French Country Waterways Continues Tradition of Top Quality Barge Cruises

As the premier provider of French barge cruises, and the only one that is American-owned and operated, French Cou ntry Waterways continues to set the standard for these vacations – offering a bevy of upscale amenities that are included on all their cruises. Exclusive private tours and wine tastings; Michelin-starred dinner (Auberge des Templiers, Le Cerf, Lameloise, Les Crayères and Le Relais Bernard Loiseau); Grand Cru and Premier Cru wines, dozens of tantalizing French cheeses; innovative cuisine from talented onboard chefs; private motorcoaches; escorted transfers; and stellar service from an attentive, knowledgeable crew, fluent in English and French – all contribute to the fond memories p ast guests have expressed for their time on the barges, and a high repeat business.

The six-night sailings, April through October, aboard one of the company’s four luxury barges, take in Burgundy’s Côte d’Or, Central Burgundy, Champagne, Alsace-Lorraine and the Upper Loire Valley. Fares for 2013 range from $5,095 to $6,695 per person, double.

The eight-passenger Horizon II journeys through the Upper Loire Valley, known for its network of canals linking Paris to the château country, where many castles and stately manor houses fill the landscape. It is also home to such wines as Muscadet, Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé. Highlights include a day trip and lunch at the 16th-century Château de Chambord, the largest of the Loire Valley châteaux; seeing how the prized French Faience earthenware is produced during a private facto ry tour in Gien; visiting the medieval town of Montargis, known as “Little Venice” for its many waterways, and enjoying a praline tasting at world-renowned Mazet de Montargis; taking a private cellar tour and wine tasting in the charming village of Sancerre; and dining ashore at the Michelin-starred Auberge des Templiers in Les Bézards.

The former private barge of shipping magnate Daniel K. Ludwig, the eight-passenger Princess, spends April through June in Champagne – where guests explore the Gothic Cathedral of Reims and the cellars Moët & Chandon; enjoy a private tour and tasting at the House of Ployez-Jacquemart; tour the American Cemetery and World War I battlefields at Belleau Wood; and dine at the Michelin-starred Les Crayères. From July through October, guests spend their time exploring Alsace-Lorraine – with a visit to Place Stanislas, one of the most beautiful and distinguished squares in all of Europe; the magnificent gardens of the 18th century Château de Lunéville, and the 12th-century cathedral made of pink Vosges sandstone in c osmopolitan Strasbourg; dinner at Michelin-starred Le Cerf; and a wine tour and tasting of crisp, fruity varietals in Traenheim.

The 12-passenger Adrienne, luxuriously outfitted with six king suites, serenely follows the narrow 18th-century Canal du Centre and tree-lined Canal de Bourgogne as it makes its way through the beauty of Burgundy’s scenic Côte d'Or wine-growing region. Daily escorted sightseeing excursions include a tasting of renowned Burgundies in the private cellars of a local vintner in Rully; walking tours of Dijon with its Musée des Beaux Arts and elegant shops; and Beaune, the charming wine capital of Burgundy; and visits to the medieval abbey of Clos de Vougeot, headquarters of the Chevaliers du Tastevin, with vineyards dating back to the 12th century, and the centuries old Castle of La Rochepot. The Michelin-starred dinner is held a t Lameloise in Chagny.

The 12-passenger Nenuphar explores picturesque Central Burgundy on the Canal de Bourgogne route between Tanlay and Venarey-les-Laumes. Guests visit a privately owned vineyard in Chablis, where a tour of the property is followed by a tasting, and the Forges de Buffon, founded by 18th-century naturalist Georges-Louis de Buffon, where the tour also ends with a glass of wine with the owner. Guests walk one of France’s most beautiful villages, Noyers; and tour the Abbaye de Fontenay, one of the best-preserved Cistercian monasteries and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The three-starred Le Relais Bernard Loiseau is the site of a dinner ashore.

And there is always time to relax on the sundeck and walk or bicycle along canal towpaths. Hot-air ballooning is also available.

Each barge has been meticulously designed and is extensively refurbished on a continual basis, with suites featuring private baths and king, queen or twin beds. The barges are available for individual bookings and for charter groups of up to 12 guests. Special room rates are offered at the designated meeting point hotels in Paris and/or Strasbourg for guests wishing to extend their stay. Information, brochures and reservations can be obtained from French Country Waterways, Ltd., P.O. Box 2195, Duxbury, MA 02331; (800) 222-1236 in the U.S. and Canada and (781) 934-2454 in MA; or, visit www.fcwl.com.