Barging in Burgundy

Introduction

The luxury barge, La Belle Epoque, is our home for seven days as we glide along the Yonne River, a quiet tributary of the Seine.

A champagne reception in Paris sets the tone before we set off on our journey, cruising peacefully through Burgundy. Every day we leave our barge to set off on foot to explore Renaissance châteaux, dramatic cliffs, wooded hills, medieval towns, lush valleys and ancient vineyards.

Fine French cuisine is prepared on board La Belle Epoque by our personal chef and every meal is accompanied by a different regional wine, making this trip a gourmand’s delight.

Walk Summary

Dates	18-Oct-09 - 24-Oct-09
Trip	7 days, 6 nights
Terrain	The soft landscape, low hills and level tow-paths skirting canals make for easy walking. 3 - 5 miles per day.
Price	From US$4350.00 per person

Walk begins in Paris, with transport to the barge and ends in Clamecy, with transport back to Paris.

Walk Highlights

We'll start here

Sunday

We rendezvous in Paris and travel to the barge La Belle Epoque for our Champagne Reception and Welcome Dinner.

Overnight: Mooring: Auxerre

Monday

After cruising out of Auxerre on La Belle Epoque we leave the barge to walk through farmland to the village of Vaux. Continuing along the river we arrive at La Coeur Barrée where we meet our barge for lunch. In the afternoon we tour the Chablis vineyards ending at St Bris to explore the intricate network of medieval passages beneath the village, before tasting the outstanding wines of the region in the 12th-century cellars of M. Bersan, the region's foremost producer.

Overnight: Mooring: Bailly or Vincelottes

Tuesday

From Vincelottes we wander through vineyards with superb views of the Yonne valley below us. Enroute to the ancient town of Cravant Donjon we pass through the picturesque village of Irancy, home of many well-known wines. After lunch, we visit the glorious Gothic cathedral of Auxerre. Afterwards there is time to meander through the medieval streets at leisure before returning to our mooring in Accolay. In the evening we dine in a local restaurant well known for its Burgundian specialities and the standard of its cuisine.

Overnight: Mooring: Accolay

Wednesday

From Accolay we walk the wooded valley of the river Cure, passing the ruins of Regny Abbey before a gentle traverse back to the Yonne at the tiny hamlet of Sere where we rejoin the barge. In the afternoon we visit Noyers sur Serein, one of the most beautiful villages in Burgundy.

Overnight: Mooring: Mailly-la-Ville

Thursday

From Mailly we leave the Yonne to walk through open fields to Merry sur Yonne. Enroute we stand on top of the dramatic Roches du Saussois, cliffs that tower dramatically 200 feet above the river. After lunch we visit the ancient Château de Bazoches, home of Sebastien Vauban, the Frenchman who revolutionised siege warfare in the late 17th century.

Overnight: Mooring: Lucy-sur-Yonne

Friday

This morning we visit Vézelay with its stunning Romanesque Basilica, the scene of the 'calling' of the Second Crusade in 1146, and its fine speciality shops. In the afternoon we walk along the canal into Clamecy where there is time to wander through the narrow streets and visit the cathedral before returning to the barge. Aboard for our final evening, the Captain hosts our Farewell Dinner.

Overnight: Mooring: Clamecy

Saturday

We disembark for a private transfer back from Clamecy to Paris.

Notes

**This tinerary may operate in reverse according to the barge scheduling.

This itinerary represents a typical Walk. We prepare itineraries well in advance of the trip and therefore we reserve the right to make changes due to weather, local events or other circumstances - but always to improve the experience of our guests.

Hotels

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La Belle Epoque - Sunday to Friday

About the barge what was the barge before? Ex freight barge carrying logs from Burgundy to Berlin

When was she built? Built in 1930.

What size is she? Length 126 ' and width 16 ' 6"

When was she converted into a hotel barge? 1995

When was she last refitted/upgraded? 2002

How many people does she accommodate? Up to 13

How many cabins on board? She has 2 suites, one at the bow with a double bed and one at the stern with a choice of twin or double, 2 junior suites, with a choice of twin or double, 2 junior suites with twin beds, and 1 single junior suite.

How many crew are on board? 5/6- captain, tour guide, chef, housekeeper/s, stewardess

Is there air conditioning throughout? Yes

Can the air conditioning be individually controlled? Yes

Is there central heating throughout? Yes

What leisure facilities are there on board? Fitness studio with an 8 person sauna and 6 person jacuzzi

What generators are on board? 3 x 220 volt generators (silent night running) for air-conditioning and/or heating etc and a silent running inverter.

What is the main engine? 150 hp m.a.n.

What is the maximum speed? 10 knots

How much water and fuel does the barge hold? 20 tons of water, 3 tons of fuel

What are the sizes of the cabins? Nuit st george stern suite10.50ft x 15.75ft (3m20 x 4m80) including bathroom 165sq feet. Meursault bow suite 9.51ft x 14.44 ft (2m90 x 4m40) including bathroom 137sq feet. Stern junior suites 10.50ft x 11.81 ft (3m20 x 3m60) including bathroom 124sq feet. Bow junior suites 11.81ft x 10.17ft (3m60 x 3m10) including bathroom 120sq feet.

What size are the beds? Doubles are 6ft x 6ft and singles 6tf x 3 ft except for the Meursault suite which is 6ft x 5ft.

Does our cabin have a closet? Yes

What is our bathroom like? The 2 suites have full-length baths; the 4 junior suites have showers in a shower cubicle. All have marble tiled floors and walls. They all have toilet and basin.

What is supplied for our use in the bathroom? Washing gel, hand soap, shampoo, towels and hair-dryers.

What size is the saloon/dining room? 13' x 25'

Please describe the saloon/dining room? 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 13. 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 prints of Ba Belle Epoque.

Is there a HIFI system? Yes, compact disc player. A variety or tapes and CD's are available and guests are welcome to bring their favorite compact discs from home.

What electricity supply is on board? The barge is wired for 220 and 240 volts, but not 110 volts. We suggest you bring an adapter which corresponds to the standard French plug. If you wich to use an electrical applaiance on board, please ask one of the crew to ensure it is suitable to the barge's electrical system. European Waterways does not accept responsibility for damage to the electrical appliance which may be caused due to fluctuations in the electricity supply on board.

Are there laundry facilities on board? Laundry facilities are limited. It is advisable to bring sufficient clean clothing for your cruise. We cruise through rural areas and launderettes are few and far between.

What size is the sundeck? There are two sundecks 12' 6" x 9' 6" and 12' 6" x 35'.

Please describe the sundeck? Iroko hard wood deck on first sundeck by jacuzzi sunken jacuzzi. 1 steamer chairs, 10 reclining chairs, 2 parasols, 2 tables and iroko African hard wood handrail.

What should I expect for breakfast? Buffet continental breakfast with fresh breads, fruit, cereals, fruit juices, decaffeinated and regular tea and coffee.

What should I expect for lunch? Luncheons are generally buffets of colorful 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.

What should I expect for dinner? Always a gastronomic adventure by our talented chef. A taste of regional cuisine by candlelight. Harmonizing food and good wines from the best vineyards. Followed by a selection of regional cheeses. Coffee and liqueurs served in the salon.

Is there a captain’s dinner? Yes captain’s dinner on the last night.

I have special food requirements can you cater for me? Special food requirements (such as vegetarian or allergies) are catered.

This hotel list is a provided as an example. We may use different hotels of the same quality and style on specific trips. The Wayfarers will notify confirmed travelers of any changes to the hotels.

Photo Gallery

Travel Information

Before & After:

Plan a pre-celebration to your walk with a visit to the nearby Champagne region and conclude your vacation with a stop-off in Lyon, which is known for its Musee des Beaux Arts and sumptuous food served at simple bistros and Michelin starred restaurants.

Weather:

Autumn is a very pleasant, sunny season in Burgundy with average daytime temperature of 60°F (16°C) with mid-day peaks reaching 70°F (21°C) during October. You are likely to need a sweater or light jacket in the evenings. Burgundy is dominated by the variations of western weather that characterise the whole of Western Europe. Weather fronts usually approach from the west and can bring anything from light clouds to a steady downpour so you need to bring good quality rain gear.

To see more Travel Information and a list of our recommended tips please register or sign in. Once you confirm a booking for this walk, as a registered website member, you will be able to access detailed Joining Instructions including exact arrival and departure points and times as part of the Travel Information.

FAQs

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Are there any hidden costs?
Our Vacations do not include the cost of air or rail fares to and from the destination or tips for your walk leader and manager.
How large are the Groups?
Our maximum group size is 16, but groups average between 8-12 people.
Will I feel welcome as a single traveler?
Yes! Our walks are the perfect environment of comfortable camaraderie for the single traveler.
Can you accomodate special diets?
Yes!
How physically fit do I have to be to do a Wayfarers Walk?
If you are in good health and reasonably fit you will be comfortable participating in a walk.

Ask a question

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Reading List

Côte D'Or: A Celebration of the Great Wines of Burgundy By: Clive, M. W. Coates

Buy book: Côte D'Or: A Celebration of the Great Wines of Burgundy

A fascinating and exhaustive look at France's most celebrated piece of real estate. Coates, who did an award-winning job in his last book, on Bordeaux, turns his considerable scholarship, wit and savvy, without pulling punches, on a region too often restrained by tradition yet driven by commercialism. A requisite book for the wine lover ~ not only gives ample factual information about what is considered the greatest wine growing region in the world but is also filled with colorful history and anecdotes.

French Spirits: A House, a Village, and a Love Affair in Burgundy By: Jeffrey Greene

Buy book: French Spirits: A House, a Village, and a Love Affair in Burgundy

An American renovates a house in France! But what's new here is that the house is in the Burgundy town of Rogny. The region of La Puisaye, with its swamps and murky woods, lacks the immediate attraction of Provence or Normandy. The American builder is celebrated poet Greene and his companion, Mary, a renowned scientist currently at the University of Paris. After finding nothing fit for their taste or budget in better-known Burgundian towns, the author's real estate agent leads them to remote Rogny. Reconstruction efforts center on the town's presbytery, abandoned by the church and its previous owner and ripe for restoration. Friends of the last priest to occupy the grounds and town tradesmen make up the cast of characters, whom Greene makes into neither caricatures nor odd rustics. As always, reconstruction absorbs more time and money than the author had anticipated. The property takes on sentimental significance when Greene and his companion decide to get married there and their families descend on the little town. So attractive the place becomes that Greene's mother emigrates from America.

Guinevere Evermore By: Sharan Newman

Buy book: Guinevere Evermore

A tale of fantasy and romance, chivalrous adventure, bravery, loyalty, sorcery, and more representing the rise and fall of Camelot through Guenevere's perspective. It clearly establishes a platonic love between her and Arthur, and the eternal struggle that she faces with as her forbidden love for Lancelot grows. It also presents the deep friendship and comradery of the Round Table, as well as the anguish of her childlessness. In this version of the story, Lancelot and she raise Galahad as their own son, even though Elaine is the real mother.

The Golden Age of Burgundy: The Magnificent Dukes and their Courts By: Joseph Calmette

Buy book: The Golden Age of Burgundy: The Magnificent Dukes and their Courts

Between 1364 and 1477 a dramatic struggle played out between the Duchy of Burgundy and the French kings. This enthralling phase of history was embodied in the lives of four dukes--Philip the Bold, John the Fearless, Philip the Good, and Charles the Rash--who ruled Burgundy at the time and dared challenge the power of France. With sweeping pageantry, here is the history of each duke, his policies, varying successes, and the civilizing values of his glorious sponsorship.

The Heart of Burgundy: A Portrait of French Wine Country By: Andy Katz

Buy book: The Heart of Burgundy: A Portrait of French Wine Country

The Heart of Burgundy focuses a wide lens on a little region in the French countryside Burgundy begins about seventy-five miles south of Paris and stretches down through the Côte d'Or, Côte Chalonnaise, Mâconnais, and Beaujolais in a skinny and wavy line more than two hundred miles long. The decision by the Cistercians to cultivate its soil, which Robert Parker mentions above, was a monumental one, for today the chief products of Burgundy are Pinot Noir, Beaujolais, Chablis, and Pouilly-Fuissé, and it is home to one of the most famous vineyards in the world, the Domaine de la Romanée-Conti. While the Burgundy region is not the largest in acreage, or even in wine production, its yearly wine auction held at the Hospices de Beaune is an indication of where prices will be set for France's entire vintage. That means that at a certain time of year all of France, indeed all the world, can become fixated on this otherwise sleepy agricultural area.

The Most Beautiful Villages of Burgundy By: James Bentley

Buy book: The Most Beautiful Villages of Burgundy

The stunning color photographs of the architecture and countryside of this premier wine-growing region in France capture its historical heritage. France is a magical place and Burgundy is one of its most magical regions. The premier wine-growing region of France, Burgundy is also the center of fine cuisine, Romanesque architecture and lazy canals bordered by meadows of wildflowers. This book, with its more than 260 color illustrations, shows Burgundy at its finest. A region dominated by water, the book begins in the north and travels through all of Burgundy's four departments. From the Yonne, a land of peaceful river valleys and almost 1000 canals, we travel southward with the author to visit little Romanesque churches and learn how the Benedictine and Cistercian monks spread the Romanesque style. Burgundy is one of the most beautiful places on earth--unspoiled, unhurried and faithful to its past.

The Secret Lion By: C. W. Gortner

Buy book: The Secret Lion

Brendan Prescott, a foundling raised in the household of the duke of Northumberland, is summoned to London to serve as squire to his benefactor's son, Robert Dudley. His arrival in London coincides with the climax of one of England's greatest and most complex power struggles ever. It's 1553, and, with England's teenaged King Edward VI near death, Northumberland is the country's de facto ruler. Next in line for the throne are Edward's sisters, first Mary and then Elizabeth. But Northumberland doesn't intend to relinquish his power; he determines to keep control of the throne for himself, and no expediency is beneath him.

Three Men in a Boat By: Jerome K. Jerome

Buy book: Three Men in a Boat

Imagine three friends on a boat... with no Jeeves. Jerome’s enchanting comic novel about three young men who discover the "joys" of roughing it. The three men are George, Harris and the narrator, who are all massive hypochiandriacs -- they find that they have symptoms of every disease in existence (except housemaid's knee). To prop up their failing health, they decide to take a cruise down the Thames in a rented boat, camping and enjoying nature's bounty. Along with Monty -- an angelic-looking, devilish terrier -- the three friends set off down the river. But they find that not everything is as easy as they expected. They get lost in hedge mazes, end up going downstream without a paddle, encounter monstrous cats and vicious swans, have picnics navigate locks, offend German professors, and generally get into every kind of trouble they possibly can... Even though it was published more than a century ago, "Three Men in a Boat" remains as freshly humorous as when it was first published.

What's Next?

At this point we would like to thank you for looking at our website, we hope you will have seen a little of the places we walk to, hotels we stay in and that we have answered some of your questions.

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