Bloom into Burgundy on the Marvelous Barge Magnolia

Bloom into a Burgundy barge cruise…

Owned and operated by the French barging couple Captain Nicolas and Tour Guide Magali Rancelot, the Charming class, 6-guest Magnolia brings a fresh bouquet of  service and style to classic canal cruising.

With three lovely cabins, a spacious deck, and seasoned crew, the Magnolia’s pampered passengers receive a personalized immersion into a beautifully Burgundian ideal.

A longtime Barge Lady favorite, we are delighted to spotlight the Magnolia in our cruise collection as an extraordinary option for active families, Francophiles, and foodies.

Read all about what recent Barge Lady Cruise guests had to say about their marvelous cruise on the Magnolia!

A TOTALLY IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE

Our recent trip on the 6-guest barge Magnolia was one of the most incredible experiences we ever had.  As travelers, we are interested primarily in unique itineraries informed by deep local knowledge, and for those criteria the Magnolia exceeded all of our expectations.

We were welcomed into a wonderful family for a totally immersive experience in what it is to be French in general and Burgundian in particular.

We have traveled extensively in Europe over the course of four decades and had been to Burgundy multiple times, but never in such an intimate and welcoming venue.

CO-OWNERS MAGALI AND NICOLAS

Magnolia’s co-owner Magali is an amazing Tour Guide, happily sharing her deep understanding of the region’s history, architecture, viticulture, and gastronomy.

The key to the barge Magnolia’s experience is the crew. 

Co-owner and Captain Nicolas piloted the barge expertly and entertained us with technical explanations as to how the whole system of locks and barge traffic worked on the canals.

ROOM FOR ONLY SIX GUESTS 

Nicolas and Magali restored the Magnolia from a working cargo barge to the luxury vessel it is today, doing a great deal of the work themselves while holding down full-time jobs. The nautical engineering expertise required to pull off a project of that size is pretty close to mind-boggling.

The result is an intimate venue that competes with and often surpasses equivalent facilities aboard high-end cruise ships.

With room for only six guests, there is ample open air deck space per passenger and this makes the experience much more enjoyable.  The three guest cabins are jewel boxes of comfort and quiet.

CHEF’S WORLD CLASS PALATE 

Chef Loïc is my kind of chef. He is absolutely hands-on, and while technique has its place in his kitchen, his menus remain primarily ingredient-driven.

The trip with Chef to the Les Halles market in Dijon was fabulous, and he was more than happy to share recipes and techniques. 

We quickly decided that his palate was world class, while his approach was very down to earth. All his dishes were delicious, while the presentation was elegant without being fussy.

FOURTH, FIFTH…AND SIXTH IN CREW

Valentine, the Matelot and Pilot, somehow managed to carry out all of his assigned duties during the cruise as well as help us with anything we needed at any time. Hostess Brigitta pampered us shamelessly. Within 24 hours of our arrival, she knew our personal preferences from food and drink to music and deck activities.

The other three members of the crew were wonderful.

Finally, the sixth crew member, barge dog Gypsy, was a fantastic chaperone both on and off the boat. She accompanied me on a vigorous six mile trek without complaint on several occasions and was always up for active adventures with our other traveling companions.

MANY THANKS TO THE MAGNOLIA

Many thanks to Barge Lady Cruises for making us aware of the Magnolia and her wonderful crew in the first place.  Should the stars align, we will certainly book a barge tour with you in the future. — Morgan and Patti H.

For further insight into the pleasures and treasures of barge cruising, click here.  Find out more about private charters for groups of six or fewer here.  To book your own bouquet of Burgundian barging on the Magnolia, click here.