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Hotel Barge La Belle Epoque

Cruise Burgundy through the Heart of France

Seven Days / Six Nights

Save up to £600 per cabin on select departures and 25% off charters in Sep, Oct 2010
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 Saloon

The 13 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.

Cruise Highlights
  • All-inclusive - open bar, free wines,gourmet cuisine, entry
    fees to excursions
  • Explore enchanting Auxerre
  • Wine tasting of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in a 12th Century cellar
  • Visit St. Bris with its underground passages
  • Visit to Noyers-sur-Serein, one of the most beautiful villages in Burgundy
  • Visit Vézelay, a medieval hilltopvillage
  • Gastronomic dinner ashore
  • Optional hot air ballooning

    Culinary Notes
    Culinary Notes


    Regional Dishes

    Filet d'Agneau au Basilic
    Magret de Canard
    Poulet a L'Estragon
    Regional Wines
    Chablis, Vosne Romanée,
    Domaine Laroche,
    Nuit St-Georges, Epineuil
    Regional Cheeses
    Aisy Cendre
    Bouton de Culotte
    Epoisses
    Ami du Chambertin 

    Views from Saussois Cliffs

    Double Cabin

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    France Hotel Barge Programme

    Save 25% off 8 pax charter price in Sep, Oct 2010. Book by 31 July 2010
    Save £600 per cabin on
    18 Jul; 8,15 Aug 2010 departures
    Save £300 per cabin on
    22,29 Aug; 12 Sep 2010 departures
    Offers are valid for a limited time only


    Save 5% off 2011 charters.
    (Please call for prices and book by 31 Aug 2010)

    Check availability of this cruise
    France Hotel Barge Programme

    Itinerary Montbard to Montbard

    DAY 1
    Sunday
    MONTBARD TO VENAREY LES LAUMES
    Guests are met at the Montbard TGV station at 18.04 or Hotel in Montbard at 18.30 and transferred to the barge in a private air-conditioned minibus, moored in Venarey les Laumes. A full crew Welcome Aboard with Champagne and canapés. After time to settle into your cabin you are invited to join us for a first dinner aboard and introduction to Burgundy’s excellent cuisine.
    DAY 2
    Monday
    VENAREY LES LAUMES TO MONTBARD
    Enjoy a morning cruise past the tiny canalside villages of Nogent, Courcelles and Les Granges. This afternoon we escort you to the exquisite World Heritage Unesco site of Abbayé de Fontenay founded by St Bernard in 1118. Representing a distinctive example of early Cistercian architecture and virtually intact, Fontenay allows an exceptional glimpse of early Cistercian life and industry with its peaceful gardens and ponds and fascinating cloisters, dormitories and scriptorium. Dinner aboard.
    DAY 3 Tuesday
    MONTBARD TO RAVIERES
    Morning cruise to Ravieres passing the Forges de Buffon where later in the day we see various examples of early Industrial Revolution engineering on the banks of the Armancon River, whose power was harnessed to run the forge. We also visit the hilltop village of Flavigny sur Ozerain, where the film Chocolat was located. On the way, from the summit of Mt Auxois, we look at Alesia, the last battle site between the Gaulles and Romans that took place in 52 BC. Dinner aboard.
    DAY 4 Wednesday
    RAVIERES TO ANCY LE FRANC
    Morning visit to medieval Noyers sur Serein to enjoy the vegetables, cheeses, colours and delights of the local market, or wander the town ramparts in one of the most beautiful villages of France. Lunch ashore in Noyers in a local auberge. Lazy afternoon cruise past grazing white Charolais cattle. Dinner aboard.
    DAY 5 Thursday
    ANCY LE FRANC TO TANLAY
    This morning cruise gently down from Ancy le Franc with plenty of opportunity to wander or cycle ahead as the vessel descends through the locks past the beautiful 16th century Renaissance palace and gardens of Chateau d’Ancy le Franc. After lunch we walk across to the 16th century Renaissance-style Chateau de Tanlay, nestling serenely within this picturesque village, which also boasts a challenging 9 hole golf course.
    DAY 6 Friday
    TANLAY TO TONNERRE
    This morning we visit the vineyards and town of Chablis, dating back to Roman times. We enjoy a private wine tasting at the Domaine Servan renowned for its Premier and Grand Cru wines popularized by Alexis Lichine in the 1950’s. Return to the barge for lunch and a leisurely afternoon cruise to Tonnerre. Captain’s Farewell Dinner aboard.
    DAY 7 Saturday
    TONNERRE TO MONTBARD
    After breakfast, disembark the barge and transfer to Montbard railway station in time for the 11.28am train to Paris Gare de Lyon.
    NOTE: On alternate weeks the itinerary is in the reverse direction. This itinerary is subject to change.
    NOTES: IF YOU ARE TAKING THE TGV OUR REPRESENTATIVE WILL BE AT PARIS GARE DE LYON TGV STATION ON SUNDAY FROM 16:30 TO ASSIST GUESTS WITH THE TGV. Recommended trains to book in advance: Paris Gare de Lyon-Montbard (TGV) Train departs Paris Gare de Lyon at 16:58hrs, arriving in Montbard at 18:04hrs. End of cruise Montbard-Paris (TGV) Train Saturday departs 11:28hrs arriving in Paris Gare de Lyon at 12:37hrs .

    Boat Features
  • 128 feet long
  • 13 passengers
  • 5 crew
  • 2 suites
  • 4 junior suites
  • 1 single cabin
  • Air-conditioned
  • Centrally heated
  • Spa-pool
  • Chart room TV/DVD
  • touring bikes
  • 2 Air-conditioned minibuses

    Meeting Points

    Montbard TGV station, Sunday 18.00 or a Montbard Hotel,
    Sunday 18.30

       
     

    Deck Plan of La Belle Epoque

     
     
    La Belle Epoque Deck Plans
     
       
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