Imagine relaxing with family or friends, sipping on a beverage of your choice and savouring the gourmet delights

prepared by your private chef. You are enjoying the afternoon on the deck of your luxury, floating, accommodation as

Europe’s provincial landscape gently glides past. This is the essence of luxury hotel barging and is available for you to

enjoy.

France is where the idea of luxury barge cruises first started, due in no small part to the myriad of waterways which cross not only its scenic countryside, but also many of its historic towns and cities. And while a Burgundy barge cruise may not be one of the best-known holiday options for visitors to France, those who do discover hotel barging in Burgundy are sure not to be disappointed.

In fact, taking a Burgundy barge cruise down one of the region’s canals is a truly wonderful experience. The area boasts some of the world’s finest wines with around 60,000 acres of sunlit vines and arguably the prettiest canals in France. The waterways wind through the heart of the territory’s renowned vineyards, medieval towns, elegant châteaux, magnificent cathedrals, picturesque villages and wonderful local markets. En route, barging in Burgundy guarantees our clients a wealth of sightseeing opportunities. 

This is a region with a vast variety of cheeses, in all shapes, sizes and colours, strong in character or mild and fresh and all can be enjoyed with full-bodied red Burgundies, or perhaps with lighter white Chablis wines. The Burgundian gastronomic tradition is rich and diverse and a sedate Burgundy barge cruise along one of its delightful waterways will allow you to indulge along the way in good food and wine: two of life’s essential pleasures.

This 330-year-old waterway skirts the sun-drenched shores of the Mediterranean before meandering inland through ancient villages, Roman fortifications and famed vineyards. A UNESCO World Heritage site, this canal is defined by its beauty, lined with shady plane trees which often touch to form an arc of green above the water from bank to bank, and crossed by pretty arched bridges. The warm Mediterranean weather and relaxed pace of life is sure to lull you into unwinding as your luxury Canal du Midi barge meanders gently downstream.

This is the perfect place for cycling or walking along scenic tow paths, or simply watching the scenery pass by as you relax on the deck of your Canal du Midi barge with a cool drink. In the distance you can see the Pyrenees, whereas closer to hand are the vineyards that stretch for thousands of square miles. Enjoy private wine tastings at one of the various chateaux en route.

You will discover a marvellous blend of ancient Gallo-Roman and traditional influences reflected throughout this very historic region. Explore this further with your tour guide when you visit the medieval walled city of Carcassonne, the cathar stronghold of Minerve or the underground Roman market in Narbonne.

The “Canal des Deux Mers”, comprising of the Canal de Garonne and the Canal du Midi, links the Atlantic to the Mediterranean, passing through the region of L’Occitane – a veritable palette of colours and scents created by orchards and vineyards and fields of sunflowers.

On our cruise through Gascony along the Canal de Garonne, we visit medieval fortified ‘bastides’ such as Valence d’Agen, learn about and taste some of the region’s wonderful local produce and pass picturesque villages and quaint farms. This stretch of canal is quieter and less well known than the Canal du Midi further east but has more of a feeling of the real France, off the tourist track.

When it comes to river cruises, England is sometimes overlooked as a potential source of fabulous opportunities. The River Thames has a lot to offer, as guests who book a room on our luxury hotel barge will discover. When you experience English river cruises, the quaint, scenic countryside opens up before you.

For a magical barge cruise, Scotland is hard to surpass. We cruise sedately through the Great Glen between Inverness and Fort William, navigating beautiful lochs and the engineering masterpiece that is the Caledonian Canal. Ancient castles perched on the water’s edge, heather-clad hillsides and arguably the finest inland cruising in the world offer our clients unforgettable experiences on a handpicked barge cruise.

When it comes to river cruises, Ireland remains one of the most fascinating undiscovered locations in the world. Offering a mixture of folklore, quaint customs, friendly locals and the sort of lush green landscapes which earn the island its nickname of ‘The Emerald Isle’, Ireland river cruises are sure to satisfy even the most demanding enthusiasts!

These waterways were once the ancient trade routes used by the Romans and the early Mediterranean settlers before them, and cruises around Italy are perfect for gaining a real insight into the many cultures – including Roman, Etruscan, Istrian, Byzantine and of course Renaissance – which have influenced the arts, architecture and history of the region over many centuries.

Travelling with friends or family? 

Contact us to find out how you can charter a Floating Villa to enhance your holiday experience.

Relaxing on your exclusive and private Luxury Hotel Barge while cruising the magnificent canals of France may seem impossible, but it is much easier than you may think. And often it is actually less expensive per person than booking just a single cabin but so much more flexible.

Families or groups of friends can charter any of the Luxury Hotel Barges. You will have the whole vessel to yourselves and she becomes a home away from home – except that the crew takes care of all the hard work!

For families, each Luxury Hotel Barge will cruise the same route as on its usual Classic Cruise, but we can create a bespoke itinerary, substituting many of the normal excursions with your preferred family activities such as a zoo visit, archery or a Go-Karting experience.

And we don’t forget the grown-ups, with private wine tastings, tours of family-owned châteaux, and eclectic local markets there’s something for everyone.

An added benefit for a family charter is that there is no minimum age restriction so the whole family from babies to great-grandparents can have a unique shared experience. Oh, and separate meal times and menus can be arranged for the little ones to ensure a truly relaxed experience for everyone.

Groups of friends can also follow the usual Classic Route with all the fantastic included excursions or decide to choose a particular theme such as golfing, walking, cycling, wine appreciation, culinary or something more personalised.