Luxury Cruises

You are greeted at our meeting point hotel by our guide. He will escort you via private motorcoach or high-speed train to the mooring where your luxury hotel barge awaits. Once aboard, you are welcomed by our cordial, English-speaking crew, and ushered to your comfortably appointed stateroom, complete with private bath. Spend the first evening becoming acquainted with your fellow passengers who, like you, seek to experience France in a special way.

• French Country Waterways Dining
• French Country Waterways Ships

Each morning, your barge gets underway for the day's cruise. As it navigates the frequent locks on the canal, it is easy to step directly ashore for a leisurely stroll. If you feel adventurous, take one of the barge's bicycles to explore the quiet lanes and quaint villages nearby. Or, simply relax on the sundeck and watch the lovely French countryside slowly unfold before you.During the day, you are invited to join an excursion via private motorcoach to a nearby point of special interest. Each itinerary has been selected to include a varied sampling of the region... romantic castles, historic towns, and renowned vineyards for wine tasting. At certain chteaux and estates, your tour will be conducted by the owner, whose family has been in residence for generations.

On one evening, you will be welcomed by one of France's most prestigious restaurants for an elegant dinner ashore. Your Captain will also arrange for you to enjoy special local events which occur during your cruise, from lively farmers' markets to the fireworks on Quatorze Juillet.

As an option to the cruise, you may also experience the adventure of a hot air balloon flight.

Since the same high level of quality and service can be found on each of our barges, you can select your cruise based on the itinerary you find most intriguing. Whatever your destination, you will discover a land of quiet beauty and gracious people, and gain a rare, insider's perspective of provincial France.

About Our Routes:

One of France's finest assets is the endless diversity of her landscape. Beyond her famous cities is a land of striking contrasts, from sloping vineyards to dramatic mountain peaks, from forested hunting grounds to quaint villages nestled into lush farmlands. From this exceptional variety, we have selected four cruise regions, each one rich in history and culture.

Alsace-Lorraine:

These two historic regions are linked by one of France's most scenic waterways, which rises over the summit of the Vosges Mountains. The contrasts between these neighboring areas provide an interesting counterpoint to the cruise.

Alsace is a storybook land of half - timbered houses, cobblestone streets, and storks nesting on chimney tops. Hospitality beckons from wine taverns where foie gras, tart flambé, and kugelhopf are specialties.

Lorraine is a place of pink sandstone villages, rolling meadows, and mountain forests. It is the home of the savory tart, the quiche lorraine, and Proust's favorite cake, the madeleine.

Burgundy:

Situated in the heart of France, this tranquil region is interlaced by a network of over 600 miles of waterways. A truly timeless place, Burgundy has been at the crossroads of France since the prehistoric age, and each subsequent culture has left behind its distinctive imprint. The rich legacy of art, architecture, and commerce recalls an age when the Dukes of Burgundy were more powerful than the French kings. Today, Burgundy's renowned vineyards produce some of the world's most prized wines, and an abundance of superb ingredients makes it one of the great gastronomic centers.

Champagne:

In addition to being the home of the world's most celebrated wine, Champagne's location to the east of Paris has placed it at the center of momentous events. Visitors can discover a grand historical heritage, from the triumphant victories of Joan of Arc and Napoleon to the 20th century battles of the great World Wars. The extensive vineyards date to Roman times, but it was the discovery of effervescent wine in the 17th century that made Champagne recognized around the world as the symbol of celebration.

Upper Loire:

Located just outside the Ile de France, this region serves as a gateway from Paris to the well-known chteau country to the southwest. Here, some of the earliest sections of the French canals, dating from 1604, are still in service.

Christened the Garden of France because of its mild climate and pastoral countryside, the Upper Loire became the favorite playground of French kings. Architecture, landscape design, and natural beauty merged as many of the royal hunting lodges evolved into stately chteaux.

Our Fleet:

French Country Waterways is known and trusted for operating the finest fleet of luxury hotel barges cruising on France's inland waterways. Our five deluxe barges have been carefully designed and outfitted to provide unparalleled passenger comfort. Extensive annual refurbishments and meticulous maintenance ensure that each of our vessels meets the highest standards of quality and safety.

Aboard our barges you will find the gracious ambiance of a fine country inn. Warm wood panelling, handsome provincial furnishings and oriental carpets combine in an atmosphere of informal elegance. And you will be served by a friendly, bi-lingual staff who specialize in making your cruise the holiday of a lifetime.

Each vessel is fully air-conditioned, with individual controls in every stateroom. You will be accommodated in charming quarters with private baths, full-sized beds, and generous storage for clothing and luggage. Comfortable twin or double staterooms are designed to provide ample space for two guests to share in comfort. Suites are available for those who prefer even more floor space. Thoughtful touches like fresh flowers, extra pillows, and hair dryers are always included.

Lounges are attractively furnished with comfortable sofas and chairs, soft lighting, and libraries of books, games, and music. Complimentary bars are stocked with a wide selection of favorite spirits and liqueurs. Spacious sundecks provide built-in canopies or large umbrellas to give shelter from the sun. For guests who enjoy exploring on their own, each vessel carries her own bicycles.

A deluxe, air-conditioned motorcoach accompanies each barge, providing passengers complete comfort for daily sightseeing and escorted transfers.

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The French Country Waterways Barge Cruise Tours  prices you see on this site are published fares--ours are often substantially lower. Use our vacation planner or call us at 1 800 330 8820 or 1 415 446 5252 for our latest, exclusive up-to-the-minute specials. 

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