We will use our unique
in-depth experience
to find you your
perfect barge cruise
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Summary
La Belle Epoque is spacious and luxurious, just the perfect barge for 12 guests to explore the delightful Burgundy region. She has been designed for both elegance and comfort and offers rich teak and mahogany interiors and a fabulous sun deck with spa pool for sociable cruising and total relaxation.
La Belle Epoque cruises on the Canal de Bourgogne through glorious countryside, ancient villages and bustling towns; with so much to see there is a full and fascinating itinerary and an excellent towpath for walking and cycling as the barge glides gently along.
Key Features
- Grand Luxe class (4*)
- Canal de Bourgogne, Burgundy
- Charter and cabin bookings, 6 nights, 7 days, April to October
- 12 guests / 6 suites
- Individually controlled air conditioning and heating
- Queen size double or twin bed configuration
- Full board, on-board dining
- Spacious sun deck with spa pool
The Classic Cruise — La Belle Epoque
Classic Cruise Itinerary
| Route | Between Venarey-les-Laumes and Tanlay, Canal de Bourgogne, Burgundy |
| Pick-up | Central Paris hotel 2:30pm |
| Dining | Dining programme: All inclusive | 6 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 6 dinners on board. One lunch in a local restaurant |
Classic Cruise Highlights
- Visit the Abbaye de Fontenay
- Wine tasting of Chablis wines in the cellars of a renowned Domaine
- Explore the village of Flavigny sur Ozerain, location of the film ‘Chocolat’
- Champagne Wednesday: a private tasting of exceptional Blanc de Noirs and Rosé des Riceys at the Alexandre Bonnet Champagne House
- Visit to the exquisite Château d’Ancy-le-Franc
- Delight in Noyers-sur-Serein, one of the most beautiful villages in Burgundy
- Visit to the battle site of Alesia
- Optional hot air ballooning
- Excellent tow-path for walking and cycling, and Biking Plus option
Themed Cruises
Specially designed family, golf, walking and wine cruises are also available for charter parties.
Please enquire.
Day 1 — Sunday
Arrival at Venarey-les-Laumes
You’ll be collected from central Paris and transferred by private chauffeured minibus to La Belle Epoque for a full crew Welcome Aboard with champagne and canapés. After settling into your cabin prepare to enjoy your first dinner on board and an introduction to Burgundy’s excellent cuisine.
Day 2 — Monday
Cruise to Montbard | Excursion to Château de Commarin and falconry
An excellent day to try the Biking Plus option to ride through the tiny canal-side villages of Nogent, Courcelles and Les Granges as we cruise along. After an early lunch, visit the moat-encircled Château de Commarin to be treated to a private demonstration of the medieval sport of falconry. Afterwards, meet Count Bertrand de Vogue, the current resident, who will give a fascinating insight into the Château’s history and a private tour of the building.
Day 3 — Tuesday
Cruise to Ravières | Excursion to Abbey de Fontenay
Relax on deck as we cruise on this morning, passing the 18th century Forges de Buffon. Then after lunch, a visit to the exquisite UNESCO World Heritage Site of Abbaye de Fontenay founded by St Bernard in 1118. This is an exceptional glimpse of Cistercian life and industry with its peaceful gardens, ponds and fascinating cloisters, dormitories and scriptorium. Return to the barge and cruise to Ravières before dinner.
Day 4 — Wednesday
Cruise to Ancy-le-Franc | Excursion Maison Bonnet for Champagne tasting | Lunch at a Château
Today, we head to Les Riceys, the only wine growing area of the Champagne region to have three Appellation d’Origine Contrôlées. We’ll visit Maison Alexandre Bonnet for a private champagne tasting, a family owned Champagne house renowned for a stunning yearly harvest of Pinot Noir.
Afterwards, we’ll take a short drive to Château de Ricey-Bas; with its 12th century vaulted cellars and thousand year history; You’ll be greeted for a Champagne aperitif and a gourmet lunch by the Baroness herself, in either the private salon or the atmospheric vaulted 13th century kitchen. We return to the barge and cruise to Ancy-le-Franc, with plenty of opportunity to walk or cycle along the towpath once again… or sit on deck with another glass of bubbly!
Day 5 — Thursday
Cruise to Lezinnes | Excursion to Château d’Ancy-le-Franc
This morning, we take a visit to Château d’Ancy-le-Franc, a beautifully symmetrical, 16th century masterpiece containing France’s biggest collection of Renaissance murals. In the afternoon, a gentle relaxing cruise descending through the picturesque locks to moor at Lezinnes.
Day 6 — Friday
Cruise to Tanlay | Excursion to Chablis and wine-tasting
After breakfast, enjoy a leisurely cruise to the final mooring at Tanlay, with another opportunity to cycle or walk into the pretty village of Saint Vinnemer. After lunch, a tour of the vineyards and town of Chablis, dating back to Roman times, for a private wine tasting at the prestigious Domaine Laroche. We’ll also see the 1000-year-old Obédiencerie, originally part of the monastery of St Martin, where the wines used to be aged. Later, return to the barge for the farewell dinner on board.
Day 7 — Saturday
Departure from Tanlay
After breakfast, guests are transferred to the Hotel Westminster in Paris.
*This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change. On alternate weeks the cruise is in the reverse direction.
” Dear Brenda
This is the best trip I have ever done; the way we were treated onboard exceeded all expectation; the meals were better than some Michelen rated restaurants; the staff attended to every need we had; canal, boat and overall experience was second to none. In summary it was a fantastic trip and experience. We cannot say enough good things about the boat, all the crew and the excursions.”
DS, USA, Sept 2023
“We had the most wonderful trip on the Belle Epoque! The crew was so attentive and so nice. Luke the captain very personable…the other passengers were delightful, and the barge, well.. it all went far over our expectations. The chef was absolutely spectacular…Sylvain !! We had the best week ever.. and it is hard to even describe to others! So thank you! We would love to do it again, next time maybe in the southern part of the Burgundy canal, and maybe with another couple!”
R.P, USA, April 2022
Accommodations and Facilities
- Dimensions: 126ft (38.4m) x 16ft 6ins (5m)
- Junior suites are Nuits St Georges (stern) 165ft² (15.3m²) and
Meursault (bow) 150ft² (13.9m²) - Staterooms are Santenay & Vougeot (mid stern) 130ft² (12m²) and
Chablis & Sancerre (mid bow) 125ft² (11.6m²) - Bed sizes:
All have double 6ft² (1.83m²) or twin beds 3ft x 6ft (0.9m x 1.83m) except Meursault: double bed 6ft x 5ft (1.83m x 1.52m) - All bathrooms are included in suite sizes above and have shower cubicle, toilet, hand basin with washing gel, hand soap, shampoo, towels, robes, slippers and hair dryer provided
- All cabins have individual heating and air conditioning, and USB ports
Other items on board
- Crew of 6: pilot, tour guide, chef, deckhand and two hostesses
All crew are European and speak English - 6 person spa hot tub
- Small library of books and maps
- Collection of board games
- Nordic walking sticks (on request)
- Hi-Fi System with CDs, radio and iPod docking station
- 12 6-gear bicycles and Biking Plus
- Wifi (limited in some places)
- 2 vehicles for excursions and transfers:
9-seater long wheelbase Mercedes Sprinter and 7-seater Mercedes Vito. Both vehicles are air-conditioned and the seating capacity detailed includes a driver in each.
Facilities At A Glance
Fine Wines — Fine Dining
All meals on board are freshly prepared by your chef and most meals are a set-menu (there is no choice available). However, vegetarian, pescatarian and vegan dishes, and non-allergenic dishes, can be served given at least 8 weeks notice prior to your departure date.
Breakfast: a wholesome and balanced variety of breakfast foods, along with oven-warm breads & pastries, freshly-squeezed orange juice and hot beverages.
Lunch is a discovery of delectable regional specialities, in the chef’s fashion, served in a relaxed but refined style accompanied with a selection of quality wines chosen by the chef.
Dinner is a candlelit four-course gourmet experience where chef showcases his repertoire of dining delights.
Harmonizing food and wine is essential to the dining experience and the sommelier chooses only the best of locally produced wines to compliment chef’s exquisite cuisine.
Regional Specialities
Filet d’Agneau au Basilic; Magret de Canard; Poulet à L’Estragon
Cheese Board
Aisy Cendré; Bouton de Culotte; Epoisses; Ami du Chambertin
Wine Cellar
Fers Saint Eloi Grande Cuvée Fleurie; Montagny Premier Cru; Domaine Jadot, Moulin à Vent; Domaine Michelo; Meursault
Photo Gallery
Hotel barge La Belle Epoque cruises in the Burgundy region
– [below] In the region: Villeneuve sur Yonne, Ancy-le-Franc, Fontenay, Chablis, Tanlay, Vezelay, Noyers-sur-Serein –
Ancy ©Thierry Gromik | Vezelay ©Adrian Fletcher | Others ©FW, wikimedia, n/a
Classic cruise rates and dates
All rates and prices will be confirmed at time of booking. Special Offers are available from time to time – contact us
What’s included
6 nights accommodation
Transfers to and from Paris
All meals and drinks on board
Excursion fees and associated transport
What’s not included
Air fares and travel to the pick-up
Travel, medical and cancellation insurance
Crew gratuities (suggested 5-10% of the fee)
Personal expenses
2023
Charter and Cabin bookings
Sunday to Saturday
Rates and dates
Value rate weeks
March 26
April 2, 9, 16, 23
July 16, 23, 30
August 6, 13, 20
October 8, 15, 22
8 guest charter: 60,200 USD
9 guest charter: 62,200 USD
10 guest charter: 63,800 USD
11 guest charter: 65,400 USD
12 guest charter: 67,000 USD
Per Cabin bookings
Stateroom Double Cabin: 5,950 USD per person
Junior Suite Double Cabin: 6,390 USD
Single Occupancy Supplement: 2,200 USD
Regular rate weeks
April 30
May 7, 14, 21, 28
June 4, 11, 18, 25
July 2, 9
August 27
September 3, 10, 17, 24
October 1
8 guest charter: 70,000 USD
9 guest charter: 72,300 USD
10 guest charter: 74,200 USD
11 guest charter: 76,100 USD
12 guest charter: 78,000 USD
Per Cabin bookings
Stateroom Double Cabin: 6,950 USD per person
Junior Suite Double Cabin: 7,490 USD per person
Single Occupancy Supplement: 2,500 USD
These USD prices are for US and Canadian residents only.
Pricing is available in GBP for UK residents only, and in EUR for residents from all other countries.
Please enquire.
2024
Charter and Cabin bookings
Sunday to Saturday
Rates and dates
Value rate weeks
March 24, 31
April 7, 14, 21
July 21, 28
August 4, 11, 18
October 6, 13, 20
8 guest charter: 64,900 USD
9 guest charter: 67,100 USD
10 guest charter: 68,900 USD
11 guest charter: 70,700 USD
12 guest charter: 72,500 USD
Per Cabin bookings
Stateroom Double Cabin: 6,450 USD per person
Junior Suite Double Cabin: 6,950 USD
Single Occupancy Supplement: 2,400 USD
Regular rate weeks
April 28
May 5, 12, 19, 26
June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
July 7, 14
August 25
September 1, 8, 15, 22, 30
8 guest charter: 75,700 USD
9 guest charter: 78,200 USD
10 guest charter: 80,300 USD
11 guest charter: 82,400 USD
12 guest charter: 84,500 USD
Per Cabin bookings
Stateroom Double Cabin: 7,490 USD per person
Junior Suite Double Cabin: 7,990 USD per person
Single Occupancy Supplement: 2,700 USD
These USD prices are for US and Canadian residents only.
Pricing is available in GBP for UK residents only, and in EUR for residents from all other countries.
Please enquire.
Hotel Barge Enquiry
Booking a luxury barge vacation isn’t the kind of thing one does with just a mouse-click or two. It takes a little research, thought and understanding, and we hope that our pages have provided you with all the information and inspiration you need to take this next step.
Why should you book with us? Because…
We’ve explored the waterways of France on our own boat since 2003 and know each of the barges and their routes.
We’re independent, impartial and enthusiastic – and we are the only France cruising specialist that can offer you the benefits of our own in-depth cruising knowledge and experience.
We love France, we love the rivers and canals of France, we love hotel barging – and we love talking about all three!
There’s nothing like speaking to a friendly expert to help you see the wood for the trees and to make the best possible decision about the vacation cruise of a lifetime. Get in touch – we’re here to help.
We will use our unique
in-depth experience
to find you your
perfect barge cruise
