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Bonheur has been converted using beautiful french oak and traditional coloured furnishings, which along with the picture windows creates an exceptionally light interior.
In the saloon you can relax on the sofas (there are three!) whilst listening to your favourite CD, watch satelite TV, read a book from the boat's library, or simply watch the world drift by.
The cosy dining area also allows a good view of the countryside, and includes a Soft drinks fridge for your convenience.
At the end of a relaxing or busy day, depending upon how you wish to spend your time, the return to your cabin will be a pleasure.
Positioned at either side of the saloon/dining room and kitchen to provide maximum privacy, the cabins have been decorated in traditional, simple styles using beautiful tones of relaxing blues and greens emphasised by the light which floods through the picture windows.
As an integral part of any holiday must be a good night's sleep, each cabin has a huge bed!
Two singles are available on request.
Imagine enjoying a superb view from the raised bed as the day begins.
The bathrooms have their own hot-water supply, pressure showers, electric toilets and are fully tiled.
In the green cabin there is a concealed vanity unit in the bedroom.
Outside, the sun deck has been designed with maximum security in mind;There are few steps, solid wooden hand rails, and a non-slip surface. This is the perfect place to relax.
If you are feeling energetic, you may like to use one of the boat's bicycles.
During restoration, Bonheur was very well insulated so that an ambient temperature can be maintained, day and evening.
All the windows can be opened, and with doors to the rear and front of the living area, a breeze can be maintained on warmer days.
The Canal de Centre is tree-lined, and whenever possible, the captain will moor in the shade during the summer.
The electricity onboard is 220 volts with a very large battery bank to avoid running the generator in the evenings at a time when the waterway is peaceful and tranquil.
The generator is used whilst cruising during the day, to replenish the batteries.
Bonheur carries 10,000 litres of fresh water, 4,000 litres of fuel and waste water tanks with a capacity of 3,000 litres.
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- Prices -
| Accomodation |
Regular |
Mid |
Value |
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Whole boat charter for 4
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6500 |
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Whole boat charter for 2
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5000 |
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-Departure Dates-
| Value |
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| Mid |
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| Regular |
2008-04-06 -> 2008-10-19 |
Prices are in euros
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ITINERARY
Sunday
The beauty of chartering a whole barge is the freedom that this provides:
Freedom to choose where, when and how to spend your days.
Each day you will be invited to discuss the following days possibilities.
You are not obliged to follow a set itinerary.
We can accomodate your interests, not to mention local seasonal events such as market days, music and arts festivals or one of the many events that the french love to hold.
The following is a typical itinerary aboard Bonheur:
Guests are met at Le Creusot TGV railway station in the afternoon and taken by car to Bonheur, which is moored on the tranquil Canal du Centre.
Welcome drinks and dinner in the evening gives us the opportunity to chat about the coming weeks itinerary, while you gently unwind from your journey.
Monday
The day begins with a full mornings cruising.
A chain of seven locks announces the beginning of the canals decent from the summit level (300m) to the river Saone.
We work our way through the locks and continue through the villages of Ecuisses and St-Julien-sur-Dheune before arriving at St-Berain-sur-Dheune, where we moor for the evening.
A visit to Chateau Couches is a short drive away.
A magnificent 12th century fortress it has an impressive Keep and Drawbridge, reminders of a rich and feudal military past.
After returning to the boat for an aperitif ( perhaps a refreshing Kir Royale, a regional speciality made with Crème de Cassis, a garnet-red blackcurrant liqueur from Dijon and Burgundian Champagne ‘Cremant’ ) dinner will be taken ashore at a nearby restaurant.
Tuesday
We depart St-Berain for a relaxing cruise to the village of Santenay, which nestles amongst the famous vineyards and preserved landscape of the Southern Cote de Beaune.
After lunch we can stroll into the village.
Santenay is bursting with local growers inviting you to sample the diversity and richness of their wines.
A good place to start is the Chateau de Philippe le Hardi.
Turned into a fortress in the 14th century AD and surrounded by moats, it now shelters a wine estate.
The Chateau has a beautiful and flamboyant Burgundian tiled roof that you can see from miles around and the entrance to the estate has two magnificent Plane trees, which have stood for 400 years.
Here we’ll enjoy a wine tasting before an afternoon cruise to the town of Chagny where we moor for the night.
This is another evening when guests have the opportunity to sample local cuisine.
Chagny has many good restaurants including the Michelin 3 Star, the famous “Lamelois”, one of the best in France.
Wednesday
Today we have a grand day out:A full day tour of Beaune, the beautiful wine capital of Burgundy.
The day will include a visit to the historic Hotel Dieu, built in the 15th Century, the hospice houses a world famous candlelit wine auction every November.
After the Hotel Dieu, lunch is at one of our favourite restaurants and then in the afternoon we will visit the largest wine cave (cellars) in Beaune for a tour and tasting.
The original cellars began as a convent.
“The Ladies of the Visitation Convent” was founded in 1632 and as you begin the tour you pass through a little listed 17th century chapel, which the nuns used every day.
It is an absolute delight, and that’s even before a little sip of something special!
When the tasting is over we will have the time to wander and appreciate this magnificent medieval walled town and browse in the shops if you wish.
We return to Bonheur through the vineyards for a restful evening and dinner on board.
Thursday
After breakfast you may like to spend a little more time in Chagny.
The town marks the border between the Cote de Beaune wine growing region in the north and the Cote Chalonnaise to the south.
It is full of shops that will tempt any passing gourmet…. including a fantastic Chocolatier.
Later in the morning we cruise on along the canal to Rully and after lunch on board you may wish to spend some time in this village famed for its wines or take a trip a little further afield by car, maybe to visit the beautiful Chateau Sully, one of the finest examples of a French Stately Home.
Set in parkland and surrounded by a moat, it is a Renaissance Dream.
With kitchen gardens to potter round and wines to be tasted from the family owned vineyards in Chassagne Montrachet, it is a lovely way to spend an afternoon.
You could, if you would like, take a picnic hamper lunch and enjoy a little longer there.
This evening finds us moored peacefully in the countryside.
Dinner may be taken ashore.
Friday
fter a slow start to the day our morning cruise takes us to the village of Franges.
We then take guests on a short car journey to Chalon-sur Saone (the birthplace of photography).
After lunch at one of the towns many restaurants there will be time to explore.
Chalon has a cathedral (with a lovely square), a museum and lots of shops.
It also has a little Island, ‘Ile Saint-Laurent’ which has a Bohemian feel, reached by a bridge across the Saone: it’s a great place to sit and watch the world go by, with a glassful of something lovely in your hand.
When you have seen enough and feel its time, we’ll return to Bonheur for a relaxing evening and farewell dinner on board.
Saturday
After a leisurely breakfast guests are taken to Le Creusot TGV Railway Station in good time to catch their train.
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