Low Bridge, Everybody Down: Barging in Europe: January 2017

Entrance to Chateau de Commarin which is a historical castle in Burgundy linked to the Duke of Burgundy. This chateau is close to Dijon and Beaune.

Chateau de Commarin was first mentioned in 1214 and was a fortified house. The owners were from the first line of the Duke of Burgundy. A description dated 1476 shows it as a castle with four big towers of which two still exist. It was during the 16th century that the chateau was enhanced with the chapel being decorated and new paintings made, as well as the beautiful tapestries still being displayed.

Chateau de Commarin stables were built during the 17th and 18th century. Today you can rent out the stables for parties.

The walls of this room are covered with handmade tapestries which were made for the Vienne family in the 16th century.

The well stocked library.

A bedroom with original furnishings that you can visit in the tower.

We always enjoy visiting Chateauneuf in Burgundy.

Walking around Chateauneuf we view buildings with charming gardens.

Lovely entrance to a home with wonderful stonework above the door.

Remains of a statue on a wall in Chateauneuf, Burgundy.

Scott and Lovita arrived by train and we were there to greet them.

I may have mentioned how tight these locks are that we go through. Here you can see the doors opening and barely missing our anchors. That's close.

Rabelo going under a bridge. The view on the other side is breathtaking.

The last stretch of the Burgundy Canal before we arrive at Saint Jean de Losne, Rabelo's winter home.

Dusk along the canal.

View as we walk along the Promenade De 'l Ouche.

The church of Notre-Dame of Dijon is Roman Catholic. Construction began around 1220 in the Gothic style. Restoration was from 1865 to 1884.

Magnificent organ.

Five Lancet windows and a rose window.

Outside of the church on Rue de la Chouette (Owl Street) which is a pedestrian street is a sculpted bird believed to represent an owl. The owl is worn because of the superstition that anyone who strokes the bird and mades a wish will have luck. People are lined up to rub the owl.

Beautiful sights as we walk around Dijon.

Sometimes the sights may not be beautiful but are definitely interesting.

The pastries are definitely a beautiful sight.

Tom and Scott are about to tie up Rabelo at her winter home in Saint Dijon de Losne.

Let the good times begin...or actually continue as we taste the amazing wines of Faiveley deep in their cellar.

While Ilana and Tom were on Rabelo we were unable to move the boat due to a broken gear shift and throttle. It didn't prevent us from wine tasting and sightseeing around Burgundy.

Ilana's husband Tom is in the wine business and graciously set up an amazing day of wine tasting at two great wineries, one of which included a delicious lunch. Wine tasting with a meal accompanied by great friends...what could be better?!?

Map of the wines of Puligny-Montrachet

While we have done many wine tours in our day, we learned even more during the tours our friend Tom arranged for us.

We had a very informative lecture on the art of grape growing in the vineyard of Oliver Leflaive. It was cold and windy but worth every minute.

It's special having one of the owners of the Oliver Leflaive giving us the tour and explanation of the skil of winemaking from their perspective.

There is a great deal of delicious wine being aged in here.

I was allowed to climb up to the top of the vat of grapes being fermented. I could see the bubbling taking place. That was a first.

Olivier Leflaive invites you to taste select wines, each explained by the sommeliers, with a seasonal menu of quality local produce prepared by their personal chief. A great way to truly appreciate their wines.

Marinated chicken breast with cleric and green apple.

Cod fish, greenmail potatoes, white grapes and shallot cream.

Tom was feeling no pain as we tasted many wines along with our lovely lunch.

We purchased a few bottles of Olivier Leflaive to take back to the boat.

Domaine Faiveley is located in the heart of the Viticultural Burgundy between Dijon and Beaune in Nuits-Saint-Georges. Pierre Faiveley founded the winery in 1825. Passed down from generation to generation somehow surviving phylloxera, the Great Depression and more, Erwan Faiveley has taken over the domain becoming the seventh generation. He was the one who graciously greeted us before introducing us to the young woman who was our guide through the caves and tasting.