I am sure this is not a fresh idea, but I can’t help imagining that the great industrial leap forward of the 17th and 18th centuries, leading to the creation of the intricate system of canals crisscrossing the French countryside, reflected the humanist disposition of the time. It feels as though they took inspiration from our own biology and devised a network of riverine veins to carry the lifeblood of the country to market.
I could also just be adding a romantic layer of Rousseau-inspired imaginings to the very practical concerns of the time. But, bear with me, I like to think that all our technology (such as this riverine response to the incredibly slow-moving horse-and-cart situation that prevailed at the time) is always inspired by something innately human, which is why it feels intuitive. Like the phone in your hand or the AI chatbot answering your questions.
Suffice to say that long before the discerning traveller with a yen for the sweet pleasures of life on a Burgundian canal, fortified with Michelin-starred menus and chilled Puligny-Montrachet, became a thing, these canals carried the region’s lifeblood: barrels of wine, quarried stone, timber and grain. Built to fuel France’s economy, the tranquil waterways have now transformed into one of Europe’s greatest luxuries.
The Canal de Bourgogne, begun in 1775 and finally completed in 1832, linked the Seine basin and Paris with the Rhône basin and the Mediterranean. The Canal du Centre, which opened in 1793, connected the Loire and Saône rivers. It was crucial for transporting coal from the mines of Le Creusot and helped fuel the Industrial Revolution in France. And the Saône, which has been navigable since Roman times, acted as Burgundy’s great commercial highway, carrying goods south towards Lyon and north towards Paris.
I suspect it is hard to picture this bustling industry now if you find yourself on the Marguerite — Belmond’s newest floating villa, which joins the Les Bateaux Belmond fleet in Burgundy from late summer 2026. The exquisitely reimagined vessel replaces the former Amaryllis, and is the perfect expression of luxury travel — no frenetic sightseeing, just leisurely lunches, gentle canal cruises, and the increasingly rare privilege of having nowhere urgent to be.
Accommodating just eight guests in four charming suites, the Marguerite is the riverboat equivalent of an intimate private residence that happens to float through one of France’s most celebrated wine regions. Every detail has been designed around Belmond’s philosophy of “slow luxury”, where the journey itself is the destination and the greatest indulgence is time.
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The interiors take their cue from Burgundy’s golden marguerite daisies, with buttery yellows, delicate floral motifs, and contemporary stained-glass details lending the spaces a light, distinctly French elegance while celebrating local craftsmanship. Master stained-glass artisans from Chartres, expert woodworkers from Saint-Rémy, and bespoke furniture makers have all contributed to creating a floating showcase of French savoir-faire. At the centre is a delightful, handcrafted dining table, the mosaic blooming with intricate marguerite petals, setting the scene for the Michelin-star meals that define life on board. A deck planted with wildflowers and fragrant herbs seems ideal for a morning coffee as mist rises from the canal, or an afternoon dip in the plunge pool followed by an aperitif before dinner beneath the jolly striped linen canopy.
Menus have been curated by Michelin-starred chef Dominique Crenn and are prepared on board by a private chef using seasonal produce sourced from the surrounding region. Meals celebrate Burgundy’s extraordinary produce, while guests can also choose to dine ashore at Michelin-starred restaurants or in village bistros along the route.
Unlike traditional river cruises with tightly choreographed excursions, every journey aboard the Marguerite is individually tailored to guests’ interests. One day might involve learning the centuries-old craft of mustard-making in Dijon before wandering its medieval streets. Another could see guests cycling stretches of the famed Route des Grands Crus by e-bike, enjoying private tastings at family-owned wine estates, or lunching inside the historic salons of the Château du Clos de Vougeot.
Food, wine, architecture, craftsmanship and the sublime rhythms of the canal itself may be why the Marguerite is calling my name. Really loudly.
Prices start at €85,100 (about R1.6m).
belmond.com/boats/europe/france/les-bateaux-belmond/marguerite
From the August issue of Wanted, 2026.
