Guests are picked up in Paris and transferred to La Belle Epoque by a private chauffeured minibus. The crew will welcome guests with champagne and canapés. After you are settled into your cabin, you will have your first dinner on board with Burgundy’s delicious cuisine.

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast, then cruise through woodlands and rolling fields with great towpath biking and walking opportunities past the tiny canalside villages of Nogent, Courcelles and Les Granges. After an early lunch, visit the moat-encircled Château de Commarin to be treated to a private demonstration of the medieval sport of falconry. The close up encounter with these majestic birds against the backdrop of the castle grounds is an amazing experience and afterwards, meet Count Bertrand de Vogue, the current resident and 26th generation of the de Vogue family to maintain continuous residence since the 13th century, who will give a fascinating insight into the Château’s history. This is followed by a private tour of the building. Dinner on board.

As you pass through the 18th-century Forges de Buffon, you can enjoy yourself while walking or riding bikes along the towpath nearby. After lunch, you will be escorted to UNESCO World Heritage site of Abbaye de Fontenay constructed by St. Bernard in 1118. This was one of the first French monuments which have distinguished the exceptional interest of the Abbey and its natural environment. Speaking to an unmistakable case of early Cistercian design and for all intents and purposes in place, Fontenay permits an outstanding look at Cistercian life and industry with its peaceful gardens, ponds and fascinating cloisters, dormitories and scriptorium. Dinner will be served on board. 

A truly unique day lies ahead. Following breakfast aboard head to Les Riceys, the only wine growing area of the Champagne region to have 3 Appellation d’Origine Contrôlées. Here visit the Maison Alexandre Bonnet for a private champagne tasting, a family owned Champagne house renowned for a stunning yearly harvest of Pinot Noir that leads to some utterly exquisite vintages. After you’ve tasted an array of champagnes take a short drive to Château de Ricey-Bas; with its 12th century vaulted cellars and 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 will be greeted for a Champagne aperitif and a gourmet lunch with the Baroness herself, which you take in either the private salon or the atmospheric vaulted 13th century kitchen. You will spend the remainder of the afternoon strolling the beautiful gardens or exploring the regal château interiors.  Upon your return to the barge you’ll begin your cruise to Ancy-le-Franc, with plenty of opportunity to walk or cycle along the towpath… or sit on deck with another glass of bubbly! Dinner on board.

You will visit Château d’Ancy-le-Franc, a picturesque place for lovers of history, art, and beautiful stonework. Château d’Ancy-le-Franc is a masterpiece form 16th century that contains the biggest collection of Renaissance murals and situated in stunning gardens and parklands. La Belle Epoque will continue cruising along the Burgundy canal and go down through the picture-perfect locks to moor at Lezinnes. Dinner will be served on board. 

After breakfast enjoy a leisurely cruise to your final mooring at Tanlay, with the opportunity to cycle or walk into the picturesque village of Saint Vinnemer. Following lunch, visit the town of Chablis, dating back to Roman times, and enjoy a private wine tasting at the prestigious Domaine Laroche. There, also visit the 1000-year-old Obediencerie, originally part of the monastery of St Martin, the founders of Chablis, where for centuries, the domaine’s wines have been aged.  Later return to the barge for the Captain’s Farewell Dinner on board.

After breakfast, guests are transferred back to Paris.