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We have been guiding guests on scenic French waterways barge cruises in luxurious accommodations for over 40 years, offering a truly unique experience.
French Canal Cruises with European Waterways
Luxury hotel barges are the perfect way to explore the stunning French landscape, with canal cruises allowing you to explore the culture and food of the region in style.
There are plenty of beautiful canals in France to explore, and with European Waterways, you’ll get there in style. With 13 hotel barges to suit between 6 and 12 passengers, you’ll enjoy a floating hotel in the most gorgeous settings.
Why You Should See France on a Canal Cruise
If you are looking for a trip ‘off the beaten track’, you’ll be hard-pressed to find something better than a canal cruise. Exploring the waterways of France is the ideal way to see the country. There are nearly 3,000 miles of inland waterways and canals to cruise down, with plenty of excursions and places to visit.
A French canal cruise gives you full use of the barge facilities with sundecks, spa pools, and bicycles for riding along the towpaths. You’ll see France from a new perspective, exploring local culture, historic towns, and making new friends along the way.
Four Decades of French Canal Cruises
European Waterways was established in 1974, with French canal cruises running since the early 1980s, giving you our extensive knowledge and experience to use on your holiday.
Explore Everything France has to Offer
France is one of the most beautiful countries to visit, and with nine different regions to choose from, you will be spoilt for choice.
Exceptional Customer Service & Staff
Our highly-trained crews provide great service in your home away from home. Got questions about your holiday booking? Our office team will guide you through the process effortlessly.
See the Best of Europe
Our canal cruises aren’t limited to France. We offer a range of destinations across Europe so you can see the continent in your own way.
Read Our 5* Reviews
With more than 900 reviews on feefo and guest books filled with compliments, you know that you are in safe hands with European Waterways.
Choose Your Luxury Hotel Barge
Our fleet of hotel barges can carry up to 20 passengers with cosy cabins and premium staterooms to choose from, ensuring you travel in style.
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
Canal Cruises in France
Visit Beautiful Burgundy
As one of the main wine-producing regions of France, Burgundy canal cruises are extremely popular. Not only can you explore part of the 60,000 acres of vineyards in the area, but you can explore the rich history and heritage too.
Roam The Historic Canal du Midi
If you are looking for the ultimate French waterway canal cruise, Canal du Midi is the place to be. The 360-km network of waterways is considered to be one of the most remarkable civil engineering feats and is basked in sun for the perfect getaway.
Explore The Culinary Delights Of Gascony
Food lovers will find the gastronomic delights of Gascony perfect for their French canal cruise. Taking you through the heart of L’Occitanie along the Canal des Deux Mers, you can explore orchards and vineyards with some of the most delicious food on offer.
Enjoy Stunning Views In The Loire Valley
For an exclusive canal cruise in France, visit the luxurious Loire Valley. With its fairytale castles and stunning views, you can cruise along the River Cher on a premium hotel barge. European Waterways is the only company to offer this experience so book your Loire Valley canal cruise today.
Private Tastings In Champagne
The champagne houses of France offer some of the best-tasting experiences in the world, with private tasting sessions available. You’ll find that there is no better way to sample luxury wine than on a French canal cruise in Champagne.
Discover The Architecture Of Alsace & Lorraine
Explore the rich culture and architecture of Alsace & Lorraine. From Christmas markets and close proximity to Germany, you’ll get a wonderful blend of experiences, with unique cuisine and stunning views along the Canal de la Marne au Rhin.
Enjoy the ultimate luxury French canal cruise with European Waterways. Book your holiday today or contact our team to discuss your needs.
More Destinations For Your Canal Cruise In France
With more than 2,700 miles of French inland waterways to visit on a French canal cruise, you’ll get a unique and unforgettable experience with European Waterways. Visit the Canal de Garonne or discover things to do on the Canal de Bourgogne. You can see France in an entirely new way, with vineyards, picturesque villages, and more to do on your trip.
The Ultimate Hotel Experience With French Waterways Canal Cruises
France boasts some of the finest scenery in Europe, combining these stunning views with a rich history and thriving culture. European Waterways cruises in France give you the chance to explore the country in a new way, with gourmet meals, local transfers, and use of the barge facilities. You can take daily escorted excursions to discover the local area, such as a visit to a chateau or local markets for the immersive experience. View the different types of French canal cruises you can take below.
Multi Generational Cruises
With capacity for between 6 and 20 passengers, a private hotel barge charter is perfect for a multi generational getaway
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...
Enriching Excursions
Every hotel barge cruise includes daily excursions to some fascinating local places of interest - châteaux, Cathar hilltop...
Insider Experiences
These experiences form the heart of a European Waterways cruise; spontaneous, unique adventures that just couldn't be had anywhere else
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...
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...
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...
Hotel Barges For Your Canal Cruise In France
With no fewer than 13 hotel barges, there is sure to be a fully-crewed hotel barge that will suit you and your party.
Kir Royale
Kir Royale is a ultra deluxe, 8 passenger hotel barge that cruises the renowned Champagne region of France
La Belle Epoque
La Belle Epoque is a deluxe, 12 passenger hotel barge that cruises the picturesque Burgundy Canal in Northern Burgundy
Finesse
Finesse is an ultra deluxe, 8 passenger hotel barge that cruises the River Saône and Canal du Centre in Southern Burgundy
L’Impressionniste
L’Impressionniste is a deluxe, 12 passenger hotel barge that cruises the Burgundy Canal in the wine region of Southern Burgundy
Book Your Themed Barge Holiday
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.
Garden Cruises
Our dedicated garden cruises include visits to some of the best gardens, estates and parklands in Europe
Christmas Markets
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
Whisky Cruises
We offer a Whisky cruise aboard hotel barge Scottish Highlander along the Caledonian Canal and Loch Ness, with a special itinerary that allows...
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
Verified Reviews
Video Feed
We uploaded our first video in 2010 and since then we have added over 100 hotel barging videos and received over 3,000,000 views on YouTube. We hope you enjoyed watching our videos…
Luxury hotel barge Renaissance has been designed to carry her guests in ultimate luxury along the Canal de Briare, France’s oldest canal, completed in 1642 and steeped in history on a cruise route that features elegant châteaux, small countryside villages and the famed wine-growing region of Sancerre.
Hotel Barge L'Ipressionniste
Hotel barge L’Impressionniste glides gently through the picturesque Ouche Valley in Southern Burgundy through locks with their charming lock houses. You will see medieval villages perched on hilltops and have the opportunity to discover a region famed for its history and viticulture, with visits to such places as Beaune, the regions ‘wine capital’, and the elegant city of Dijon.
Hotel Barge La Belle Epoque
La Belle Epoque in her first life transported logs from Burgundy to Paris, but today she is transformed into a deluxe hotel barge carrying a very different cargo along the same canals.
The Lock-Keeper Blog
The Lock-Keeper has gone viral! Every few weeks we will be blogging about the French canal cruises. From the history of our hotel barges to some of the off the beaten track excursions we visit. Intrigued? Then read on…
Top 10 Best Things to Do in Alsace, France
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... Read More
Top Four Iconic Aqueducts in France
If you're a civil engineering buff, the waterways of France will provide much to marvel over (and under, and through!) Read More
Château de Chenonceau: The Fairy Tale Château of Dreams
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 Read More
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 canal holidays in France.
La Belle barge provides small-scale cruising with a very French flavour
Mike Grenby spent 6 days on the Burgundy canal, read about his Belle Epoque adventure here Read More
La Belle barge provides small-scale cruising with a very French flavour
Mike Grenby spent 6 days on the Burgundy canal, read about his Belle Epoque adventure here Read More
Slow Barge through the Loire Valley
Karen Pasquali Jones takes a tranquil cruise aboard Renaissance, through Burgundy and the Upper Loire Read More
6 Reasons You Should Go on a Canal Barge Cruise
Laura Lynch spent a week aboard the luxury hotel barge Finesse cruising the Canal du Midi. Read about her experience here Read More
Cruising in Burgundy
David Powell spent a week on the luxury hotel barge L’Impressionniste cruising through Burgundy. Read about his experience here Read More
The Best River Cruise Ever!
Tim Hedgley cruised aboard hotel barge L’Impressionniste in Southern Burgundy in June 2017. Read about his experience Read More
Taking a Hotel Barge through Burgundy
Cruise through Burgundy aboard the elegant La Belle Epoque Read More
La Belle barge provides small-scale cruising with a very French flavour
There’s a lot of numbers, but no math needed for a six-day cruise along the Burgundy Canal on La Belle Epoque: one hotel barge, 17 meals, 22 wines and 19 cheeses, one hot tub, some mountain bikes and visits to at least a dozen interesting sites Read More