La Belle Epoque luxury barge cruises

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.

Venarey-les-Laumes to Montbard

Monday
After a leisurely breakfast, head past the little canalside communities of Nogent, Courcelles, and Les Granges to our mooring at Montbard. Along the way, you'll pass through woodlands and rolling fields with excellent chances for towpath riding and strolling.

Your tour guide will take you to the 12th-century Abbaye of Fontenay, a UNESCO World Heritage site, this afternoon. Strolling in the footsteps of the Cistercian monks, you will be encircled by magnificently restored and conserved stone cloisters, dormitories, forges, and other buildings.
Dinner on board.

Montbard to Ravieres

Tuesday
Morning cruise by the 18th-century Forges de Buffon, with excellent towpath strolling and cycling for those who desire to do so.
Following lunch, we will take you to the magnificent Abbaye de Fontenay, established by St. Bernard in 1118 and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
With its serene gardens, ponds, and intriguing cloisters, dormitories, and scriptorium, Fontenay—a nearly complete example of early Cistercian architecture—offers a unique window into Cistercian life and business.

Return to the barge for a relaxing early evening cruise to Ravieres.
Dinner on board.

Ravieres to Ancy-le-Franc

Wednesday
Champagne is the main event of this morning! Our destination is Les Riceys, the only Champagne wine region with the coveted 3 Appellation d'Origine Controllés. Savor a private tasting in the refined atmosphere of Maison Taisne Riocour., where we visit the vineyards and winery with the Baron.
We take a short drive to the stunning Château de Ricey-Bas for our lunch appointment, where we eat in either the private salon or the vaulted 13th-century kitchen with the Baroness herself.
After lunch, we head back to the barge for a leisurely afternoon cruise past Charolais cattle that are grazing. There are lots of options to walk or cycle along the towpath leading to our mooring in Ancy-le-Franc.
Dinner on board.

Ancy-le-Franc to Lezinnes

Thursday
We are going to Chateau d'Ancy-le-Franc this morning.
Set in spectacular gardens and woodlands, this superbly symmetrical 16th-century masterpiece is home to the most extensive collection of Renaissance murals in France.
After a leisurely afternoon voyage, La Belle Epoque docks at Lezinnes after cruising the Burgundy Canal and descending the scenic locks.
Dinner on board.

Lezinnes to Tanlay

Friday
Following breakfast, we have a leisurely cruise to Tanlay, where we can moor for the last time and explore the charming village of Saint Vinnemer on foot or by bicycle.
After lunch, we take a tour of the Roman-era Chablis town and vineyards before having a private wine tasting at the esteemed Domaine Laroche.
A visit to the 1000-year-old Obediencerien, where the wines have been matured for generations, is a must-do for any traveller. Initially, this structure was a part of the Saint Martin monastery, founded by the Chablis brothers.
We make our way back to the barge in time for the captain's farewell dinner.

Tanlay

Saturday 
After breakfast, guests are transferred to the Hotel Westminster in Paris. Au revoir!