There are about 60 boutique hotel barges that cruise along the peaceful and beautiful canals and rivers of France. They vary in size, comfort level and price – and they can be found in all the most attractive regions of France. Some can be booked by cabin (room) others are chartered complete by groups and families. Whatever the details of any particular barge, they all come complete with captain and crew who look after navigation; and professional chef and hostess to care for guests.
People often say that they feel they have been treated ‘like royalty’ and this is a very unique experience. Here is just one example of what that fabulous luxury hotel barge cruise in France is like:
Hotel Barge Randle
Central France, Upper Burgundy: The Nivernais Canal
Randle’s two cruise options:
• The Auxerre to Clamecy Cruise
• The Morvan cruise, Lake Baye to Clamecy
Randle is an impressive vessel and with her wooden panelling and polished brass fitments has a suitably nautical feel to her – one of her two beautifully appointed en-suite cabins even has bunk beds in it. The light and airy communal spaces below deck place the accent firmly on comfort, while one of the most attractive features of the boat is the dining table situated in the wheelhouse which offers panoramic views of the waterway. On the exterior sundeck there are hardwood steamer table and chairs where you can watch the world drift by and skipper Tim Harrold and Cordon Bleu chef Gael Robertson are on hand to cater to you every need.
The Nivernais canal, constructed in the 18th century to bring timber from the countryside to Paris, links the Loire and the Seine basins and crosses the remote and beautiful heath land of the Morvan. One of the most characterful and unspoilt waterways in the whole country, it is often possible to buy local produce from some of the 110 locks along the way and many of them have exhibitions or beautifully planted gardens to ravish the eye. Treats include the Châteaux of Bazoches and Tanlay, complete with romantic moat. Vézelay is the starting point for one of the pilgrimage routes to Santiago di Compostella and still on a religious theme, Auxerre is a historic city of such astounding loveliness that it boasts not just an 11th century cathedral, but a 12th century abbey too, and is where the unforgettable canal finally joins the river Yonne.
Spend indolent mornings gliding along the green nave of the canal – you can sit on deck with a cooling drink in your hand and watch the countryside pass by, take a stroll along the towpath, or for the more adventurous you can cycle your way to the nearest achingly beautiful medieval village. After a mouth-watering lunch, most afternoons will offer diversion in the form of a visit to a local attraction – for example a trip to Chablis to learn about the world famous vineyards.
Delicious continental breakfasts are prepared for you every morning and Gael’s Cordon Bleu lunches will consist of delights such as baked trout on a bed of roasted fennel, new potatoes & chive salad with moutarde de Meaux, sauté radishes, and julienne glazed carrots, made using fresh locally sourced ingredients. Dining in the evening takes place ashore in carefully selected restaurants, enabling guests to fully experience the specialities of the region’s cuisine. If you are on a full board cruise Randle will cover the cost of your dinner, if you have chosen the half board option the expense will be down to you.
The Clamecy to Auxerre cruise will start with a champagne reception followed by a tour of Clamecy itself, an enchanting 16th century town whose narrow cobbled streets are a photographer’s dream. Stops along the way will include Lucy-sur-Yonne in order to see the UNESCO listed abbey at Vézelay; Mailly-le-Château to explore the Grottes d’Arcy-sur-Cure (an amazing illuminated cave with Palaeolithic cave paintings from 28,000 years ago); the pretty village market at Noyers-sur-Serein; Vincelles, for a guided tour to the famed wine villages of Irancy, Chitry and Chablis. Your final mooring will be at Auxerre, the regional capital which was visited by both Napoleon and Joan of Arc.
These lazy days on Randle, drifting through some of the most languidly beautiful landscapes and offset with just the right amount of cultural stimulation, will surely work their magic and leave you feeling renewed and replenished. The countryside, the culture and the cuisine really are the stuff of which dreams are made and when you surface at the end of a memorable week, you will probably find yourself wanting to dream again.
► Find out more about hotel barge Randle
► Make an enquiry to get a firm quotation for this or any other hotel barge for the time of year that interests you.
Burgundy North ~ Loire ~ Nivernais
This heartland of France offers sunny rolling vistas dotted with thousands of chateaux, famous vineyards, fields of sunflowers and picturesque villages. Well-served with waterways – both rivers and canals – you’ll be able to cruise by self-drive boat, hotel barge and riverboat through this wonderful countryside.
Just call us to make your dream cruise come true
+1 405 445 0350 | +61 3 9005 8569 | +44 7590 287 178
Our Unique Expertise – France, Cruising the Waterways and Hotel Barging
We have explored the rivers and canals of France on our own boat since 2003, logging up over 10,000km along most waterways, in most regions, at all times of year.
Independent, impartial and enthusiastic, we have personally visited and know every hotel barge, every owner-operator and fleet, published here.
