2023 BOATING GUIDE


comfort, tranquillity and privacy whilst boasting a spacious and light


environment with modern hotel facilities”. There are three en-suite guest rooms, a saloon, a bar, a dining area, a sun terrace and the services of a private chef. Cruises last seven days, with collections possible from Paris, Geneva or Lyon. Plus there are discounts available for France Today readers. www.hotelbargeelisabeth.com


French Canal Boat Company


Offering cruises in Burgundy, Champagne, the Camargue, Provence and the Loire Valley, this operator has two boats available for hire. Newly remodelled, Le Papillon carries a maximum of four guests with four crew aboard. Their classic barge, the Nymphea, carries a maximum of six guests with three crew. Prices start at £16,000 for a full charter for two passengers over six nights. All meals are prepared by the on-board chef and there’s an open bar. frenchcanalboatcompany.com


Boat Bike Tours This Netherlands-based company, with tours in the Paris, Champagne, Metz, Burgundy and Camargue regions, combines the best of boats with the best of bikes. Essentially, it offers cycling holidays with accommodation on board the boat. Tours last between five and 15 days,


Built in Nancy in 1930, Barge Tango cruises through Bordeaux’s famous wine country


with both traditional and e-bikes available for rental. On board are “well-equipped cabins with private bathrooms, good food (breakfast, a take-out lunch, and a three-course dinner), a well-stocked bar and a wonderful crew”. boatbiketours.com


Grand Victoria Cruises Originally built in 1994 as a private yacht for Belgian aristocrats the De Kuyper family, the 39m Grand Victoria is perfectly suited to the canals, rivers and waterways of southern Burgundy where it now operates. There are three


luxurious state-rooms on board, with en-suite bathrooms, 42in TVs and air-conditioning. In the salon and dining room, large panoramic windows allow natural light to flood in. There’s also a sun-deck and spa pool. Some of the cruises are themed around gastronomy, wine or jazz. grandvictoriacruises.com


Barge Tango Le Papillon is a stylish way to explore France’s waterways


Built in Nancy in 1930, Tango used to navigate the canals of northeastern France, and later the Canal du Midi. Nowadays she operates cruises through Bordeaux’s famous wine country between the months of May and October. “An ever- changing scenery of vineyards, picturesque villages, ancient ruins, and spectacular views, with tranquil moorings for each evening,” is how the owner, Franco-American Daniel Sak, describes the trips. Facilities includes a spacious salon with a dining table and fully stocked bar, three cabins with en-suite


bathrooms, a sun-deck, a hot tub and a dining terrace. Sak himself studied at cooking school in Burgundy and designs all menus and oversees the sourcing of ingredients. As proprietor of his own French vineyard, he is also a connoisseur of Bordeaux wines. “You’ll savour the best Bordeaux has to offer,” he says. “Fresh- caught Atlantic seafood, creamy foie gras, tender steak Bordelaise, roast lamb, locally grown fruits and vegetables, artisanal cheeses, delectable pastries, and the region’s fine artisanal chocolates.” Prices start at US$27,200 for four. www.canalsoffrance.com


Croisières Bernard Palissy III


This 25m solar-powered riverboat is a more eco- friendly way to discover the Charente. With enough room for 60 people, the sun-deck is the perfect spot to unwind while admiring the scenery and listening to excellent commentary from the French- and English-


❯❯ Feb/Mar 2023 FRANCE TODAY ❘ 139


IMAGE © FRENCH CANAL BOAT COMPANY, BARGE TANGO


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10