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
- 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
- Excellent walking and bicycling
- Optional Hot Air Ballooning
Burgundy /
Bourgogne
Burgundy
boasts some of the world's finest wines with almost 60,000 acres of
sun-lit vines which you can experience by two canals that pass through
this region: the Canal du Nivernais, and the Canal de Bourgogne which
lies to its east.
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:
- Chablis
- Vosne Romanée
- Domaine Laroche
- Nuit St-Georges
- Epineuil
Cheese Board:
- Aisy Cendré
- Bouton de Culotte
- Epoisses
- Ami du Chambertin
