Luciole
Barging in Burgundy

Guests: 14
Size: 100 feet long
Last Visited: 2008
Rating: First Class, A/C, Families

2009 rates

Special Summer savings!

For the sailings of:
July 12-18
July 19-25
July 26-August 1
August 9-15
August 16-22

$2,000 per person in a Double Occupancy Cabin
$2,950 per person in a Single Occupancy Cabin

For the sailing of:
August 30 - September 5
$2,950 per person in a Double Occupancy Cabin
$2,950 per person in a Single Occupancy Cabin

Space is limited!  Call us at (800) 880-0071 and let's plan a summer cruise on this fabulous barge!

September 6 to October 17
$3,750 per person occupying a twin or double-bedded cabin
$3,850 single occupancy cabin
$44,000 Whole Boat Charter for 14
$40,000 Whole Boat Charter for 12
October 18 to November 7
$3,450 per person occupying a twin or double-bedded cabin
$3,550 single occupancy cabin
$44,500 Whole Boat Charter for up to 14 guests



Six night/seven day cruises depart from Paris every Sunday and return to Paris the following Saturday.

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 was 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 was starting out his second season with Luciole.

In 2008, we welcomed a very special charter of good friends, led by their fearless leader Bob Hahn.  We enjoyed working with each and every guest.  And...they had a great time aboard LUCIOLE.  The delightful Nancy Page said:  "An absolutely brilliant voyage of discovery in the incredibly beautiful Burgundian countryside of ancient cathedrals, abbeys, chateau and breathtaking villages as well as an opportunity to absorb sounds of birds and people along the way.  Just as much, your incomparable crew.  What a delight they are!  Stephane, of course, as exotic and bright as the whole of France - Max, Sam, Kelvin, Sophie, Neil; I cannot imagine the barge trip without them.  I compliment you on such an interesting, well-placed and paced itinerary and hope you can keep that crew.  Love that LUCIOLE!"

Barge Lady's Debbie and Nicole Vaci cruised in June, 2007 and took many of the wonderful photographs on our site.   For Debbie's cruise diary, go to The Barge Lady Blog and see her day by day account and more photos. 

Luciole

Guest Book

"Our week on the Luciole exceeded our expectations even though we have been on two previous barge trips in Burgundy.  The setting is idyllic, the food outstanding, the staff friendly, and the tours interesting.  Don't forget the wine and cheese!"
-Allen and Faith Hastings, 2009

"The cruise exceeded our expectations: Great food and wine, beautiful scenery and an exceptionally friendly and accessible staff.  The Chef even shared her recipes!  Probably what our party enjoyed most was daily bicycling along the beautiful canal and river.  The staff was very helpful in constantly loading/unloading bicycles and giving us info about paths.  Outstanding!  We hope to go again."
-Jean Felsted, 2009

"The cruise exceeded my expectations in every way, but especially in the area of excursions.  Neil hit exactly the right note: interesting; thoroughly prepared, but  not "academic;"  endlessly patient, excellent driver.  This was the great surprise of the trip."
-Joyce McNabb, 2009

"We loved everything about our barge trip.  All the crew members were terrific - knowledgeable, friendly, talented and helpful.  We particularly liked the many opportunities to walk and bike along the canal.  The well-planned excursions added a great deal to out appreciation of the area.  Our travel companions were very congenial and compatible, which made for a fun, relaxing and interesting trip.  We recommend this experience without hesitation."
-Mimi and Bob Eisenbeis, 2008

"Great food, great wine, great friends and a great time!"
-Al and Ginny Ehle, 2008

"Our experience on the Luciole was absolutely amazing.  Not only did we reunite with our Key West friends in a completely different environment, but also, so enjoyed the wonderful personalities of the crew.  They could not have done more to accommodate us.  The barge provides an excellent opportunity to visit and view the spectacular French countryside.  We returned with a wealth of knowledge regarding wine, cheese and local history.  We are still salivating over the meals that were served to us with the utmost care.  We wish all of those who are dear to us could experience the fabulous experience of cruising on the Luciole."
-Bob and Beverly Arnold, 2008

"A great experience that we would want to have again at some time in the future.  Liked the size of the group (14) and the format, half day touring and half day cycling/walking.  We prefer to have some physical activity and we were happy the weather did not confine us to the barge.  We had the opportunity to stretch our legs and meet a few locals.  The dining - especially the cheeses - was excellent."
-Felice and Mary Raimondo, 2008

"The voyage, the trip was a "treat!"  We could not have asked for a better week.  We were well taken care of and the itinerary was wonderful."
-Varya Anderson and David Milne IV, 2008

"We thought Neil, our guide, did an excellent job.  We enjoyed all our side trips and walking along the canals.  Sophie's food was out of this world.  We enjoyed everythinig - food, company, and the trip.  What we enjoyed least was leaving."
-John and Carol Wickes, 2008

"The barge trip was a new, adventurous experience for us.  We were introduced to wine, cheese, and foods that we totally enjoyed.  The beauty and charm of the French countryside was matched by the fantastic crew of the Luciole....they were wonderful!  We were treated by a surprise visit from the owner, Penny Liley-She's a doll!"
-James and Deborah Patton, 2008

"Howard and I both enjoyed the Luciole trip!  The whole trip was just great.  We got to meet Penny Liley, the barge owner and we really enjoyed the cew very much.  They bend over backwards to make the trip a pleasure.  Thank you for steering us to the Luciole."
-Barbara Schneider, 2008

"A very enjoyable experience.  Relaxing, interesting trip with a compatible small group.  Every member of the crew did an excellent job."
-Terence and Madeline Welsh, 2008

"I can't imagine a better vacation for three generations to share.  Each member of our family-from the 80-year old grandparents to the youngest grandchild (7)-enjoyed every minute and long to be back on the Luciole.  The highlights for me were the breathtaking scenery and the incredible cuisine, lovingly prepared by Sophie.  I especially am grateful for the care she took in personalizing the vegetarian meals for me!!"
-Elaine Bayles and James Marr, 2008

"Trip of a lifetime!  The captain and crew were wonderful with all the children who have thanked us over and over for arranging this trip.  Having a family of 14 on a 14 passenger barge was grand!  The barge was fine, but it  was the crew who made the trip marvelous!"
-Barbara and Phil Bayless, 2008

"The cruise was enjoyable.  The crew was so very pleasant!  They really worked as a team and made us feel at home."
-Clint and Marion Frey, 2008

"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 Floor Plan

100 Feet long
- 6 cabins (107 sq ft) with twin or double beds, 2 single cabins.
- Large picture windows in salon and dining area.
- Sundeck with tables, chairs, and umbrellas.