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The Bonheur Barge offers a combination of comfort, conviviality and flexibility. Owned by an English couple who has been in the hospitality industry for over 10 years, this Hotel Barge will allow you to enjoy some of the many things that makes France such a fascinating place to visit coupled with the very best of English hospitality.

The barge can only be booked entirely. The advantage of a private whole barge charter for yourself and friends or family is that you do not have to adhere to a detailed itinerary. Each charter week can be adjusted to suit not only the interests of the guests chartering Bonheur but also to take advantage of what may be on offer at one of the many places you can stop and visit. You will always have the opportunity to explore by foot or bicycle towns and villages close to the route and to visit one of the many chateaux in the area. The itinerary below is an example of a typical week aboard Bonheur 2009.
 

Example of Itinerary - Canal du Centre, Burgundy:

Sunday

Guests are met at Le Creusot TGV  railway station in the afternoon and taken by car to Bonheur, which is moored on the tranquil Canal du Centre. Welcome drinks and dinner in the evening gives us the opportunity to chat about the coming weeks itinerary, while you gently unwind from your journey.

Monday

The day begins with a visit by car to the historic town of Autun. This town founded in about 15AD has remarkable remains of its Roman beginnings including Amphitheatre and original sections of defensive walls and entrance gates, together with later medieval buildings and of course the 12^th century cathedral of Saint Lazare. After lunch aboard Bonheur we commence our cruise where a chain of seven locks announces the beginning of the canals decent from the summit level (300m) to the river Saone. We work our way through the locks and continue through the village of Ecuisses  before arriving at St-Julien-sur-Dheune where we moor and have dinner aboard this evening.

Tuesday

We depart St-Julien-sur Dheune for a leisurely cruise to the village of St Leger-sur-Dheune, which will be our mooring for the evening. After lunch aboard, a visit to Chateau Couches is a short drive away. A magnificent 12^th century fortress it has an impressive Keep and Drawbridge, reminders of a rich and feudal military past. After a guided tour we will also have a tasting of wines grown in the Chateau’s private vineyards. After returning to the boat for an aperitif ( perhaps a refreshing Kir Royale. A regional speciality made with Crème de Cassis, a garnet-red blackcurrant liqueur from Dijon and Burgundian sparkling white wine ‘Cremant’ ) dinner will be taken ashore at a nearby restaurant.

Wednesday

We depart St Leger-sur-Dheune for a  cruise to the village of Santenay, which nestles amongst the famous vineyards and preserved landscape of the Southern Cote de Beaune. After lunch we can stroll into the village. Santenay is bursting with local growers inviting you to sample the diversity and richness of their wines. A good place to start is the Chateau de Philippe le Hardi. Turned into a fortress in the 14^th century AD and surrounded by moats, it now shelters a wine estate where we’ll enjoy a wine tasting. This is another evening when guests have the opportunity to sample local cuisine.

Thursday

We start the day after a relaxing breakfast with a short cruise to the town of Chagny where we will moor for the evening. After early lunch we depart for the historic town of Beaune driving along the picturesque Route des Grands Crus. The walled town of  Beaune is the  wine capital of Burgundy. The afternoon will include a visit to the historic hospice, Hotel Dieu, built in the 15^th Century, after which we will visit the largest wine cave (cellars) in Beaune for a tour and tasting. The original cellars began as a convent. “The Ladies of the Visitation Convent” was founded in 1632 and as you begin the tour you pass through a little listed 17^th century chapel, which the nuns used every day. When the tasting is over we will have the time to wander and appreciate this magnificent medieval walled town and browse in the shops if you wish. We return to Bonheur through the vineyards for a restful evening and dinner on board.

Friday

After a slow start to the day our morning cruise takes us to the village of Franges. We then take guests on a short car journey to Chalon-sur Saone (the birthplace of photography). Chalon has a cathedral (with a lovely square), a museum and lots of shops. It also has a little Island, ‘Ile Saint-Laurent’ which has a Bohemian feel, reached by a bridge across the Saone, it’s a great place to sit and watch the world go by. When you have seen enough and feel its time, we’ll return to Bonheur for a relaxing evening and farewell dinner on board.

Saturday

After a leisurely breakfast guests are taken to Le Creusot TGV Railway Station in good time to catch their train.
 

Note: Unforeseen circumstances such as weather, canal closures and maintenance may necessitate alterations to the cruise route. Such changes are rare but allow the right to alter a route if circumstances dictate.

Dining aboard Bonheur: a selection of meals

Rates 2010:

Note: All prices are in Euros

Charter price: 8,000 Euros

You and your party book (charter) the entire boat. No other bookings will be taken for the period of your cruise.

The charter of Bonheur commences at 4:00 pm on day one and ends at 10:00 am on day seven.

Features:

• Length/width: 100' x 16'6'' feet

• Crew: 2 members

• Cabins : 2 guest cabins

• Double cabins (either king size double bed or twin single beds) with private toilet, shower and washbasin equipped with bed linen and towels and hairdryers

• Fans in all areas

Rates include:

• Breakfast and lunches are included on all days together with soft drinks and local wines. A welcome aboard evening meal and 3 other evening meals are provided. The 2 remaining evening meals to be taken ashore at guests own cost. (Should guests wish to dine aboard on these evenings a nominal charge will be made).

• Guests can use of the ships’ bicycles, library, DVD and music centre.

Rates do not include:

• Insurance against cancellation, personal accident or loss of personal belongings is not included in the charter price and we strongly advise guests to obtain travel insurance to cover the above events.

• 2 evening meals