| |
 |
Hotel Barge
La Belle Epoque
Cruise Burgundy through the Heart of France
Seven Days / Six Nights
 Burgundy
boasts some of the world's finest wines
with almost 60,000 acres of sunlit vines
and arguably the prettiest canal in France
- the Nivernais canal. Medieval villages
are surrounded by unspoiled countryside
where gastronomic delights are a culture
in themselves.
 Taste
the famous escargots, dine on a typical
meal of poulet aux romarin en papillotes,
or truite à la chablisienne accompanied
by a full-bodied Burgundian red wine or
lighter Chablis white. Each day brings new
pleasures.
The 12 passenger La Belle Epoque is a state-of
the-art hotel boat and the worthy flagship
of our fleet. She has been designed with
both elegance and passenger comfort in mind
and offers a sun-deck, spa-pool, plus sauna
and fitness studio, wood panelled saloon
and dining room, together with other luxury
facilities, all fully air-conditioned.
The spacious cabins offer a choice of twin
or double beds with marble en-suite facilities.
The Captain leads a crew of five comprising
Master Chef, Tour Guide and two Stewardesses.
|
Boat Features |
|
|
Explore enchanting
Auxerre |
|
|
Wine tasting of
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in a
12th century cellar |
|
|
Visit St Bris
with its underground passages |
|
|
Visit Vezelay, a
medieval hilltop village |
|
|
Gastronomic dinner
ashore |
|
|
Optional hot air
ballooning |
|
|
Culinary Notes |
|
Regional Dishes
Filet d'Agneau au Basilic
Magret de Canard
Poulet a L'Estragon
Regional Wines
Chablis
Vosne Romanee
Domaine Laroche
Nuits St-Georges
Epineuil
Regional Cheeses
Aisy Cendre
Bouton de Culotte
Epoisses
Ami du Chambertin
|
|
|
|
Check
availability of this cruise
France Hotel
Barge Programme
| |
DAY 1
|
Sunday
PARIS TO AUXERRE
Guests are met at the Hotel Ampere in
Paris at 1:30 PM and transferred to
the elegant La Belle Époque.
Following a Champagne Welcome, you are
free to explore the medieval town of
Auxerre or take a stroll along the banks
of the river Yonne before returning
for dinner aboard. |
DAY 2
|
Monday
AUXERRE TO LES CAVES DE BAILLY
Our morning cruise takes us past vineyard-clad
hillside to the chalk faced Caves de
Bailly. The afternoon excursion is to
St Bris with its extraordinary network
of medieval passages beneath the town.
A wine tasting introduces you to the
outstanding Chardonnay and Pinot Noir
wines in the 12th century cellars of
Monsieur Bersan. Dinner aboard. |
| DAY 3 |
Tuesday
LES CAVES DE BAILLY TO ACCOLAY
The morning excursion to the town of
Auxerre allows us to discover the medieval
town centre. Originally the capital
of Lower Burgundy, Auxerre prides itself
on a collection of fine churches, half-timbered
buildings and great shopping. During
the afternoon we cruise through rich
pasture lands and past grazing Charolais
cattle to Vermenton. Dinner ashore in
a local auberge. |
| DAY 4 |
Wednesday
ACCOLAY TO MAILLY LA VILLE
Today we drive through delightful countryside
to the charming medieval village of
Noyers, surrounded by ramparts and 16
round towers and featurying charming
half-timbered and gable ended houses
which make Noyers arguably one of the
most beautiful rural villages of France.
Afternoon cruise south slong the lazy
river Yonne valley to the sleepy market
town of Mailly. Dinner aboard |
| DAY 5 |
Thursday
MAILLY-LE-CHATEAU TO LUCY SUR YONNE
In the morning we cruise past the Saussois
cliffs where an international climbing
center creates a spectacular setting
to Lucy sur Yonne. We tour the fortified
12th century Chateau of Bazoches whose
illustrious visitors included Richard
the Lionheart and which was later remodeled
by Marechal Vauban. Dinner aboard. |
| DAY 6 |
Friday
LUCY SUR YONNE TO CLAMECY
Morning tour of Vezelay, one of Burgundy's
famous hilltop treasures and home to
the Romanesque Basilica of St Mary Magdalene,
craft shops and fine distant views.
An afternoon cruise through beautiful
coutryside takes us to Clamecy where
we walk through the town and visit the
logging and barging museum and Cathedral.
Captain's Dinner. |
| DAY 7 |
Saturday
CLAMECY TO PARIS
Disembark after breakfast, and
arrive at Hotel Ampere in Paris by about
1pm. |
| NOTE: |
On alternate weeks, cruise will
be in reverse direction. This is
a sample itinerary and is subject to
change. |
|
Boat Features |
|
|
128 feet long |
|
|
12 passengers |
|
|
5 crew |
|
|
2 suites |
|
|
4 junior suites |
|
|
Air-conditioned |
|
|
Centrally heated |
|
|
Spa-pool |
|
|
Chart room TV/DVD |
|
12 touring bikes |
|
2 Air-conditioned minibuses |
|
| Meeting
Point |
| Sunday, 1.30pm,
Hotel Ampere,
102 Avenue de Villiers, 75017
Paris |
|
|
|
