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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 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.
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Cruise Highlights |
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All-inclusive
- open bar, free wines,gourmet
cuisine, entry
fees to excursions |
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Explore enchanting
Auxerre |
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Wine tasting of
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in a
12th Century cellar |
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Visit St. Bris with
its underground passages |
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Visit to Noyers-sur-Serein,
one of the most beautiful villages
in Burgundy |
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Visit Vézelay,
a medieval hilltopvillage |
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Gastronomic dinner ashore |
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Optional hot air
ballooning |
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Culinary Notes |
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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
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Check
availability of this cruise
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) |
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Check
availability of this cruise
France Hotel
Barge Programme
| Itinerary Montbard to Montbard
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DAY 1
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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
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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. |
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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
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Boat Features |
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128 feet long |
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13 passengers |
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5 crew |
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2 suites |
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4 junior suites |
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| 1 single cabin |
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Air-conditioned |
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Centrally heated |
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Spa-pool |
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Chart room TV/DVD |
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touring bikes |
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2 Air-conditioned minibuses |
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| Meeting
Points |
| Montbard
TGV station, Sunday 18.00 or
a Montbard Hotel,
Sunday 18.30 |
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Alternative
Itineraries |
We also
offer alternative itineraries,
including a family cruise,
cycling cruise, walking cruise
and a wine cruise.
Please contact us for details. |
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