The 13 passenger La Belle Epoque is a state-of-the art luxury hotel barge and sistership to L'impressionniste in our European fleet. La Belle Epoque has been designed with both elegance and passenger comfort in mind, and offers a sun-deck spa pool, chartroom, wood paneled saloon and dining room, together with other luxury facilities, all fully air-conditioned. The spacious cabins offer a choice of twin or double beds, with marble en-suite facilities as does the new single cabin. The Captain leads a crew of six, comprising Master Chef, Tour guide, House keeper and two Stewardesses.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1, Sunday: Guests are met at Hotel Ampere in Paris, and transferred by private motor-coach to La Belle Epoque, moored in the historic Quartier de la Marine in the cathedral town of Auxerre. Champagne welcome. Dinner on board
Day 2, Monday: The Barge leaves Auxerre on the Canal du Nivernais, at the hamlet of Augy cyclists head off through the cherry orchards up to Vallan, Escamps and Chastenay. Enjoy a cooling break while visiting the subterranean caverns at Taingy, from which the famous Burgundian limestone was extracted to build monuments such as the Pantheon and la Madeleine in Paris, and even the first water tower in Chicago! Buffet Lunch. Return to the barge via Molesmes and Charentenay with optional wine tasting chez Mr. Bon, in the hamlet of Migé. Dinner onboard
Day 3, Tuesday: Our itinerary today takes cyclists up though the narrow streets of Irancy, the latest wine village to be awarded its own appellation-controlée. Continue on a narrow track straight up through the vineyards and plunge down to St. Bris where a short break is spent in the 12 th C. cellars of Mr. Bersan. Cross country on the 'Grande Randonnée track 13' follows with buffet lunch/barbecue in the grounds of a 17 th C watermill. An afternoon cycle circuit takes in Accolay, and Fontenay sous Fouronnes before rejoining the barge at Bazarnes for a short evening cruise to Vermenton. Dinner on board
Day 4, Wednesday: As the barge leaves Vermenton, cyclists disembark at the first lock and follow the GR 13 along the banks of the River Cure through Bessy and Arcy sur Cure. An old Roman road leads back over the hill down to Pregilbert where La Belle Epoque is mooring up - lunch on board. Afternoon cycling to Mailly le Chateau and The Rochers du Saussois, with perhaps a stop at the 14th C tower, studio of local artist M. Rose, before rejoining the barge at Merry sur Yonne. Dinner ashore at Auberge La Beursaudiere, once a Benedictine priory.
Day 5, Thursday: As the Belle Epoque slips its mooring, this mornings ride traverses the Bois d'Arcy and climbs to one of Burgundy's most picturesque hilltop settings - Vezelay. After discovering the world famous Romanesque Basilica of St. Mary Magdelene, a swoop downhill takes us through St. Père sous Vezelay to meet our chef, setting up a buffet luncheon on the banks of the R.Cure, alongside the medieval bridge at Pierre Perthuis. Our afternoon ride is through Fontenay and the forest of Chauffour-Ferrières to the village of Lucy sur Yonne where the barge is moored for the night. Dinner onboard
Day 6, Friday: A short ride brings us to the the logging and barging museum and Clamecy Cathedral. We then cycle to Dornecy through the Fôret de Champôrnot, buffet lunch somewhere in the greenery, and back to the barge along the towpath, moored at Clamecy. Captains Farewell dinner on board.
Day 7, Saturday: Return to Paris by motorcoach after breakfast arriving at approximately 1 pm.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- Open bar
- Free wines
- Gourmet cuisine
- Entry fees to excursions
Junior Suite per person $4,590
Suite per person $4,850
Single supplement $1,750
Single cabin $4,990
Charter 10 passengers whole boat $49,500
Charter 11 passengers whole boat $51,000
Charter 12 passengers whole boat $52,500
Charter 13 passengers whole boat $54,000
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
France
Boating and Sailing
Bicycle Touring
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