Budget self-drive boats provide all the basics and you can have a highly enjoyable river cruise holiday in France, at rates that offer great value for money. This collection of week-long barge cruises in France combine the charm of leisurely day cruising along the sleepy French waterways, with a relaxing stay in a carefully-selected hotel. Hearing the story last year of the Spirit of Scotland’s epic re-positioning voyage from the European continent across the North Sea during an aggressive storm, only strengthened this resolve. 27 hours of cruising. And with a crew to passenger ratio of one to three or four, you’re sure to receive attentive service. Lowest Prices Guarantee. With only 6 to 12 passengers, the hotel barges offer full service and gourmet catering on a choice of cruises including Burgundy wine routes and the Midi. The Canal du Midi offers a wonderful journey through the sun-drenched vineyards and pretty villages of the Languedoc – France’s most prolific wine producing region. Discover more about our inspiring hotel barge options Up to 20% discounts for private charter or book by cabin luxury cruises, Save 5% to 50% per week on boats and destinations throughout France, Up to 20% off high-quality fleet cruises on the major rivers of France. Comprehensive detailed navigational information, km by km, Sete west to Toulouse. Boats in this category tend to be less-recent models, offering a good standard of interior décor and equipment but without the bells and whistles of newer models. Explore by boat, barge or ship – what are the differences? On board you’ll find smart and comfortable interior decoration, including lounge and bar seating areas, with an integral or separate dining room. What is it that excites and satisfies? We’re standing ready to match your preferences and we’ll tell you about the best time of year, too. The barges are elegant and supremely comfortable, large and stable so you’ll experience the smoothest of relaxing week-long vacations in high style. 80+ waterways – Key facts, km by km details, maps, navigation guides and PDF downloads. Penichette Barge Holiday Cruising Routes in Holland. Cabins are all smartly finished with good quality bed linen and all enjoy en-suite bathrooms, although sizes do vary. Cruise Rates - 2021. Combine the exclusive comforts of a boutique hotel with a tranquil inland cruise past lush vineyards and historic towns and villages and you’ll have one of the world’s most privileged and memorable pleasures – a luxury barge vacation in France. Barge holidays and Europa boat holidays from Argens and Negra bases in the Midi From Toulouse, the Canal du Midi takes you through one of France's most fascinating regions to … More about French hotel boat holidays Based on over fifteen years of unique experience, insider knowledge and acute sensitivity, we select only the best and we’ll help you find the one that’s just right for you – at no extra cost. Discover the ‘garden and heart of France’ where French nobility chose to build their sumptuous châteaux. This being France, your dining experience on board will be one of the highlights of your trip. Barge cruising along the canals is quiet, slow and peaceful. It is not connected with VNF Voies Navigables de France, the national waterways management authority. Hotel Barge Holidays We offer luxury 6-12 berth crewed hotel barges in the most scenic areas of France, England, Scotland and Ireland, plus narrowboat hotel cruises on the canals of England and Wales. Hotel Barge Information hereis outline guidance only, based on details that hotel barges provide. Barge holidays is a unique way to visit France in a France river cruise. Families of all generations, with activities to satisfy each age group from the youngsters to the oldsters. It’s an exclusive top-quality experience and many barges are booked months or years in advance. Hotel barges vary uniquely in their style and character, each having their own personality. 26 locks. Most boats have an additional steering position on deck so you can all be together while cruising. Our collection of boating holidays in France is one of the biggest on offer – with 20 Nicols bases in 12 different regions. Some cruises offer all-inclusive drinks, while on others, in order to keep fares down, they are extra. Does anyone have any suggestions of rental companies, picturesque regions etc. Call us to discuss quality options and check out availability and pricing. If there is no bar of expense then you can book a luxury France river cruise for barge vacation in France. Besides cruising through the tranquil waterways, past pretty villages and towns, guests also enjoy private visits and exclusive excursions in air-conditioned comfort each day. Premier and Smart class hotel barges offer excellent levels of service and comfort, the difference with their more expensive counterparts usually being cabin size and the number of cabins and passengers. Watch it live! It is a country renowned for fine food and wine, spectacular scenery and wonderful culture, all of which can be experienced on a barge holiday. Although the more moderately priced ships focus on providing great value for money, their cruises do still offer great levels of comfort and service. The highly trained on board chefs create a delicious array of French regional and international dishes, made with superb local ingredients, from freshly baked bread and pastries for breakfast to multi-course lunches and dinners. to find you your Written by The Good Life France on May 8, 2019 in Active Holidays, Cruise holidays, Holidays & Things to do If the idea of a sailing holiday in France floats your boat and you thought it might be too expensive or only for couples and groups – think again. where to cruise Mirage on canal du midi. These typical working barges on the canals and rivers of France have been converted to luxury small floating hotels. Bicycle Tours French Barge Cruises in France aboard the stunningly informal Hotel Barge Nilaya. Amongst the fifty hotel barges that we are proud to represent there is a rich variety of size, style, comfort and price point. The famous Canal du Midi winds past Carcassonne’s ancient citadel on its historic journey to the Mediterranean. A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the Transporter-1 rideshare mission with dozens of satellites from Cape Canaveral on Friday, Jan. 22, at 9:24 a.m. EST (1424 GMT). Very few are large enough to include a bath. {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"FAQPage","mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","name":"What is luxury hotel barging? Find your ideal Canal, Norfolk Broads or River Thames boating holiday from our boat availability search of over 1,800 narrowboats, cruisers & sailing yachts from 60 leading boat hire operators across the UK and a choice of over 80 boat hire start locations throughout the waterways of England, Scotland and Wales. MENU. Your on board chef will use fresh, local ingredients to create delicious multi-course dinners and lunches, accompanied by selected wines. Whether you’re a first-timer or a frequent visitor to France, our carefully curated selection of fifty barges covers the length and breadth of France. This places the country third in Europe behind France (8500km) and Germany (7300km), however when you compare the sizes of the three countries Holland’s network is huge in proportion and explains why it’s nickname is ‘the country of canals’! With two barge cruises in France under our belt, we were keen to head a little further afield this time. They cruise through different regions of France, on different canals and rivers, to bring you to fabulous destinations. Book with Cheap Canal Boat Hire and save £££s . Tailor-make your own cheap holidays to Barge for 2021/2022 with Travel Republic. 1 luxury Le Boat houseboat. Luxury barges sail throughout the wonderfully diverse rivers and canals of France – they are found on all the best, most scenic routes. More active pursuits, like horse-riding, kayaking and golfing are also possible on some cruises – contact us for details. Go Your Own Way – Cruise the canals driving your own hire boat, Sit Back and Relax – captain and crew will treat you like royalty, Watch France Glide Past – close-up, from the comfort of your cabin. Our 15+ years of knowledge of barging and the waterways of France is unrivalled and widely recognised. hotel barge holidays in france. Barge Holidays France France is a destination we have specialised in since 1974 and our luxury holidays visit some of the country’s most beautiful waterways. Canal cruising in France a division of france at your fingertips - paris provence Most especially, they are found in the famous wine regions of Burgundy, Loire, Alsace, Bordeaux - and Languedoc, where they cruise along the historic Canal du Midi. For canal narrowboat barge holidays in the UK go to our Canal Holidays website. These are all regions and waterways that the French Waterways team know intimately, from first-hand experience. "}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Where in France can I cruise on a hotel barge? in-depth experience France has more than 4,100 miles (6,600 km) of navigable inland waterways. ","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"A luxury barge cruise is simply not the kind of vacation that is chosen just on price nor booked with a mouse-click. 3 Star ‘Premier’ hotel barges offer perfect comfort and great value. We talk to clients throughout the world daily, especially in America and Australia. We know every part of France, almost every river and canal, because we cruise them ourselves on our own boat. CIRCULAR. The 8-guests Savoir Vivre (above) uniquely offers luxury cruising along the pretty Ouche Valley in Burgundy, with delicious off-board local restaurant dining every evening. ","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Luxury barges sail throughout the wonderfully diverse rivers and canals of France – they are found on all the best, most scenic routes. welcome aboard. french-waterways.com (founded 2003) is independent and impartial. ","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Hotel barging in France is a very special travel experience. Burgundy, immersed in history and culture, is considered to be the wine and gastronomy centre of France. We know how to help you realise your dreams and we also know to match the perfect barge, the perfect cruise, to your particular situation. hotel barge holidays in france. "}}]}. More active pursuits, like horse-riding, kayaking and golfing are also possible on some cruises – contact us for details. The 8-guests Grand Cru (above) features the ‘best of Burgundy’s best’, with fine wines, gourmet cuisine and private châteaux visits. Pour une présentation en francais, cliquez ici. For crewed luxury hotel barges in France, England, Ireland and Holland go to our Hotel Barges website . A few barges can be booked by cabin, like a hotel, but all are available as a whole-boat private charter. The barges are elegant and supremely comfortable, large and stable so you’ll experience the smoothest of relaxing week-long vacations in high style. Hotel Boat Holidays in France. We’re English but since 2003 have spent most of our time living in France, returning to Oxford for the winter months. We work closely with our select group of hotel barges and their owners who entrust us to represent them. That’s what holidays are for! Many of the larger barges operating on a per cabin or charter basis enjoy economies of scale that are passed on to the customer. It is necessarily approximate and is not contractual. Wines and cuisine are of the highest quality. Your cruise might also carry a small fleet of bicycles for you to explore each destination at your own pace. Simply relax in total comfort on deck, in the sunshine, looked after by the hostess, as the French countryside glides quietly by, passing pretty villages and historic towns. On board you’ll find all the basics to ensure a great holiday, including a saloon with sofa (often making up a further bed) and dining area with panoramic views through large windows, as well as a galley equipped with a hob, oven and fridge. Canal Cruising in France offers you two options: Great value and fun cruise aboard your own self-drive canal boats or a selection of luxury crewed hotel barges. Between them they can take you to those most beautiful places not easily reached by other means – the hidden France. Single travellers and couples book cabins and meet like-minded, interesting fellow guests. Go Your Own Way – Cruise the canals driving your own hire boat, Sit Back and Relax – captain and crew will treat you like royalty, Watch France Glide Past – close-up, from the comfort of your cabin. At 4 miles per hour a canal narrow boat holiday is often described as 'the fastest way to slow down'. Also included is a programme of excursions to keep you occupied, should you wish to be, and the use of bicycles to explore your surroundings. Explore this website for canal and river barge holidays in France, Ireland, Holland, Germany and Italy. Our Unique Expertise – France, Cruising the Waterways and Hotel Barging Most especially, they are found in the famous wine regions of Burgundy, Loire, Alsace, Bordeaux – and Languedoc, where they cruise along the historic Canal du Midi. Please note that the canal from Gouda to Utrecht is open between 16 April and 15 October. Besides cruising through the tranquil waterways, past pretty villages and towns, guests also enjoy private visits and exclusive excursions in air-conditioned comfort each day. An enquiry response will be accurate and fully up-to-date. We offer informal barge cruises in Champagne, Burgundy, Alsace, Lorraine, Franche Comte, the Ardennes and Loire aboard a 4 passenger hotel barge built in 1922 Personal interests like wine appreciation or WW2 history can be incorporated into bespoke itineraries. My Guide to A Self-Driving Barging Holiday in France on November 9, 2017 March 20, 2020 France 4 women. See also: How to Pack for Boating Holidays and your Holiday Reading List. Up top there’s plenty of space to relax and unwind on the sun deck and perhaps take a dip in a spa pool or Jacuzzi and, of course, there’s room to dine al fresco, enjoying leisurely lunches, dinners and drinks. Your barge holidays in France will be aboard a newly commissioned barge, designed specifically for a morning of cruising. Most include at least one excursion per stop with optional experiences and gourmet tours or tastings available at an additional charge. Independent, impartial and enthusiastic, we have personally visited and know every hotel barge, every owner-operator and fleet, published here. Call (US/Canada): 1-877-642-2743 Outside US: +1-443-321-3614 Depending on the size of the boat, the main cabin may have an en-suite bathroom, while additional cabins will usually share facilities. Bike and Barge: the Seine Destinations Paris, Fontainebleau, Moret-sur-Loing, Nemours, Montargis Age Range 10 to 95 year olds Country Region Ile de France, Northern France +1 more Travel Style Bicycle, Group, Partially Guided +1 more Operator ExperiencePlus! It’s an exclusive top-quality experience and many barges are booked months or years in advance. Great deals on canal boat holidays. 168 km, 14 locks, 48 Lifting Bridges, 5 h 30 / day. A canal holiday lets you experience the locks to go up or down hill and travel through exciting tunnels. The choice is yours! Choose your holiday month and year Holidays starting in: January 2021 February 2021 March 2021 April 2021 May 2021 June 2021 July 2021 August 2021 September 2021 October 2021 November 2021 December 2021 January 2022 February 2022 March 2022 April 2022 May 2022 June 2022 July 2022 August 2022 September 2022 October 2022 November 2022 book a cabin or charter a boat. There are river cruises to suit all budgets and, with a large choice of ships and routes, that is especially true of river cruises in France. Embark one of our 6 luxury barges for a cruise on France’s Canals in 2021. perfect barge cruise. France canal holidays are the perfect way to discover the hidden treasures of the waterways. As you might expect, a luxury barge cruise is simply not the kind of vacation that is chosen just on price nor booked with a mouse-click. Barge holidays, France La Belle Époque, a state of the art luxury hotel barge, has accommodation for 12 passengers and cruises the idyllic waterways of the Burgundy Canal View Accommodation. You will also enjoy fabulous gourmet cuisine accompanied by grand cru wines. All budget river cruises offer all-inclusive meals and for many it is the star of the show. or simply call us – we know every nook and cranny! Cabins are well appointed and usually a good size, most with balconies and all with en-suite bathrooms. Barge Cruises By Price USD$3,500 - $4,500 USD$4,500 - $6,000 USD$6,000 and Above. 7 days. Hotel barging in France is a very special travel experience. welcome aboard relax on Savannah. Essential navigation guides, maps and books from publishers Breil, Fluviacarte and Imray. 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. https://www.french-waterways.com/inspiration/budget-cruising Explore by boat, barge or ship – what are the differences? Canal Barge Cruises in France and on European waterways Listed by Price Per Person For Individual Cabin Bookings. Up on deck you’ll find a sun deck and loungers for watching the picturesque French scenery sail by. Hotel barging is a growing part of river cruising in France although still a relatively unknown one. We understand that there’s a lot of research that goes into getting a cheap canal boat holiday which is why we’ve put together this deals page to present you with our latest offers. 4 Star ‘Excellence’ barges are a very high standard. No river cruise would be complete without a programme of shore excursions. "}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What can I do on a hotel barge cruise? If you’re looking for a boating holiday in France whilst working to a budget, then a self-drive boating holiday could well be for you. Up on deck, there’ll be room to relax and sunbathe while watching the world go by, plus a table and seating so you can enjoy leisurely lunches and dinners al fresco. Knowledge and Expertise Our guidance is uniquely based on exploring the waterways throughout France and on our in-depth knowledge of hotel barges, barge fleets and owner-operators. What is it that brings you pleasure? And while they are mostly known for their luxury and exclusivity, there are more and more options available at a relatively price conscious end of the scale. 80+ waterways – Key facts, km by km details, maps, navigation guides and PDF downloads. On board you will find smart, comfortable interiors with plenty of space to relax in lounge areas, bars and restaurants. The slow pace means that strolling or cycling alongside, on the canal tow-path, is a popular, gentle activity. The Barges operate from April to October on a variety of routes through Languedoc-Roussillon, Burgundy, Provence, Franche-Comté and … And here’s why.... Cheap Canal Boat Hire are able to offer substantially better deals than you will be able to obtain direct from a narrowboat hire operator due to our high booking volumes. The cruises are fully inclusive of captain and crew, a professional master chef and attentive English-speaking cabin staff. french-waterways.com is the most comprehensive and authoritative online source of inspiration and information about enjoying the rivers and canals of France – on the water or by the water. Answer 1 of 6: My parents are thinking of a barge holiday in France in September but have no idea where to start looking. This itinerary offers a unique way to see France’s spectacularly beautiful countryside. Before my family and I booked our barge adventure in France last summer, I had only heard about one kind of barge trip--expensive, luxurious, and not for kids. France is also drenched in fascinating history, architectural heritage and civilisation. We know each one and the particular locality it cruises through. 133km. With frequent, close contact we know each barge intimately, their service and style, pricing and availability. Some barges offer cruising during the day with a stay in a 3 star hotel for the night, rather than on board, which makes the cruise more economical. The tow-path alongside is perfect for walking, and a cycle (pedal powered or electric) gets you into the surrounding countryside and the pretty villages. The cruises are fully inclusive of captain and crew, a professional master chef and attentive English-speaking cabin staff. 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