When You Go -- Barging in Burgundy, France

Getting There: Depending on your U.S. departure city, airlines serving the two airports of Paris, Charles de Gaulle and Orly, are: American, Air France, British Airways, Continental, Delta, Lufthansa, Scandinavian, Swissair, TWA, and United. Web links are listed in this magazine’s Airlines page.

Taxis are available at the airport to take you directly to your hotel. Train and metro connections are also available. From Paris, the barging company, European Waterways, provides roundtrip transportation between a convenient Paris hotel and your barge for embarkation/debarkation. It is a two-hour trip to the Yonne province and slightly longer to the other barging routes in Burgundy served by European Waterways.

If you are continuing your journeys throughout France by car from Paris, it is recommended to book a car from the United States before traveling. Most major car rental agencies service both Orly and Charles de Gaulle airports. The 1-800 phone numbers and Web links are listed in this magazine’s Autos page. The road map, Michelin France, is recommended for driving in France.

You are likely to stay at least one night in Paris before and after your barge trip. and it is wise to book ahead. This magazine’s article on Paris provides information for a Paris stay. On the barge excursion, all of your travel, lodging, nourishment, and day touring needs are well planned and provided by European Waterways.

Barging Practicalities: La Belle �poque is the flagship of European Waterways significantly sized fleet. The price for your European Waterways barge trip includes round-trip transportation from Paris, all meals, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages (except for special-order champagnes or wines), mountain bicycles, and daily-guided van tours. The guest suites have queen or twin beds and en suite bathroom with shower. There are two suites and four junior suites on La Belle �poque.

Dress is sporty and casual, enabling light packing. Daily high temperatures in Burgundy average 74 degrees Fahrenheit in summer, 65 degrees in the shoulder months of May and October. Nights can be cool. Smoking is limited to the outdoor deck. The barge bar is always open. A small library holds a selection of English and French books, as well as a supply of playing cards and games. The specific en route itinerary and day tours can change slightly from the printed outline. The map shown here shows a recent itinerary with the four dockings en route between Auxerre and Clamecy. Alternative week voyages run in the reverse direction. Special adventure tours such as ballooning excursions are sometimes available for an extra fee paid directly to the regional company providing the service.

Map
La Belle �poque's route, Auxerre to Clamecy
with four en route dockings.
Yonne River, Canal du Nivernais.

European Waterways and its "Go Barging" web site at www.gobarging.com offer a number of barging trips throughout Europe during the spring, summer, and fall. European Waterways is a premiere company offering quality holidays for discerning clientele for the past 28 years. Their U.S. toll-free telephone number is 1-800-394-8630.

Michelin Green Guide – Burgundy, Jura: covers the history and art of Burgundy, as well as detailed information on Auxerre, Vezelay, Clamecy, Chablis and other major sites and itineraries in Burgundy.
Rick Steves’ France: a great chapter treatment of Paris, as well as a good itinerary for additional travels in France beyond your barge excursion in Burgundy.