Les Bateaux Belmond Appoints Maxime Brun to Lead Its French River Fleet
Belmond taps a region-born hospitality leader to guide its French river fleet into a more immersive, slow-travel era.
Photo: Courtesy of Les Bateaux Belmond
Les Bateaux Belmond has named Maxime Brun its new general manager, leading the brand’s collection of seven luxury riverboats across France. He stepped into the role in mid-October and is now overseeing operations, guest experience, and the continued evolution of the company’s “slow luxury” philosophy.
Brun’s appointment comes at an interesting moment for Belmond’s river division. After a decade in which experiential cruising has shifted toward deeper cultural immersion and slower-paced itineraries, Les Bateaux Belmond has carved out a distinct niche rooted in craftsmanship, regional discovery, and leisurely days drifting through Burgundy, Champagne, and Camargue. Brun, a native of Saint-Jean-de-Losne (where the fleet is based), returns home with a résumé that blends hospitality leadership with brand-building experience outside the traditional hotel pipeline.
He most recently served as director general of Château Saint Laurent in the South of France, where he spent four years revitalizing the estate and overseeing its conversion to fully organic operations. His earlier career included senior roles with Pink Lady Europe and nearly a decade with Nestlé France, giving him a cross-sector perspective on product quality, customer experience, and long-term brand stewardship.
Belmond has made it clear that it intends to keep refining its river product, particularly as demand for slow, hyper-local travel continues to grow. Brun’s familiarity with the region and his operational background position him to guide the fleet into the 2026 season, which is expected to emphasize deeper local engagement and a more expressive interpretation of French river life.
In a statement announcing his appointment, Brun said he is “delighted to return to Saint-Jean-de-Losne” and is committed to shaping a strong 2026 season. His arrival reinforces Belmond’s focus on leadership that understands place, pace, and the growing market appetite for experiential waterway travel.
