The 12-guest river cruise ship La Belle Epoque offers premier comfort and elegance in Burgundy cruising. A heritage vessel refitted for modern luxury barging, she features a sundeck with a spa pool, spacious common areas, and well-designed accommodations with marble ensuite facilities.
This 126-foot ship is a spits barge built in 1930 to carry timber between Burgundy and Paris. Renovated by European Waterways in 1995, she now serves as a deluxe hotel barge ferrying passengers through the lovely region of Northern Burgundy. Her classic looks, modern amenities, spacious cabins, and wide range of daily excursions make the La Belle Epoque barge ideal for leisurely Burgundy cruises.
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.
Deckplan
Staterooms & Suites
Barging Burgundy is more comfortable than ever, with guests coming home to the gracefully appointed Le Belle Epoque cabins. The hotel barge features four Staterooms (125 to 130 square feet) and two Junior Suites (150 to 165 square feet), with a choice of twin or double beds. All rooms are equipped with marble-clad ensuite facilities, warm lighting, a window or porthole, and individually controlled air-conditioning.
Amenities
A highlight of a La Belle Epoque cruise is the range of hotel-like facilities available on board, whether guests want to mingle indoors or relax under the sun.
Saloon/Dining Room: The wood-paneled saloon and dining room offer a fantastic space for socializing on the cruise ship, especially with the open bar on hand. Bespoke, handmade seating, and quality detailing of teak and brass create a refined atmosphere, while large picture windows keep the room light-filled and airy.
Sun Deck: Spend rain-free days on the spacious sundeck, where guests won’t miss any of Northern Burgundy’s spectacular scenery as La Belle Epoque drifts along the canal. There’s a large table under a canopy shade for al fresco dining, as well as comfortable loungers for passengers who want to nap, read a book, or gaze at the passing sights. A spa pool is also available on the deck.
Guests can travel in ease at all seasons with air-conditioning and central heating. Additionally, a six-man crew is on board to assist the passengers during the week-long cruise.
Dining
Full meals are served aboard the La Belle Epoque barge. The chef prepares fresh and contemporary dishes using local ingredients, giving passengers a taste of the region’s culinary delights. Wine pairings are carefully selected from Burgundy vineyards enhance the flavors while showing off the region’s esteemed wine-making legacy.
La Belle Epoque Itinerary
La Belle Epoque cruises on waterways in Burgundy, passing through the rolling French countryside, medieval villages, and heritage sites.
Enjoying Northern Burgundy’s stunning and diverse scenery is an essential element of a cruise trip to this area. Exclusive tastings at renowned wineries, private tours to historical and cultural landmarks, and even a special audience to local aristocracy are just some of the activities that are part of the Burgundy cruise excursions in France.
Optional adventures include a hot air balloon ride. There is also an excellent towpath for cycling and walking; guests may use the bicycles stowed on board at no additional cost.
A private charter of La Belle Epoque is also available.
La Belle Epoque Specifications
Year Built: 1930
Length: 126 feet
Passengers: 12
Crew: 6
About European Waterways
Established in 1977, European Waterways is an international cruise company known for delivering top-quality barge vacations in Europe’s most beloved waterways. The operator is based in Berkshire, England, but cruise destinations are far-ranging to places like Ireland, Scotland, and Mantua. The small-ship cruises in Europe that the tour operator specializes in are ideal for reaching acclaimed yet lesser-known locations.
European Waterways developed its fleet by taking old trading barges from all over the continent and renovating them into luxury boutique hotel barges. Each boat in the collection can accommodate four to 20 passengers, plus three to eight crew members. Expect an intimate cruise experience; travelers can also charter each barge for private cruises.
Spacious suites, professional service, and a highly personalized barging experience made the La Belle Epoque cruise a standout among guests. Many guests made it a point to praise the exceptional cuisine prepared by the onboard chef, with a new wine served every day. Excursions are fun and well-spaced from each other to ensure guests aren’t too tired to appreciate the tours.
For information or a detailed comparison of La Belle Epoque and other Burgundy cruise ships, contact our Adventure Life travel experts.
Everything was amazing! The planning with Adventure Life went smoothly. The actual trip was fantastic! One of the best trips I have experienced. The cruise staff members were knowledgeable and attentive. I will be writing more about this on the blog!
Justin Chappelle
9 hours ago
Very well organiced.
Great communication
Easy to handle website for required docs to file .
Pleasant Experience
Nancy Kaierle
1 day ago
Very well ececuted. Hily recomended. Great experiance
Nancy Kaierle
3 days ago
Belize adventures
I've worked with Adventure Life before in planning trips and appreciate the quality of trips they put together. They use knowledgeable local guides, comfortable lodgings, and assist with transportation. I find trip planning stressful, so am happy to turn it over to them. They work within our parameters of time, budget, activity level, and types of activities to give us great experiences!
Kaesa Footracer
3 days ago
I was reading and it was a good story I need to recommend it
Delilah DeLee
5 days ago
We have been working with Adventure Life for 5 years now and it is very easy to plan out our trips. Our holidays include customization of activities and side trips along with the standard packages available on the Adventure Life website. Kevin, Jess, Mary Rose and their teams have many recommendations that have enhanced our travel.
