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A 5-day houseboat tour in Burgundy with unique experiences on the water

Alexandra Sassenlinkedin Alexandra Sassen

Editor of Filovent magazine. "I was born and raised in the seaside town of Bremerhaven in Germany and joined Filovent to share my passion for boats and sailing with you! "

“Despite bad weather, a great experience for my family with children and grandchildren.”  Gerhard went with his family on a Tarpon 42 from Pointailler-sur-Saône on a houseboat trip.

The Tarpon 42

In April, Gerhard and his family went together on a Houseboat in Burgundy , to travel for 5 days. For this they rented a Tarpon 42.

The Tarpon 42 is a popular model of the manufacturer Recla, it is approx. 12.4 meters long and has a spacious layout that is designed for Comfort and Functionality. It offers enough space for a family or a group of friends. The houseboat has 4 cabins, 2 bathrooms, spacious eat-in kitchen and living area. You need no boat license, to operate this boat. When you pick up the boat you will get a Introduction to operating of the boat and can get a first feel for the ride.

die tarpon 42
The travel group on the Tarpon 42 (pictures by Gerhard)

The itinerary of the group

Gerhard and his family followed the route suggested by Filovent, with this the group was very satisfied, as Gerhard tells me. Here you can find the route in detail:

Day 1: Pontailler-sur-Saône → Lamarche-sur-Saône (3 nautical miles, 30 minutes)

Day 2: Lamarche-sur-Saône → Saint-Jean-de-Losne (11 nautical miles, 2:15 hours)

Day 3: Saint-Jean-de-Losne → Chalon-sur-Saône (26 nautical miles, 5 hours)

Day 4: Chalon-sur-Saône → Ormes (11 nautical miles, 2:15 hours)

Day 5: Ormes → Louhans (38 nautical miles, 7:30 hour)

The route of the group in detail (clickable map)

The travel area

The Bourgone (or also called Burgundy) is a excellent area for a houseboat tour, the starting point in Pointailler-sur-Saône offers many possibilities for an unforgettable adventure. Pointailler-sur-Saône is located on the banks of the Saône River, which meanders through Burgundy. The Saône is a calm and picturesque river, which is lined with beautiful landscapes, charming villages and historic towns. It offers ideal conditions for a relaxing houseboat tour. Burgundy is world famous for its exquisite wines. The region is primarily known for its red and white wines made from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. During your houseboat tour you will have the opportunity to visit theprestigious wineries, do wine tastings and enjoy the delicious regional cuisine. Besides the Saône River, Burgundy has an extensive network of canals and waterways that are perfect for a houseboat tour. The Canal de Bourgogne and the Canal du Centre are two of the most famous canals in the region.

Burgundy as an area for a houseboat tour from Pointailler-sur-Saône offers you the opportunity to enjoy the best of this charming region to explore and at the same time enjoy Freedom and tranquility of the water.

Gerhard and his family liked the Precinct very much and he would highly recommend it for a houseboat tour .

Day 1 of navigation: Pontailler-sur-Saône → Lamarche-sur-Saône (3 nautical miles, 30 minutes)

On the first day, the tour group went from their starting point to the first stopover Lamarche-sur-Saône. Lamarche is a delightful stopover on your journey, which offers a unique blend of natural beauty and cultural attractions. Lamarche offers a quiet and captivating experience on your boat tour, where you will be immersed in the natural beauty and the cultural heritage of the Bourgogne can immerse. Here you can enjoy the peaceful atmosphere or taste the local delicacies. Admire the rustic architecture and immerse yourself in the local atmosphere.

Lamarche-sur-Saône (images from Canva)

Day 2 of navigation: Lamarche-sur-Saône → Saint-Jean-de-Losne (11 nautical miles, 2:15 hours)

Saint-Jean-de-Losne is the second stopover for the houseboat tours in Burgundy. The city is located at the confluence of the Saône and Doubs rivers. It offers a range of Sights and activities, which you can explore during your stay. Saint-Jean-de-Losne is known for its large marina, considered one of the largest European inland ports . Here you can admire a variety of boats and yachts and enjoy the lively atmosphere of the port.

Day 3 of navigation: Saint-Jean-de-Losne → Chalon-sur-Saône (26 nautical miles, 5 hours)

They continued their journey to Chalon-sur-Saône, a vibrant city with a fascinating mixture of antiquity and modernity. It is known for its historic center, here you can see the impressive cathedral of Chalon visit and enjoy the local gastronomy in one of the many riverside restaurants.

The city of Saint-Jean-de-Losne and the Saône (images from Canva and Wikimedia)

Day 4 of navigation: Chalon-sur-Saône → Ormes (11 nautical miles, 2:15 hours)

On the penultimate day, the group plans to navigate through the picturesque channel and the fascinating lock system of the Ormes lock to experience. Unfortunately, the group had to stay here longer than planned due to a strike by the lock keepers. Normally, you can experience the intricacies of canal navigation here while your boat is being raised or lowered for the onward journey. 

One of the locks on the houseboat tour (picture by Gerhard) 

Day 5 of navigation: Ormes → Louhans (38 nautical miles, 7:30 hour)

The group ends its tour in the charming city Louhans, which is known for its enchanting half-timbered houses and the lively Monday market. Here you can admire the streets with its architectural gems discover and enjoy the local cuisine, especially the famous Bresse chicken. If your visit falls on a Monday, be sure to visit the bustling market of Louhans, known for its lively atmosphere and its wide range of local products, Arts and crafts and much more is known.

Throughout the tour you will be accompanied by the natural beauty Burgundy region with its lush vineyards, rolling hills and calm watercourses be enchanted. Take time to enjoy the leisurely pace to enjoy the boat ride that breathtaking landscapes to admire and enter the rich cultural heritage of the region.

Acknowledgement

I sincerely thank Gerhard for his feedback! Thank you for sending the photos that allow us to share some memories of navigation!

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