| DEPARTURE DATES - (sundays) |
RATE |
ROUTE |
| March
20, 27 |
Value |
Burgundy |
| April
3, 10, 17, 24 |
Value |
Burgundy |
| May
1, 8 |
Value |
Burgundy |
| May
15, 22, 29 |
Regular |
Burgundy |
| June
5, 12, 19, 26 |
Regular |
Burgundy |
| July
3, 10, 17 |
Regular |
Burgundy |
| July
24, 31 |
Value |
Burgundy |
| August
7, 14, 21 |
Value |
Burgundy |
| August 28 |
Regular |
Burgundy |
| September
4, 11, 18, 25 |
Regular |
Burgundy |
| October
2, 9 |
Regular |
Burgundy |
| October
16, 23, 30 |
Value |
Burgundy |
| November
6 |
Value |
Burgundy |
March
departure dates are available for Charter Groups
only
|
MEETING
POINT
France - Paris -
Hotel Ampere – Sunday 1.30pm
End of cruise: Transfer back to Hotel Ampere in Paris by about 1pm
La
Belle Epoque Barge Information
THE 12 PASSENGER
LA BELLE EPOQUE....
is a state-of-the-art hotel barge and the worthy flagship of our European
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
highly experienced Captain leads a crew of five comprising
Master Chef, Tour Guide and two Stewardesses whose combined
knowledge and experience will ensure a voyage of a lifetime.
La Belle Epoque in Burgundy-Nuit St George
Suite and Meursault Suite have NEW shower cubicles for
the 2011 season. They no longer have a bath
| Cruise
Highlights |
- Visit the Abbaye de Fontenay, a UNESCO World
Heritage site
- Wine tasting of Chablis wines
at Saint Bris de Vineaux in the Bersan cellars
- Visit the village of Flavigny sur Ozerain,
location of the film 'Chocolat'
- Visit to Noyers-sur-Serein,
one of the most beautiful villages in Burgundy
- Visit to the 18th century Forges de Buffon
- Gastronomic dinner ashore
- Optional Hot Air
Ballooning
|
Cuisine
Aboard |
Regional
Specialities
Filet d'Agneau au Basilic, Magret
de Canard, Poulet à L'Estragon
Wine Cellar
Chablis, Vosne Romanée,
Domaine Laroche,
Nuit St-Georges, Epineuil
Cheese
Board
Aisy Cendré, Bouton de Culotte,
Epoisses, Ami du Chambertin |
Click here for
Auxerre to Clamecy Itinerary
Sunday, Day 1 - 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.
Monday, Day 2 – Venarey les
Laumes to Montbard
Wake to the aromas of ground coffee and French patisseries,
enjoy a leisurely breakfast and morning cruise through
woodlands and rolling fields with great towpath biking
and walking opportunities 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.
Tuesday, Day 3 – 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
tiny yet powerful 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.
Wednesday, Day 4 – Ravieres
to Ancy le Franc
Morning visit to medieval Noyers sur Serein to admire
the local produce, colours and delights of the wonderful
market, or to wander the town ramparts in this, one
of the most beautiful villages in France. After lunch
ashore in Chablis at a delightful local auberge. we
return to the barge and enjoy a lazy afternoon cruise
past grazing Charolais cattle, with plenty of opportunity
to walk or cycle along the towpath. Dinner aboard.
Thursday, Day 5 – Ancy le
Franc to Tanlay
Gentle morning cruise as your hotel barge descends through
the picturesque locks and past the beautiful 16th century
Renaissance palace and gardens of Château 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. Dinner aboard.
Friday, Day 6 – 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 our final mooring at Tonnerre. Captain’s
Farewell Dinner aboard.
Saturday, Day 7 – 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.
This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change.
On alternate weeks the itinerary is in the reverse direction.
NOTES: 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.
Sunday, Day 1 - Montbard to Tonnerre
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 Tonnerre.
A full crew Welcome Aboard with Champagne and canapés.
After time to settle into your cabin you will enjoy
your first dinner aboard and introduction to Burgundy’s
excellent cuisine.
Monday, Day 2 – Tonnerre
to Tanlay
Wake to the aromas of ground coffee and French patisseries,
enjoy a leisurely breakfast and morning cruise to Tanlay.
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. Dinner aboard.
Tuesday, Day 3 – Tanlay to
Ancy le Franc
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. We return to the barge for lunch
and enjoy a lazy cruise up to Ancy le Franc with plenty
of opportunity to wander or cycle ahead as the vessel
ascends through the locks towards the beautiful 16th
century Renaissance palace and gardens of Chateau d’Ancy
le Franc. Dinner aboard.
Wednesday, Day 4 - Ancy le Franc to Ravieres
Morning visit to medieval Noyers sur Serein to admire
the local produce, colours and delights of the wonderful
market, or to wander the town ramparts in this, one
of the most beautiful villages in France. After lunch
ashore in Chablis at a delightful local auberge. we
return to the barge and enjoy a gentle afternoon cruise
past grazing Charolais cattle. Dinner aboard.
Thursday, Day 5 – Ravieres
to Montbard
Morning cruise to Montbard passing the Forges de Buffon
where later in the day we see examples of early Industrial
Revolution engineering at this forge powered by the
small, yet powerful River Armancon. After lunch, from
the summit of Mt Auxois, we look at Alesia, the last
battle site between the Gaulles and Roman, followed
by a stroll around the hilltop village of Flavigny
sur Ozerain, where the film ‘Chocolat’ was
filmed. Dinner aboard.
Friday, Day 6 – Montbard to Venarey les Laumes.
Morning cruise through woodlands and rolling fields with
great towpath biking and walking opportunities 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. Captain’s Farewell Dinner aboard.
Saturday, Day 7 – Venarey
les Laumes 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.
This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change.
On alternate weeks the itinerary is in the reverse direction.
NOTES: 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. |
