Early booking: 10% discount on our 2025 cruises for bookings made before March 31, 2025.
** Private Luxury cruises on a Barge, charm & Serenity on the River**
Cruise description
A timeless interlude of luxury and serenity
Enjoy an all-inclusive 6-day stay aboard Maïtena, a charming hotel barge privatized for just 4 passengers. Let yourself be carried along by the water and discover the best of Burgundy-Franche-Comté's gastronomy and heritage.
✅ Peaceful sailing and exclusive itinerary
✅ Personalized service and dedicated crew
✅ Gourmet meals with wine pairings
✅ Private excursions and cultural visits
DETAILED ITINERARY - Luxury cruise on the Saône and Doubs rivers
A tailor-made trip along the river.
Saint-Jean-de-Losne → Besançon (or vice versa).
Duration: 6 days / 5 nights.
4 passengers maximum.
All-inclusive experience.
Day 1: Embarkation and gourmet dinner
Departure point: Saint-Jean-de-Losne or Besançon - Starting at 5pm
Your journey begins in Saint-Jean-de-Losne, the historic cradle of French inland navigation, where the crew welcomes you with a glass of champagne and appetizers. After settling into your comfortable cabin, enjoy a gourmet dinner on board, featuring regional products and a carefully selected wine pairing.
Dinner on board - Refined menu with Burgundian flavors.
Overnight at the quay for a serene first evening.
Day 2: Sailing to Dole and private visit
Saint-Jean-de-Losne → Dole.
After a gourmet breakfast, we set sail for a peaceful cruise on the Saône, skirting the verdant landscapes of Burgundy. You can take advantage of the terrace deck to admire the riverbanks, read a book or simply relax.
Afternoon: Discovering Dole
Dole, birthplace of Louis Pasteur, is a nugget of Franc Comtois heritage. We'll take you on a private guided tour of its historic center:
the majestic Collégiale Notre-Dame
The picturesque alleyways and canals of the "Little Venice of the Jura".
Pasteur's birthplace
This evening, we'll dine at Michelin-starred restaurant La Chaumière, where your Michelin-starred chef Joël Cesari will tantalize your taste buds with carefully prepared dishes.
Overnight docked in the magnificent port of Dole, at the foot of the collegiate church of Notre-Dame.
Day 3: Sailing to Ranchot and excursion to the Salines Royales
Dole → Ranchot
Sailing to Ranchot - This morning, we sail between the canal and the Doubs, with its wilder, wooded landscapes, enjoying the breathtaking scenery beneath the cliffs of Rochefort-sur-Nenon, before mooring in Ranchot in the early afternoon.
Private excursion to the Royal Salt Works of Arc-et-Senans (UNESCO)
Discover this 18th-century architectural masterpiece designed by Claude-Nicolas Ledoux. An exclusive tour plunges you into the history of salt and industrial know-how.
On your return, take advantage of the late afternoon to explore the village and surrounding area on foot or by bike.
Gourmet dinner on deck, under the stars.
Overnight stay in Ranchot.
Day 4: Sailing to Thoraise
Ranchot → Thoraise Day 4: Sailing to Thoraise
We leave Ranchot for a day of exceptional navigation on the Doubs, between forests, limestone cliffs and picturesque villages..
Arrive Thoraise early afternoon
After a gourmet lunch on board, enjoy some free time for a stroll through this charming village or a relaxing break on the boat's deck.
Gastronomic dinner at this stopover nestled between forest and river - an exclusive moment with a special menu and a selection of fine Burgundy wines.
Overnight at the quay in Thoraise.
Day 5: Sailing to Besançon and cultural discovery of the city.
Thoraise → Besançon
After a gentle wake-up call with a gourmet breakfast. We start the last leg of our journey to Besançon, a city of arts and history.
Highlight: Passing through the Thoraise tunnel
Admire this spectacular arched tunnel, lined with a waterfall, offering a magical entrance to the final stage of your journey.
Arrival in Besançon.
After mooring in the port of Besançon, admire Vauban's majestic citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
End-of-cruise dinner: The captain and his wife will invite you to a restaurant for this last evening together.
Overnight stay in the port of Besançon.
Day 6: Disembarkation and transfer.
After a hearty breakfast, the crew will assist you with your departure, and a transfer to the train station/TGV or another location of your choice (within an hour's drive) can be arranged on request.
Practical information
Season: April - October
Capacity: 4 passengers maximum
Price: €13,500 for 4 people (€6750 per couple)
Departure possible from Saint-Jean-de-Losne or Besançon
Services and inclusions
"An all-inclusive holiday for an unforgettable experience"
Upmarket accommodation: Air-conditioned cabins with all comforts and private bathrooms.
Gourmet meals: Refined menus featuring local produce and wine pairings.
Private excursions: Exclusive guided tours of must-see sites.
Relaxation: Panoramic terrace, cosy lounge, intimate space.
Smooth sailing: Discover the region's unspoilt landscapes.
Pricing and booking
"An exclusive experience for an unforgettable journey".
Price: €13,500 for 4 people (€6750 per couple)
All-inclusive: accommodation, meals, selected restaurants, drinks, excursions, crew.
Not included: Personal expenses, travel insurance
** They lived the Maïtena experience**
💬 "What a beautiful sunny interlude, even if Lady Weather had her way on the 1st day! Sandrine and Maxime give their undivided attention to their guests. Their cuisine is delicious, worthy of a gourmet restaurant. The setting of the barge is as elegant, warm and sober as the cuisine. Thank you Sandrine, Maxime, we are leaving with beautiful memories".
Christiane & Gérard, Belfort.
PS: I forgot: New christening for their boat: MAISON DU BONHEUR.
💬 "So where to start! What a lovely welcome, in a magnificent location! A trip out of time, in this beautiful barge. Thank you for this exceptional service."
Marie & Pierrot, Alsace.
💬 "Suspended moment in this magnificent place. Lovely welcome, kindness, we were received like kings. Everything was perfect and bravo to the cook and the patissière, Thank you for everything."
Barbara & Sylvain. Genève.