2012
BARGING IN FRANCE
EARLYBIRD SPECIAL OFFERS
10% discount
Cruises departures: April 2012
THE
12 PASSENGER LA BELLE EPOQUE
The Belle Epoque has been designed with both elegance and passenger
comfort in mind and offers a sun-deck spa-pool, plus sauna and fitness
studio. The wood panelled saloon and dining room, together with other
luxury facilities, are all fully air-conditioned. The spacious cabins
offer a choice of twin or double beds with marble en-suite facilities.
La
Belle Epoque was entirely refurbished in 2011. New sound and heat
insulation - New air-conditioning and heating systems. - New Curtains
- Ninety percent of the interior wood has been carefully removed and
replaced with seasoned satin-varnished, mahogany and hardwood panelling.
- Two bathroom suites have been re-fitted with Italian Mainzu-Ceramica
tiles with rain forest shower units and teak-deck flooring. - All
Bathrooms were refitted with Trend duo toll holders, soap dishes,
glass holders, glass shelves, towel rails. The list is too long. After
her upgrade, La Belle Epoque will certainly remain the client's favourite
barge in Burgundy.
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One
week cruise in France from 3016 Euros
Photo
Gallery - Itinerary
-
Tariff
- FAQ
- Client's
reports
Tonnerre to
Venarey les Laumes
Sunday, Day 1 - Montbard to Tonnerre
Guests are met at the Montbard TGV station at 18.04 or Hotel in Montbard
at 18.30 and transferred to the barge, in a private air-conditioned
minibus, moored in Tonnerre. A full crew Welcome Aboard with Champagne
and canapés. After time to settle into your cabin you will
enjoy your first dinner aboard and introduction to Burgundy's excellent
cuisine.
Monday, Day 2 - Tonnerre to Tanlay
Wake to the aromas of ground coffee and French patisseries, enjoy
a leisurely breakfast and morning cruise to Tanlay. After lunch we
walk across to the 16th century Renaissance-style Chateau de Tanlay,
nestling serenely within this picturesque village, which also boasts
a challenging 9 hole golf course. Dinner aboard.
Tuesday, Day 3 - Tanlay to Ancy le Franc
This morning we visit the vineyards and town of Chablis, dating back
to Roman times. We enjoy a private wine tasting at the Domaine Servan
renowned for its Premier and Grand Cru wines popularized by Alexis
Lichine in the 1950's. We return to the barge for lunch and enjoy
a lazy cruise up to Ancy le Franc with plenty of opportunity to wander
or cycle ahead as the vessel ascends through the locks towards the
beautiful 16th century Renaissance palace and gardens of Chateau d'Ancy
le Franc. Dinner aboard.
Wednesday, Day 4 - Ancy le Franc to Ravieres
Morning visit to medieval Noyers sur Serein to admire the local produce,
colours and delights of the wonderful market, or to wander the town
ramparts in this, one of the most beautiful villages in France. After
lunch ashore in Chablis at a delightful local auberge. we return to
the barge and enjoy a gentle afternoon cruise past grazing Charolais
cattle. Dinner aboard.
Thursday, Day 5 - Ravieres to Montbard
Morning cruise to Montbard passing the Forges de Buffon where later
in the day we see examples of early Industrial Revolution engineering
at this forge powered by the small, yet powerful River Armancon. After
lunch, from the summit of Mt Auxois, we look at Alesia, the last battle
site between the Gaulles and Roman, followed by a stroll around the
hilltop village of Flavigny sur Ozerain, where the film 'Chocolat'
was filmed. Dinner aboard.
Friday, Day 6 - Montbard to Venarey les Laumes.
Morning cruise through woodlands and rolling fields with great towpath
biking and walking opportunities past the tiny canalside villages
of Nogent, Courcelles and Les Granges. This afternoon we escort you
to the exquisite World Heritage Unesco site of Abbayé de Fontenay
founded by St Bernard in 1118. Representing a distinctive example
of early Cistercian architecture and virtually intact, Fontenay allows
an exceptional glimpse of early Cistercian life and industry with
its peaceful gardens and ponds and fascinating cloisters, dormitories
and scriptorium. Captain's Farewell Dinner aboard.
Saturday, Day 7 - Venarey les Laumes to Montbard
After breakfast, disembark the barge and transfer to Montbard railway
station in time for the 11.28am train to Paris Gare de Lyon.
This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change.
On alternate weeks the itinerary is in the reverse direction.
NOTES: Recommended trains to book in advance: Paris Gare de Lyon-Montbard
(TGV) Train departs Paris Gare de Lyon at 16:58hrs, arriving in Montbard
at 18:04hrs. End of cruise Montbard-Paris (TGV) Train Saturday departs
11:28hrs arriving in Paris Gare de Lyon at 12:37hrs.
Venarey les Laumes to Tonnerre
Sunday, Day 1 - Montbard to Venarey les Laumes
Guests are met at the Montbard TGV station at 18.04 or Hotel in Montbard
at 18.30 and transferred to the barge, in a private air-conditioned
minibus, moored in Venarey les Laumes. A full crew Welcome Aboard
with Champagne and canapés. After time to settle into your
cabin you are invited to join us for a first dinner aboard and introduction
to Burgundy's excellent cuisine.
Monday, Day 2 - Venarey les Laumes to Montbard
Wake to the aromas of ground coffee and French patisseries, enjoy
a leisurely breakfast and morning cruise through woodlands and rolling
fields with great towpath biking and walking opportunities past the
tiny canalside villages of Nogent, Courcelles and Les Granges. This
afternoon we escort you to the exquisite World Heritage Unesco site
of Abbayé de Fontenay founded by St Bernard in 1118. Representing
a distinctive example of early Cistercian architecture and virtually
intact, Fontenay allows an exceptional glimpse of early Cistercian
life and industry with its peaceful gardens and ponds and fascinating
cloisters, dormitories and scriptorium. Dinner aboard.
Tuesday, Day 3 - Montbard to Ravieres
Morning cruise to Ravieres passing the Forges de Buffon where later
in the day we see various examples of early Industrial Revolution
engineering on the banks of the tiny yet powerful Armancon River,
whose power was harnessed to run the forge. We also visit the hilltop
village of Flavigny sur Ozerain, where the film Chocolat was located.
On the way, from the summit of Mt Auxois, we look at Alesia, the last
battle site between the Gaulles and Romans that took place in 52 BC.
Dinner aboard.
Wednesday, Day 4 - Ravieres to Ancy le Franc
Morning visit to medieval Noyers sur Serein to admire the local produce,
colours and delights of the wonderful market, or to wander the town
ramparts in this, one of the most beautiful villages in France. After
lunch ashore in Chablis at a delightful local auberge. we return to
the barge and enjoy a lazy afternoon cruise past grazing Charolais
cattle, with plenty of opportunity to walk or cycle along the towpath.
Dinner aboard.
Thursday, Day 5 - Ancy le Franc to Tanlay
Gentle morning cruise as your hotel barge descends through the picturesque
locks and past the beautiful 16th century Renaissance palace and gardens
of Château d'Ancy le Franc. After lunch we walk across to the
16th century Renaissance-style Chateau de Tanlay, nestling serenely
within this picturesque village, which also boasts a challenging 9
hole golf course. Dinner aboard.
Friday, Day 6 - Tanlay to Tonnerre
This morning we visit the vineyards and town of Chablis, dating back
to Roman times. We enjoy a private wine tasting at the Domaine Servan
renowned for its Premier and Grand Cru wines popularized by Alexis
Lichine in the 1950's.
Return to the barge for lunch and a leisurely afternoon cruise to
our final mooring at Tonnerre. Captain's Farewell Dinner aboard.
Saturday, Day 7 - Tonnerre to Montbard
After breakfast, disembark the barge and transfer to Montbard railway
station in time for the 11.28am train to Paris Gare de Lyon.
This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change.
On alternate weeks the itinerary is in the reverse direction.
NOTES: Recommended trains to book in advance: Paris Gare de Lyon-Montbard
(TGV) Train departs Paris Gare de Lyon at 16:58hrs, arriving in Montbard
at 18:04hrs. End of cruise Montbard-Paris (TGV) Train Saturday departs
11:28hrs arriving in Paris Gare de Lyon at 12:37hrs.
