If you fancy something a little different and more intimate in the way of river cruising, then CroisiEurope’s French barge cruises may well be the answer.
Its fleet of six charming hotel barges feature just 11 en-suite cabins, with six crew members providing a personalised service, operating a variety of seven-day cruses including for the first time in 2023, a gentle meander from Paris to Sens .
The programme also includes itineraries on Alsace, Burgundy, Provence, Ile de France and Champagne as well as on the Upper Loire.
John Fair, CroisiEurope’s UK Sales Director, comments: “Our French hotel barge itineraries are incredibly popular with couples as well as with families and groups of friends looking for a relaxed and intimate journey through some of the most beautiful and interesting parts of France.”
The new seven-day Paris, Medieval France & The Romance of Fontainebleau cruise on MS Deborah, pictured, takes guests to quaint ports of call featuring historical cities, splendid gardens and excellent local cuisine.
- Operating between Paris and Sens, the cruise visits Evry, Melun, Moret-Sur-Loing and Montereau-Fault-Yonne with highlights including:
- Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte, a 17th-century masterpiece built by Louis le Vau for Nicolas Fouquet, Louis XIV’s Superintendent des Finances. Situated in the village of Maincy, the Château is remarkably well-preserved and houses an exceptional collection of furniture, tapestries and works of art.
- The village of Barbizon which nestles on the edge of Fontainebleau forest and owes its fame to the 19th-century landscape painters Théodore Rousseau, Jean-Baptiste Corot, Charles-Francois Daubigny and Jean-François Millet who lived there.
- The Palace of Fontainebleau, a masterpiece of French architecture and art which was a royal hunting lodge in the Middle Ages, King Francis I’s residence in the 16th century and Napoleon Bonaparte’s favourite place to stay in the early 19th century.
- Medieval Provins whose architecture includes high ramparts with fortified gates and the stone Tithe Barn which was used as a market when Provins was a medieval trading hub and host of a major annual trade fair.
- The city of Sens with its famous cathedral and covered marketplace.
There are six departures in 2023 on 19 April, 17 May, 14 June, 12 July, 9 August and 4 October with prices from £2,110 per person for the seven-day cruise on MS Deborah.
Book any 2023 hotel barge itinerary by 28 February 2022 and enjoy a 15% discount, between 1 and 31 March for a 10% discount and between 1st and 30 April for a 5% discount.
Other 2023 hotel barge itineraries include:
The Marne Canal between Paris and Epernay calling in Lagny-sur Marne, Isles-les-Meldeuses, Sain-Jean-les-Desux-Jumeaux, Chateau Thierry and Dormans. The cruise on MS Deborah costs from £2,110 per person.
The Marne-Rhine Canal between Strasbourg and Lagarde calling in Waltenheim, Saverne, Lutzelbourg and Xouaxange. The cruise takes place on MS Madeleine costs from £2,011 per person.
The Loire Canal between Nevers and Briare calling in Marseilles-les-Aubigny, Herry, Menetreol-Sous-Sancerre and Lere. The cruise on MS Raymonde, above, costs from £2,225 per person.
The Burgundy & Petite Saône Canal from Dijon to Port-sur-Saône calling in Longecourt-en-Plaine, Auxonne, Gray and Ray-sur-Saône. The cruise on MS Jeanine costs from £2,011 per person.
Along the Burgundy, Saône and Centre Canal between Dijon and Saint-Leger-sur-Dheune calling in Longecourt-en-Plaine, Saint-Jean-de-Losne, Chalon-sur-Saône, Chagny and Santenay. The cruise on MS Jeanine costs from £1,986 per person.
Burgundy and the Doubs valley. The cruise starts in Dijon and calls in Petit Ouges, Saint-Jean-de-Losne, Dole and Ranchot before finishing in Besancon. The cruise on MS Jeanine costs from £2,007 per person.
A seven-day cruise on the Rhone Canal between Arles and Sète calling in Gallician, Aigues-Mortes and Palavas-les-Flots. The cruise on MS Anne-Marie costs from £2,092 per person.