Introduces Its First Culinary Curator, Dominique Crenn, A New Bordeaux Itinerary and Exquisite Epicurean Journeys for 2025
Experience Les Bateaux Belmond’s fleet of seven luxury floating villas curating personalised excursions from Michelin-starred French restaurants to renowned European vineyards through the French countryside.
1. Chef Dominique Crenn Appointed Culinary Curator of Les Bateaux Belmond
Les Bateaux Belmond is delighted to announce the appointment of Chef Dominque Crenn as its first culinary curator from the 2025 season. With three Michelin stars and recognised as one of TIME’s 100 most influential people in the world, Chef Crenn champions innovation, sustainability, and equality in the kitchen.
Her culinary artistry is deeply rooted in her personal journey, drawing inspiration from her French upbringing, particularly summers spent in Brittany, where Crenn developed a profound connection to water.
As part of her role, Chef Crenn will curate two signature menus for the boats in the Burgundy, Champagne and South of France regions, each featuring a specially crafted starter, main course and dessert. Chef Crenn’s menus will highlight seasonal ingredients that celebrate the heritage and culture of these regions. She shares, “I am thrilled to collaborate with Les Bateaux Belmond to curate a one-of-a-kind dining experience that weaves together the beauty of the French countryside with my own culinary philosophy.
The menus I’ve designed celebrate the finest local ingredients and time-honoured techniques to pay homage to the region’s rich heritage. Together with Belmond, I hope to create lasting memories through unforgettable cuisine.”
2. New Itineraries through the Winemaking Region of Bordeaux Aboard Alouette, A Belmond Boat
Alouette, one of Les Bateaux Belmond’s seven luxurious floating villas, is delighted to announce the debut of its new voyage through the renowned winemaking waterways of Bordeaux. Perfect for a tranquil South of France summer or a romantic holiday, Alouette has two cabins, one twin and one double — with ensuite shower rooms and L’Occitane toiletries.
The floating villa’s new itinerary offers immersive epicurean experiences to explore vineyards, indulge in wine-inspired wellness, and visit revered châteaux between Agen and Castets-en-Dorthe. Highlights include a trip to Le Temple-sur- Lot, home to Latour-Marliac, the enchanting waterlily garden that inspired Monet’s famous masterpieces.
A rejuvenating visit to the Caudalie Spa, where vinotherapy treatments are offered, combining the natural active ingredients of vines andgrapes with essential oils to offer nourishing, anti-aging rituals. Wine aficionados can visit the celebrated Saint-Émilionvineyards, and journey to the Sauternes haven of Château d’Yquem, a historic château which has produced one of the world’s most coveted sweet wines for over 400 years.
HOW: The Bordeaux itinerary aboard Alouette, A Belmond Boat departs on 20 July 2025 from Agen to Castets en Dorthe. Private charters are available from 20 July 2025 from €41,000 (based on 4 guests).
3. Epicurean Burgundy: A 12-Star Michelin Cruise Aboard Lilas, A Belmond Boat, Burgundy
Indulgeinthepinnacleofculinaryexcellence on theweeklong, 12-Star Michelin Cruise, presenting the absolute best of Burgundy’s culinary scene surrounded by breathtaking landscapes aboard Lilas. The river boat’s soothing ambience is felt inside and out, with interior design details echoing the surrounding backdrop of the region, with floral-accented room features and natural linens.
The itinerary includes two-starred dining at La Côte Saint-Jacques, followed by a three-star feast at Lameloise, with scenic stops along the Route des Grands Crus for private wine tastings. Innovative creations await at Aux Terrasses by Chef Jean-Michel Carrette, before relishing the timeless classics at the legendary three-star Georges Blanc, where specialties such as Bresse chicken have been reimagined to perfection.
The journey concludes at two-star Restaurant Paul Bocuse, a gastronomic haven serving signature dishes including black truffle soup and sea bass in puff pastry, promising guests a dreamlike finale to this unforgettable voyage through the heart of French haute cuisine.
HOW: The 12-Star Michelin Cruise aboard Lilas, A Belmond Boatis available for charter only on 4 May 2025 and 10 August 2025, starting at € 135,000.
4. Vinous Burgundy “La Semaine Des Grands Crus” Aboard Amaryllis, A Belmond Boat and Fleur De Lys, A Belmond Boat
“La Semaine des Grands Crus” itinerary offers a perfect blend for wine connoisseurs and history lovers aboard the elegant Amaryllis and Fleur De Lys, both Belmond Boats situated in Burgundy.
Diving deep into Burgundy’s rich wine heritage, these itineraries offers guests a week-long journey with exclusive access to all 33 Grands Crus, alongside privileged visits to vineyards and private cellars from St-Léger-sur-Dheune to Dijon.
Guests can immerse themselves in the charm of Beaune, celebrated for its remarkable terroirs and off board excursions. These include a private tour of the iconic Hôtel-Dieu, an architectural gem of medieval Burgundy, and an exploration of the labyrinthine caves beneath the city, home to Maison Joseph Drouhin’s unique wine cellar.
Here, an exclusive tasting of select Grands Crus awaits. For the evening’s dinner, guests will be able to indulge in a lineup of the best Burgundy vintages, from Chevalier-Montrachet,Clos des Lambrays to Echezeaux Les Loachausses.
HOW: “La Semaine Des Grands Crus” itinerary on Amaryllis, departs on 4 May 2025, and on Fleur De Lys on 13 July 2025,with rates starting at €135,000 for a private charter of up to 6 guests.
5. The Ultimate Champagne Experience: Onboard Coquelicot, A Belmond Boat, Champagne
Coquelicot, A Belmond Boat, invites hedonists and gourmands on a sparkling five-night voyage through the Champagne region, celebrating the world’s most acclaimed champagne houses with exclusive tastings and behind-the-scenes access.
A visit to Veuve Clicquot’s underground cellars, stretching 24 km into the medieval UNESCO-listed Crayères in Reims, is followed by exclusive access to the historic Taissy vineyard, noted in Maison Ruinart’s archives since 1733.
Guests will experience an exclusive five-course dinner crafted by Maison Ruinart’s Chef, Valérie Radou, on the boat’s scenic top deck, all amidst the idyllic landscape and luxurious comfort of their own private vessel—a true lesson in French art de vivre.
HOW: Coquelicot Grand Champagne Voyage itinerary departs on 14 September 2025, from Chalons en Champagne to Jaulgonne, with rates starting at
€150,000.
Les Bateaux Belmond, France
Les Bateaux Belmond are a collection of seven intimate boats operating from April to October across France’s most tranquil waterways. Offering personalised experiences on water, the boats take guests to the heart of rural France, into Burgundy (Fleur De Lys; Lilas; Amaryllis), Provence (Napoléon), Champagne (Coquelicot), Camargue (Pivoine) and Canal du Midi (Alouette).
Each boat accommodates between 4 to 12 passengers, with a close to equal crew-to-guest ratio for the higheststandard of service, offering regional specialities and seasonal delicacies unique to the cruising area.
This is the most luxurious fleet on the French waterways, each presenting as a Villa on the water with their own unique lavish design: a playful palette, a nautical feel and a stylish expansive deck — and four with their very own plunge pools. All boats are available for weekly private hire only, except Napoléon, in Provence, which is also available to be booked on a cabin-basis.
Guests can unwind in stylish comfort and dine on sensational French cuisine as they drift along picturesque riverbanks, then moor for tailor-made excursions – including private visits to vineyards, historic landmarks, food markets – or explore the local area independently on the complimentary bikes. (*)
