BOATING GUIDE 2020 BOATING GUIDE 2020


Clockwise from above: A river cruise can be as sociable or as private as you like; navigate locks; sleep in comfort; cruise in luxury; make friends; keep active; dine well


CANALS & RIVERS Waking up to birdsong, sampling the freshest local produce and navigating locks – life in the barge lane is in equal parts simple and complex, serene and thrilling. And it is absolutely something you have to experience first-hand, whether you’re behind the wheel or kicking back on deck.


France has something in the region of 100 waterways, some natural rivers, others man-made canals. Arguably the most famous of them all is the Canal du Midi, a 240km stretch of water between Toulouse and the Mediterranean port of Sète. This extraordinary feat of 17th-century hydraulic engineering has UNESCO World Heritage status, and a voyage along its length lets you soak up centuries’ worth of history and oodles of breath-taking scenery.


130 ❘ FRANCE TODAY Feb/Mar 2020


Another popular route is the Loire, the longest river in France, which weaves its way through the heart of castle country. Setting out from the west coast, in the super-hip city of Nantes, tour boats pass iconic châteaux such as Angers, Chenonceau and Villandry, and offer a unique approach to sightseeing in this world-famous valley.


Not sure where to start? The high volume of boating and barging companies can certainly seem intimidating – which is where our definitive list of 2020 comes in. We’ve picked the cream of the crop, so all you have to do is book your holiday and float downstream.


Backwaters River-cruise fans thirsting for new adventures beyond the Rhine and Moselle should look


at Backwaters, which explores thousands of miles of lesser- known waterways. Following the River Somme and Canal de Saint-Quentin, touring Champagne between Château- Thierry and Reims, or cruising along the upper Seine or the Yonne, the slender Natalia can slip through narrower water corridors, yet has an 85m2 observation lounge from which to observe the moving gallery of riverbank wildlife. There’s also a complimentary bar service and lunch on arrival, consisting of delicious regional specialities. The big attraction for many, though, is the company’s refreshing eco-awareness. Hybrid engines generate enough power to last all day and there is minimal use of plastic, plus a strict recycling code, to ease your conscience as you enjoy


some of the greenest countryside France has to offer. www.backwaters.tours Tel. +44 (0)1303 862619 info@backwaters.tours


Barge Luciole


The hotel-barge Luciole has been deftly spiriting passengers away along the Nivernais Canal since 1976. A tranquil 174km band of water connecting the Yonne and Loire rivers, this picturesque waterway slices along the middle of beautiful Burgundy. The friendly crew are always on hand to deliver a memorable experience as you watch the shifting landscape from the comfort of the barge’s deck, which offers unrivalled views on a sunny day. Up to 12 guests can stay in the eight en-suite cabins, and not only can you expect to tuck into excellent gourmet


IMAGES © PALISSY, LES CANALOUS, SARAPHINA, JOLIE FRANCE, EUROPEAN WATERWAYS, BOATBIKE TOURS


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