Chalon sur Saone to Cuisery & the River Seille

The next morning, I went into town in search of a boulangerie but they were closed on Mondays. How can all the stores decide to close on the same day? Just our luck. I ended up going to the Carrefour across the street from the marina and bought croissants as well as a rotisserie chicken, tart flambé, pate, salad and fruit in case we couldn't find an open restaurant for lunch.

From Chalon sur Saone at PK 142, we continued down the River Saone.

At PK 119, we entered the lock at Ormes. It was an automatic lock and the drop was 2.53 m.

We passed Tournus at PK 112. This was a large town--we'll stop here on the return trip.

The turn onto the River Seille was at PK 106. It was a tiny sign and we missed it at first. Fortunately, the PK markers alerted us that we had gone too far and we turned back.

Just as we turned onto the River Seille, we hit the lock at La Truchere.

This was manned by a lock keeper who came out to help us with the lock. He helped us tie up and operated the locks. It was only 1.15 m change. The fees for the lock were included in the charter fees so we didn't have to pay extra. The lock keeper does not accept tips.

The lock keeper's home right next to the lock. If he's not outside, you ring the little bell by the side of the lock.

La Truchere--a small hamlet.

Bridge near Ratanelle, the next small town on the River Seille.

Old gate.

Along the river bank.

Before we reached Cuisery at PK 13, there was 1 more lock. This was a manual lock with a rise of 2.2 m just before the mooring site for the town. From Chalon sur Saone, it was 49 km, 7 hours and 3 locks to Cuisery.

2015 09 28

Chalon sur Saone

From Verdun, it was 25 km and 2 1/2 hours to Chalon sur Saone. There were no locks along the way.

Charolais cows along the banks of the river. These cows produce France's best steaks.

There is a wheel on the upper deck. Driving is so easy that you can even do it with your foot.

Chateaux along the river bank.

Chalon sur Saone is a large town with a population of roughly 50,000. It's a popular stop for river cruises. This was a Viking Buri ship. 

Bridge at the entrance to town.

Coat of arms of Chalon sir Saone--the shield with 3 circles.

Marina in Chalon sur Saone. It was €21.30 to spend the night. The fee included showers.

We followed the Chalon coat of arms to tour the town.

Pedestrian zoned town center.

Half-timbered house in the center of town.

Chalon Cathedral

Globe in front of the cathedral.

Trompe l'oeil.

2015 09 27

Thursday Night Dinner

Here's this week's Thursday night dinner at Flavor Bistro. 4 courses with wine pairing for $24.95.

Calamari E Fagioli--Local Calamari & Cannellini Beans Served in Brodetto Di Vino Bianco Flavored with Garlic, Sweet Basil, Toy Box Tomatoes & Extra Virgin Olive Oil, paired with 2014 Col del Mondo Rosé Cerasuolo D.O.C., Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, Italy

Ravioli Di Zucca--Homemade Butternut Ravioli, Crispy Sage Butter, Parmigiano-Reggiano, Topped with Roasted Organic Alba Mushrooms & Walnut Pesto, paired with 2013 Preston Farm & Winery Cinsault (Organic), Dry Creek Valley

Brasato Di Maiale--Slow Cooked Sonoma Style Pork Cacciatore Topped with Organic Fingerling Potatoes, Arugula, Pecorino & Gremolata, paired with 2012 Navarro Vineyards & Winery Zinfandel, Mendocino

Dolci Assortiti--Point Reyes Blue Cheese & Candied Walnuts with Petite Chocolate Tart Topped with Chocolate Mousse, paired with 2009 Easton Wines Zinfandel Obscura "Late Harvest", Rinaldi Vineyard, Fiddletown, Amador

2015 12 10

Le Caveaux

We arrived in Verdun sur le Doubs on a Sunday, shortly after noon.

I had read about Le Caveau on TripAdvisor and it was a short walk from the marina--on the other side of the canal. Monday-Friday, they serve a menu du jour for €12. We were there on a Sunday so we just ordered off the menu.

Colorful table setting.

This was a nice bottle of Pinot for €28.

I ordered the Menu Marguerite for €23. The first course was a salad buffet, Fried Fish or Grenouilles (frog legs). I chose the grenouilles, which were delicious. They were so garlicky.

The 2nd course was cheese or dessert. I chose the dessert, which turned out to be a raspberry tart.

My husband chose the Menu Heliodore for €38. He got 12 Escargots as his starter.

The region was known for Pochouse Verdunoise--a fish stew in a white wine sauce. The sauce was bland.

My husband got a cheese course,

which was followed by Assiette Gourmande--a variety of desserts, including the raspberry tart, cassis sorbet & cookies and a lemon curd.

2015 09 27

Verdun sur le Doubs

From Seurre, it was 20 km and 2 1/2 hours to Verdun sur le Doubs.

We had to negotiate the Ecuelles Lock prior to arriving in Verdun. This was also a manned lock.

The day fee in the marina at Verdun Sur le Doubs was €5.

Verdun is a river port, established here by the Romans in the first century AD.

The town was incredibly charming with tiny canals.

Vine-covered buildings in town.

There was a bicycle race in town on the day we were there. They just seemed to go around and around the town. Not sure the distance they had to cover.

2015 09 27

River Saone and Seurre

Leaving St. Jean de Losne, we cruised down the River Saone. I had envisioned barging the canals of France as meandering down small waterways. The River Saone was a big river.

Just 2 hours south of St. Jean de Losne, we came upon our first lock. Fortunately, this was manned. We just had to tie up on the side of the lock and the operator closed the locks. The bollards were quite far apart, so we tied fore and aft to the same bollard. We could almost hear the laughter roaring from the tower as we secured our boat. 

Seurre was the first town we reached. We moored in the marina and found a Monet-esque bridge next to us. Docking fees were based on the length of the boat and we paid €15. Showers on shore were €2.75.

There wasn't much in town and it was the end of the season so everything was closing. There was no one walking in town.

This was the church in town. 

We were surprised that even on a Saturday night, there were no restaurants open. Fortunately, we had enough food to have dinner on board. The bonus was the beautiful sunset.

2015 09 26