30pm
Approx. 3hrs 30mins | 0 locks
Explore Chalon-sur-Saône
5:30pm– 7pm
Take a stroll to the town centre, where you will see quaint half-timbered houses, towers and turrets, fortifications and bastions from the 16th century. Must-see attractions for the day include the Saint Laurent Island Hospital and its 19th Century chapel, and the 15th Century episcopal palace.
Dinner at Les Gourmants Disent, Chalon-sur-Saône
7pm – 9pm
Enjoy well-presented, unique dishes with a balanced mix of flavours, made using fresh seasonal produce.
Be sure to book in advance: +33 (0)64 28 40 95 | les-gourmands-disent-restaurant.fr
Another charming option, with a more relaxed and informal feel, is dinner at Chez Jules. Enjoy full-flavored, hearty dishes with a homely, comforting ‘twist’, inspired by the chef’s love of international cuisine. In addition to their classic menu, the restaurant also offers ‘wine dinners’, which are usually five courses with tailored wine parings.
For bookings: +33 (0)385 48 08 34 | chezjules.restaurant
Overnight in Chalon-sur-Saône
For families with younger children
Verdun-sur-le-Doubs: For a fun way to explore Verdun-sur-le-Doubs as a family, visit the tourist office which offers bikes for hire by the hour from Rosalies de la Confluence.
Breakfast in Place Saint-Vincent, Chalon-sur-Saône
8am – 9:45am
Enjoy a stroll into town and grab a coffee and pastry for breakfast in one of the many quaint cafés of Place Saint-Vincent.
Chalon-sur-Saône > Gergy
10am – 12:30pm
Approx. 2hrs 30mins | 0 locks
Lunch on board, Gergy
12:30pm – 1:30pm
Gergy > Seurre
1:30pm – 5pm
Approx. 3hrs 30 mins | 1 lock
Explore Seurre
5pm – 7pm
Explore the town’s charming period buildings, with their brick and stone façades and beautifully preserved old-town architecture. A slow wander here at sunset is especially rewarding, as the historic streets and timbered houses take on a soft glow, offering a tranquil glimpse of everyday village life.
Dinner on board
7pm – 9pm
Fire up the BBQ or enjoy a relaxed dinner on the top deck of your boat.
Overnight in Seurre
Seurre > Saint-Jean-de-Losne
7am – 9am
Approx. 2hrs | 1 lock
Set off early this morning to ensure you arrive back in Saint-Jean-de-Losne time for check-out at 9am. The cruise takes around two hours, giving you a gentle start to the day as you make your way back to base.
Breakfast on board
8am – 9am
Enjoy breakfast on board as you take in the final leg of your cruise.
Depart St-Jean-de-Losne
9am
Planning to spend the day in Saint-Jean-de-Losne?
Explore Saint-Jean-de-Losne
10am – 6:30pm
This popular small tourist town has fantastic supermarkets, bakeries, butchers, wine shops and more…
Top tip: Boulangerie Jaye, just a 5-minute walk from the base, is a must-visit bakery if you have a sweet tooth!
Visit the Barge Museum, located in a restored 15th Century house near the Le Boat base, or walk to the Baptiste church, which is covered with glazed tiles in classic Burgundy tradition. If you prefer to end your journey by savoring more wine, head about twenty kilometers by car from the base to the vineyards of Nuits-Saint-Georges.
4 or 5 night alternative
Extend your cruise approximately 4-hours north from Saint-Jean-de-Losne along the Burgundy Canal to Dijon, the historic capital of Burgundy and the “city of a hundred steeples”. It’s around thirty kilometres with a string of short locks, so plan it over two easy cruising days rather than a single run. Discover Dijon and its medieval center full of history, interesting buildings and monuments, and don’t forget to climb the 315 steps of the Philippe le Bon Tower for a splendid view over the rooftops of the city’s well-preserved medieval quarter
Alternatively, cruise along the Canal du Centre between Chalon-sur-Saône and Chagny. Chagny is a pretty town, with plenty of restaurants, including the famous Lameloise. Among the numerous shops, a visit to the contemporary art gallery and the 18th century apothecary is always interesting. It’s a 4.5hr journey by boat each way.
This itinerary is a suggestion only
This suggested itinerary is an indication of what could be accomplished, and your ability to accomplish it, is not a contractual obligation of Le Boat. Le Boat is unable to guarantee when your pre-departure briefing will take place and in some cases it will not be given until the morning after your arrival. In these instances, you will need to adapt the itinerary outlined to accommodate a later departure. All cruising distances and times are approximations and are subject to local navigation restrictions at the time you cruise, planned or otherwise, which may also require you to deviate from the itinerary shown. Please check advertised opening times of sights, attractions and restaurants to avoid disappointment – some may need to be booked in advance. All meals, entry fees and tour tariffs are payable at your own expense. Attractions, restaurants and even locks and/or stretches of the waterway may be closed or can close without notice.
We’d love to hear from you
We’ve tried our very best to ensure the accuracy of the information we’ve provided. If you have followed all or some of this itinerary and have found something isn’t quite right, or perhaps you have some helpful tips and pointers that we could add which might be useful to your fellow boaters, we’d love to hear from you. Please email us at: itineraries@leboat.com
Image credits
Saint-Jean-de-Losne Aerial – Guillaume Robert Famy – Saone Tourisme | Île du Château Park – Verdun-sur-le-Doubs tourism | St. Laurent Island Hospital – Wikipedia Commons | Place St-Vincent, Chalon-sur-Saône – Wikipedia Commons | Chagny Town – Chalon-sur-Saône tourism – Location Burgundy | Maison Lameloise, Chagny – lameloise.fr | Domaine de la Folie vineyards – Stuart Pearce | Nuits-Saint-Georges Vineyards Website