A Belmond Boat · Burgundy
Lilas
8 guests · 4 cabins · whole-boat charter
Lilas takes eight guests in four cabins and has a pool on deck, which puts her among the more sociable boats in the fleet — the size where a family of eight or four couples fits without anyone feeling they drew the short straw. Belmond's own booking copy offers the cabins with king or twin beds.
She covers more ground than most of the fleet. The long journeys run between Lyon and Saint-Jean-de-Losne up the River Saône, calling at Montmerle-sur-Saône, Mâcon, Tournus, Trévoux, with Beaune and Dijon as excursions. A shorter route works the Canal du Centre between Saint-Léger-sur-Dheune and Saint-Jean-de-Losne, taking in the Château de Germolles.
There is also a dedicated food charter — Belmond calls it Epicurean Burgundy, a twelve-star cruise, built around Michelin-starred tables ashore. It is listed on the boat's own page rather than the main journeys grid, so it is easy to miss when browsing.
The cruises
Lyon to St Jean
6 nights
Up the Saône from Lyon to Saint-Jean-de-Losne via Montmerle-sur-Saône, Mâcon and Tournus, with Beaune and Dijon ashore.
St Jean to Lyon
6 nights
The reverse run, via Seurre, Chalon, Tournus and Trévoux.
St-Léger to St-Jean
6 nights
The Canal du Centre route via Chagny, with the Château de Germolles, Beaune and Dijon.
Epicurean Burgundy: A 12-Star Cruise
6 nights
The Michelin-led charter, listed on the boat's own page rather than the journeys grid.
The cabins
Double or twin cabin
Four of them, offered with king or twin beds. Belmond publishes no individual cabin names — its own photo captions refer only to a lower-deck double cabin and bathroom.
On board
The on-deck pool
Belmond lists it as one of the boat's defining features, and after a day of tastings it is the reason people come back aboard rather than staying ashore.
The saloon
An open lounge under the deck line, glazed along both sides so the towpath stays in view.
Booking this boat
Lilas is whole-boat charter for up to eight guests — Open Sailing by the cabin applies to Napoléon alone. Eight berths and a deck pool make her the strongest of the Burgundy boats for a family group. She also runs the widest choice of routes in the fleet, so it is worth deciding first whether you want the Saône and Lyon or the Canal du Centre and the Côte d'Or, because they are quite different weeks. Belmond publishes no season, so we confirm dates before holding.
Questions, answered
How many guests does Lilas take?
Up to eight, in four cabins that can be made up with king or twin beds. That makes her one of the larger boats in the fleet, behind only the twelve-guest Napoléon, and a practical choice for a family travelling together.
Does Lilas have a pool?
Yes — an on-deck pool, which Belmond lists among her defining features. It is one of the things that separates the larger boats in the fleet from the smaller ones.
Which route should I choose?
The Lyon to Saint-Jean-de-Losne journeys run the River Saône and take in Mâcon, Tournus and Beaune; the Saint-Léger route works the Canal du Centre with the Château de Germolles. If the food is the point, ask about Epicurean Burgundy, the Michelin-led charter listed on her own page.
Enquire
Hold a week aboard Lilas
Tell us the party and roughly when, and we will confirm the current itinerary and hold the week with Belmond.
Start Planning