Destinations 
- France
- Northern Burgundy
- Absoluut2
(8 Guests, Deluxe) - Elisabeth
(6 Guests, First Class) - Horizon II
(8 Guests, Ultra Deluxe) - La Belle Epoque
(12 Guests, Deluxe) - L'Arte De Vivre
(8 Guests, First Class) - Lone Star
(8 Guests, Ultra Deluxe) - Luciole
(14 Guests, First Class) - Marjorie II
(12 Guests, Deluxe) - Nenuphar
(12 Guests, Ultra Deluxe) - Prosperite
(8 Guests, Ultra Deluxe) - Savoir Faire
(12 Guests, Deluxe)
- Absoluut2
- Southern Burgundy
- Amaryllis
(8 Guests, Ultra Deluxe) - Esprit
(18 Guests, Deluxe) - Fandango
(4-6 Guests, Deluxe) - Fleur de Lys
(6 Guests, Ultra Deluxe) - Hirondelle
(8 Guests, Deluxe) - Le Premier
(6 Guests, Deluxe) - Libellule
(20 Guests, First Class) - Litote
(20 Guests, First Class) - Papillon
(6 Guests, Deluxe) - Prosperite
(8 Guests, Ultra Deluxe) - Who Knows
(4-6 Guests, First Class)
- Amaryllis
- Canal Du Midi
- Alouette
(4 Guests, Ultra Deluxe) - Anjodi
(8 Guests, First Class) - Athos
(10 Guests, First Class) - Claire De Lune
(6 Guests, Deluxe) - Colibri
(4 Guests, Deluxe) - Emma
(4-6 Guests, First Class) - Fandango
(4-6 Guests, Deluxe) - La Tortue
(6 Guests, First Class) - Roi Soleil
(6 Guests, Ultra Deluxe) - Sherborne
(6 Guests, Casual Class) - Tango
(6 Guests, Deluxe)
- Alouette
- Provence - Carmargue
- Bordeaux
- Normandy
- Alsace-Lorraine
- Champagne
- Paris
- Loire Valley
- Upper Loire
- Northern Burgundy
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Barge Cruises
Northern Burgundy, France
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Luciole
Barging in Burgundy
Guests: 14Size: 100 feet long
Last Visited: 2008
Rating: First Class, A/C, Families
2009 rates
Whole Boat Charter$44,500 - April 6-May 2,
July 26 - Aug 22 and Oct 18 - Nov 7
$48,500 - May 3 - July 25 and
August 23 - October 17
Individuals in a Twin or
Double-bedded Cabin
(per person/double occupancy)
$3,450 - April 6 - May 2 and July 26 - August 22 and October 18 - November 7
$3,750 - May 3 - July 25 and August 23 - October 17
Individuals in a Single Cabin (when available)
$3,500 - April 6 - May 2 and July 26 - August 22 and October 18 - November 7
$3,850 - May 3 - July 25 and August 23 - Ocotber 17
We visited LUCIOLE in both 2007 and 2008.
LUCIOLE is the inspired creation of barging “pioneers” John and Penny Liley. Luciole cruises on the divinely beautiful Canal du Nivernais, cruising between Auxerre and Clamency. This vessel has a “country French” ambiance: dark green carpet sets off Provençal print fabrics on the casual furnishings, both inside and out. Luciole is known for an extremely personalized on-board atmosphere.
We boarded in April as the owners and crew were preparing Luciole for the 2008 season and were warmly greeted by Penny. The 2008 crew is outstanding - including new guide Neil, who did a great job with our guests on the Lorraine where he crewed for several years. The French Captain Stephane is starting out his second season with Luciole.
Barge Lady's Debbie and Nicole Vaci cruised in June, 2007 and took many of the wonderful photographs on our site. Fellow LUCIOLE traveller, Rob Maggin also contributed many of his beautiful photos from this voyage. For Debbie's cruise diary, go to The Barge Lady Blog and see her day by day account and more photos.
Barge Lady guests love the Luciole. Thomas and Elspeth Willoughby said: "It was a lot of fun. Loved the combination of being on the barge, sightseeing, walking, and bicycling. Some of our favorite times were exploring on our own by bicycle in the surrounding villages. One of the best trips we have taken."
Marshall and Connie Swain said: "Friends from Columbus Ohio rented the barge as a group of 14. Our choices of biking, walking, reading and sleeping gave everyone independence during cruise times. Our staff was so excellent. We enjoyed each and every person. Transportation from and to Paris was flawless. I would recommend the Luciole to anyone interested in a barging trip. P.S. Did I forget to mention our amazing food!"
Single travelers are always welcome, and Luciole is one of the top choices for three-generation charters of which we have welcomed many.
Luciole
Barge Cruise Itinerary
Auxerre to Clamecy on the Canal du Nivernais
Sunday:Paris to Auxerre
Meeting at the Hotel Mansart in Paris with a representative of the Luciole at 2.30 pm, followed by the journey to Auxerre in the barge's air-conditioned bus. Luciole is moored on the impressive river frontage in the city, overlooked by the Cathedral, Parish Church and the Abbey, and in these splendid surroundings we stage a Champagne reception on board.
Monday:
Auxerre to Bailly
A visit into the historic centre of Auxerre is followed by a cruise out of the city into
beautiful pastoral countryside. Lunch on board will be taken at Champs, one of several attractive villages on the way. The afternoon's cruising through attractive reaches of the River Yonne concludes at the wine-making centre of Bailly.
Tuesday:
Bailly to Vermenton
A morning visit is made to one of the wine caves in the vicinity of Chablis. The picturesque villages of St Bris, Irancy and Escolives all stand close beside the waterway in wonderful surroundings, and a rendezvous will be made with one of the wine producers in the area. After lunch, we cruise onwards and up an arm of the canal to a quayside on the River Cure
at the small town of Vermenton.
Wednesday:
Vermenton to Mailly-la-Ville
Today's excursion is to Noyers-sur-Serein, considered to be in the top 100 prettiest
villages in France. Enjoy a cheesetasting in the market; then visit a local potter and
tour his shop. Many Luciole guests are finding delightful momentos to take home!
After lunch Luciole continues southwards along a waterway in which winding stretches
of canal mingle with sparkling river sections, before our arrival at the village of
Mailly-la-Ville.
Thursday:
Mailly-la-Ville to Lucy-sur-Yonne
Cruising ever deeper into the countryside, Luciole enters a region in which dramatic cliffs stand by the waterside, with many opportunities for cycling, strolling - or simply enjoying
the scenery from the sun-deck. Visits during the day can include the hill town of Mailly-le-Chateau, or the imposing chateau of Bazoches, home in the 17th Century of the Marquis de Vauban, France's great military engineer.
Friday:
Lucy-sur-Yonne to Clamecy
From an overnight mooring at the village of Lucy-sur-Yonne, we make the short journey
in our bus to Vezelay, to visit the spectacular 12th Century Basilica, which dominates the town. Here St. Bernard preached the 2nd Crusade and from this hillside a swathe of rural Burgundy can be seen. Traveling onwards, Luciole then reaches the delightful Medieval
town of Clamecy, a worthy venue for the climax of our cruise.
Saturday:
Clamecy to Paris
An after-breakfast departure to Paris anticipates arrival there at around 12.30. For guests traveling onward in hired cars from the area, a stop can be made at Auxerre again, before heading onward to Paris.
Please note: this is a sample itinerary which may be subject to change depending on local conditions. The route will run in reverse on alternate weeks.Contact The Barge Lady for reservations and more information about Barge cruises in Burgundy Or call us toll free at (800) 880-0071.
Luciole
Guest Book
"Terrific experience in every way - cuisine, wine, cheeses, idyllic countryside - and the barge staff were very nice and helpful."
-Ed and Martha Young, 2008
"Being on the Luciole this spring was fabulous. We could not have asked for more. Sophie is a wizard in the galley; her meals were superb. The crew was delightful and very helpful. It was one of the best vacations ever."
-Bill and Susan Northcutt, 2008
"My husband and I have traveled over most of France. We have always wanted to do a barge trip - and voila - we finally did it! It was such a relaxing and wonderful way to enjoy a small area of France we had never seen. The Luciole is so charming. It is not a 5* star (nor are its prices) - but the staff, excursions, food, ambiance and entire fabulous cruise was a 10* star!"
-Beverly and Bob Mann, 2007
"The pickup was smooth. The barge staff were wonderful. The food was great. Bicycling and walking along the canal was a wonderful way to work off the meals. The company was marvelous. We must have had the noisiest barge on the canal. Laughter, jokes, conversation.
4 Australians
4 Americans
2 English
2 Canadian
I wish the world could have such harmony."
-Jim Austin and Patricia McKerchar, 2007
"Barge tour was supreme. Good barge, great canals, good weather, superb crew and guide, wonderful food and equally as good fellow passengers as two years ago on the Rhone."
- Bob and Joan Moir, 2007
We were delighted to welcome back Bob and Joan who had cruised on Le Phenicien in 2005.
"A wonderful experience for our family and friends! It was well-planned and executed from start to end. every meal was delicious - the explanations helpful - the staff so anxious to please. I would recommend it to any group!"
- Carolyn Cunningham, 2007
Carolyn's group experienced both the Tour de France and Bastille Day!
Luciole |  |
Luciole Floor Plan
100 Feet long
- 6 cabins (107 sq ft) with twin or double beds, 2 single cabins.
- Large picture windows in saloon and dining area.
- Sundeck with tables, chairs, and umbrellas.
