Embark on a 7-day private cruise aboard the La Belle Epoque. This itinerary offers a curated exploration of Burgundy’s cultural, historical, and gastronomic highlights. Starting with a private transfer from Paris, the cruise features daily guided excursions to medieval castles, UNESCO World Heritage sites, vineyards, and historic towns. Notable experiences include a falconry demonstration at Chateau de Commarin, a private lunch with the Baron and Baroness at Chateau de Ricey-Bas, and wine tastings in Chablis. Each day includes towpath biking or walking options and onboard gourmet dining. The route includes stops at Montbard, Buffon, Ravieres, Ancy-le-Franc, and Lezinnes, concluding with a return transfer to Paris.
Highlights
Savor Burgundy’s cuisine with your private group of up to 12 guests
Visit Forges de Buffon and walk scenic towpaths through rural France
Wander Saint-Vinnemer village before a celebratory farewell dinner
Explore Commarin for falconry and a private chateau tour with the Count
Activity options vary depending on destination and operator. Activity level is determined by the range and intensity of activities you choose to participate in. Discuss with your Trip Planner which options are best for you.
Guests are greeted at The Hotel Westminster in central Paris and escorted by private chauffeured minibus to La Belle Epoque. Upon arrival, a full crew welcome awaits, accompanied by champagne and canapés. After settling into your cabin, enjoy a gourmet dinner on board featuring an introduction to Burgundy’s renowned cuisine.
Enjoy a relaxed breakfast as you cruise through serene woodlands and gently rolling farmland, with excellent towpath opportunities for biking and walking past the canalside villages of Nogent, Courcelles, and Les Granges. After an early lunch, visit the moat-surrounded Château de Commarin for an exclusive falconry demonstration. This up-close experience with majestic birds of prey, set against the historic castle backdrop, is truly memorable. Following the display, meet Count Bertrand de Vogüé, the château’s current resident and 26th-generation family member, before a private tour of the estate. Dinner is served on board.
Morning cruise to Buffon, with excellent towpath walking or cycling, passing the 18th-century Forges de Buffon. After lunch, the team will 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 for dinner on board.
A truly unique day lies ahead. Following breakfast aboard, you head to Les Riceys, the only wine growing area of the Champagne region to have 3 Appellation d’Origine Contrôlées. Here, you visit Maison Taisne Riocour, viewing the vineyards and winery with the Baron. Then head to the impressive Château de Ricey-Bas. With its 12th-century vaulted cellars and a thousand-year history, it’s the ideal location to appreciate the rolling vineyards and enjoy a glimpse of family life in a rural château. Here, you are greeted with a champagne aperitif and a gourmet lunch with the Baron and Baroness themselves, which you take in the private family salon. You can spend the remainder of the morning strolling the beautiful gardens or exploring the regal château interiors. Return to the barge in the afternoon and begin your cruise to Ravières, with plenty of opportunities to walk or cycle along the towpath or sit on deck with another glass of bubbly. Dinner on board.
This morning, La Belle Epoque will continue along the pretty Burgundy Canal to moor at Ancy-le-Franc. In the afternoon, enjoy a visit to the beautiful 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. Dinner on board.
After breakfast, tour the vineyards and town of Chablis, dating back to Roman times, to enjoy a private wine tasting at the prestigious Domaine Laroche. Here, you can also visit the 1000-year-old Obédiencerie, originally part of the monastery of St Martin – the founders of Chablis, where for centuries, the Domaine’s wines have been aged. Following lunch, enjoy a leisurely cruise to your final mooring at Lézinnes with the opportunity to cycle or walk into the picturesque village of Saint-Vinnemer. Later, return to the barge for the Captain’s Farewell Dinner.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$77,000
or $6,417 per person based on 12 max passengers
Staterooms
125 - 130 sq. ft. featuring twin or double beds, private bathroom with shower, wardrobe and a small table.
Junior Suites
150 - 165 sq. ft. featuring win or double beds, private bathroom with shower, wardrobe and a small table.
Notes
- All children under the age of 18 years accepted onboard qualify for a discount of $300 per child per week.
Initial deposit is 25%, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 100 days prior to departure by Credit card, check, and bank transfer. All final payments by credit card subject to a surcharge of 2.5% and maximum of $20,000 charge
Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
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