La Belle Epoque barge cruise

La Belle Epoque

Luxury barge cruises

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10% off Charters: April 7th & April 14th; July 28th; August 4th
10% off cabins: August 4th
Valid until January 8th

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Cruising between Venarey-les-Laumes and Tanlay on the Burgundy canal

Cruise highlights

12 passengers
★★★★★ 5 star rating

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 Chateau d'Ancy le Franc
  • Dine with a Baroness at the superb Chateau de Ricery-Bas
  • Optional hot-air ballooning
  • Excellent towpath for walking and cycling; 'Biking Plus' option available

La Belle Epoque cruise route & itinerary

Download the information pack(s) for La Belle Epoque

Brochure ↓ Factsheet ↓

Venarey-les-Laumes to Tanlay cruise ↓

La Belle Epoque cruise file

Prices

  • From 5590 USD per person
  • Charters from 57, 900 USD

Boat size

  • Length 124′8″ ft (38.00 metres)
  • Width 16′7″ ft (5.05 metres)

Specifications

  • Crew members : 6
  • Up to 12 guests
  • Junior suites : 2
  • Twin cabins : 4

Also

  • Central heating
  • Air-conditioning
  • Spa or pool
  • Wifi
  • CD player / iPod Dock
  • 2 air-conditioned minibuses
  • Bicycles : 12

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Guests have awarded ★★★★★ stars

Guests comments

We loved our trip. Wonderful food and wine selected for our Burgundy wine canal cruise and the staff were terrific! 

Marilyn L; May 2022

We 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!!!!!

Eva Thomas, July 2017

"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?"

Alice Kelly, USA
We loved our trip. Wonderful food and wine selected for our Burgundy wine canal cruise and the staff were terrific!
Laufer ★★★★★
We throughly enjoyed the cruise and the crew was great, especially Andy the captain. We were comfortable on the barge and enjoyed the outings. Would highly recommend this cruise and booking through Hotels Afloat.
Musica ★★★★★

About La Belle Epoque barge cruises

Luxury 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.

While enjoying your holiday, you can relax in the Jacuzzi on the deck or take a tour on the mountain bikes to burn off those recently acquired calories.

The large sun canopy ensures that you can dine outside while protected from the sun.

La Belle Epoque deck and cabin plans

La Belle Epoque deck plan

La Belle Epoque photo gallery

Click any photo to zoom

La Belle Epoque cruise route & itinerary

Venarey-les-Laumes to Tanlay map

Venarey-les-Laumes to Tanlay

Burgundy Canal
Download itinerary brochure ↓

Rates

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
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.

This afternoon your tour guide will escort you to the UNESCO World Heritage site of the 12th-century Abbaye of Fontenay. You will be walking in the steps of the Cistercian monks surrounded by the stone cloisters, the dormitories, the forge and other buildings which have been restored and preserved to an outstanding level.
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 notable example of early Cistercian architecture and virtually intact, Fontenay allows an exceptional glimpse of 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 Appellation 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 opportunities to walk or cycle along the towpath, to our mooring in Ancy-le-Franc.
Dinner on board.

Ancy-le-Franc to Lezinnes

Thursday
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 magnificent 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 building was originally part of the monastery of Saint 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.

Venarey-les-Laumes to Tanlay rates

2024 USD, for American and Canadian residents Regular Value
Whole boat charter for 12 84, 500 USD 72, 500 USD
Whole boat charter for 11 82, 400 USD 70, 700 USD
Whole boat charter for 10 80, 300 USD 68, 900 USD
Whole boat charter for 9 78, 200 USD 67, 100 USD
Whole boat charter for 8 75, 700 USD 64, 900 USD
Junior suite per person 7, 990 USD 6, 950 USD
Stateroom per person 7, 490 USD 6, 450 USD
Single supplement 2, 700 USD 2, 400 USD
2024 STERLING rates for UNITED KINGDOM residents Regular Value
Whole boat charter for 12 £62, 500 £54, 000
Whole boat charter for 11 £60, 900 £52, 700
Whole boat charter for 10 £59, 300 £51, 400
Whole boat charter for 9 £57, 700 £50, 100
Whole boat charter for 8 £55, 800 £48, 500
Junior suite per person £5, 990 £5, 150
Stateroom per person £5, 550 £4, 790
Single supplement £2, 000 £1, 800
2024 EURO rates ALL OTHER COUNTRIES Regular Value
Whole boat charter for 12 73, 500 € 63, 000 €
Whole boat charter for 11 71, 600 € 61, 300 €
Whole boat charter for 10 69, 700 € 59, 600 €
Whole boat charter for 9 67, 800 € 57, 900 €
Whole boat charter for 8 65, 500 € 55, 900 €
Junior suite per person 6, 990 € 5, 990 €
Stateroom per person 6, 550 € 5, 590 €
Single supplement 2, 400 € 2, 000 €

Prices include: Return transfers between Paris and the hotel barge (the approximate transfer duration is 2hrs 30mins), a luxury 6-night cruise, all meals onboard catered for by the onboard Master Chef, an open bar 24/7 with a large range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, all wines served throughout the cruise, excursions and admittance fees as per the itinerary, the services of 6 crew and use of barge facilities, which include bicycles and spa pool.

Themed cruises

Family charter: No supplement
Families with children charter cruises include tailor-made itineraries that consider the ages and interests of all those in the group. A wide range of activities can be arranged with us, some of which will incur a supplement, e.g. Go-Karting.  Other activities can be booked directly with the provider, e.g.hot-air ballooning.
Baby and child equipment can be provided without extra cost, including children's bikes and helmets, car seats, cots, high-chairs etc.  

Golf charter: 650 USD / £500 / 600€ supplement per player
Golf cruises include four pre-booked and paid tee times and transfers to and from the golf clubs. Hire of clubs, caddy and buggy not included
 
Walking cruises: 4250 USD/ £3250/ 3750€
Walking cruises include daily walking with a professional walking guide
 
Wine appreciation charter: 1050 USD / £6000 / 9750 €
A comprehensive wine itinerary with additional winery visits, private tasting and the services of a professional wine guide. It also includes an upgrade of the wine list to include additional premier and Grand Cru wines.
- Departure Dates 2024-
Value March 24 to April 21
July 21 to August 18
October 13 to October 27
Regular April 28 to July 14
August 25 to October 6

These are sample itineraries, on alternate weeks the cruise will be in the reverse direction.

Availability for La Belle Epoque

The dates indicated as "Available" may be booked on a charter or cabin basis.

Special offers and discounts

Save 10%

10% off Charters: April 7th & April 14th; July 28th; August 4th
10% off cabins: August 4th
Valid until January 8th

Contact us about the offers

La Belle Epoque enquiries and reservations

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