Belmond’s fleet of small, tony riverboats is about to gain a new member.   

The LVMH-owned hospitality brand is launching an elegant 128-footer in Burgundy, France, this coming summer, giving travelers even more opportunities to cruise Gallic waters in the lap of luxury. 

Originally delivered in 1962, the historic barge was converted into a floating Belmond hotel in the early 2000s and spent the following two decades cruising around Burgundy under the name Amaryllis. It has now been entirely transformed and has rejoined the Les Bateaux Belmond fleet. It has been rechristened Marguerite after the French word for “daisy.”  

The reimagined interior evokes that floral namesake, with decor inspired by the region’s famous golden daisy fields. Think soft yellow hues, floral motifs, and colorful stained glass. The furnishings also pay tribute to the region, with many pieces throughout handcrafted by French artisans.

“We are immensely proud to unveil Marguerite—the result of a true French collaboration, uniting our teams here in Saint Jean-de-Losne, our in-house architect, and exceptional artisans from across France,” Maxime Brun, general manager of Les Bateaux Belmond, said in a statement. “From the stained-glass mastery of Atelier Loire in Chartres to the fine woodwork crafted in Saint Rémy, Marguerite embodies a level of savoir-faire, deeply anchored in our national heritage.”

The upscale living quarters can comfortably accommodate up to eight guests, offering four double cabins with en suites, a sweeping open-plan salon, and a formal dining area. The expansive outdoor deck, framed by wildflowers and local herbs, features an alfresco dining space and a plunge pool from which you can soak in the surroundings. 

With a close to equal crew-to-guest ratio, the service is akin to a five-star hotel, too. Michelin three-star chef Dominique Crenn will craft custom menus, with dishes prepared by the onboard chef using the finest seasonal ingredients. They will whip up everything from fancy dinners in the dining room to refreshing aperitifs on the sunlit deck. 

To top it off, Marguerite is introducing a new itinerary into the heart of Burgundy. Highlights include a stop in Dijon for a mustard masterclass, a private lunch at a 12th-century castle in Vougeot, and a bike tour of the legendary Route des Grands Crus wine trail. There will also be exclusive tastings at both famous and lesser-known wineries, naturally. Guests can fully personalize their journey, too, working with a dedicated Belmond expert to curate activities to their interests. 

Belmond isn’t the only hospitality brand to have expanded into yachting—Orient Express, Ritz-Carlton, Aman, and Four Seasons are also hitting the seas—but it is somewhat of an outlier in that it operates small canal boats rather than giant “superyachts” (cruise ships) like the others. The seven-strong Les Bateaux Belmond fleet includes Alouette in Bordeaux, Pivoine and Napoléon in Provence, Coquelicot in Champagne, Fleur De Lys, Lilas, and now, Marguerite in Burgundy.

Prices for Marguerite start from €85,100 (approximately $98,200) per week. To book or for further information, visit the Belmond website.

Click here to see more photos of Marguerite.