Cruise in France on the Canal du Nivernais in Northern Burgundy on the Deluxe Hotel-Barge LA BELLE EPOQUE

SEVEN DAYS / SIX NIGHTS

The 13-passenger deluxe La Belle Epoque in Northern Burgundy is the sister ship to L'Impressionniste in Southern Burgundy. It has been designed with both elegance and passenger comfort in mind, and offers a sun-deck spa pool, wood paneled saloon and dining room, together with other luxury facilities, all fully air-conditioned. There are two spacious suites and four junior suites, with twin beds or queen bed, plus a single cabin, all with marble en-suite bathrooms. The Captain leads a crew of six, comprising Master Chef, Tour guide, Housekeeper and two Cabin Stewards.

La Belle Epoque cruises on one of the most beautiful canals in France, the Canal du Nivernais. The cruise week includes wine tastings of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines in a 12th century cellar, a visit to the medieval hilltop village of Vezelay, and lunch at the Michelin star restaurant L'Esperance.

Features

• Size of barge: 126 by 16.6 ft
• Number of Passengers: 13
• Number of Cabins (all with private bath): 7
  
• Crew: 5-6.
  
• Air Conditioning and Central Heating: Yes
• Salon: Two built in sofas, bar, dining area with dining table and picture windows,
  
• Bar: Open bar
  
• Deck: Two sundecks; sunken jacuzzi, steamer chairs, reclining chairs, parasols, and large dining table.
• Spa Tub: Yes
• Cabin Features: Nuits St. George stern suite 165 sq ft with queen bed or twin beds and Meursault bow suite 150 sq. ft. with queen bed, both with ensuite bathrooms with bathtub. Santenay and Vougeot junior suites 130 sq. ft. with twin beds or queen and Chablis and Sancerre junior suites 125 sq. ft. with twin beds, all with ensuite bathrooms with shower. Single cabin with twin bed and bathroom with shower is 90 sq ft.
  
• Vehicle for Transfers/Excursions: Air-conditioned 9-seater (including driver) long wheelbase VW Caravelle minibus and 6-seater (not including driver) VW Sharan minibus.
  
• Accessibility: Steps to salon and cabins.
  
• Bicycles: 10 mountain-bicycles, 21-speed
  

La Belle Epoque's Deck Plan

Passenger Comments:

We thought it was fantastic. It was more than hoped for. The barge was great. The crew was great. The food and wine were great. The other folks on the cruise were wonderful. The excursions were fun and informative. Biking along the canal was great. The staterooms were roomy. Meals and wines were top notch! We were treated to a wonderful assortment of gourmet dishes. We sampled every French dish I had hoped we would and then some. The wines were fantastic. I ate more cheese in that week than in the previous 2 years and enjoyed it all. Our chef, Sylvain, was exceptional. The wine hostess was very knowledgeable. The suites exceeded our expectations in every way. The cabin was roomier than our hotel room in Paris. The beds were comfortable. The barge and salon area were beautifully appointed. The dining area was cozy and beautifully set for each meal. We loved the deck area. We ate all of our breakfasts on deck.
-- R.C. NJ, USA

Absolutely super. Just wonderful. The crew was wonderful. Enjoyed gourmet cooking and kidding the chef. They took us on tours daily, and all were very, very good. Scenery was beautiful and had gorgeous weather. Cabins were very good.
-- M.G. WI, USA

High points: food, duck farm visit, St Eugenie. Excellent: food, excursions, service, route. I'll never be the same again. Chef was great!
-- D.R., VA, USA

We thoroughly enjoyed it. Very first class treatment by the staff, very well informed about the region, towns, history, wines, etc.; excellent cuisine; quite interesting cobargers, and quite good side trips.
-- P.J., MA, USA

Barge was well laid out and plenty of space. It made it easier that we had the whole barge for our party as we could really take over. Not having to lift a finger for a week was wonderful. The whole atmosphere was relaxing and enjoyable. The excursions had a good balance between history, current lifestyle, shopping and wine.
-- R.V., Australia

Sunday - Paris to Auxerre
Guests are met at Hotel Ampere in Paris at 1:30 pm and transferred to the elegant La Belle Epoque in Auxerre, Burgundy. Following a Champagne Welcome, you are free to explore the medieval town of Auxerre or take a stroll along the banks of the River Yonne before returning for dinner aboard.

Monday - Auxerre to Vincelles
Our morning cruise takes us past vineyard-clad hillsides to our rural mooring at Vincelles. The afternoon excursion is to Chablis, home of one of the most famous white wines in the world. A tasting in one of the town's aged cellars will introduce you to  some of the local Petit Chablis and Chablis wines. Dinner aboard.

Tuesday - Vincelles to Mailly la Ville
After breakfast, our excursion is to the medieval town of Auxerre. Originally the capital of Lower Burgundy, the town prides itself on its fine churches and particularly its magnificent cathedral. We then return to the barge for a cruise southwards through rich pasturelands past grazing Charolais cattle to the market town of Mailly la Ville. Dinner aboard.
 
Wednesday - Mailly la Ville to Saussois
This morning, we visit the charming 14th century medieval village of Noyers, one of the most beautiful villages in France, on an excursion through delightful countryside.  In the afternoon we cruise past the Saussois cliffs where an international climbing centre creates a spectacular setting. There will also be the opportunity to enjoy spectacular walks before returning for dinner aboard.

Thursday - Saussois to Lucy sur Yonne
In the morning we enjoy an excursion to the town of Vezelay, one of Burgundy's most famous treasures with the Romanesque Basilica of St Mary Magdalene, craft shops and fine views of the surrounding countryside. Lunch is taken at L'Esperance, a renowned Michelin restaurant in Vezelay, followed by an afternoon cruise through the Yonne valley to arrive at Lucy sur Yonne. Dinner aboard.

Friday - Lucy sur Yonne to Clamecy
A morning cruise through beautiful countryside then takes us to Clamecy. Take a short walk into Clamecy to visit the town, the Collegiale de St Martin and also the Logging and Barging Museum.  The narrow streets lined with ancient buildings also present an opportunity for shopping. In the afternoon, we visit the Chateau of Bazoches, whose illustrious visitors included Richard the Lionheart and which was later remodelled by Marechal Vauban. Captain's farewell dinner aboard.

Saturday - Clamecy to Paris
Disembark after breakfast and arrive at Hotel Ampere in Paris by about 1pm.

Note: On alternate weeks the cruise is in reverse direction. This itinerary is subject to change.

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La Belle Epoque 2009 Season Cruise Schedule* Week Route Season Mar 29 Auxerre-Clamecy Value Apr 5 Clamecy-Auxerre Value Apr 12 Auxerre-Clamecy Value Apr 19 Clamecy-Auxerre Value Apr 26 Auxerre-Clamecy Value May 3 Clamecy-Auxerre Value May 10 Auxerre-Clamecy Value May 17 Clamecy-Auxerre Regular May 24 Auxerre-Clamecy Regular May 31 Clamecy-Auxerre Regular Jun 7 Auxerre-Clamecy Regular Jun 14 Clamecy-Auxerre Regular Jun 21 Auxerre-Clamecy Regular Jun 28 Clamecy-Auxerre Regular Jul 5 Auxerre-Clamecy Regular Jul 12 Clamecy-Auxerre Regular Jul 19 Auxerre-Clamecy Regular

Cruise Schedule* ... continued Week Route Season Jul 26 Clamecy-Auxerre Value Aug 2 Auxerre-Clamecy Value Aug 9 Clamecy-Auxerre Value Aug 16 Auxerre-Clamecy Value Aug 23 Clamecy-Auxerre Value Aug 30 Auxerre-Clamecy Regular Sep 6 Clamecy-Auxerre Regular Sep 13 Auxerre-Clamecy Regular Sep 20 Clamecy-Auxerre Regular Sep 27 Auxerre-Clamecy Regular Oct 4 Clamecy-Auxerre Regular Oct 11 Auxerre-Clamecy Regular Oct 18 Clamecy-Auxerre Value Oct 25 Auxerre-Clamecy Value Nov 1 Clamecy-Auxerre Value Nov 8 Auxerre-Clamecy Value

La Belle Epoque 2010 Season Cruise Schedule* Week Route Season Mar 28 Auxerre-Clamecy Value Apr 4 Clamecy-Auxerre Value Apr 11 Auxerre-Clamecy Value Apr 18 Clamecy-Auxerre Value Apr 25 Auxerre-Clamecy Value May 2 Clamecy-Auxerre Value May 9 Auxerre-Clamecy Value May 16 Clamecy-Auxerre Regular May 23 Auxerre-Clamecy Regular May 30 Clamecy-Auxerre Regular Jun 6 Auxerre-Clamecy Regular Jun 13 Clamecy-Auxerre Regular Jun 20 Auxerre-Clamecy Regular Jun 27 Clamecy-Auxerre Regular Jul 4 Auxerre-Clamecy Regular Jul 11 Clamecy-Auxerre Regular Jul 18 Auxerre-Clamecy Regular

Cruise Schedule* ... continued Week Route Season Jul 25 Clamecy-Auxerre Value Aug 1 Auxerre-Clamecy Value Aug 8 Clamecy-Auxerre Value Aug 15 Auxerre-Clamecy Value Aug 22 Clamecy-Auxerre Value Aug 29 Auxerre-Clamecy Value Sep 5 Clamecy-Auxerre Regular Sep 12 Auxerre-Clamecy Regular Sep 19 Clamecy-Auxerre Regular Sep 26 Auxerre-Clamecy Regular Oct 3 Clamecy-Auxerre Regular Oct 10 Auxerre-Clamecy Regular Oct 17 Clamecy-Auxerre Value Oct 24 Auxerre-Clamecy Value Oct 31 Clamecy-Auxerre Value Nov 7 Auxerre-Clamecy Value

*Note: Cruise directions and sample itineraries may be in reverse and are subject to change and may depend on bookings and local navigation conditions. Alternate excursions of equal appeal are substituted when needed. For charter cruises special itineraries can be arranged.

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LA BELLE EPOQUE 2009 SEASON PRICES in US DOLLARS
ACCOMMODATION	VALUE Mar 29 thru May 16 Jul 26 thru Aug 29 Oct 18 thru Nov 14	REGULAR May 17 thru Jul 25 Aug 30 thru Oct 17
Junior Suite (per person, double occ)	$4,350	$4,990
Suite (per person, double occupancy)	$4,590	$5,290
Single in Single Cabin	$4,750	$5,450
Suite Single Supplement	$1,700	$1,900
Charter for 10	$46,900	$54,500
Charter for 11	$48,200	$56,000
Charter for 12	$49,500	$57,500
Charter for 13	$50,800	$59,000
Cycling Charter Supplement for up to 12	$5,000	$5,000
Wine Cruise Charter Supplement for up to 12	$5,000	$5,000

LA BELLE EPOQUE 2010 SEASON PRICES in US DOLLARS Same as 2009!
ACCOMMODATION	VALUE Mar 28 thru May 15 Jul 25 thru Sep 4 Oct 17 thru Nov 13	REGULAR May 16 thru Jul 24 Sep 5 thru Oct 16
Junior Suite (per person, double occ)	$4,350	$4,990
Suite (per person, double occupancy)	$4,590	$5,290
Single in Single Cabin	$4,750	$5,450
Suite Single Supplement	$1,700	$1,900
Charter for 10	$46,900	$54,500
Charter for 11	$48,200	$56,000
Charter for 12	$49,500	$57,500
Charter for 13	$50,800	$59,000
Cycling Charter Supplement for up to 12	$5,000	$5,000
Wine Cruise Charter Supplement for up to 12	$5,000	$5,000

What's Included

- 7 days and 6 nights on the barge, all cabins with private bath
- transfers from Paris to the barge and return
- all meals beginning with dinner on Sunday through breakfast on Saturday
- all wines with lunches and dinners
- open bar
- all escorted side-excursions (hot air ballooning, golf, etc. at additional cost)
- use of bicycles

What's Not Included

- overseas air transportation to Paris and return
- suggested 5-7% gratuity for the crew, to be paid in equivalent Euros to the captain

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Last Update: June 5, 2009

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