Barging in Burgundy - La Belle Epoque luxury on water - France - The Wayfarers

 

THE BARGE HERSELF
FORMER PURPOSE: Ex Freight Barge carrying logs from Burgundy to Paris and Amsterdam
YEAR OF CONSTRUCTION: Built in 1930
DIMENSIONS: Length 126 ' and Width 16 ' 6"
YEAR CONVERTED INTO A HOTEL BARGE: 1995
LAST REFIT: Spring 2006
GENERATORS: 3 x 220 volt generators (silent night) for air-conditioning and/or heating and a silent running inverter.
MAIN ENGINE: 150 HP M.A.N.
MAXIMUM SPEED: 10 knots
WATER AND FUEL CAPACITY: 20 tons of water, 3 tons of fuel

PERSONNEL
CREW: 5 to 6 crew - Captain, Walk Leader, Chef, Housekeeper/s, Stewardess
Our crew are generally British and speak both English and French, while some speak other languages as well.

ACCOMMODATION
CAPACITY FOR ACCOMMODATION: Up to 13 passengers
NUMBER AND TYPES OF CABINS: 7 cabins:
2 Suites: one at the bow with a double bed and one at the stern which can be configured as twin or double bedded
4 Junior Suites: two of which can be configured as twin or double bedded and two which can only be twin bedded
1 Single Cabin: Mid ship with single bed

SIZES OF THE CABINS
Stern Suite - 165sq feet (Nuits St Georges ) including bathroom
Bow Suite - 150sq feet (Meursault ) including bathroom
Stern Junior Suites - 130sq feet (Santenay and Vougeot ) including bathroom
Bow Junior Suites - 125sq feet (Chablis and Sancerre) including bathroom
Single Cabin- 90sq feet including bathroom

Electric sockets supplying the standard French 220 voltage are located in the cabins. These take a two-pin French plug.

BATHROOMS:
The 2 suites have full-length baths; the 4 junior suites and single cabin have showers in a shower cubicle.
All have marble tiled floors and walls. They all have toilet and basin.
Supplied with: Washing gel, hand soap, shampoo, towels.

CLOSET SPACE: Yes
HAIRDRYERS: Yes
SIZE OF THE BEDS: Doubles are 6ft x 6ft and singles 6ft x 3ft except the Bow Suite (Meursault) which has a double bed only and that is 6ft x 5ft wide.
SAFES: Meursault cabin has a safe built into the wardrobe.

CLIMATE CONTROL & ELECTRICITY
AIR CONDITIONING: Yes and can be individually controlled
CENTRAL HEATING: Yes
ELECTRICITY SUPPLY: All our barges are wired for 220 and 240 volts but not 110 volts. We suggest you bring an adapter for your particular appliance, which corresponds, to the standard French (two pin plugs). If you wish to use an electrical appliance on board, please ask one of the crew when you arrive on board to ensure that it is suitable to the barge’s electrical system. European Waterways cannot be held responsible for unforeseen voltage fluctuations, which sometimes occur when swapping from one voltage system to another.

PUBLIC ROOMS
SALOON/DINING ROOM DIMENSIONS & DESCRIPTION: 13' x 25'
2 built in sofa areas with coffee table and fully stocked bar built in Mahogany with 4 bar stools. Antique drinks cabinet. The saloon is home to an antique barograph and gramophone. Mahogany dining table seating 14. An antique interlock telephone exchange board stands in the passageway to the cabins and dates from 1913. Teak paneling and wallpaper with hardwood ceiling. Carpeting throughout and Art Nouveau paintings of La Belle Epoque.

SUNDECK: There are two sundecks 12' 6" x 9' 6" and 12' 6" x 35'.
Iroko hard wood deck on first sundeck by Jacuzzi. Sunken Jacuzzi. 2 steamer chairs, 10 reclining chairs, 4 parasols, large table and Iroko African hardwood handrail.

GASTRONOMY
There is no assigned seating for meals and the dining room on board ‘La Belle Epoque’ accommodates all guests at a single sitting. French cuisine is featured.

BREAKFAST: Continental-style buffet breakfast with fresh breads, fruit, cereals, fruit juices, decaffeinated and regular tea and coffee.

LUNCH: Luncheons are generally buffets of colourful salads, pates and cold meats that may be accompanied by hot soup or entrée, delectable desserts and a different selection of regional cheeses and wines daily

DINNER: Always a gastronomic adventure by our talented chef. A taste of regional cuisine by candlelight. Harmonising food and good wines from the best vineyards. Followed by a selection of regional cheeses. Coffee and liqueurs served in the salon

CAPTAIN’S DINNER: Captain’s dinner on the last night. Dress slightly formal.

SPECIAL FOOD REQUIREMENTS: Special food requirements (such as vegetarian or allergies) are catered for if requested in advance. Please notify our Reservations Manager well in advance, at least 8 weeks prior to the cruise departure.

DRINKS WHICH ARE INCLUDED IN THE CRUISE PRICE: There is an open bar available 24 hours a day serving alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Non-alcoholic beverages and regular or decaffeinated tea and coffee, whole or low fat milk, are offered with all meals. All wines provided with meals and a Champagne welcome are included. Some vintage wines and Champagne, other than at the welcome, will not be included although we can arrange to purchase these for you at an additional cost if you notify our Reservations Department in advance: e-mail address: sales@gobarging.com.

TAP WATER
Tap water in and on board ‘La Belle Epoque’ is potable and bottled water is available on board.

LEISURE & ENTERTAINMENT
ON BOARD
6 person Jacuzzi
Compact disc player. A variety or tapes and CDs are available and guests are welcome to bring their favourite CDs from home.
10 touring bikes with 21 speed gears.
Board games etc
A small library of books
Binoculars for watching the bird life and scenery

CYCLING
Passengers are welcome to walk or cycle using the on board bicycles as often as they like. Most people choose to disembark the barge at a lock and then visit local villages and then return to the canal and meet the barge a little further along. The barge travels very slowly and therefore “catch up” will not be a problem.

HOT AIR BALLOON RIDES
Once on board the Captain can arrange this directly with the hot air balloon company. Flights last about 1 hour and are weather dependent. The cost is between 185-230 Euros per person and this should be paid directly to the balloon company on the day of the flight and they do accept credit cards. Please let our Reservations Department know in advance if you are interested in ballooning. The Hot Air Balloon Company’s web site is www.franceballoons.com and they are called France Montgolfieres.

CLOTHES, LUGGAGE
Practical comfort and relaxed is the norm aboard the ‘La Belle Epoque’ and for most shore excursions. Dress codes for dinner are relaxed and informal; however, for the Captain's Dinner, gentlemen may opt to wear a jacket and ladies a dress or coordinated outfit.

Here are some suggestions of what to pack:
A sweater or lightweight jacket for evenings and air-conditioned interiors. During spring and autumn cruises, medium-weight clothing made of wool (or similar fabric) will be necessary.
A lightweight (preferably non-plastic) raincoat or poncho; an umbrella.
Comfortable walking shoes with low or no heels and textured soles.
La Belle Epoque has a jacuzzi, so you may wish to pack your swimming suit.

Once you have unpacked your cases will be safely stored. Please try and fit everything for your cruise into one reasonably sized suitcase per person. Soft bags are preferable.

LAUNDRY FACILITIES
Laundry facilities are limited. It is advisable to bring sufficient clean clothing for your cruise. We generally cruise through rural areas and launderettes are few and far between.

SMOKING
Our barges have a strict non-smoking policy. We ask smokers not to smoke inside the barge as this may give offence to your shipmates. We categorically do not permit smoking in the cabins for safety reasons. If you would like to smoke we request that you smoke outside on deck away from fellow passengers.

FACILITIES
There are no passenger telephones or internet access aboard ‘La Belle Epoque’. There is only occasional cell phone signal availability during the week and several back spots with no coverage at all. You may find it beneficial to buy a French sim card on arrival in France to use in your cell phone while in the country.