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 Hirondelle
Hirondelle’s two cruise routes:
• St Leger sur Dheune to Dole, Canal du Centre, river Saône and Canal Rhône a Rhin
• Dole to Gissey sur Ouche, Canal Rhône a Rhin, river Saône and Canal de Bourgogne
The Belmond group, its reputation for luxury garnered by such fabulous hotels as the Cipriani in Venice, are the proud owners of Hirondelle, a hotel barge which sets the standard for high class cruising along the unforgettable waterways of Central France. Below decks are four beautiful state rooms of up to 138 square feet each, their bathrooms equipped with I’Occitane toiletries. The lounge and dining area is panelled in pretty pale wood and the décor is fresh and summery – think elegant country house gingham. The sun deck, complete with outdoor dining area, affords a panoramic view of the beautiful countryside and the crew of five are on hand to attend to your every need.
Wide, sleepy and unhurried, the Saône wends its way from the mountains of the Vosges to the Rhône, linking up with the Burgundy Canal, the River Doubs and the Rhône au Rhine Canal and passing through delightful countryside replete with wildlife – herons, kites and the pale Charolais cattle that come down to the waterside to drink. The region is famous for its production of both Beaujolais and Burgundy wines and Beaune is a major centre for viticulture. The town’s ancient hospital with its dazzling glazed tiled roof is an unmissable attraction, while if something more off the beaten track is your thing, Verdun sur le Doubs is known for the delicious stew made from locally caught river fish – Pochouse.
The days are as unhurried as life on the canal itself and a typical one may consist of lounging on deck all morning sipping the occasional cool drink and watching the world go by, or strolling down the dappled towpath, or perhaps hopping on a bicycle and riding along lanes flanked by vineyards or fields of sunflowers. In the afternoons you might be lured away by a trip to a local attraction – perhaps a walking tour of historic Dole, birthplace of Louis Pasteur.
World famous cuisine is an attraction of any holiday in France and the Hirondelle’s chef draws on this fantastic culinary heritage to produce four course candlelit dinners each evening, as well as sumptuous buffet lunches and breakfasts. He prides himself on using only the freshest of locally sourced ingredients. Special dietary needs can be catered for if you give at least eight weeks’ notice before your departure date.
Sipping champagne on a sunny evening in the heart of rural France is the perfect way to begin your week on Hirondelle. After a gourmet dinner and a sound night’s sleep, the cruise begins in earnest as you glide along the beautiful Canal de Centre, stopping for a fascinating excursion to a family owned vineyard at Château de Chamirey. The next day consists of a morning’s voyage to Fragnes, then an afternoon visit to Château de Germolles, the last surviving residence of the Dukes of Burgundy, then the regional capital of Chalon-sur-Saône, where you can explore the pretty narrow streets and soak up the atmosphere in a pavement café. Day Four begins with an excursion to Beaune to see the exquisite 15th century charity hospital, the Hôtel Dieu, which still cares for the elderly today, while the evening’s mooring is in a beautiful spot at Verdun-sur-Doubs where you can dine at a Michelin rated restaurant. Your next port of call is St Jean de Losne, the barging capital of France and the highlight of the afternoon is a tour of the Clos de Vougeot, a medieval château and headquarters of the Chevaliers du Tastevin society. Leaving the sleepy Saône for the Canal de Rhône a Rhin you reach your final mooring at Dole, a charming town that was the birthplace of Louis Pasteur and provides a fitting backdrop for the Captain’s Farewell Gala Dinner, which rounds off your holiday to perfection.
These lazy days on Hirondelle, 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 Hirondelle
► Make an enquiry to get a firm quotation for this or any other hotel barge for the time of year that interests you.
Burgundy South ~ Saône
Famous for its red and white wines and its Grand Cru route through the vineyards, the region bursts with culinary prowess too. The Dukes of Burgundy left an historic legacy, including medieval Beaune, the modern city of Dijon and one of the most popular waterway routes from Paris, the Canal de Bourgogne, which meanders through the Côtes d’Or and into the peaceful Saône river southwards.
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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.
