Marguerite, A Belmond Boat: A New Floating Villa Redefines Slow Luxury in Burgundy

Les Bateaux Belmond will welcome a new jewel to its French fleet in late summer 2026: Marguerite, A Belmond Boat, Burgundy, a reimagined four‑suite floating villa inspired by the region’s golden flower fields and dedicated to the art of Slow Luxury. Transformed from the former Amaryllis, Marguerite offers an intimate, design‑led way to drift along Burgundy’s quieter waterways, with space for just eight guests and an itinerary that celebrates culture, craftsmanship, gastronomy, and time itself.

A Floating Villa Inspired By Burgundy’s Golden Fields

Marguerite’s interiors are conceived as a contemporary homage to Burgundy’s landscapes and artisanal heritage. Soft yellow tones, delicate floral motifs and modern stained‑glass accents echo the golden marguerite daisy—both the boat’s namesake and a symbol of purity and joy—while honey‑hued details nod to the region’s architecture.

Design touches include:

• Four elegantly appointed double suites, each with ensuite facilities and refined, handcrafted finishes.
• An open‑plan salon for relaxed gatherings, reading, and lingering over aperitifs.
• An expansive deck framed by wildflowers and local herbs, perfect for al fresco dining, sunbathing, or simply watching village life slip by.

Marguerite’s interiors are conceived as a contemporary homage to Burgundy’s landscapes and artisanal heritage. Soft yellow tones, delicate floral motifs and modern stained‑glass accents echo the golden marguerite daisy—both the boat’s namesake and a symbol of purity and joy—while honey‑hued details nod to the region’s architecture.

Design touches include:

• Four elegantly appointed double suites, each with ensuite facilities and refined, handcrafted finishes.
• An open‑plan salon for relaxed gatherings, reading, and lingering over aperitifs.
• An expansive deck framed by wildflowers and local herbs, perfect for al fresco dining, sunbathing, or simply watching village life slip by.

At the heart of the boat, an artisan‑crafted dining table inlaid with a mosaic of marguerite daisies sits beneath a green‑and‑white striped linen awning, creating a soft, diffused light that shifts from day to night. Stained glass—realised in collaboration with Atelier Loire in Chartres—and fine woodwork from Saint‑Rémy underline Marguerite’s role as a showcase of French savoir‑faire.

Slow Luxury On The Water: Life Aboard Marguerite

Anchored in Belmond’s philosophy of Slow Luxury, Marguerite is designed for guests who want to savour Burgundy at an unhurried pace. With a maximum of eight guests and a dedicated crew, life aboard feels more like a private country house party than a traditional cruise.

On board, guests can enjoy:

• A private plunge pool on deck for cooling off between excursions.
• Artisan‑crafted furnishings and curated objects that bring the outdoors into every space.
• Exquisite menus created by three‑Michelin‑starred Chef Dominique Crenn, interpreted daily by the onboard private chef using the finest seasonal ingredients.

Evenings might begin with a sunlit aperitif on deck, followed by a multi‑course tasting menu that channels Crenn’s poetic, nature‑driven cuisine, or an off‑board Michelin‑starred experience in a nearby restaurant. Alternatively, guests can opt for a relaxed dinner in a local village bistro, keeping the mood easy and authentically Burgundian.

Bespoke Journeys Through The Heart Of Burgundy

Every Marguerite sailing is shaped around guests’ interests, guided by a dedicated Guest Experience Executive who helps tailor each day’s blend of culture, wine, and gentle adventure. Rather than tracing only the classic routes, the boat follows a refreshed itinerary that reveals lesser‑known corners of Burgundy and its timeless rural landscapes.

Signature experiences include:

• Dijon in depth – Hands‑on mustard‑making classes and guided walks through the city’s historic architecture.
• Art and castles – Curated art tours and visits to storied châteaux that illuminate the region’s layered history.
• Wine at every level – Exclusive tastings at both celebrated grand domaines and hidden, family‑run estates, offering a fuller picture of Burgundy’s wine culture.
• Route des Grands Crus by e‑bike – Guided cycling along the legendary vineyard route, with stops for tastings and cellar visits.
• Château du Clos de Vougeot – Private lunches in historic salons, framed by centuries of monastic and vinous tradition.

Days filled with discovery always lead back to the serenity of the boat, where guests can trade stories over a glass of Burgundy, lounge by the plunge pool, or simply listen to the quiet lap of the canal against the hull.

A Celebration of French Savoir‑Faire And Contemporary Heritage

For Les Bateaux Belmond, Marguerite is the result of a deeply French collaboration, uniting in‑house architects, shipyard teams in Saint‑Jean‑de‑Losne, and artisans from across the country. General Manager Maxime Brun highlights the project as a living expression of contemporary heritage—a way for guests to connect with France’s craft traditions in a setting that still feels current and relaxed.

Marguerite joins an existing Les Bateaux Belmond fleet that includes Alouette in Bordeaux; Pivoine and Napoléon in Provence; and Fleur de Lys and Lilas in Burgundy, further strengthening Belmond’s position as a leader in ultra‑luxury French river cruising. With prices for Marguerite starting from €85,100 (approximately £74,330) for full‑boat charters, the experience is crafted for private groups of family or friends who want Burgundy entirely to themselves, in a setting where time is not just spent, but carefully invested.

For more details, full itinerary information, and bookings, visit the official page for Marguerite, A Belmond Boat, Burgundy on Belmond’s website: https://www.belmond.com/boats/europe/france/les-bateaux-belmond/marguerite.