The Lock-Keeper Blog

One of "Les Plus Beaux Villages" in France, Lagrasse is a stunning hilltop village nestled amongst miles of vineyards and pretty countryside.

Château de Josselin is located in Brittany, France, in the town of Josselin on the River Oust. It is one of the region’s most medieval castles and remains owned by...

Discover the charm of Italy with a luxury river cruise. Explore Venice and hidden gems while enjoying gourmet meals, local excursions, and serene landscapes.

514 Kilometres and 8 Centuries of fascinating, beautiful history along Champagne's River Marne

There are quirky historical stories to be discovered all over the French city of Narbonne... you just need to know where to look!

You may know of Épernay’s celebrity status when it comes to celebratory fizz, but did you know these 9 facts revealing the real city of champagne?

Considering a hotel barge holiday in Holland? Spring is the best time to visit the Garden of Europe.

Experiencing Bordeaux aboard a hotel barge offers a striking contrast to the typical wine tour. Enjoy slow travel along the Canal de Garonne

Experience Hotel Barge Rosa : luxury canal cruises through Gascony & Bordeaux, with vineyards, medieval towns, gourmet dining, and serene countryside.

If you look carefully, you'll discover that a rich history, as well as world-famous wine, flows through Languedoc-Roussillon - find out more here.

Discover the history and legacy of French monasteries and abbeys on a Burgundy barge cruise, exploring medieval heritage and iconic religious sites and how they shaped France as we know...

Spring is an ideal time to visit Burgundy. Warming temperatures create perfect conditions for sightseeing and cycling alongside the canals, and the hillsides are in bloom

Bordeaux wine is some of the most sought after in the world - so here's what you need to know about its history, grape varieties and pairings.

Bailly LaPierre is an underground winery in a cave quarry, dug out in the 12th century. Let us introduce you to their sparking Crémant wine while aboard the hotel barge...

Explore hidden France aboard L’Art de Vivre on the Canal du Nivernais, where history, nature, and slow travel meet in the heart of Burgundy.

Discover European Waterways' new Active Experience Cruises – luxury barge holidays combining wellness, adventure, and cultural immersion, with tailor-made itineraries for private groups seeking activity without compromising on comfort.

Guests aboard L'Art de Vivre or La Belle Epoque will visit the renowned Domaine Laroche, situated in the famous vineyards of Chablis...

Step off the Shannon Princess and into Ireland’s most haunted castle. Discover Leap Castle’s chilling history, legendary ghosts, and secret dungeon on an exclusive, spine-tingling tour with its resident owner.

We hear it often. ‘I do not like chardonnay wine’. But why, and what is the best chardonnay alternative? And how does chablis fit into this?

Uncover the journey of our Ultra Deluxe hotel barge Kir Royale - from wartime vessel to ultra deluxe hotel barge - now offering luxury cruises through Champagne, France.

Experience the Scottish Highlands aboard Spirit of Scotland, a luxury barge cruising the Caledonian Canal and Loch Ness. Enjoy breathtaking landscapes, rich history, fine whisky, world-class golf, and exclusive excursions.

Journey through the land of the Cathars aboard Anjodi, a luxury hotel barge on the Canal du Midi. Discover medieval castles, rich history, and breathtaking scenery on this unforgettable voyage.

Researchers at European Waterways reveal the best Irish counties to enjoy a pint of Guinness and a bite to eat as you celebrate the spirit of the Emerald Isle this...

With their sleek black hulls and timeless elegance, Venetian gondolas are an enduring symbol of the Floating City. Though only a few hundred remain today, these iconic boats continue to...

Whether you’re looking to cruise the canals and waterways of Holland, or take in the wine routes of Alsace-Lorraine, Panache is the perfect barge for lovers of unique culture, cuisine...

On our Scottish cruises, the exceptionally stocked open bar plays host to several choices of single malt whiskies, scotch and bourbon. But what is the difference between them? And dare...

From the Yonne to the Saône: Burgundy is rich in architectural heritage, and by far the most impressive of its numerous historical buildings are its Romanesque churches. Discover just a...

Dreaming of pleasant days on the canals of the South of France filled with sunshine, incredible wines, and daily cultural immersions? A cruise aboard Enchanté may have everything you’re looking...

In Paris for only 1 day? A European Waterways Tour Guide shares her recommendations on what to visit, how to travel, where to shop and eat.

Few places on Earth can boast the name recognition of Champagne in France. You can taste the history, heritage and culture in every glass.

France is dotted with many châteaux just waiting to be discovered. Let us introduce you to ten of the most enchanting French châteaux.

In 2008, European Waterways unveiled the Ultra Deluxe Renaissance, paying homage to the region's rich tapestry of cultural and architectural brilliance from the Renaissance era...

A highlight of our Panache cruise in Alsace is the chance to discover more about the region's most famous artisan: René Lalique.

Hotel barge L'Impressionniste began life transporting logs between Paris and Brussels. Today, she cruises the Burgundy Canal on an immersion through history, culture, and world-famous food and wines...

If stunning scenery of mountains, forests and glens is your kind of thing, read on to find out the full itinerary and our top highlights from a cruise aboard the...

Take a wine harvest cruise through France in Autumn for a chance to see grape picking and winemaking in action

Step aboard Anjodi, a luxurious hotel barge, and discover the charm of the picturesque Canal du Midi in southern France

Have you ever wanted to visit a fairy tale-like castle? Cruise the Burgundy Canal aboard hotel barge L’Impressionniste and you will be greeted with the beautiful sight of Châteauneuf-en-Auxois.

A historic barge with a fascinating past, now a luxury hotel barge cruising the Canal du Nivernais in Burgundy, offering stylish interiors, gourmet dining, and unforgettable excursions.

Thinking of taking one of our river cruises in Italy? One of our top destinations and this short video shows you why guests love it so much!

Step aboard 8-passenger hotel barge Finesse and experience the most exquisite wines of Burgundy, classic cuisine, and extra helpings of culture

Measuring more than 230km from north to south, the Burgundy wine region is as varied as it is beautiful, and our luxury hotel barges cruise through some of its most...

Australian TV chef, Justine Schofield, cruised through Burgundy aboard hotel barge La Belle Epoque in her latest series: French Gourmet. Discover the highlights from her cruise here...

Italy produces approximately 600 different types of cheeses, and some of their most famous cheeses date back centuries, or even millennia years in the case of Pecorino Romano

With many of Southeast England's iconic locations based outside of London, a Thames River cruise can reveal some off-the-beaten track gems.

Our Burgundian cruise aboard La Belle Epoque offers the chance to visit the stunning Château d’Ancy-le-Franc. Find out more about it here.

Guide to Italian wines including wine regions, categories, classifications, how to read the label and more!

Italy’s longest river, the River Po flows through many important cities through its 562km course, including Turin, Piacenza, Cremona and Ferrara.

The Loire Valley is the home of vineyards, storybook castles, caves and watersports, a wonderfully versatile destination for the whole family!

History, architecture, art and food! Dijon has the best of them all. But what if you only have one day to spare?

Bordeaux - The very essence of elegance, exquisite food, life affirming art and architecture... need we even mention the wine?

Situated just off the Canal du Midi, the Château de Paraza is the ultimate wine tasting experience for visitors to the Minervois wine region.

Cruising the Canal du Midi on your next trip? Here are our best picks along this iconic waterway.

Consumed at social gatherings all over the globe, it’s used for toasts at weddings and seeing in the New Year. But the real question is, do you know your champagne...

The Ultimate Guide to the Canal du Centre - History, interesting facts, maps, nearby towns and villages, places of interest and lots more!

Reims is famed for its cathedral, champagne, and stunning architecture – here’s the lowdown of what to see and do so you don’t miss out.

‘Le Plus Beaux Villages de France’ is a collection of stunning small French villages. Read on to find out which ones you can visit on our cruises.

Discover the great significance of the American battlefield and cemetery at Belleau Wood, and the Château-Thierry American Monument - where US soldiers turned the tide of World War One

Prosecco, the drink of choice for celebrations all over the world. But do you know your prosecco from your spumante?

Discover the history behind the construction of the Canal du Centre in Southern Burgundy, and how it's one of our most popular cruises today!

Are you considering a trip to the Alsace region, but you need some pointers on where to go? We’ve got you covered for all the best things to do in...

Beaune is overflowing with history, art and wine. Here are the best sites for culture lovers, including parks, museums and of course, tastings.

Cruise beneath the five-arched bridge of the Château de Chenonceau and experience the splendour of its turreted façade when you cruise the Loire Valley aboard Nymphea

Autun's rich architectural and cultural heritage makes this one visit not to be missed when cruising aboard hotel barge Finesse in Southern Burgundy

Burgundy is one of the most idyllic regions in rural France. With so many beautiful places to explore, you’ll need our Top 10 guide to see the best bits!

Awe-inspiring views, and a dark yet fascinating history abound at this unique spot on the banks of the world-famous Loch Ness...

Visited aboard luxury hotel barge, Nymphea, the Château de Villandry really is a blooming marvel with spectacular floral gardens that are sure to impress all year round...

Explore Ireland’s rich history at the Clonmacnoise ruins aboard luxury hotel barge Shannon Princess

The Abbaye de Moissac, in the foothills of the Quercy vineyards near the River Garonne, feature awe-inspiring architecture that tell stories that date back to the early 1100s. Visit on...

Located fifty kilometres south of Auxerre, Vézelay offers a rich tapestry of culture, tradition and history amidst spectacular surrounds...

The spectacular fortress of Carcassonne is the best-preserved medieval fortress in the world and has served as inspiration to the castles of fairy tales

The River Yonne is one of the most important rivers in Burgundy, extending from Auxerre, where it joins the Canal du Nivernais

Discover Strasbourg’s iconic Gothic Notre Dame Cathedral, offering awe-inspiring views from the tallest medieval spire in Europe!

Armagnac is a brandy that is produced in the Gascony region of Southwest France, but what makes it so special? This article will tell you all you need to know...

The world famous Keukenhof Gardens in Holland is renowned for its spring displays of over 7 million colourful tulips and flowering bulbs.

Visit Hampton Court Palace to stroll the spectacular gardens, see fabulous furnishings and experience the ghost of Henry VIII’s wife!

Christmas markets in Alsace are a must visit for anyone who loves the magic of the festive season. Let's discover what makes them special.

To make it easier for you to choose which Loire Valley châteaux you stop at, we’ve put together a list of our top 5, so you don’t miss the best...

Explore the origins of the Noilly Prat vermouth distillery at the picturesque port-town of Marseillan in the South of France

Learn the secrets of the historic vineyards of Clos de Veugeot and discover why the ancient site represents the winemaking industry of Burgundy