LA BELLE EPOQUE

Auxerre to Clamecy, Burgundy, France

Luxury barge vacation cruises along the Nivernais Canal, Bourgogne

The 13 passenger La Belle Epoque is a state-of-the art luxury hotel barge and sistership to L'impressionniste. La Belle Epoque has been designed with both elegance and passenger comfort in mind, and offers a sun-deck spa pool, chartroom, 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, HouseKeeper and Stewardess.

Read on for cruise highlights and details of the cuisine and fine wines, or use the side menu to explore the various cruise itineraries on offer, check cruise rates and view our barge photo gallery.

Cruise highlights:

• All-inclusive open bar, free wines,gourmet cuisine, entry fees to excursions
• Explore the enchanting town of 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 hilltop village
• Gastronomic lunch ashore
• Excellent walking and bicycling
• Optional Hot Air Ballooning

Burgundy and the Upper Nivernais

Burgundy boasts some of the world's finest wines with almost 60,000 acres of sun-lit vines and arguably the prettiest canal in France. The Nivernais canal randomly meanders along the path of the picturesque River Yonne. This delightful exchange brings you the finest cruising in Burgundy. 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 in Papillotes, or Truite à la Chablisienne accompanied by a full-bodied Burgundian red wine or lighter Chablis white. Simply indulge in the utter enjoyment every day delivers aboard.

The Upper Nivernais remains an undiscovered region well off the beaten track on the edge of the Morvan hills. The sleepy hamlets, white grazing Charolais cattle, and woods and forests are typical of the scenery you will cruise through. During the summer months, visit the Valley of Sardy, a canal section with smaller locks, where time seems to have stood still for over 200 years. The hand-swung bridges are a delight, as are the old logging sites which are now an almost forgotten memory for the local people. This is the original home of hotel barging.

Cuisine aboard:

Regional specialties:

• Terrine de Pêcheur Façon Maison
• Tourte Chaude d'Escargots à la Ciboulette
• Filet de Rouget au Safron
• Filet d’Agneau au Basilic
• Magret de Canard
• Poulet à L’Estragon

Wine cellar:

• Domaine Jafflin, Vosne-Romanée
• Domaine Jafflin, Nuits-St-Georges 
• Fers Saint Eloi Grande Cuvee Fleurie 2007
• Saint Veran Cuvee Prestige 2005
• Montagny Premier Cru Monteuchot 2006
• Domaine Michelot,Mersault 2004

Cheese Board:

• Brie
• Maroilles
• Pont l'Eveque
• St Marcellin
• Aisy Cendré
• Bouton de Culotte
• Epoisses
• Ami du Chambertin