![]() Due to the limited size of the vessels, it is recommended to book in advance to ensure availability. Sometimes the best is to find the perfect anchor for your trip (pardon the pun),and build your journey around.īarging in France is a wonderful experience for families or a small group of friends. When we got off the barge, we continued our exploration of France in the magnificent Alps. In our case, our itinerary started in Paris, before we made our way to Burgundy. Strategically positioned in some of the most sought-after regions, the Les Bateaux Belmond barges offer endless possibilities for touring while onboard, but also before and after. It is also the headquarters of the celebrated Burgundian wine society, the Confrerie des Chevaliers du Tastevin. Belmond is all about luxury travel, from African safaris and posh overnight trains to fancy hotels and high-end passenger barges in France. Another highlight was the historic Clos de Vougeot vineyard, where the Cistercian monks first began making wine in the 12th Century. We were passing through the Burgundian canal-side town of Saint-Jean-de-Losne during a long, languid weekend onboard Lilas, the newest luxury barge from Belmond Afloat in France (reportedly, among other clients are Catherine Zeta Jones and Michael Douglas). The Belmond fleet includes the 8-passenger Lilas, a new hotel barge offering an elegant and contemporary way to tour the Burgundian countryside and famed vineyards. Recognized by its colorful, geometric-patterned tile roof, this 15th-century former hospital is now the Hôtel-Dieu Museum, showcasing works like "The Last Judgement" altarpiece by Van der Weyden. Spacious, comfortable Napolon, A Belmond Boat offers guests three decks, with a hot tub for watching sun-drenched life along the sparkling Rhne River. Surrounded by the Côte d'Or vineyards, the cobbled town is renowned for an annual wine auction held at the Hôtel-Dieu (Hospices de Beaune). A large van with driver was always available for planned shore touring of vineyards, small villages, and other sites along the way.Ī few of the very memorable excursions we took included Beaune, a walled town at the center of the Burgundy winemaking region in France. Still, because we also wanted to sample some of the local tables, we had one lunch ashore in Dijon and one dinner at a Michelin-starred restaurant in the beautiful town of Beaune.Įach day, after breakfast, we would walk the towpaths for hours or use some of the bikes at our disposal, as the barge slowly made its way northward. We enjoyed most meals onboard and the food, service, and wine were truly world-class. Our barge, “Lilas”, run by a crew of 7, glided along the picturesque canals and rivers of Burgundy for 6 nights. Most of the barges being offered as private charters only, fully staffed with a professional crew at your beck and call. This was our second river cruise and first cruise on AMA. How about a boutique little canal boat on the canals of France for you, your loved ones and friends Ask us about Belmond Afloat in France options to suit. She is working on a book about France.Earlier this month, my wife and I, with two other couples, sailed the canals and rivers of Burgundy for six nights aboard the beautiful Les Bateaux Belmond in France barge “Lilas.”īetween Champagne, Burgundy, Provence, and the Canal du Midi, Belmond operates a fleet of 6 luxury barges ranging in size from 4, 6, 8, and 12 passengers. Overall, we had a nice journey but had some missed opportunities to rate this 5 stars. A lifelong Francophile and fluent French speaker, she lives between Burgundy, France, and London and has overflowing wine cellars in both places. Giles Fearon, said: ‘I am thrilled to have an opportunity to collaborate with Belmond and its design team to materialise my proposal and install it on the Afloat in France barges. Review Search for a new Cruise OCG Class Specialty Belmond Afloat in France Newest Ship. She is also a travel and wine consultant and an occasional podcaster. She has followed her interests all over the world, from climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge and searching for Edo (19th-century Tokyo) to eating her way around Montreal and exploring the vineyards of Champagne. She is the author of an award-winning travel memoir steeped in wine and history, "The Wandering Vine: Wine, The Romans and Me," which was published by Bloomsbury in 2018. Her wine and lifestyle columns appear regularly in Club Oenologique, The New Statesman, and The London Times's luxury magazine, Luxx. Formally known as Afloat in France, the barges offer cruises on canals and rivers in the French regions of Burgundy, Franche-Comt, Sane, Provence. Nina Caplan has been writing about the arts, wine, and travel for over 20 years.
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