La Belle Fleur
Standard Class Barge
Netherlands
The La Belle Fleur was built in 1929 and converted into a passenger ship in 1993. The former inland freighter, which has been restored into a hotel barge, is 44 meters long. The boat features cabins for 19 guests, a tastefully designed lounge area, and an expansive sun deck complete with tables and benches.
Overview
The La Belle Fleur, (formerly called the Eva Josiena) was built in 1929 and converted into a passenger ship in 1993. The former inland freighter, which has been restored into a hotel barge, is 44 meters long. The boat features a tastefully designed lounge area and an expansive sun deck complete with tables and benches.
Overview
- Capacity: 19 Guests
- Boat size: 44 meters, Width: 10.5 meters
Decks & Cabin Layout
- Total of 9 cabins
- 8 double cabins with two low beds
- 1 triple cabin with bunk beds and a low bed
Cabin Amenities
- Private bathroom in each cabin equipped with shower, toilet & wash table
- All cabins have a wardrobe
- Windows can be opened in cabins as well as in the bathrooms
- Central heating in each cabin & a small fan
- Hairdryers in each cabin
- 220 V electricity
Boat Features & Amenities
- WiFi is only available when sailing in France
- Helmets available on board
- Credit cards are accepted on board (a €3 admin fee is charged for payments under €50)
- Sun deck
- Dining & lounge area
Food & Beverages
- Special Diet Requests: Special dietary requests may be subject to a €50 fee.
- Please note: vegan diet requests cannot be accommodated.
Photos
![La Belle Fleur | Bike & Boat Tours]()
![Sun deck - La Belle Fleur | Bike & Boat Tours]()
![Dining area - La Belle Fleur | Bike & Boat Tours]()
![Twin cabin - La Belle Fleur | Bike & Boat Tours]()
![Bathroom - La Belle Fleur | Bike & Boat Tours]()
![Bike storage area - La Belle Fleur | Bike & Boat Tours]()
![La Belle Fleur | Bike & Boat Tours]()
Tours
Reviews
Valerie L.
2 years agoVerified Reviewer
La Belle Fleur Tulip Tour - 5 day
NetherlandsI was impressed with how many sights we were able to fit into the 5-day tour and with such variety! The countryside was so beautiful and biking was a great way to see the landscape. It was exactly what I was looking for! The tour guide (Win) and barge crew (La Belle Fleur) were very professional and accommodating. I always felt very safe when biking behind my guide and the bikes were very well maintained. Everything was as expected or better! Would definitely book with Tripsite again!
Linda C.
2 years agoVerified Reviewer
La Belle Fleur Bavaria Tour
GermanyThe people we went with and the lovely people we met. The back roads we traveled and the wonderful tour guide...
Carol B.
2 years agoVerified Reviewer
La Belle Fleur Lorraine Tour
France, Germany, LuxembourgThe bike tour was immensely enjoyable. Even though it rained 6 of 7 days, it was still a highlight of our vacation in Europe. Thanks to Tripsite's instructions, we were well prepared for various weather from rain to warm and cool weather. Taking a barge is a great way to travel without unpacking each night, returning to the same room and delicious meals served on board. I hope to take a bike trip again trying out another river.
Gloria M.
2 years agoVerified Reviewer
La Belle Fleur Lorraine Tour
France, Germany, LuxembourgThe adventure of biking through beautiful Luxembourg, Germany, and France. One can view scenry in a different manner compared to driving a car or viewing as a passenger. Biked thru small villages, metro cities, and rural countries.
The delicious gourmet dinners at the end of each trip will always be treasured.
The route instructions need a lot of improvement. It should not take 6 hours to bike 22 miles!
Prosper B.
2 years agoVerified Reviewer
La Belle Fleur Lorraine Tour
France, Germany, LuxembourgThe scenery, the fellow riders the entire experience was so rewarding.
The boat however left a lot to be desired. The dining room windows were small and you felt confined. The food was below what i’ve experienced on my 6 other tripsite bike/barge tours.Sheila S.
2 years agoVerified Reviewer
La Belle Fleur Lorraine Tour
France, Germany, LuxembourgMost Memorable Part: How Saunder, Els, and Rola were all so committed to making sure we had a great trip with terrific cycling, fantastic food, and comfortable accommodations.
Tim O.
2 years agoVerified Reviewer
La Belle Fleur Bavaria Tour
GermanyGreat riding, fantastic service on board. Unfortunately we hit a heat wave so nights were very warm. The GPS route on my phone was crucial to getting through.
Eileen E.
2 years agoVerified Reviewer
La Belle Fleur Tulip Tour - 5 day
NetherlandsThe most memorable part of our trip was the Keukenhof. Would recommend packing clothes to layer, gloves, and rain gear.
Carol E.
3 years agoVerified Reviewer
La Belle Fleur Lorraine Tour
France, Germany, LuxembourgWe had a wonderful time on our trip from Bruges to Amsterdam, everyone was so friendly and helpful...we have booked another trip next Sept.
Jim W.
3 years agoVerified Reviewer
La Belle Fleur Bavaria Tour
GermanyAwesome experience. Our guide was okay, but not great - and that did not take away from the beautiful scenery and meeting new friends.
Brenda H.
3 years agoVerified Reviewer
La Belle Fleur Lorraine Tour
France, Germany, LuxembourgMost Memorable Part? Staff on boat, people traveling and the scenery.
Stuart A.
3 years agoVerified Reviewer
La Belle Fleur Lorraine Tour
France, Germany, LuxembourgEnjoyed the staff, the group we met and the overall tour. I got to visit a part of France I might never have seen. Really enjoyed the champagne bottling winery the last day.
Teresa H.
3 years agoVerified Reviewer
La Belle Fleur Bavaria Tour
GermanyLoved the whole experience! The scenery was beautiful and we got to experience the country in a way you could not with a car or by train. We quickly bonded with the other people and became friends!
Sue • 3 years ago
I saw this ls listed as easy however the description has moderate. Was it hilly? What is your opinion of difficulty? Thanks!
Christiane and Pascale D.
3 years agoVerified Reviewer
La Belle Fleur Tulip Tour - 5 day
NetherlandsThe kindness and attention of Sanders and Als, owners of the barge, the delicious and beautifully presented meals, the bike tours so different every day, the size of the boat allowing super relations with the others, Rola the so friendly and helpful guide and to top it all, 5 days of perfect sunny hot weather....ordered by Tripsite, no doubt!!
Elizabeth C.
4 years agoVerified Reviewer
La Belle Fleur Lorraine Tour
France, Germany, LuxembourgI took the Lorraine Tour this September. I was happy I chose to go Toul to Wasserbillig direction since it ended in a greener, more rural area. I love the countrysides and small villages best so this ended my week on the most positive note for my personal taste. There were interesting towns/cities to see along the way but this was also a bit more industrialized in some areas than tours I have taken in the past. If you are from the American midwest (I grew up in Ohio) you will swear you have been transported home many days it looks so similar. Others on our tour found it quite beautiful however. I was very impressed with the WWII memorials along the way. Even though I prefer a self guided tour I found our tour guide to be very pleasant and considerate of our physical abilities. I was disappointed with the conditions of the path one (our longest) day since I have been accustomed to fully paved trails on all my other tours. That day was exhausting due to the conditions of the route. Read More They say this will eventually be fully paved at some point though. The La Belle Fleur was an excellent, clean, comfortable, and well maintained boat. The staff took good care of us and the food was fine. I especially enjoyed the camaraderie of the very small group. Having taken both large and small bike-boat tours I think this is one of the best aspects of a small tour. If I were traveling solo this size group would definitely be my preference. Overall, another wonderful week doing what I love and loving what I did.Francine G.
4 years agoVerified Reviewer
La Belle Fleur Bruges to Amsterdam
Belgium, NetherlandsMost Memorable Part: The people and the beer!!
Anieta W.
4 years agoVerified Reviewer
La Belle Fleur Lorraine Tour
France, Germany, LuxembourgThe boat and the bikes were good, the food was good and sufficient, the crew was friendly and helpful. The scenery was not always beautiful, part of the tour leads through industrial area.
Joanne F.
4 years agoVerified Reviewer
La Belle Fleur Lorraine Tour
France, Germany, LuxembourgWe truly enjoyed this trip, with beautiful flowers in every town and swans everywhere. One night, we had a bevy of swans peaking in at us as we ate dinner!. The bikes are great, with comfortable seats and smooth gearing. The dinners were always a delicious surprise. Sanders and Els were wonderful hosts, and our guide, Seitze, was extremely knowledgeable about the history of the Mosel area, including Roman aqueducts, medieval castles, World War II sites, and, of course, the history of the EU. Nancy was my favorite big city but we also had a night time walking tour of a little town overlooking the Mosel, called Liverdun...where delicious Madelines come from! Very cute town. We went in early September and the cabins were a bit warm even at night. You can open windows, but it could be uncomfortable in the summer. Biking was mostly flat so not difficult but I definitely got some exercise. Another favorite: stopping for coffee and pastry each morning!
David C.
4 years agoVerified Reviewer
La Belle Fleur Bavaria Tour
GermanyThe most memorable part was the friendliness of the other guests.
Sue • 4 years ago
Did you find the rooms were plenty big? We have been on the Fiep for a bike/barge. It is a Comfort Plus (Deluxe), I believe the rooms are slightly larger. Thanks!
Karen H.
4 years agoVerified Reviewer
La Belle Fleur Tulip Tour - Bruges to Amsterdam - 8 day
Netherlands, BelgiumThe guide and crew were amazing. Great home cooked meals with personal atmosphere.
Barbara T.
5 years agoVerified Reviewer
La Belle Fleur Lorraine Tour
France, Germany, LuxembourgThis trip was most enjoyable and the cities and scenery were gorgeous.
Deborah C.
5 years agoVerified Reviewer
La Belle Fleur Lorraine Tour
France, Germany, LuxembourgThis was a very nice trip. Scenery, bike routes, side trips were all very good. We had a terrific guide who interacted well with the group. The barge was very nice and the owners/crew were exceptional. The dinners could not have been better - Els is an amazing cook.
Susan W.
5 years agoVerified Reviewer
La Belle Fleur Lorraine Tour
France, Germany, LuxembourgThe boat was well maintained. Beds were comfy for bunks. Our cabin [#9] had huge bathroom. With the hot Aug temps, a fan would have been appreciated. Bring a small personal 4" or 6" USB fan if you can find the space in your luggage. A small soaking pool on the deck was a welcome relief from the heat.Meals were basic, but tasty and filling. Els did a nice job of accommodating my dietary restrictions. Ample cooler filtered water was available on the boat - remember your water bottle. Lunches were packed in zip lock baggies. Bring your own insulated lunch bag / Tupperware to keep your lunch fresher.
GIANT bike were like new and well maintained. I was disappointed we could not use the bikes during the city stops that were part of the day trips or after dinner when we returned to the barge. Even though the bikes have locks, Sander and Els don't allow this to minimize theft risk. Besides my husband and I, all participants were in there mid-60s to Read More mid-70s and didn't seem to mind.
Our guide, Weiger, did an outstanding job of leading our daily tour as well as guiding us through the cities we were docked in at night. He managed the multiple languages within our group with ease. The participants on our trip were German [6], Spanish [3], Austrailian [2] and American [2-us]. By the end of the week, our group had bonded even though our shared vocabulary was easily less than 50 words!
The countryside between Thionville and Wasserbillig was very beautiful and what I had envisioned - river and hills covered with vinyards. The other days were nice paved bike trail with the river on one side and trees on the other. I could have taken a picture and convinced friends that I was still in the US Midwest. I guess that is why there are so many French and Germans in Wisconsin and Iowa! I think I would have preferred more time off of the trail and in the countryside, but perhaps if we did do that, the car traffic would cause me to have a different opinion. Certainly the cities we stopped in were old and had a quaint European feel.
C. Whytehead
5 years agoVerified Reviewer
La Belle Fleur Lorraine Tour
France, Germany, LuxembourgA good combination of biking and seeing the sites along the way. Plenty of time in the cities (Nancy, Metz) to wander around. This trip was not about putting on the miles every day on the bike but a good balance of biking and site seeing. Easy biking along canal paths mostly. Our guide got turned around a couple of times getting out of the cities. Els and Sander were great hosts on the barge. Very friendly. Els cooked me a birthday dessert one day that we enjoyed with our group after a day of biking. It was very hot in July and the air movement in the rooms was limited. A small fan would have been very much appreciated. As it was we slept with our door open (as did the others) just to get more air circulation. The barge is in very good condition. The bikes were brand new this season. They are owned by Els and Sander and not leased through a secondary company so they were in good working order.
S. Midha
5 years agoVerified Reviewer
La Belle Fleur Lorraine Tour
France, Germany, LuxembourgBeautiful way to travel from Luxembourg to France. Bike quality was very Good. Our Bike Guide Arie was very knowledgeable. Every evening we had Four course Gourmet Dinner. Sander and Els were the best Host and Owner of the Barge.
Sunita
5 years agoVerified Reviewer
La Belle Fleur Lorraine Tour
France, Germany, LuxembourgI really enjoyed my first Barge and Bike Tour(June11th to June 17th)Sanders and Els were very Good. I would like to give them 10 out of 10 for their Hospitality. Our Bike Guide Arie was Great.
J. Probst
5 years agoVerified Reviewer
La Belle Fleur Lorraine Tour
France, Germany, LuxembourgI fully enjoyed the Lorraine/Moselle bike trip (May 14-20, 2016) with the staff of La Belle Fleur. This was my first bike and barge trip and it certainly was a stress free and relaxing way to see the region. The owner/operators of the boat (Sander and Els) were not only very professional, but charming, enthusiastic, and helpful. Els was also a superb cook so our meals were always delicious. Pieter was the perfect guide (and quite the character!), fun to bike with, patient, knowledgeable of the route and the potential sights, and willing to change the agenda to meet the interests of his clients. The pace was leisurely and we had ample time to view both the valley scenery and the grand old cities along the route. The bikes were in good repair and suitable for the mostly level countryside we were traversing. Another delightful aspect of the trip was that the route was mostly off the busy roads and on dedicated bicycle paths (except, of course, in the cities). The weather, though Read More often cloudy and brisk with occasional light sprinkles of rain, was never a problem. The passengers got along well together and we had fun evenings relaxing aboard ship along with the crew. One week of biking seemed just the right amount of time. I came home with many wonderful memories of people, places, and experiences. I can highly recommend this trip and this boat company. The folks at the Tripsite office in the U.S. were also very responsive and easy to work with so they get my "thumbs up" award too!L. Bendz
5 years agoVerified Reviewer
La Belle Fleur Tulip Tour - 5 day
NetherlandsThis was my second bike and barge trip on the La Belle Fleur for the tulip tour and it was fantastic. We had an excellent guide, Koehn, who selected lovely routes thru rural settings and we saw amazing fields in bloom, the national park leading to the North Sea and the Amsterdam Forest on return. The barge sparkled and Sanders and Els were very warm and welcoming. Our room was very comfortable. The new bikes had very comfortable seats and were lighter & BETTER for riding the 13 to 23 miles/ day distances. Unfortunately we hit a week of rainy inclement weather so we wore every warm layer we had plus scarves and rain gear. Our fellow travelers from Canada and Brazil were very good sports. I can't wait to try the France river trip on the Mosel River next time!! Thank you for making this trip of memories possible!!
K. Vandermeer
5 years agoVerified Reviewer
La Belle Fleur Tulip Tour - 5 day
NetherlandsThe trip was awesome... Even tho it rained EVERYDAY...had a great time. The guide was great and he was able to adjust route to accommodate group. The scenery was incredible and enjoyed every day . The bikes were perfect with 8 gears to meet the needs of trip...
P. Shackleton
5 years agoVerified Reviewer
La Belle Fleur Tulip Tour - 5 day
NetherlandsAbsolutely fabulous people(both tour guide & barge owners), amazing routes and clean accommodating facilities. The food was plentiful and some of it quite good. Some meals were a bit thin and breakfast & lunch too much the same stuff. However, for the cost of this trip it was very satisfactory; I have recommended the Fleur d Bell and thank all organizers for a smooth and memorable trip!
L. Vandermeer
5 years agoVerified Reviewer
La Belle Fleur Tulip Tour - 5 day
NetherlandsThe boat crew were both very nice, friendly and helpful. The bike guide was wonderful - such a great guy, wonderful sense of humour, very kind and considerate. He was also very knowledgeable about the places we went. The bikes were excellent. The routes we took were wonderful - made very good use of the great Dutch biking infrastructure, and we went through a very interesting mix of countryside, villages, pretty urban neighbourhoods, etc.
L. Epstein
5 years agoVerified Reviewer
La Belle Fleur Tulip Tour - 5 day
NetherlandsMore hot breakfast food. The route was semi-urban and suburban and that could have been made clearer beforehand. I liked doing one or more interesting stops each day. Keukenhof day was terrific, including cycling by tulip and hyacinth fields.
L. Daugherty
5 years agoVerified Reviewer
La Belle Fleur Tulip Tour - 5 day
NetherlandsMy trip was wonderful. Sander and Els were incredible hosts and Arie was a fantastic guide. The information from Tripsite was spot on and very helpful. The only glitch I had was that the Tram stop for the boat was not correct but we found the barge without too much difficulty. I would definitely recommend this trip.
B. West
5 years agoVerified Reviewer
La Belle Fleur Tulip Tour - 5 day
NetherlandsThe experience was very good; the only negatives are beyond anyone's control! I was not adequately prepared for the wind, which was far stronger than I anticipated, and I didn't have anything to protect my ears and eyes. My eyes and lips were severely windburned one day. Goggles, or at least wraparound sunglasses, and a headband to cover the ears are a definite must!
Other than that, everything was good. The cabin was comfortable, and the meals were excellent. It was a very good value. Most tours cover all but a few meals; this covers all of them. Captain Sander and Chef Els were wonderful hosts, and tour guide Arie went above and beyond to make sure everyone experienced as much of the region as possible. The day bike trips and the evening city walks were really interesting.
Thanks for a great trip!
S. Hogg
5 years agoVerified Reviewer
La Belle Fleur Tulip Tour - 5 day
NetherlandsWish we had managed to cycle close to some tulip fields.
Melody Knapp
6 years agoVerified Reviewer
La Belle Fleur Tulip Tour - 5 day
NetherlandsSander and Els were perfect hosts. The food, the service, the accommodations were also perfect. I was very impressed with the cleanliness of the cabins. Sander and Els also were very willing to let me stay on the barge two additional nights after the tour for an affordable price. The biking was also very pleasurable, so much so that I was sad when I realized we were on our last day.
Sandi Branker
6 years agoVerified Reviewer
La Belle Fleur Tulip Tour - 5 day
NetherlandsLoved the trip and hope to do it another in 2016!
Donald Stockwell
6 years agoVerified Reviewer
La Belle Fleur Lorraine Tour
France, Germany, LuxembourgOur guide was not good, would ride off too fast, often the tail end riders were lost and confused as they could not keep up. Everything else was excellent!
Wayne Goodman
6 years agoVerified Reviewer
La Belle Fleur Tulip Tour - 5 day
NetherlandsI really loved: Tour guide, boat hosts, food, sights, other guests.
I only enjoyed: quality of bike (could've been a better bike, but it was well maintained)
Could've been better: speed of cycling (while I understand not everyone cycles at the same speed, there should be a ""fast"" group and a ""slow"" group
--overall rating: 4.5 of 5Loretta and Lynn bendz
6 years agoVerified Reviewer
La Belle Fleur Tulip Tour - 5 day
NetherlandsWe had an amazing experience with Sanders and Els in April 2015 and I can't wait to do it again! The food and bicycles and itinery were all excellent! We had great weather although the northsea beaches were a little windy. I liked being able to pack my lunch so that we had more time exploring delightful Netherlands! Thank you for this fantastic opportunity. Feel free to share our experience with anyone interested in bike barge tour in the future. Thanks again! Loretta Bendz
Nancy Van Sas
6 years agoVerified Reviewer
La Belle Fleur Tulip Tour - 5 day
NetherlandsMy husband and I have just returned from our honeymoon from Netherlands. Five of the 10 days were spent on La Belle Fleur with Sander and Els. I cannot say enough positive things about this bike and barge. I have been planning this trip for 8 years, so there were very high expectations that had to be met, which they successfully accomplished. The barge was very cozy with wonderful food served daily, including traditional dutch cuisine. The bikes (Gazelle) were great in traditional dutch style. Our guide was knowledgeable and kept us on pace of a very full 5 day schedule. I highly recommend this trip if you are looking for an adventure and to experience the country in true Dutch style. I know I will be back to explore more of this beautiful country, hopefully aboard the La Belle Fleur for another adventure.
Peg Hanson
7 years agoVerified Reviewer
La Belle Fleur Tulip Tour - 5 day
NetherlandsI had a wonderful experience with Sander, Els, and Arie (sp). The food was amazing, the bikes were comfortable and efficient..enjoyed the walking tours and all the history information. Would recommend to anyone that wants a comfortable easy tour.
Shirley Stephens
7 years agoVerified Reviewer
La Belle Fleur Tulip Tour - 5 day
NetherlandsWe thoroughly enjoyed our trip and had no glitches. I would like to recommend the barge and bike trip around Amsterdam thru the US affiliate, "TripSite". The office was very helpful, pleasant and efficient. The information offered prior to the trip was excellent and unexpectedly thorough including a history of the history of the Netherlands! The excursion did not disappoint. The barge was compact, as expected but clean and comfortable. Most notably, the food was OUTSTANDING. The wife of the captain is an excellent cook and offered a different, interesting 3 course fair nightly. The passengers complimented her frequently after the meal and gave her special applause at the end. As promised we were offered coffee and cake just before disembarking. An extra detail but so nice for closure.The guide on our bike tour was fluent in English and happy to answer all questions. He was thoroughly knowledgeable in the bike routes, taking short a cut through the tulip fields because they Read More had were largely harvested due to the very early spring. This allowed us an extra half hour at the OUTSTANDING Keukenhof Gardens. There was a medical emergency while we were biking necessitating an ambulance. He handled it efficiently without alarm. He and the captain called for taxis for those of us needing them at disembarkation and gave directions to trains, etc for others. They stayed around until all were on their way. One of us talked to a local bartender in Leiden while using WiFi there. He asked what boat we were on and offered that it was "the best". He asked about the food. When we said it was outstanding, he offered that passengers from other boats had complained about their food onboard. Feel free to share our experience with anyone interested in such a tour in the future. Thanks again for your help.George F.
8 years agoVerified Reviewer
La Belle Fleur Lorraine Tour
France, Germany, LuxembourgWe had a wonderful time on the Lorraine tour last year starting from Toul. One of the fellow passengers arrived late and in a state because she had difficulty finding the barge -- taxis and the police did not know where to direct her. A great landmark to cite is the Grands Moulins Aubry. It is a prominent building readily seen from the highway, and the barge moors in the canal just adjacent to the one by the moulin. We ourselves walked around for a day before finding the spot. Your Google map is spot on -- we found it right away after consulting it -- but internet access was not readily available. All of this to say: Your clients would find the spot without difficulty if you were to direct them to "the canal right beside the one at Grands Moulins Aubry" in your travel instructions. I hope you find this note helpful. Looking forward to our next trip with you.
D.W.
8 years agoVerified Reviewer
La Belle Fleur Tulip Tour - 5 day
NetherlandsOur Tulip Tour in Netherlands was the most fun I've had on a vacation in years. Although there was a super small group, our guide, Lia, and the crew, Sander and Els, treated us incredibly well. The weather was cold, but we rode bikes every day, and even though it was too cold to see tulips, we managed to enjoy ourselves the whole time. Lia was so knowledgeable about the people, lore, history, politics, and engineering of Holland that she made every moment come alive. One thing that surprised me were the many monuments to WWII and she explained the history and its impact on the people. In addition to the planned excursions, we were able to enjoy a few spontaneous stops along the way. With such a small group we found ourselves all together more than might have been expected, and never once did it feel as if anybody was bored with seeing the same few faces every day. Our crew were simply fantastic, telling us about the boat, the rivers in Europe, the locks we passed through, and the Read More villages we stayed in along the way. The food was terrific, and even though the chef was a vegetarian, she prepared wonderful dishes that included meat with each meal. And the desserts each night were delicious. I've been thinking about this trip a lot ever since we came home, and I would be so glad to do it again. Marvelous vacation!Jill Nicholas
8 years agoVerified Reviewer
La Belle Fleur Tulip Tour - 5 day
NetherlandsWe had a wonderful week, despite the strong winds which made cycling more difficult. The tour guide was excellent and very supportive of any problems. The very late spring meant that we didn't see any flowering tulip fields, but the fields of daffodils and hyacinths more than made up for it. The crew of the Eva Josiena could not have been more welcoming.
