There is nothing quite as relaxing as cruising past charming countryside and quaint villages whilst sipping a cool drink from the deck of a boat. That is why so many people choose canal holidays in France to traverse the various waterways and explore the heart of the countryside. In Burgundy you’ll find one of the most historic boats to cruise the canals: La Belle Epoque. This unique vessel has come a long way; from humble industrial beginnings in the 1930s, it is now a modern luxurious holiday barge. I delve into the history and transformation of the most famous barge on the Burgundy canals.
A Hardworking History
In the 1930s, La Belle Epoque went by the slightly less catchy name of Savornin Lohmann. Her Dutch owners, the Kruijt family, moved from the Netherlands to France after the outbreak of World War Two. She wasn’t just any barge though, she was what is known as a spits – a large-sized barge used for industry. She transported timber through the network of French canals, from the Morvan forests to storage warehouses in Paris.
A New Dawn
After 63 years of service, the Kruijt family decided that it was time for the Savornin Lohmann to be retired. However, she escaped the fate of many similar working barges in the 1990s, and rather than being stripped and sold for scrap metal, the Savornin Lohmann was to be given new life as a luxury barge.
Her new owner European Waterways carried out an extensive restoration for her fresh purpose. She was decked out with bespoke cabins for accommodation suitable for 12 people, a wood-panelled dining room and a grand top deck complete with jacuzzi pool for guests. In line with her new luxurious fittings, she was given a fresh name: La Belle Epoque. She joined the only other remaining barge in the European Waterways holiday fleet, the Anjodi, and now she cruises the French canals in style at an altogether different pace.
Cruising Through the Heart of Burgundy
There are plenty of canal holidays in France to choose from but the appeal of Burgundy is the sheer amount activities you can do along the way. After enjoying some peaceful cruising, you can disembark for land and visit the battleground of the infamous Alesia, soak in the history at the Abbaye de Fontanay, or even soar through the skies in a breath-taking hot air balloon ride.
Of course, no countryside cruise is complete without savouring some of the boutique vin de pays, and wine tasting in the cellars of a Burgundy Domaine is the perfect atmospheric setting. For those who want to challenge themselves (and perhaps work off a few of the accumulated wine calories) you can follow La Belle Epoque along the towpaths, either by running or on bikes that are kept onboard.
La Belle Epoque has certainly risen up through the ranks in recent years, from lugging lumber to transporting guests through the Burgundy countryside as a luxury hotel barge. If you are looking to explore this beautiful French region in style, look no further than La Belle Epoque.
Paul Newman is the Marketing and E-Systems Executive for European Waterways, the UK's most respected provider of all-inclusive, luxury canal holidays in France. Part of a team of experienced barging aficionados, Paul is first in line to endorse the perks of a slow-paced barge cruise to anyone looking for a unique holiday experience.
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