We will use our unique
in-depth experience
to find you your
perfect barge cruise
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Summary
The Luciole makes everyone happy. With over 50 years cruising under her belt, Luciole knows exactly how to please, combining comfort, exceptional service and gastronomic delights during her cruise on the Nivernais canal in Burgundy. Her style is relaxed, her decor classically modern, her quality and comfort faultless.
Hotel Barge Luciole is highly flexible, providing classic cruising for cabin guests, and a great variety of themed cruising for charter parties, including the Adventure cruise, Bike and Barge, Wine Appreciation and the Girlfriend Getaway cruise. Relax in great company and savour innovative and imaginative French cuisine as you get to know this beautiful part of France.
Owner Penny Liley, a trained chef herself and experienced crew member, is now responsible for the overall running of the Luciole, a family business for over 40 years. With her calm hands-on approach she makes sure that her expert crew delivers the high-standards and luxury experience for which Luciole is renowned.
Key Features
Excellence class (4*)
Canal du Nivernais, west Burgundy region
Charter and cabin bookings, 6 nights, May to October
12 guests / 8 suites: double, twin and single bedded (no extra supplement)
Themed cruising for charters
Full board dining
Air-conditioning and heating throughout
Sun deck with dining table and seating
The Classic Cruise — Luciole
Classic Cruise Itinerary
| Route | Between Auxerre and Clamecy, Canal du Nivernais and river Yonne, Burgundy |
| Pick-up | Hotel Mansart, Paris 14:15 pm |
| Dining | All inclusive | 6 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 6 dinners on board. 1 lunch at local restaurant |
Classic Cruise Highlights
Explore Auxerre, the lively ancient capital of the region and Luciole’s home port
Excursion to Chablis town, its vineyards and delicious wine tasting
Visit to Vezelay, its important pilgrim’s way hilltop Basilica of Mary Magdelene and artisan shops
Guided tour of Château de Bazoches, home of the renowned Marquis de Vauban
Plenty of time to alight from the barge onto the towpath for walking and cycling
Themed Cruises
- Family adventure
Tree walking, Horse riding, Go karting, Rock-wall climbing, Kayakig - Bike and Barge Itinerary
Excellent bikes with 21 gears and helmets; electric bikes available; a professional bike guide and bus to transport bikes for guests who choose the ‘lite’ cycling option - Wine Week Cruise
The Yonne Valley close to the vineyards of Chablis and Auxerre, of Beaune in southern Burgundy, Sancerre and Pouilly vineyards in the Loire Valley - Girls Getaway Charter
Auxerre fashion shops and cafes; Vézelay antiques, clothes and craft shops; Wine tasting tour to Chablis; Spa of Le Prieure for a massage; Colour consultant from Paris; French flower garden in Fontenille - Walking Cruise
Walk into the hills, villages and vineyards with your guide along the daily walking routes; Luciole follows, your luxury base for relaxation each evening;
Please enquire.
Day 1 — Sunday
Arrival at Auxerre
You’ll be collected from the Mansart Hotel and chauffeured by private air-conditioned mini-bus to Luciole, moored at Auxerre. Meet the crew over a champagne reception and settle in before the first delicious dinner on board and a stroll along the quayside.
Day 2 — Monday
Cruise to Vincelles | Excursion to Chablis and wine tasting
Cruise up-stream on the Yonne river through verdant countryside, passing the ‘Caves de Bailly’, a vineyard famed for its sparkling Crémant de Bourgogne, and the vineyards of St Bris and Irancy close by. Moor up at Vincelles for lunch on board and then take an excursion to the famous Chablis vineyards for a fabulous wine-tasting.
Day 3 — Tuesday
Cruise to Accolay | Excursion to Auxerre
A gentle cruise this morning towards Vermenton and moor at the village of Accolay. Lunch on board and then an excursion and guided tour to the important city of Auxerre. Originally a Roman camp, it is now a bustling city with two cathedrals, shops, cafes and a super chance to sample French provincial life during the afternoon.
Day 4 — Wednesday
Cruise to Mailly-le-Château | Excursion to Noyers-sur-Serein | Lunch in local restaurant
The morning’s excursion is to Noyers-sur-Serein, considered one of the most beautiful villages in France, with market stalls, half timbered houses and turreted ramparts of a castle under restoration. Take lunch in an excellent local restaurant and enjoy the authentic atmosphere of dining in the French tradition. Then, an afternoon cruise to moor beneath the walls of Mailly-le-Château.
Day 5 — Thursday
Cruise to Lucy-sur-Yonne | Excursion to Vézelay
Excursion to the historic hilltop town of Vézelay, its spectacular 11th Century Basilica and its numerous shops and cafes that line the street to the summit. Lunch on board and then cruise to the mooring at Lucy-sur-Yonne, passing through dramatic cliffs of the Rochers du Parc and Les Saussois, regularly used by climbers from all over the world. See the video.
Day 6 — Friday
Cruise to Clamecy | Excursion to Château Bazoches
Cruise to the lively medieval town of Clamecy, with its historic 12th century church of St Martin and the church of Our Lady of Bethlehem. Lunch on board and then an excursion to Château Bazoches, the 17th century home of the Marquis de Vauban (1633-1707), the famed military tactician and engineer.
Day 7 — Saturday
Departure from Clamecy
After breakfast, chauffeured transfer to Place Vendôme, central Paris, where taxis are available for onward travel. Anticipated arrival at 13:00.
Please note: This is a sample itinerary and subject to change; on alternate weeks it runs in the reverse direction
“We arrived home just last night, after our wonderful barge trip followed by a few days in Brittany (Auray) with friends. The barge trip was a delight. A most compatible group, excellent weather, superb food and drink. If I must choose, I would say that Penny and her crew were the constant highlights – we wanted to stay on board and go back the other way!”
DB, USA October 2022
“When I left Australia, I knew I would be celebrating my March birthday with a belated event in France. Well, last week was it. I went on a Hotel Barge holiday, cruising through the heart of Burgundy. It was wonderful! To sum it up. You hear the phrase ‘a dream holiday’. Well, I reckon this was it for me.”
Rodney B, NSW
Accommodations and Facilities
- Dimensions: 114ft (34m) x 17ft (5m)
- Cabins: 3 queen-size double cabins, 3 twin-bedded cabins, 2 single cabins, all with ensuite bathrooms. However, 12 guests only.
- Doubles and twins approx 110 sq ft, singles 70 sq ft
- Hair-dryers and Molton Brown toiletries
- Individually controlled air conditioning and heating throughout
Other items on board
- Professional English-speaking crew of 6 – captain, tour guide, deckhand, chef, two hostesses
- Sundeck with partial shade, dining area and seating
- A small library of books, maps and board games
- Music system with CDs
- TV and DVD player and DVDs
- WIFI (limited availabilty in places)
- Comfy bicycle for each guest, including 4 electric bikes
- Air conditioned executive minibus
Facilities At A Glance
Fine Wines — Fine Dining
Wake up to fresh croissants and pastries from local bakeries. The culinary delights continue through lunch, with savoury dishes and a feast of salads. Luciole’s chef is innovative and imaginative, marrying French cuisine with a contemporary twist whilst using fresh locally grown ingredients. Each evening the memorable four-course meal provides the climax to the day.
Throughout the week you will be introduced to a variety of twenty-three delicious French cheeses, from creamy Camembert to the famous blue Roquefort. Tea and coffee is available throughout the day and an ‘open bar’. Special diets are easily catered for aboard the Luciole.
Naturally, French wines from far and near are served with every meal. Local vineyards are well represented with Chablis and the Yonne Valley on the doorstep . Wines from the Cote d’Or and Loire Valley are also on the list, together with selections from further afield: Bordeaux and the Alsace region.
Burgundy wines have their own distinctive character. Generally, Pinot Noir grapes are harvested for the red wines along with Gamay and César. For the whites it is Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Aligoté. The ‘terroir’ of the Burgundy is particularly fascinating and unique; stony vineyards, cold winters and warm summers contribute to the complex and varying flavours of each vintage, highly regarded by the wine enthusiast.
The appreciation of Burgundy wines, as the week progresses, is a rewarding journey. However, Luciole also serves the full bodied Cabernet Sauvignon wines from the hotter climes of the southerly vineyards of the Rhone Valley and Bordeaux.
Photo Gallery
Hotel barge Luciole cruises along the Nivernais in Burgundy
– [below] In the region: Villeneuve sur Yonne, Ancy-le-Franc, Fontenay, Chablis, Tanlay, Vezelay, Noyers-sur-Serein –
Ancy ©Thierry Gromik | Vezelay ©Adrian Fletcher | Others ©FW, wikimedia, n/a
Classic cruise rates and dates
All rates and prices will be confirmed at time of booking. Special Offers are available from time to time – contact us
What’s included
6 nights accommodation
Return transfers from the pick-up at Hotel Mansart, Paris
All meals and drinks on board
Excursion fees and associated transport
What’s not included
Travel to the meeting point
Travel, medical and cancellation insurance
Crew gratuities (5-10%)
Personal expenses
2024
Charter and Cabin bookings
Sunday to Saturday
Rates and dates
Value rate weeks*
21, 28 April
4, 11, 18 August
6, 13, 20 October
10 guest charter: 60,500 USD
12 guest charter: 67,000 USD
Themed charter supplement: 2,000 USD
Per cabin bookings
Double cabin: 5,750 USD per person
Single cabin: 5,750 USD per person – no single supplement
Regular rate weeks*
May 5, 12, 19, 26
June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
July 7, 14, 21, 28
Aug 25
September 1, 8, 15, 22
10 guest charter: 69,000 USD
12 guest charter: 75,000 USD
Note: no 10 guest price for 25 Aug – 5 October
Themed charter supplement: 2,000 USD
Per cabin bookings
Double cabin: 6,700 USD per person
Single cabin: 6,700 USD per person – no single supplement
*Alternative currencies available on request.
2025
Charter and Cabin bookings
Sunday to Saturday
Rates and dates
Value rate weeks*
20, 27 April
3, 10, 17 August
5, 12, 19 October
10 guest charter: 60,500 USD
12 guest charter: 67,000 USD
Themed charter supplement: 2,000 USD
Per cabin bookings
Double cabin: 5,750 USD per person
Single cabin: 5,750 USD per person – no single supplement
Regular rate weeks*
May 4, 11, 18, 25
June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
July 6, 13, 20, 27
Aug 24, 31
September 7, 14, 21
10 guest charter: 69,000 USD
12 guest charter: 75,000 USD
Note: no 10 guest price for 25 Aug – 5 October
Themed charter supplement: 2,000 USD
Per cabin bookings
Double cabin: 6,700 USD per person
Single cabin: 6,700 USD per person – no single supplement
*Alternative currencies available on request.
Hotel Barge Enquiry
Booking a luxury barge vacation isn’t the kind of thing one does with just a mouse-click or two. It takes a little research, thought and understanding, and we hope that our pages have provided you with all the information and inspiration you need to take this next step.
Why should you book with us? Because…
We’ve explored the waterways of France on our own boat since 2003 and know each of the barges and their routes.
We’re independent, impartial and enthusiastic – and we are the only France cruising specialist that can offer you the benefits of our own in-depth cruising knowledge and experience.
We love France, we love the rivers and canals of France, we love hotel barging – and we love talking about all three!
There’s nothing like speaking to a friendly expert to help you see the wood for the trees and to make the best possible decision about the vacation cruise of a lifetime. Get in touch – we’re here to help.
We will use our unique
in-depth experience
to find you your
perfect barge cruise
