What is Luxury Hotel Barge Cruising?

Despite the growing popularity of cruising, particularly on river boats, this is still a little known niche concept within the vast cruise industry. Maybe the term “barging” deters interest, conjuring up images of narrowboats or coal lighters. In fact, nothing could be further from the truth. Most hotel barges started life as cargo vessels but have since been painstakingly converted to offer luxury boutique accommodation for small groups of up to 20 passengers. This is cruising, but in a very different style to ships plying the big rivers or oceans. The pace is slow, with a 6 day cruise often covering little more than 50 miles along a rural canal. Passengers can walk or bike the towpaths and never be left behind as their floating hotel glides gently along. The idea is to offer guests full immersion into the culture, history and gastronomy of one of a number of fascinating regions of Europe such as Burgundy, the Midi, Alsace, or the Italian Veneto. Every day, when not cruising, a crew member leads an excursion, perhaps to a vineyard for a wine tasting, a market where the chef might buy fresh local ingredients for the evening meal or a visit to a unique “off the beaten track” location that you would never find on your own. These could be to still inhabited troglodyte cave dwellings, a private chateau or to see an olive oil press at work and sample its produce`.

Where can you cruise on a hotel barge cruise?

Mostly in France but also Italy, Holland, Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, England, Scotland & Ireland. Burgundy is the main area in France for Hotel Barging (6 barges), then the Canal du Midi (3 barges). Also Alsace, Gascony, Bordeaux.

European Waterways Offers Luxury French Barge Cruises : European Waterways

Considering a barge cruise in France? European Waterways promises to offer you the ultimate holiday for those who are seeking an alternative way to see France.

This spectacular country, famous for its wonderful food, fine wine and picture postcard scenery, is just waiting to be discovered, and what better way to experience it than on a French barge cruise?

Over 40 Years’ Experience

Established in 1974 and operating 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 our markets.

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 of our competitors. Cruising areas range from the Midi in Southern France to the Scottish Highlands and from Ireland in the West to Venice in the East.

See what Our Clients Say

Many of our guests book with us over and over again and also recommend us to their friends – which is the best endorsement that a travel company can hope for. See some of their comments on Feefo, below.

Exceptional Service and Expert Staff

Our crews are trained to provide the highest levels of service whilst making you feel totally at home. Our office staff will equally guide you effortlessly through the process of booking the holiday of a lifetime.

As Told by Our Guests...

The welcome we received and everything on board was perfect

Pauline Taplin, Hampshire, UK

This is a treasure that most people don’t know about

Denise Thorson , New Jersey, USA

Everbody should do this at least once in their life

Charles Baertl, Texas USA

For a very special occasion this is the place to be

John Thorson, New Jersey, USA

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Where we Cruise in France

Nestled right at the heart of this beautiful country is Burgundy, a region often regarded as the place to go for the perfect French barge cruise. Famous for its wonderful wines, as you cruise through the region past acres and acres of sun-kissed vines, you will have the opportunity to stop and taste the delectable vintages at some of the most prestigious vineyards along the way. Besides Burgundy, the Canal du Midi is renowned for its fabulous options for a barge cruise. France’s sun-drenched waterway right in the south of the country winds along shady canals, bordered by trees that sway in the gentle breeze, while passing charming old villages and the remains of many interesting Roman buildings. The pace of life is easy-going and you will soon find yourself unwinding into the relaxed way of life that is par for the course on these holidays.

Heading west from the Midi is the charming region of Gascony, which is another idyll, perfect for a barge cruise. France’s Canal des Deux Mers winds through L’Occitanie, famous for its watercolour scenery, its beautiful orchards and endless vineyards, while Bordeaux is yet another wine paradise ideal for exploring by water. Good food and wine go hand in hand in France and a barge cruise in France’s Bordeaux exemplifies both.

The chateaux of the Loire Valley offer the perfect backdrop to a French barge cruise. The vessel that tours the very essence of the Loire Valley along the River Cher is the only one of its kind in this region and we are proud to offer you a uniquely charming way to explore this magnificent land that oozes grace and incredible natural charm around every corner. Complementing the scenery are the fine examples of Renaissance architecture that add to the whole unique experience in this region.

Of course Champagne, lying east of the capital city of Paris, has fabulous barging opportunities in abundance. Your French barge cruise in this region will see you winding your way through bountiful vineyards, passing rolling hills, and making detours to wineries that offer you the chance to taste the fruits of these famous lands. It is not just the delicious sparkling wine that has made this region famous though, and on a cruise through this historical area, you will encounter chateaux, cathedrals and other monumental landmarks.

For those looking for something completely unique, we present some wonderful cruises in Alsace & Lorraine, which is on the eastern border of France. The distinct fusion of French and German culture is reflected in every element of community life here and as you gently cruise the canal you will find yourself visiting quaint villages, marvelling at fine Baroque and Romanesque architecture, and dining on regional specialities accompanied by the famous white wines of the region.

More Destinations

France has more than 2700 miles of waterways, with rivers all linked up by a 750-mile network of canals, so there is endless opportunity to explore on the water. Imagine cruising along at a gentle pace, enveloped in the stunning scenery, and exploring the out of the way places that escape the main tourist trails, and all in the comfort of your own hotel barge? A French barge cruise could see you meandering down the canals of Briare, Nivernais, Burgundy or the Canal du Midi, among many others, and also offers you the opportunity to see some of the country’s finest countryside, experience real local culture and visit places of interest along the way.

Paris

Picardy

The Hotel Barging Experience

France offers so many options for barge holidays and whatever your choice of destination, the country will open its doors and reveal itself in ways you would never imagine. Local excursions allow you the chance to explore on foot and experience rural French life, while on board you will be indulged in wonderful food, fabulous vintages and very comfortable accommodation. Crew is, of course, on hand to take care of your every need while on your French barge cruise, so you can just sit back, enjoy the experience and unwind in the gentle pace of daily life on board.

A Home Away from Home

All hotel barges in the fleet benefit from an annual refurbishment and this may vary from redecoration and refurnishing of the...

Themed Charter Cruises

We can arrange a wide selection of themed charter cruises which will appeal to all types of interest groups, large or small...

Multi Generational Cruises

With capacity for between 6 and 20 passengers, a private hotel barge charter is perfect for a multi generational getaway

Hotel Barging Experience

Far removed from the hustle and bustle of city life, hotel barge voyages allow you to travel in luxury without the strains of...

Insider Experiences

These experiences form the heart of a European Waterways cruise; spontaneous, unique adventures that just couldn't be had anywhere else

Outstanding Service

Crews are mainly British or French and they all speak English, so there is no need to worry about a language barrier when they are...

A Gastronomic Experience

The classic traditions of French and International cuisine are an unforgettable highlight of your cruise. The onboard chefs are...

Enriching Excursions

Every hotel barge cruise includes daily excursions to some fascinating local places of interest - châteaux, Cathar hilltop...

Themed Charter Cruises

We can arrange a wide selection of themed charter cruises which will appeal to all types of interest groups, large or small...

Family & Friends Cruises

Families or groups of friends can charter any of the hotel barges. You will have the whole vessel to yourselves and she becomes a...

Barging & Biking

We know that many of our passengers enjoy taking some exercise during their hotel barge cruise, so each vessel carries...

Shopping & Markets

Even if you are not normally a lover of shopping, the vast array of fascinating shops and markets you can discover on one of our...

Wine & Whisky Tours

Many of our cruises are through some of the best wine- growing regions of France, such as Burgundy, Bordeaux...

Our Exclusive Collection of Hotel Barges

We have 13 hotel barges, which can accommodate between 6 and 12 passengers, spanning regions from Alsace to the Midi. The route of each of our barge holidays in France has been specially selected by us, so no matter where or when you cruise, we are sure to have the barge cruise for you.

Some vessels in our fleet are owned by us, others by experienced hotel barge operators who maintain similar standards and have been vetted by us. On board all of them you will glide serenely along waterways that pass through magnificent countryside; be taken on fascinating local excursions; indulge in delicious meals, fine wines and comfortable accommodation – whilst all the time being pampered by your attentive crew.

Scottish Highlander

Scottish Highlander is a first class, 8 passenger hotel barge that navigates the scenic Caledonian Canal and Loch Ness in the Scottish Highlands

L’Impressionniste

L’Impressionniste is a deluxe, 12 passenger hotel barge that cruises the Burgundy Canal in the wine region of Southern Burgundy

Enchanté

Enchanté is an ultra deluxe, 8 passenger hotel barge that cruises the sun-drenched Canal du Midi in southwest France

L’Art de Vivre

L’Art de Vivre is a first class, 8 passenger hotel barge that cruises the charming Canal du Nivernais and River Yonne in Burgundy

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Themed Barge Holidays

We can arrange a wide selection of themed charter cruises which will appeal to all types of interest groups, large or small, including golf, walking and wine appreciation themed cruises.

Family Cruises

Family themed holidays are available aboard all our barges. You have the whole vessel to yourselves and she becomes a home from home, except we...

Golf Cruises

Scotland, Ireland, England and France all have some great golf courses including Royal Dornoch, Lahinch, Galway Bay, Wentworth, Sunningdale and Cap d'Agde...

Wine Appreciation Cruises

Our wine appreciation holidays in Burgundy and the Languedoc region will give you the opportunity to visit some renowned vineyards with our...

Walking Cruises

The beauty of hotel barging and walking is that two of the most relaxing holidays possible are merged to give you the best of both worlds

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Video Feed

We uploaded our first video in 2010 and since then we have added over 100 hotel barging videos and received over 1,000,000 views on YouTube. We hope you enjoyed watching our videos…

Video of the Week

In the Summer and Autumn, hotel barge Panache cruises the beautiful waterways of Alsace. It is a region in Eastern France with a unique mix of French and German cultures, Baroque and Romanesque architecture, storybook villages, diverse culinary specialities and wonderful white wines.

Canal du Midi

If you are looking to experience the best of the French countryside, a cruise on a Canal du Midi barge might be just the thing for you!

Loire Valley & Burgundy

Arguably the finest combination of regions one could barge through! From the mighty River Loire to France’s oldest canal, the Canal de Briare, a waterway steeped in history, past beautiful scenery and small country villages.

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The Lock-Keeper Blog

The Lock-Keeper has gone viral! Every few weeks we will be blogging about the Hotel barging experience; From the history of our hotel barges to some of the off the beaten track excursions we visit. Intrigued? Then read on…

Visiting L’Oulibo Olive Press on a Canal du Midi Cruise

The olive press of l’Oulibo is located on the banks of the Canal du Midi. Those on a cruise aboard Enchanté can stop by and taste the famous Lucques olives. Read More

Explore the Seine on a Paris River Cruise

From the Champs Elysees to the Île de la Cité, discovering the French capital on a Paris river cruise is a fantastic way to explore the Seine and surrounds Read More

History & Beauty at the Château de la Bussière

The Château de la Bussière is a beautiful 17th century castle, complete with gorgeous gardens and the opportunity to pick your own raspberries! Read More

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In the Press

There have been many interesting and entertaining articles written by journalists and travel writers from across the globe about their journeys on our luxury hotel barge cruises.

Barge Cruises in France

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