First Time Cruisers in France — A Newbie’s Guide to Ultra-Deluxe Barge Cruising

Barge cruising is one of the most intimate and luxurious ways to see the French countryside.

It is a completely different animal from taking a river cruise, or really any other type of small ship cruising experience. From the limited number of passengers onboard to the highly attentive service from the crew and culinary excellence at every meal, you will never want to leave the luxurious comfort of this floating hotel.

Moreover, you may never want to cruise any other way in the future…

GOOD MORNING, COFFEE AND CROISSANTS AWAIT

The most notable difference from other types of cruises is that the barge sails in either the morning or the afternoon, not overnight, which means you will never feel rushed or pressured to get out to explore or join a tour at 8:00 am. Daily excursions happen either after breakfast or after lunch, and your Tour Guide will let you know the night before what time the next day’s excursion will depart.

The day begins when you are ready. Breakfast is set out by the crew for you to enjoy whenever you wake up. 

Spend the morning reading in the salon or enjoying an extra cup of coffee and fresh croissant on deck. Take a dip in the topside hot tub. Join your Captain in his wheelhouse. Ask the Hostess for a napkin folding lesson. This is an opportunity to get to know the crew and enjoy the barge’s many amenities. Passengers will find this daily pace just slow enough to make you feel like you are truly on a relaxed vacation.

CYCLING AND STROLLING ALONG THE TOWPATH

While sailing, the Captain must stop the barge at regular intervals along the canal in order to go through the locks. This is an ideal time to hop off and take a brisk walk or use one of the barge’s bikes to ride along the canal-side towpath and stretch your legs.

“Guests are encouraged to enjoy a casual bike ride along the towpath or into the French countryside,” reports Prosperite’s Barge Manager Spencer Hayes. “Bicycles are always onboard, always available, and always ready to go.”

The boat cruises at approximately four miles an hour allowing you to easily hop back on at the next lock or further down if you prefer. This is a great opportunity to work off some of the extra calories you might consume at the gourmet meals prepared by your private Chef.

AUTHENTIC FOOD & WINE EXPERIENCES

You will experience one or several private tours and winetastings at family-owned vineyards during your trip. These private tours offer more than just sipping and swirling wine a tasting room. They include visits to the actual cellars and a comprehensive overview of how their wines are made.  The vintners will take their time to educate you leaving you feeling more knowledgeable about the region and the wines they produce. 

There is no better place to taste wine than the actual vineyard in which it was produced. 

Excursions ashore also include culinary experiences. If you are not in the vineyard, you might be at the market. You will see where the locals shop for their produce, fruits, cheeses, meats, and flowers. One day you may also enjoy a gourmet meal on shore for lunch or dinner at a Michelin Star or award-winning restaurant.

BE PREPARED FOR EPICUREAN OVERLOAD

Fair warning, there is a lot of food on a Barge Lady Cruise. A LOT. Be prepared for epicurean overload, both ashore and onboard. One afternoon on the Prosperite we were treated to a cooking demonstration. We met the Chef in the open kitchen just before lunch.

We learned how to prepare a whole baked salmon in salt with a beurre blanc sauce. Little did we know we were actually making our own lunch.

Not only does your private Chef prepare multi-course meals for both lunch and dinner, guest are  also served a cheese and wine pairing.  Throughout the week, we sampled more than thirty different kinds of cheese and tasted more than twenty varieties of wine.

TIPS FOR FIRST TIME BARGE CRUISERS

If you are at all hesitant and just want to dip your toes into barge cruising, take this into consideration — everything is included with the exception of the discretionary crew gratuity. You will never be asked to open your wallet to pay for the chauffeured transfers to and from the barge, the cellar tours, the gourmet samplings, the museum entrance fees, on shore meals, or use of the barge’s bicycles.

There are no extra or hidden charges. Not even when you help yourself to an aperitif from the bar stocked with top shelf liquors.

Additionally, there is a considerable price difference between a Charming and Ultra-Deluxe barge cruise. While both are equally as wonderful, if you don’t mind slightly smaller accommodations, you might want to check out the some of the Charming cruises knowing that the service, cuisine, and excursions are all comparable across the full range of voyages.

No matter which French canal barge you choose to sail on, know that you will want for nothing and may be spoiled for life!

Dana Freeman is a freelance journalist and the editor behind Dana Freeman Travels.  She cruised in Southern Burgundy aboard barge Prosperite.