Taking a Burgundy barge cruise down one of the region’s canals is a wonderful experience. Burgundy boasts some of the world’s finest wines with around 60,000 acres of sunlit vines and arguably the prettiest canals in France. The Burgundy Canal winds its way in smooth curves through the heart of renowned vineyards, medieval towns, elegant châteaux, magnificent cathedrals, picturesque villages and wonderful local markets. Barging in Burgundy guarantees our clients a wealth of sightseeing opportunities.
This is a region with a vast variety of cheeses, in all shapes, sizes and colours, strong in character or mild and fresh and all can be enjoyed with full-bodied red Burgundies, or perhaps with lighter white Chablis wines. Burgundy’s gastronomic tradition is certainly rich and diverse and a sedate Burgundy barge cruise along one of its delightful waterways will allow you to indulge in good food and wine: two of life’s essential pleasures.
BELMOND AMARYLLIS
Carrying up to eight passengers, the Belmond Amaryllis offers a taste of French splendour across two decks with its Louis XVI furniture, a trompe ľoeil wall mural and embroidered Parisian bedcovers. The emphasis on comfort and luxury is evident in our private cabins, which each offer king or twin beds and private marble en-suite bathrooms. While away sunny days in the heated pool or admire the picturesque landscapes from the sun deck. Dinner can be savoured in the formal dining room. In the lounge, doors span the width of the barge, opening for alfresco dining on the sun deck. Available for private hire only.
Passengers: 8
Brochure: PDF
Prices – Full Charter: Contact us
Reservations / Availability: Contact
APRÈS TOUT
The Après Tout is a converted cargo boat originally built in 1950 and then transformed into a luxury hotel barge in 2004. She is 127 foot long (38.7 metres) by 16.5 foot wide (5.05 metre) and is truly sumptuous.
There are 3 very spacious cabins with Emperor size beds that can divide into twins, each cabin has an extremely efficient air conditioning unit or a separate heating system for cooler months. All cabins have large walk in showers and heated towel rails and are fully stocked with Occitane products.
The salon and dining area are very light and airy with huge picture windows, there is a Satellite television, a Bose DVD player and CD player and ipod docking station. Also there are two wifi systems throughout the boat, so coverage even in the Valley D’ouche is pretty good!
The deck is probably the best used area – a wonderful outside space with 360° views. There is a bubbling hot tub that can easily take 6 people, 6 deck chairs for sun seekers and a large canopied shaded area for dining – where all meals are served weather permitting.
For those wanting to exercise – there are 6 bicycles that are ideal for tow path riding or exploring further afield.
Owner/Operator Rory and Caroline Macrae have worked in the luxury Hotel barge cruise industry in France for over 20 years. They bought the Après Tout in 2011 and are proud to be running their own business after all these years – hence the name Après Tout which means in French – after all
Passengers: 6
Itinerary: St Jean to St Leger (or reverse)
Brochure: PDF
Article 1: PDF | Article 2: PDF
Video: YouTube
Prices – Double Cabin: USD 6,670 per person (limited dates)
Prices – Full Charter: USD 34,000 to USD 40,000
Reservations / Availability: Contact
FINESSE
Finesse is a luxurious, double-decker hotel barge that cruises the scenic River Saône and Canal du Centre in Southern Burgundy.
Built to exacting standards with luxury in mind, she offers accommodation for up to 8 passengers in four spacious twin or double-bedded suites (approx. 265sq ft including en suite), each air-conditioned and with beautifully appointed shower-rooms. She also boasts a large saloon with panoramic windows and a demonstration galley where guests can watch their chef preparing delicious gourmet meals.
She has a very modern and well-designed interior, offering plenty of natural light. Outside guests can relax on the large sun deck with its alfresco dining area, comfortable seating and spa pool.
With her doting crew of five to look after you, Finesse is the perfect vessel on which to meander through the vineyards and undulating countryside of Southern Burgundy.
Passengers: 8
Brochure: PDF | Video: YouTube
Media: PDF
Prices – Double Cabin: €7,990 to €9,290 per person
Prices – Full Charter: €54,500 to €68,500
Reservations / Availability: Contact
BELMOND FLEUR DE LYS
From ornate fabrics to regal four-poster beds and authentic Indian furnishings, The Belmond Fleur de Lys is a visual treat – there’s even a baby grand piano for the musically minded to play in the lounge. Entertain yourself with a curated selection of games, books, music and movies and enjoy WiFi. By day, look out over panoramic vistas of the verdant countryside from the sun deck, or take a dip in the heated pool. As evening falls, dress for dinner in your private en-suite cabin and enjoy a sumptuous banquet created by your chef and served in the elegant dining room. Available for private hire only.
Passengers: 6
Brochure: PDF
Prices – Full Charter: Contact us
Reservations / Availability: Contact
JEANINE
The Jeanine is a custom designed canal barge and has been equipped with maximum comfort in mind for an unforgettable and relaxing holiday. Passengers are very well looked after and pampered by a crew completely at your disposal, so you can relax on board and have a truly wonderful time.
Passengers: 22
Brochure: PDF
Video: YouTube
Prices – Double Cabin: From NZD 4,954.00 per person
Dates 2024: 30 March; 04, 06, 11, 18 April; 20 June; 11, 18, 25, 27 July; 01, 03, 10 August
Besancon to Dijon (or reverse)
Reservations / Availability: Contact
L’ART DE VIVRE
L’Art de Vivre was built in England during World War One as a supply vessel to the allied troops of the Somme. She has been carefully transformed by skilled craftsmen into a floating celebration of the Burgundian “good life”.
The comfortable cabins have modern en suite facilities and the delightful saloon combines contemporary leather with more traditional furnishings.
There is a sun deck to relax on with a glass of wine as you glide through the pretty Burgundy countryside, a relaxing spa pool and, of course, bicycles for exploring the towpath before rejoining the hotel barge at one of the locks up ahead.
Your crew of four comprises a Captain, Master Chef, Tour Guide and Hostess, all with a love of the Nivernais Canal and secure in the knowledge that their vessel represents “L’Art de Vivre” itself.
The region simply oozes charm and the cruise is a journey back in time along a magical waterway.
Passengers: 8
Brochure: PDF | Video: YouTube
Prices – Double Cabin: €5,250 to €6,050 per person
Prices – Full Charter: €36,400 to €45,000
Reservations / Availability: Contact
LA BELLE EPOQUE
La Belle Epoque is a spacious, luxurious hotel barge and sister ship to L’Impressionniste. Although she originally carried logs from Burgundy to Paris, she was skilfully converted in the late 1990’s into a delightful hotel barge.
She is now the perfect vessel for cruising the Burgundy Canal with its towpaths that are ideal for walking and cycling. She has been designed with both elegance and passenger comfort in mind and offers a sun deck with spa pool, wood-panelled saloon/dining room and other luxury amenities.
The spacious cabins offer a choice of twin or double beds with marble en suite facilities. The Captain leads a crew of six comprising Master Chef, Deck-Hand, Tour Guide and two Hostesses.
Passengers: 12
Brochure: PDF | Video: YouTube | Article: PDF
Prices – Double Cabin: €5,990 to €7,490 per person
Prices – Full Charter: €60,900 to €78,500
Reservations / Availability: Contact
L’IMPRESSIONNISTE
Sister ship to La Belle Epoque, L’Impressionniste began life as a cargo barge in Holland before undergoing a complete transformation into the gorgeous hotel barge she is today.
Her light and airy interior features picture windows and a selection of prints, fabrics and wall coverings reminiscent of the era after which she has been named, while each comfortable cabin is complemented by an en suite shower room.
The spacious, wood-panelled saloon features comfortable leather sofas and individually designed fitted furniture.
A week cruising aboard L’Impressionniste on the Burgundy Canal introduces you to a wonderful blend of Burgundian countryside, history and viticulture.
Passengers: 12
Brochure: PDF | Video: YouTube
Prices – Double Cabin: €5,990 to €7,490 per person
Prices – Full Charter: €60,900 to €78,500
Reservations / Availability: Contact
LUCIOLE
Hotel barge Luciole cruises the exceptional Nivernais Canal, thought by many to be the most beautiful in France. Round every bend the vista changes, as the waterway weaves through the heart of Burgundy’s beautiful scenery.
She began cruising in 1976 and the experience of the six crew is evident, with the attention to detail and warm yet professional atmosphere, the guests are always appreciative.
The barge accommodates twelve passengers in eight en-suite cabins, with an attractive saloon and inviting sundeck.
On board, guests will experience the gastronomy of France with fine regional wines and delicious gourmet meals.
The week’s itinerary combines cruising the waterway with daily excursions in the barge’s private bus, to visit famous vineyards for wine tasting, Medieval towns, historic châteaux and colourful markets.
While the Luciole cruises the canal, soak up the sun on deck or stroll down the towpath. There are also bicycles for those wishing to explore nearby villages.
Passengers: 12
Brochure: PDF | Video: YouTube
Prices – Double or Single Cabin: €4,950 to €5,550 per person
Prices – Full Charter: €51,000 to €62,000
Reservations / Availability: Contact
MAGNOLIA
Magnolia is owner-operated by Magali and Nicolas Rancelot, who both have extensive backgrounds and experience in the barging industry. The Magnolia has been designed with both comfort and contemporary style, offering a large lounge and dining-room equipped with TV, DVD, library, Ipod dock and internet access.
In the Galley a chef cuisinier is ready to prepare the best French meals during full and half board cruises or is available for use during self-catering charters. There is even a BBQ on the sun deck where our chef prepares for you fresh products that you have selected yourself at the Dijon market and cooks them “à la plancha”
The barge provides luxurious and comfortable accommodation for up to 6 guests in double or twin bedded cabins, each with large bathrooms.
To enjoy the beautiful landscapes of the Burgundy canal, you can easily access the sundecks, one with deck furniture and outside demonstration kitchen, the second one, directly accessible from cabins corridor with a spa, allows you to contemplate the scenery with the slow rhythm of cruising.
On-board the Magnolia you will be pampered by your attentive crew making your experience relaxing, careless and memorable.
Passengers: 6
Prices 2023 Full Charter:
€19,300 to €24,800 Full Board
€16,600 to €22,300 Half Board
Schedule: Sat-Fri
Dijon to Escommes (or reverse)
Reservations / Availability: Contact
SAVOIR VIVRE
Experience a new way of barging with the stylish eight passenger Savoir Vivre. Nightly meals ashore at local restaurants are included in the price, which gives you an up close and personal experience of the local French Culture and exquisite cuisine. Nice size cabins with en-suite facilities for eight guests, this barge is smartly decorated and offers all the amenities one expects when barging but has a new twist with meals ashore.
You will cruise along one of France’s most beautiful canals, the Canal du Bourgogne. When not enjoying the spectacular and charming scenery, you will explore hidden gems of French life, history and culture via air conditioned van and the legendary guidance of Simon or Laura, your private expert guide.
All departures include private chauffeured transfers from and to Dijon.
Passengers: 8
Itinerary: PDF | Video: YouTube
Prices – Double Cabin: USD 4,475 to USD 4,725 per person
Prices – Full Charter: USD 33,800 to USD 37,800
Reservations / Availability: Contact