We return to the ship for lunch as we recommence our journey to Lyon. Why not visit the fascinating Dalineum museum dedicated to the Catalan artist Salvador Dali with a collection of his surrealist paintings, sculptures, furniture and photographs, or simply enjoy the view from a pavement café and absorb the ambience of this historic spot. We’ll get to enjoy a guided tour of its fine interior during a guided walking tour, strolling through Beaune’s attractive streets and then there’s time for you to explore under your own steam. Today it’s a museum showcasing famous works by artists such as Van der Weyden and a prestigious annual wine auction takes place here each November, with proceeds going to the Hospices. Originally built in the 15th-century as a hospital for the disadvantaged, it’s a jewel of High Gothic architecture, instantly recognisable for its colourful glazed roof tiles arranged in dazzling geometric patterns. At its centre is the Hospices de Beaune, also known as the Hôtel-Dieu. Nearby is medieval Beaune, Burgundy’s wine capital and one of the most picturesque walled towns in the region. On this morning’s tour we see some of the pretty villages that produce some of the world’s most sublime wines – Meursault, Volnay, Pommard, and many more. Rising this morning we’re berthed in Chalon, gateway to Burgundy and home of Nicéphore Niépce, the inventor of photography. Day 3 Arrow up click to collapse day Arrow Up - Click to expand day.Tonight, enjoy another superb dinner as we arrive in the picturesque town of Chalon. Enjoy a leisurely afternoon up on deck or acquaint yourself with the ship’s excellent facilities – perhaps a dip in the splashpool or a indulge yourself with a spa treatment. We return to our ship stopping off at the geological phenomenon Solutre Rock – an important prehistoric site surrounded by lush vineyards, made famous by the ritual ascents of French President Francois Mitterrand during the 1980sīack on board reconvene in the restaurant for lunch during which we slip our moorings. After learning about the time-old traditions of wine-production, sample a selection of its finest produce.
Today, the Mâcon appellation oversees 53 hectares of vineyard, 70% of which is dedicated to the production of white wine, principally Chardonnay. Mâcon was once known for its red wines, but the twentieth century saw its white wines also coming to prominence. We visit one of the region’s best winemakers for a tour and tasting in a historic chateau. We are in the heart of this famous wine-producing region where vines have been planted since Gallo-Roman times. Whilst much of the abbey was destroyed during the Revolution, we enjoy a fascinating guided tour of this atmospheric place. Artefacts exemplifying the wealth of Cluny Abbey are today on display at the Musée de Cluny in Paris. The monks wore the finest linen religious habits and silk vestments at Mass.
Instead of being limited to the traditional fare of broth and porridge, the monks ate very well, enjoying roasted chickens (a luxury in France then), wines from their vineyards and cheeses made by their employees. Despite the monastic ideal of a frugal life, Cluny Abbey commissioned candelabras of solid silver and gold chalices made with precious gems for use at the abbey Masses.
Its wealth enabled the monastery to hire workers to do the traditional labour of monks allowing them to devote themselves to almost constant prayer, thus elevating their position into a profession. In the 12th century, a network of 1450 abbeys and 10,000 monks made up the order of Cluny under a highly original and successful system the Abbots of Cluny became leaders on the international stage and the monastery of Cluny was considered the most prestigious monastic institution in Europe. After our first splendid breakfast, we depart the ship and enjoy the short drive to Cluny Abby, one of the most glorious Benedictine abbeys of the Christian Middle Ages. Nothing beats the excitement of waking up somewhere new and as you rise this morning, we arrive in the delightful town of Mâcon, the capital of the Mâconnais region of Burgundy.
0 kommentar(er)
