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(8 Guests, Ultra Deluxe) - Apres Tout
(6 Guests, Deluxe) - Bonheur
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Barge Cruises
Southern Burgundy, France
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Bonheur
Barging in Burgundy
Passengers: 4Size: 110 feet long
Rating: Casual Class, A/C
Last Visited : 2011
2012 Rates
Whole Boat Charter of 2, 3 or 4 guests: $13,5002012 Sunday Start dates
| May 13 - 19 |
July 22 - 28 | September 2 - 8 |
| May 20 - 26 |
July 29 - August 4 |
September 30 - October 6 |
| June 17 - 23 |
August 26 - Sept 1 | October 7 - 13 |
| June 24 - 30 |
2012 Wednesday Start dates
| April 25 - May 1 |
July 4 - 10 |
| May 2 - 8 |
July 11 - 17 |
| May 30 - June 5 |
September 12 - 18 |
| June 6 - 12 |
September 19 - 25 |
"Bonheur" in French means "happiness," and oh, boy, is this the right name! Created and operated by one of the most attractive young couples in barging, Captain Paul Roberts and Chef Annie Roberts, Bonheur is a top choice for Casual Class cruising with charm, flair and an especially warm welcome. The Roberts bring interesting professional backgrounds: Paul in tourism and historic architectural preservation, Annie in retail management, most notably with Laura Ashley for many years.
We are always pleased when we visit this marvelous barge! The latest to see Bonheur was Caroline Sack Klein in 2011. She said: “Bonheur was delightfully charming and comfortable. Over the winter, the entire vessel was air-conditioned and the two cabins re-decorated. They both are now blue and white with a Provencal-inspired theme. We were happy to be among the first in barging to see these new cabins! Annie’s “eye” and attention to detail are evident the moment one boards. Never have I seen such extensive and beautiful on-deck floral displays! Paul has announced some new programming for 2011, including a Tasting Lunch at Olivier Leflaive in Puligny-Montrachet, at which 14 vintages will be tasted, and also a second lunch off the barge in the village of Volnay on the way to Beaune. Our guests love Bonheur – and so do I!”
Ellen Sack, the Barge Lady, spent the night on Bonheur in 2009. Ellen said: "Going onto the barge, one then encounters the salon, a warm and comfortable room with several sink-in couches, and partially open to the green and white tiled kitchen. Thoughtful touches abound. In one corner is a writing desk, complete with postcards and stamps; in another, a help-yourself fridge; there is an extensive library and even art supplies at the ready for those inspired to paint or draw! Entertainment is provided by a DVD with movie selection as well as an IPOD with at least 150 albums.
The cabins continue Bonheur’s theme of comfort married to charm. They ARE petite, but beautiful – with King size beds that can also be configured to Twin beds, ingenious storage, and gorgeous tiled baths (In the cabin where I stayed, there is a separate shower-sink room and toilet room.)
The itinerary on the Canal du Centre has a lot of high points: Among them are remarkable Roman ruins in Autumn; Beaune with its 15th century hospice Hotel Dieu; and the medieval chateau of Couches with its impressive drawbridge and keep. Paul approaches sightseeing in an informed and personal way. For instance he makes sure that guests will attend a weekly outdoor market. And he has found a vineyard presided over by a wonderful winemaker, who gives the tour in English.
Annie's cuisine is fresh, light and delicious! Please go to the Menu section for a writeup of the dinner I and our Barge Lady guests enjoyed on board. For a change of pace, three dinners are scheduled off the barge at the expense of the guests. Paul can recommend authentic, local auberges and will make reservations and provide transportation. Bonhuer has turned out to be a very successful addition to our fleet."
Bonheur
Burgundy Cruise Itinerary
Day 1: Le Creusot
From the Paris Gare de Lyon train station, take TGV #6617 - departing Paris at 1:54 pm, arriving Le Creusot TGV station at 3:15 pm. (The cost of rail tickets or any transfer to and from the cruise route is additional to the price and must be booked separately.) As you alight, Captain Roberts will be on the platform and will drive you to Bonheur, 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.
Day 2: Visit Autun, then cruise to St Julien-sur-Dheune
The day begins with a visit by car to the historic town of Autun, pictured at left. This town founded in about 15AD has remarkable remains of its Roman beginnings including Amphitheater and original sections of defensive walls and entrance gates, together with later medieval buildings and of course the 12th 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.
Day 3: Cruise to St Leger-sur-Dheune, visit Chateau Couches
We depart St-Juliene-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 with a private guided tour is a short drive away. A magnificent 12th century fortress it has an impressive Keep and Drawbridge, reminders of a rich and feudal military past. After the tour we will also have a tasting of wines grown in the Chateau’s private vineyards. Return to the barge for an aperitif ( perhaps a refreshing Kir Royale. A regional specialty made with Crème de Cassis, a garnet-red blackcurrant liqueur from Dijon and Burgundian Champagne ‘Cremant’ ). Dinner will be taken ashore at a nearby canal side restaurant.
Day 4: Cruise to Satenay, Chateau Rochepot and winetasting in RullyWe 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 visit the famous Chateau Rochepot, pictured at right. This fairytale like chateau was restored after being ransacked during the revolution and is now one of the finest examples of chateau for the period. On the drive back to Bonheur we can take a detour to the village of Rully for a private wine tasting. This is another evening when guests have the opportunity to sample local cuisine.
Day 5: Cruise to Chagny, visit Beaune
We start the day after a relaxing breakfast with a short cruise to the town of Chagny where we will moor for the evening. Today the captain will take you for lunch at the beautiful village of Volnay after which we depart for the historic town of Beaune along the Route de Grande Cru. The walled town of Beaune is the wine capital of Burgundy and our visit will include a visit to the historic hospice, Hotel Dieu, built in the 15th Century. We return to Bonheur through the vineyards for a restful evening and dinner on board.
Day 6: Visit Chalon-sur-Saone, then cruise to Fragnes
This morning we take a short car ride to the town of Chalon-sur-Saone. Chalon has a Cathedral with a lovely square surrounded by medieval buildings. As it is market day today, pictured at left, the square is filled with fruit and vegetable stalls and the other streets littered with all sorts of market traders selling a plethora of goods. A real insight into french life. We return to Bonheur for lunch and a leisurely cruise to the charming village of Fragnes. This evening your farewell meal is taken ashore at the Fleur de Sel a restaurant on the edge of the canal overlooking the port.Day 7: Return to Le Creusot
After a leisurely breakfast, guests are taken to Le Creusot TGV Railway Station to board TGV #6612, departing Le Creusot TGV station at 10:41 am, arriving back to the Paris Gare de Lyon at 12:03 pm. Or you may pick up a rental car or arrange another rail journey from Le Creusot.
Please note: this is a sample itinerary which may be subject to change depending on local conditions. The route will run in reverse on alternate weeks. Contact The Barge Lady for reservations and more information about Barge cruises on the Waterways of France - Or call us toll free at (800) 880-0071.
Bonheur
Guest Book
"Our pre-trip information was very complete and helpful and the cruised exceeded our expectations. Everything was done in a classy way by Paul and Annie...while informal...perfect! The cuisine was truly outstanding in quality and presentation! Wine choices were perfect for the food.
Paul and Annie are great and a real joy to be with. I can't imagine any better "crew". Big hugs all around! We loved Paul's knowledge of the region, the sights and definitely the wine. We highly recommend this barge.
Bob and Diane Jenkins, cruised October 2011
"This was the perfect barge for the four of us, the Barge Lady knew exactly what would work best for us. Our hosts always went the extra mile for us to make sure we were comfortable. The Barge Lady, Paul and Annie were very thorough in every detail and really made this a delightful and memorable week for us.
The cuisine, crew and comfort on the barge were excellent. Also, Paul always had some great sights for us to visit and good restaurants for our dining pleasure. We would highly recommend this trip and this barge."
-Marsha and Bill Shaw, cruised September 2011
"This was a great trip through the French countryside. This barge is OUTSTANDING! It was very clean and adequate. Annie is a wonderful host and person and makes a great team with Paul in leaving "no stone unturned" in making our experience fun, pleasurable and relaxing. Our trips to Beaune and other Burgundy region towns were fun, informative and relaxing. We especially enjoyed our lunch at Puligny Montrachet."
-Fred and Pat Smith, cruised September 2011
"This was our first time to France and we were anxious, but thanks to all of the pre-trip information and the efficient handling of all of our travel arrangements by The Barge Lady, we did not have a single problem during the entire trip.
The Bonheur is truly the most beautiful barge on the canal. Paul and Annie (the owners) did a wonderful job of restoring the Bonheur and making it the envy of the Central Canal. Frenchmen themselves would pause, gasp, take pictures and compliment Paul and Annie on how wonderful it was - as we leisurely cruised by on the deck sipping a drink under the Burgundy sun. The flowers on deck, the paint colors, etc all fit in so well with the beautiful countryside. The barge is very roomy for 4 guests and 2 crew.
Paul and Annie are the absolute best to have as crew and guides. Their treatment of us as their guests far exceeded anything we expected. Every detail of our stay was wonderful. Very private and personal service with great food and great wine. We were overwhelmed at the choices and amount of food at each meal, and Annie was able to accommodate our dietary tastes so that we could enjoy each meal. Paul even went out one morning and brought our son an eclair he wanted to try.
Paul was a very knowledgeable tour guide and was very gracious. He gave us quick rides in his own vehicle, was very familiar with the area, and would stop along the way if requested. He was very flexible, gave us just the right amount of information and then let us explore by ourselves. Our teenage boys accompanied us on the trip and they loved it - not bored at all. Paul and Annie were wonderful with them, treated them like their own.
This was by far the best time we have ever spent together as a family. Every need was taken care of and we became true Francophiles. We cannot wait for another week or more with Paul and Annie on the Bonheur."
-Michael and Rosie Gomez, cruised July 2011
"The cruise exceeded our expectations so far that I kept saying, "I couldn't even have dreamed this up"! This was the perfect blend of experiences shared with friends, amazing food and drink, a wonderful barge, incredibly gracious hosts, relaxing, instructive, fun, joyous, sunny, restful, safe, beautiful scenery...I wouldn't have changed a single thing on this trip and would do it again in a heartbeat, it was that good.
There was a very relaxing pace with everything, with a lot of flexibility built in. Paul and Annie were exceptional and gracious hosts. Paul made an effort to get the Int'l Herald Tribune for my husband when he went to town each morning for pastries and bread. The mornings were spent cruising, with the afternoons for the explorations. Nothing was ever rushed, as Paul and Annie explained that this was an "-ish" cruise: things would happen around a certain time. Breakfast was 9-ish, lunch was about 1:30-ish. This was great, as I was a bit worried about being rushed in the mornings.
The food both on and off the barge was wonderful. Annie's Beef Bourguignon was amazing and the timing of the meal was perfect. The meals off the barge were at interesting places with extraordinary food and wines. We also enjoyed the comfort of the cabins, the deck, and the sightseeing excursions. Paul and Annie made everything pleasant and comfortable.
The thing we enjoyed the least was the end of the cruise! Who would want it to be over and have to go back to reality?"
-Maureen Haggarty and Robert Zawacki, cruised August 2011
"Our trip on the Bonheur was fantastic and we have shared our wonderful experience with everyone willing to listen. You and your company do excellent work and we look forward to another trip in the future".
-Emerson Hughes, cruised July 2011
"Our cruise was lovely! It surpassed our expectations - because of Annie and Paul. The wine tasting and the Hospice visit were our favorite sightseeing excursions." The cusine was excellent and our arrangements were handled very efficiently by The Barge Lady".
-Richard and Kristin Bainbridge, cruised May, 2011
“Annie and Paul gave us a 5-star week aboard Bonheur. We enjoyed the fact that we were the only guests on board! Annie and Paul pampered us for a week – always with a smile! The food and food presentation was 5-star PLUS. Amazing! We liked that all wines came from Burgundy and that Paul described each one before we imbibed. The same with the various cheeses. The cabin was as we expected, with many lovely extras - such as fresh flowers, candies, etc. Sightseeing was never rushed and we saw many out-of-the-way sights that most tourists don’t see. Overall, the week was organized with a nice balance between cruising and touring. We were able to spend a lot of time on the deck, watching history and gorgeous scenery pass by. What a wonderful and relaxing week!”
- Larry and Joanne Laird, cruised June, 2011
"Our cruise was very relaxing just watching the beautiful countryside go by at 3 miles per hour. Our cabin was even better than expected. (Not to mention the hotel you booked for us in Paris – Louvre Sainte-Anne – fabulous!) We loved the three dinners ashore and would recommend this barge to our friends!"
- Carl Van Wey & Elizabeth Fraze, cruised June, 2011
"Our trip was fabulous - great attention to detail, nice surprises, friendly and helpful Captain and Chef. It was an amazing way to see the region - relaxing and captivating peek into the countryside, its history and its people."
-Peter Ripley and Judy Kostka, 2010
"My husband just said, "I would recommend this barge - Bonheur 110%!" The trip exceeded our expectations in every area. The barge was beautiful and well maintained. Annie and Paul take much pride in ownership. Annie's cooking was phenomenal in taste and presentation. Paul was a font of information and made our excursions fascinating. But, most of all, they were fun to be with. You could talk and laugh with them at anytime. We were very sad when our week was over. They had become friends!"
-Len and Gail Goff, 2010
"The Bonheur was absolutely wonderful. A great relaxing vacation with excellent food, wine, and hosts. Paul and Annie were great and their barge was fantastic. Annie could be writing cookbooks and Paul could a be a professor! They are very talented people. The excursions were terrific with a great variety, wine tasting, chateau, and market were a good mix. The Barge Lady did an excellent job matching us with the Bonheur! It was our own private getaway, and we would love tot do it again."
- Thomas and Clara Gould, 2010
"The cruise was better than we could have imagined. The best trip ever. Thank you, Ellen, your recommendations were perfect!"
-James and Caroline Betz, 2010
Bonheur |   Tartiflette of Potatoes, Onions and Lardons in a Crème Fraiche Sauce, topped with Reblochon de Savoie served with Roasted tomatoes and a Green Salad. * * * Poires belle Helene Pears Poached in Sweet Dessert Wine served with Ice Cream and a Hot Chocolate Sauce. * * * * *  Oven baked Vacherin (a creamy local cheese, baked with slithers of garlic and dry white wine in its thin wooden box) Served with Fresh Bread for dipping * * * Boeuf Bourguignon Served with Boulangere potatoes * * * Selection of Regional Cheeses **** Apple Tart Tatin served with Creme Fraiche * * * * * |
Bonheur Floor Plan
-110 feet long-WILSON CABIN is situated at the bow
Approx 100 square feet
2 picture windows and 2 portholes
Separate tiled shower-sink and toilet rooms
Lots of shelving for storage
King size bed or 2 twin beds
-BENNETT CABIN is situated mid-ship
Approx 90 square feet.
1 picture window
Built-in tiled sink-vanity in the cabin.
Separate tiled shower-toilet room
Built- in wardrobe closet
King size bed or 2 twin beds
-Split-Level Salon
Comfortable couches, fireplace, dining area, library and entertainment
-Large Deck
With flower and herb gardens
Plus dining table and chairs, loungers
and a barbeque
