Luxury Barge Holidays France

Luxury Barge Holidays Throughout France

France is world-renowned for its mouth-watering cuisine and fine wine. It also features some of the most charming countryside in Europe, along with its phenomenally rich culture. We are proud to offer trips to some of the country’s most beautiful regions and magical waterways.

With around 2700 miles of magical inland waterways, including 750 miles of canals you are in for a truly unforgettable luxury barge holiday along the canals of France. Barge cruises offer a more serene and relaxing means of travel when discovering a new destination. As well as these stunning regions we do also visit some of the other iconic and beautiful destinations in Europe.

Barge Holidays in Burgundy

France’s Burgundy region, located right in the heart of the country, is one of the most popular places in Europe when it comes to barge holidays. Home to world-famous fine wines and well known for its annual wine auction, Burgundy is the perfect destination if you are a wine lover.

Barge Holidays in the Canal du Midi

For sun-seekers, the stunning UNESCO World Heritage-listed Canal du Midi in the south of France is a delight. Cruising these waters, you will find yourself soaking up the relaxed vibe and winding down as you meander through the tranquil countryside past charming chocolate-box villages and ancient Roman ruins in abundance. In this region you can discover diverse Mediterranean landscapes, sun-drenched vineyards and Cathar fortresses.

Barge Holidays in Champagne

Champagne is a stunning location and has much to offer lovers of barge cruises. France’s sparkling wine capital lies to the east of Paris and is distinguished by its patchwork of vineyards that spread across the rolling hills in all directions. Emanating a historical story from every tiny village and grand château, the region boasts a number of iconic landmarks, including cathedrals, châteaux, and more.

Alsace & Lorraine Barge Holidays

If uniqueness is what you’re seeking on your French canal boat holiday, head to Alsace & Lorraine on the eastern border with Germany. This area is proud of its fascinating fusion of cultures, the mix of Baroque and Romanesque architecture, diverse culinary accolades, and its interesting production of wines. If you enjoy ‘off-the-beaten-track’ locations, this could be the cruise region for you.

Loire Valley Barge Holidays

A fairytale region of exquisite Renaissance châteaux, Royal French history and contrasting waterways is the majestic Loire Valley. This region epitomises the grandeur of French charm, and we offer a range of barge holidays aboard our luxurious Renaissance vessel in the picturesque Loire Valley & Western Burgundy.

Barge Holidays in Gascony

A peaceful region of colours and flavours, of orchards and vineyards, where you’re sure to savour a taste of the real France is Gascony, with its famous French waterways of Canal de Garonne. As you travel through the majestic Occitanie region, it’s hard not to be captivated by the rainbow of colours and floral scents emanating from the endless orchards and vineyards that greet you around every corner.

Barge Holidays in Bordeaux

Bordeaux is a region of vividly colourful landscapes, wonderful gastronomy and a ‘terroir’ that produces world-renowned wines. Food and wine go hand in hand here, and one is rarely seen without the other. Bordeaux barge cruises exemplify this, and each visit highlights an intrinsic part of French culture.

Barge Holidays in Paris

Paris, also known as ‘The City of Lights’ is undoubtedly one of the most romantic cities in the world. The country’s capital is steeped in history and culture, and there is truly no better way to see the city as you pass close to the towering Eiffel Tower and the historic Notre Dame on your cruise along the River Seine.

Picardy Barge Holidays

The region of Picardy has for centuries been at the centre of Europe. The stunning and vast farmlands have throughout time brought prosperity as well as conflict to the region. This is reflected in its history of Gothic art and architecture. Among the stunning architecture are six glorious cathedrals, including the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Cathedral Church at Amiens.

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Themed French Barge Holidays for Every Taste

We offer a huge number of themed cruises throughout France that you can take part in upon chartering the full vessel. France is one of the more popular destinations in Europe when it comes to themed cruises, this is because there are so many activities that incorporate the country’s stunning history, culture, and beauty.

You can choose from one of our many phenomenal themed charter cruises that have been satisfying our customers for decades.

Wine Appreciation Cruises

Over the course of our wine appreciation charter cruises, you will experience private tastings at some of France’s most exclusive and prestigious vineyards. During your visit, you will be accompanied by a professional wine guide who will provide information on the grapes, cultivation and history of the wineries. Tour guides often buy a few bottles for you to enjoy back on the barge as part of the upgraded onboard wine list which includes additional premier and grand cru wines.

Walking Cruises

Walking trips offer you a whole new way to see and experience the truly unique and enchanting scenery that France has to offer. Our professionally guided walking cruises allow you to explore the country at a pace to suit you, whilst offering a luxurious barge to come back to that will take you to a whole new beautiful location that you can explore when you wake up the next morning.

Christmas Markets Cruises

We offer a Christmas Markets cruise aboard hotel barge Panache in Alsace, with a special itinerary filled with twinkling lights, brass bands, and the sweet aromas of mulled wine and gingerbread from quaint little chalet-like stalls. On this week-long cruise, enjoy visits to the famed markets of Colmar, Strasbourg, and Riquewihr alongside other festive excursions.

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Why Choose European Waterways for Your French Barge Holiday?

Over 50 Years’ Experience

Established in 1974 and operating hotel barge cruises since the early 1980s, European Waterways has a wealth of knowledge and experience to share with our clients.

The Largest Barging Company in Europe

Still in the same private ownership of the Directors who run the company, our guests can be assured of consistently high standards of personal service, and vast experience of the beautiful, smaller canals and rivers we cruise on.

A Superb Fleet of 18 Vessels

We have hotel barges available for up to 20 passengers with cabin sizes varying from cozy and compact to ultra-deluxe staterooms comparable to top hotel rooms.

Cruises in 9 Countries Across Europe

We offer the widest choice of destinations of any hotel barge company. Cruising areas range from the Canal du Midi in Southern France to the Scottish Highlands, and from the lush green landscapes of Ireland to romantic waterways Venice in Italy.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which canal is best for a barge holiday in France?

France is the home of luxury barge cruising, so it’s almost impossible to pick one as the best all-rounder. Depending on your interests, you may prefer a Burgundy Canal cruise, which takes you on a journey through some of France’s finest vineyards and châteaux, a Canal du Midi cruise, which takes you along a UNESCO-listed waterway, the Canal de Garonne – a food lover’s idyll, or perhaps the Canal latéral à la Marne in the heart of the Champagne region. Whatever your interests are, we offer a barge holiday in France to suit your taste.

Are France barge holidays a good way to see the country?

Yes. A barge holiday in France is an excellent way to see any French city or town. France barge holidays provide a more relaxing way to combine cities and the countryside, allowing for a serene experience.

Which French barge holiday destination is the most unique?

The UNESCO-listed Canal du Midi in the southern region of France is over 350 years old and is renowned as a modern feat of civil engineering. It’s famed for being lined with plane trees along much of its 240+ kilometres between the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, passing chocolate box villages, sun-drenched vineyards, pretty Mediterranean landscapes, and Cathar fortresses. This trip is ideal for anyone looking for a cruise that’s different to any other barge holiday in France.