La Belle Epoque

Sunday, Day 1 Venarey-les-Laumes

Guests are met at The Hotel Westminster in central Paris** and transferred by private chauffeured minibus to La Belle Epoque. A full crew welcome with champagne and canapés. After time to settle into your cabin you will enjoy your first dinner on board and an introduction to Burgundy’s excellent cuisine.

Monday, Day 2 Venarey-les-Laumes to Montbard

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. After an early lunch, we visit the moat-encircled Château de Commarin to be treated to a private demonstration of the medieval sport of falconry***. The close-up encounter with these majestic birds against the backdrop of the castle grounds is an amazing experience and afterwards, we meet Count Bertrand de Vogüé, the current resident and 26^th generation of the de Vogüé family to maintain continuous residence since the 13^th century. This is followed by a private tour of the building. Dinner on board.

Tuesday, Day 3 Montbard to Ravières

Morning cruise with excellent towpath walking or cycling, passing the 18^th 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 distinctive 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 and cruise to Ravières. Dinner on board.

Wednesday, Day 4 Ravières to Ancy-le-Franc

A truly unique day lies ahead. Following breakfast aboard we head to Les Riceys, the only wine growing area of the Champagne region to have 3 Appellation d’Origine Contrôlées. Here we visit Maison Taisne Riocour, viewing the vineyards and winery with the Baron, before tasting some of their champagnes. We then head to Château de Ricey-Bas; with its 12^th century vaulted cellars and thousand’s year history it’s the ideal location to appreciate the rolling vineyards and enjoy a glimpse of family life in a rural château. Here we will be greeted for a champagne aperitif and a gourmet lunch with the Baron and Baroness herself, which we take in either the private salon or the atmospheric 15^th century kitchen. We will spend the remainder of the afternoon strolling the beautiful gardens or exploring the regal chateau interiors. We return to the barge and begin our cruise to Ancy-le-Franc, with plenty of opportunity to walk or cycle along the towpath… or sit on deck with another glass of bubbly. Dinner on board. Dinner on board.

Thursday, Day 5 Ancy-le-Franc to Lézinnes

This morning we visit Château 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 your hotel barge continues along the Burgundy Canal and descends through the picturesque locks to moor at Lézinnes. Dinner on board.

Friday, Day 6 Lézinnes to Tanlay

After breakfast we tour the vineyards and town of Chablis dating back to Roman times, to enjoy a private wine tasting at the prestigious Domaine Laroche. Here, we also visit the 1000-year-old Obediencerie, originally part of the monastery of St Martin – the founders of Chablis, where for centuries, the Domaine’s wines have been aged. Following lunch, we enjoy a leisurely cruise to our final mooring at Tanlay, with the opportunity to cycle or walk into the picturesque village of Saint Vinnemer. Later we return to the barge for the Captain’s Farewell Dinner.

Saturday, Day 7 Tanlay

After breakfast, guests are transferred to Paris**.

* This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change
On alternate weeks, the cruise will be in the reverse direction
** Other locations available for private Charter bookings
*** Weather dependent