Meet L'Art de Vivre Captain, Matthew Price

How long have you worked for EW?

I spent my first barge season in 2014 as a tour guide on Anjodi. Following a short stint working for other barge companies on the Canal du Midi, I have now worked solely with European Waterways for over 8 years.

Is it how you expected it to be?

I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. I suppose I’ve made barging what I want it to be and I love it!

Tell us about your love of the waterways

This is a hard question, and perhaps with an even more difficult answer. My love for the job, isn’t so much the waterways themselves but the people I am with, whether that be the crew or the passengers. The love for the waterways came later and of course goes hand in hand with the job, but then I have been spoiled by the beautiful canals I have called home.

What was your very first job?

My very first job was as a freelance photographer for a classic car magazine, but following graduating from university I worked as a sales assistant at a local music store, specialising in classic rock.

What inspired you to become a barge Captain?

Not an inspiration per se… I worked up the ranks. I started off as Tour Guide, then a Deck Hand, and was promoted to Captain of L’Art de Vivre in 2019

What are you most proud of about working for EW?

The people who work on the barges. The crews are amazing and the majority return year upon year, which I think is rare these days in hospitality and tourism. It shows that they care, not only for the company, but for the passengers too.

What are your favourite daily duties?

1. Front of house: Being the Deck Hand, Tour Guide and Captain onboard. I have contact with guests 90% of the day and being able to express my love for the region and the job to them is very rewarding

2. Being a Tour Guide is, above all else, my favourite aspect of the job. It was my original job onboard when I started barging and I love showing passengers the beautiful region we cruise in and the fascinating towns, villages and places of interest we are nearby during the week. However, I never actually see myself as a Tour Guide as such – I describe myself to passengers as a storyteller because, after all, that is what history is all about… stories!

3. Handling the ropes. Although I may need my all-weather gear – when under the midday sun or during massive downpours – we are in Burgundy, after all! I do enjoy being part of safely taking the barge through locks and helping to moor.

4. Keeping the show on the road. One aspect of my role onboard involves shuffling vehicles around so that they are always where we need them to be. It may seem odd, but this is part of my “downtime” – a part of the day when I can simply wind down the windows, put on some music and start to relax before the evening shift kicks in. Sometimes vehicle transfers take the best part of an hour, and so I make the most of not being on the boat or in front of passengers to wind down after another busy day!

5. Getting stuck in. Despite being the “boss” onboard, I am not work shy when it comes to being a crew member and helping out with odd jobs around the boat, which are not necessarily part of my position. I consider some of the other crew members I have worked with my friends and, in some cases, my family, and I really enjoy being part of a team. I am lucky enough to have never worked with anyone I dislike – and I feel this camaraderie is reflected in the work we do.

What makes your barge unique?

L’Art de Vivre (affectionately known to us as ‘Arty’) is the oldest barge in the fleet and saw active service during World War One. I think that makes her quite special!

What feature do guests always love?

I think passengers are impressed by the high level of detail we maintain on L’Art de Vivre. She’s a beautiful barge and has a certain character that you only feel once you’ve stepped onboard, and that is, in part, down to the amazing crew I have

Favourite region to cruise in?

Another difficult question to answer. All the regions I have worked in have been beautiful, each with their own history, charm and character. I was spoiled to start working on the Canal du Midi, but then equally spoiled to be given the opportunity to work in Western Burgundy on Renaissance and southern Burgundy on Finesse.

However, the Canal du Nivernais has surely retained my top spot. The gentle transition between river and canal each day, and beautiful excursions including Auxerre, Vézelay and Chablis make this a very special corner of France

First thing you do when you climb aboard?

It’s really boring, but I check the electricity, the water pumps, the water tanks and the bilges. Before I leave the barge, I always maintain that it is secure for the winter

Do you live on a boat?

Since I spend more than half of the year on board, I suppose I do!

Where did you grow up?

I was born in the East End of London, but I grew up in the west – close to Windsor Castle.

Do you miss any home comforts?

I suppose being able to open your front door and not risk falling into the canal is something I miss!

How do you spend your time when you’re not working?

During the winter months, I work at European Waterways’ Headquarters in England in the marketing department. During my winters I have been actively involved in producing marketing material for the boats, including cycling and walking maps and the Guides to Cruising.

In terms of my leisure activities, I am an avid photographer and have a growing collection of antique and vintage cameras. During the winter months, I enjoy using my old cameras, such as my 1952 Rolleicord and perhaps my 1955 Leica II – and a whole heap of film and try to capture unique angles and compositions of the world around me.

I then spend hours in my darkroom lovingly processing and producing the images I have taken and created. There’s something very satisfying about the tactile nature of film photography. As opposed to taking a photograph on a phone or digital camera and ending up with a file, I cock the shutter, read the light, take the photograph and end up with a film of acetate with negatives on it – a physical object. I slows me down and helps me to relax after a busy season!

Finally, I tend to travel to the Alps to visit my fiancée in the New Year. It’s nice to have some family time too!

What would you do if you weren't a barge Captain?

What, you mean a real job? No thank you…

Meet Captain Matthew aboard L'Art de Vivre