La Belle Epoque hotel barge
Cruising between Venarey les Laumes and Tanlay on the Burgundy canal
Accommodating up to 12 passengers
La Belle Epoque is rated 5 star
Highlights
- Visit the UNESCO World heritage site of Abbaye de Fontenay
- Wine tasting of Chablis white wines in the cellars of Domaine Laroche
- Private Champagne tasting at Maison Alexandre Bonnet
- Visit the stunning Chateau de Commarin: Meet the owner and enjoy a magnificent falconry display
- Visit to Chateau d'Ancy le Franc
- Dine with a Baroness at the magnificent Chateau de Ricery-Bas
- Visit to famous battle site of Alesia
- Optional hot-air ballooning
- Excellent towpath for walking and cycling; 'Biking Plus' option available
Download the information pack(s) for La Belle Epoque
Cruise file for La Belle Epoque
From 5290 USD per person
Charters from 53,900 USD
Specifications
Crew members : 6
Boat size
Length 124′8″ ft (38 metres)
Width 16′7″ ft (5.05 metres)
Number of bicycles : 12
Accommodation
Up to 12 guests
Suites : 2
Junior suites : 4
Also...
Central heating
Air-conditioning
Spa or pool
Wifi
CD player / iPod Dock
2 air-conditioned minibuses
La Belle Epoque photos and videos
Click on any photo to begin the slide show, with photos of the barge and cruise program
Testimonials for La Belle Epoque
Eva Thomas, July 2017We had an outstanding trip on the beautiful Belle Époque . It is the best holiday we have ever had. The staff was fun, efficient, courteous . Couldn't have asked for more. We will definitely do this again!!
The barge was absolutely as Emma described it: Luxurious and we liked the "traditional" feel
We rate it 10/10
The cruise was beyond our expectations: Quiet, rural and pretty
We heard about Hotels Afloat from Rick Stein and rate them 10/10 for their attention to detail and website.
Cant wait to book another cruise with you.
The best holiday ever!!!!!
Alice Kelly, USA"We all had such a lovely time on La Belle Epoque that we are now thinking of booking a cruise for next year. The Dolce Vita looks lovely: Which dates are free in September?"
Kevin Bell, Canada. September 2014A most enjoyable trip. Thanks for your help with the arrangements, Emma.
Friendly staff and top notch facilities on board
I rate the boat a 10
We enjoyed all the visits with the exception of the winery.The tour was disappointing though the opportunity to sample the different classifications of Chablis was good. (Under review with owners)
Would you book with us again? - yes, although unlikely that we will make another trip of this sort from Canada
About the barge "La Belle Epoque"
From the moment you step aboard La Belle Epoque, you will be charmed by this floating hotel.
The luxury accommodation is fully air-conditioned in elegantly decorated twin or double suites with marble en-suite fitted bathrooms.
La Belle Epoque provides the luxury of a top class hotel combined with the ever-changing Burgundy scenery.
Whilst enjoying your holiday, you can relax in the Jacuzzi on deck or benefit from the on-board gym and the provided mountain bikes to burn off those recently acquired calories.
New for 2019: A brand new sun canopy ensuring that you can dine outside while protected from the sun!
Plan of La Belle Epoque
La Belle Epoque cruise routes & itineraries
Cruising between Venarey les Laumes and Tanlay on the Burgundy canal
Venarey-les-Laumes
Sunday
Guests are met at the Hotel Westminster in Paris and transferred by private chauffeured minibus to La Belle Epoque.
A full crew Welcome Aboard awaits,with champagne and canapes.
After time to settle into your cabin, you will enjoy your first dinner aboard and an introduction to Burgundy's excellent cuisine.
Sunday
Guests are met at the Hotel Westminster in Paris and transferred by private chauffeured minibus to La Belle Epoque.
A full crew Welcome Aboard awaits,with champagne and canapes.
After time to settle into your cabin, you will enjoy your first dinner aboard and an introduction to Burgundy's excellent cuisine.
Venarey-les-Laumes to Montbard
Monday
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast, then we cruise through woodlands and rolling fields with great towpath biking and walking opportunities past the tiny canalside villages of Nogent, Courcelles and les Granges to our mooring at Montbard.
After lunch, we visit the Chateau de Commarin, encircled by a moat, for a close-up encounter typical of medieval times, a magnificent falconry display. After this, we meet Count Bertrand de Vogue, the current resident of the chateau, being the 26th generation of his family in residence. He will tell some interesting tales of the Chateau's history, before we enjoy a private tour.
Dinner on board.
Monday
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast, then we cruise through woodlands and rolling fields with great towpath biking and walking opportunities past the tiny canalside villages of Nogent, Courcelles and les Granges to our mooring at Montbard.
After lunch, we visit the Chateau de Commarin, encircled by a moat, for a close-up encounter typical of medieval times, a magnificent falconry display. After this, we meet Count Bertrand de Vogue, the current resident of the chateau, being the 26th generation of his family in residence. He will tell some interesting tales of the Chateau's history, before we enjoy a private tour.
Dinner on board.
Montbard to Ravieres
Tuesday
Morning cruise with excellent towpath walking or cycling for those who wish, passing the 18th century Forges de Buffon.
Then after lunch we escort you to the exquisite UNESCO World Heritage Site of Abbaye de Fontenay, founded by St Bernard in 1118.
Representing a disctinctive example of early Cistercian architecture and virtually intact, Fontenay allows an exceptional glimpse pf Cistercian life and industry with its peaceful gardens, ponds and fascinating cloisters, dormitories and scriptorium.
Return to the barge for a relaxing early evening cruise to Ravieres.
Dinner on board.
Tuesday
Morning cruise with excellent towpath walking or cycling for those who wish, passing the 18th century Forges de Buffon.
Then after lunch we escort you to the exquisite UNESCO World Heritage Site of Abbaye de Fontenay, founded by St Bernard in 1118.
Representing a disctinctive example of early Cistercian architecture and virtually intact, Fontenay allows an exceptional glimpse pf Cistercian life and industry with its peaceful gardens, ponds and fascinating cloisters, dormitories and scriptorium.
Return to the barge for a relaxing early evening cruise to Ravieres.
Dinner on board.
Ravieres to Ancy-le-Franc
Wednesday
This morning is all about Champagne! We take a trip to Les Riceys, the only wine growing area of the Champagne region to have the coveted 3 Appelation d'Origine Controllés. Enjoy the elegant setting in the Maison Alexandre Bonnet for a private tasting.
It's just a short drive to our lunch date in the magnificent Château de Ricey-Bas where we dine with the Baroness herself in either the private salon or the vaulted 13th century kitchen.
We return to the barge after lunch, to enjoy a gentle afternoon cruise past grazing Charolais cattle, with plenty of opportunity to walk or cycle along the towpath, to our mooring in Ancy-le-Franc.
Dinner on board.
Wednesday
This morning is all about Champagne! We take a trip to Les Riceys, the only wine growing area of the Champagne region to have the coveted 3 Appelation d'Origine Controllés. Enjoy the elegant setting in the Maison Alexandre Bonnet for a private tasting.
It's just a short drive to our lunch date in the magnificent Château de Ricey-Bas where we dine with the Baroness herself in either the private salon or the vaulted 13th century kitchen.
We return to the barge after lunch, to enjoy a gentle afternoon cruise past grazing Charolais cattle, with plenty of opportunity to walk or cycle along the towpath, to our mooring in Ancy-le-Franc.
Dinner on board.
Ancy-le-Franc to Lezinnes
Thurday
This morning we visit Chateau d'Ancy-le-Franc.
This beautifully symmetrical, 16th century masterpiece contains France's biggest collection of Renaissance murals and is set in magnficient gardens and parkland.
In the afternoon, a gentle cruise as La Belle Epoque continues along the Burgundy canal and descends the picturesque locks to moor at Lezinnes.
Dinner on board.
Thurday
This morning we visit Chateau d'Ancy-le-Franc.
This beautifully symmetrical, 16th century masterpiece contains France's biggest collection of Renaissance murals and is set in magnficient gardens and parkland.
In the afternoon, a gentle cruise as La Belle Epoque continues along the Burgundy canal and descends the picturesque locks to moor at Lezinnes.
Dinner on board.
Lezinnes to Tanlay
Friday
After breakfast we enjoy a leisurely cruise to our final mooring at Tanlay with the opportunity to walk or cycle into the picturesque village of Saint Vinnemer.
Following lunch, we tour the vineyards and town of Chablis, dating back to Roman times and enjoy a private wine-tasting at the prestigious Domaine Laroche.
No trip would be complete without a visit to the 1000 year old Obediencerien where the wines have been aged for centuries. This was originally part of the monastery of St Martin, the founders of Chablis.
We return to the barge ready for the Captain's Farewell Dinner on board.
Friday
After breakfast we enjoy a leisurely cruise to our final mooring at Tanlay with the opportunity to walk or cycle into the picturesque village of Saint Vinnemer.
Following lunch, we tour the vineyards and town of Chablis, dating back to Roman times and enjoy a private wine-tasting at the prestigious Domaine Laroche.
No trip would be complete without a visit to the 1000 year old Obediencerien where the wines have been aged for centuries. This was originally part of the monastery of St Martin, the founders of Chablis.
We return to the barge ready for the Captain's Farewell Dinner on board.
Tanlay
Saturday
After breakfast, guests are transferred to the Hotel Westminster in Paris.
Saturday
After breakfast, guests are transferred to the Hotel Westminster in Paris.
Cruise rates
Venarey to Tanlay on the Burgundy canal dates and rates
| Accommodation | Regular | Value | |||
| Whole boat charter for 12 | 68800 | 59500 | |||
| Whole boat charter for 11 | 67100 | 58200 | |||
| Whole boat charter for 10 | 65400 | 56900 | |||
| Whole boat charter for 9 | 63700 | 55600 | |||
| Whole boat charter for 8 | 61600 | 53900 | |||
| Stateroom per person | 6150 | 5290 | |||
| Junior suite per person | 6350 | 5490 | |||
| Single supplement | 2200 | 1950 |
Prices are shown in US dollars
Sterling and euro prices available on request for non-US/Canadian citizens.
Wine Appreciation charters 6000 USD supplement
Walking charters 3900 USD supplement
Sterling and euro prices available on request for non-US/Canadian citizens.
Wine Appreciation charters 6000 USD supplement
Walking charters 3900 USD supplement
| Value | March 31 to April 21 July 21 to August 18 October 6 to October 20 |
| Regular | April 28 to July 14 August 25 to September 29 |
Enquiry & availability for La Belle Epoque
Please use the form below to check availability or ask any other questions.
After you have submitted your enquiry form, if you do not receive a reply by email within the next 24 hours then please call Emma +33 614 250 200 or email emmas.cruises@gmail.com.