Life in the Slow Lane: A Barge Cruise in France

by Bobbie Leigh (RSS feed)
Jun 28th 2010 at 3:01PM

Medieval hilltop villages, biking along towpaths, wine tastings, historic chateaux, and great food ---these are just some of the pleasures that make plying the ancient waterways of France in your own floating boutique hotel so special. Frontiers International Travel represents some 25 barges, each with its own special charms and itineraries on seven-day cruises. From now through September, Frontiers is offering a 25% discount on the following three barges. If you are thinking about a family trip, even one that includes three generations, you will find that a barge cruise is ideal, especially because the crews are so friendly, obliging, and prepared in every way to make your cruise a success.

The eight-passenger Renaissance cruises in the Sancerre region in Western Burgundy. The trip begins in Paris where a van picks you up and takes you to your new home and the first of many Champagne welcomes. The pleasures mount up daily: visits to family run vineyards and the ancient Chateau-Landon, a town once captured by Julius Caesar in 53 BC, and a dinner in a Michelin-starred restaurant.

La Belle Epoque carries 13-passengers, two barge captains, and cruises in central-eastern France. This is a great choice for oenophiles, history buffs, and bikers especially around the Chablis region. Guests on this cruise have one lunch ashore at a special restaurant and there's always time for a café and croissant in a village near the canal.

The Impressioniste is another 13-passenger barge, but its itinerary on the Ouche River is probably the most exciting, Highlights are the fabulously interesting city of Dijon where you can still see half-timbered houses dating from the 12th-15th century in the historic city center. You will also have private wine tasting visits with local hosts and ample time to roam around searching for local crafts and antiques. Equally fascinating is Beaune, the capital of Burgundy wines which has ancient wineries and even older wine cellars.

One of the great pleasures of barge cruising is that they are so stress-free. Unlike many organized trips, you won't ever feel cocooned, You can take off on a bike with a picnic and meet your captain at the end of the day. Or you can plan some special outing to buy wine which your captain can arrange for you. What appeals to most travelers is that they can be as active or as laid back as they wish while enjoying all the pleasure of rural France and life in the slow lane. Details concerning Frontiers International Travel at www.frontierstravel.com.

Tags: barge, barge cruises, Barges, Beaune, Burgundy wines, Dijon, French river cruises, french travel, Frontiers International travel, Sancerre, travel france

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

tennissouthpaw Jun 29th 2010 6:11PM

And what does this lovely trip cost per person...without airfare, or with airfare?

john Kessler Jun 29th 2010 7:45PM

The site says for the 13 passenger vessel $40,000. I don't know how long is the cruise but probably a week.

pcintampa58 Jun 29th 2010 10:12PM

Why would any American want to book an expensive cruise through France? Once again this shows what short memories Americans have. Think back, France wouldn't allow the U.S. to fly over their air space when we were going to bomb Libia. How many times have they voted against American interests in the U.N.? They want to believe that they are still a world leader but they are nothing but a second rate country that would be speaking German if it had not been for the U.S. I say that all Americans should boycotte France and anything French.

Jeff Jun 30th 2010 12:08PM

pcintampa58, you are certainly entitled to your opinion. I am a proud US citizen, and I am also proud to say that I disagree with your point of view from start to finish. You urge people to "think back" - well, if that is the case, then I can name more than just a couple of reprehensible things that the US has done as well. Does this mean that I would turn my back on the US? It certainly does not.

I certainly hope that any non-US readers of Luxist undertand that your viiews do not represent the "American" point of view.