France has been a popular holiday destination for centuries. From the historic charm of its major cities to the sizzling heat of the southern coast and the stunning landscapes of the rural regions, it’s a country that sees plenty of tourists from all over the world coming to visit year after year.
Exploring France by barge is a unique experience that allows guests to travel the country along some of the original highways that were developed long before cars became the favored mode of transportation. It’s a particularly suitable trip type for those seeking a more luxurious holiday, thanks to the relaxing pace of this kind of travel and the incredible quality of the barges available to rent and explore a range of French waterways.
In this article, expert barge holiday provider Locaboat shares valuable insight and advice in a guide to luxury barging in France.
A luxury barge holiday is a travel experience like no other. Hop on board a converted or specially designed barge and enjoy the sedate pace of canal waterways with plenty of luxurious touches throughout your trip.
Luxury barges are large, comfortable and very stable, so your journey will be smooth no matter which part of the world you decide to explore by boat. With features ranging from ensuite bedrooms to rooftop hot tubs and private chefs, forget everything you think you know about traveling by canal barge and start imagining the possibilities of this fantastic way to travel.
Luxurious barge holidays can last anywhere from a couple of days to over a fortnight and involve a gentle cruise along a canal with a range of stops along the way for sightseeing or excursions. After being briefed on how to sail your craft, your holiday party can set out on the water at your leisure, navigating locks and enjoying the range of waterways that your destination of choice has to offer.
Renting a luxury barge for a trip is a great choice for all kinds of holiday parties, from couples breaks to big family gatherings. The stately pace of canal barges means that these kinds of holidays are a brilliant way of experiencing slow travel, which is perfect for holidaymakers who want to have a minimal impact on the environment or are just looking for a way to unwind and disconnect from the frantic pace of modern life.
Canal barge holidays are available in a variety of destinations, but there is truly no better place to experience them than France. The country’s canal network is extensive and joins many popular destinations and sites together, providing plenty of opportunities for bucket-list sightseeing as well as adventures to undiscovered places and plenty of gorgeous scenery.
As well as the numerous waterways surrounded by beautiful French landscapes, the country is also perfect for cycling holidays, which go perfectly in tandem with traveling by canal boat. Many luxurious barges have room for storing bikes, so if you fancy stretching your legs you can cycle along a towpath or one of France’s popular cycle trails, some of which run right alongside the water.
France is also an ideal country for luxurious holidays thanks to the incredible food and wine that the country is so well known for. It’s easy to combine a barge trip with food or wine tasting excursions, so whether you’re a fan of champagne or adore French cheese, you can enjoy outstanding flavors from the comfort of your luxury boat.
Finally, the canal network in France allows you to access places that aren’t as easily reached by any other mode of transport and therefore have remained relatively untouched by tourism. Whether you’ve already seen the popular sights of the country or just prefer to experience the authentic side of a destination, travelling around France by boat allows you to discover beautiful towns, villages and landscapes that are far removed from the tourist trail.
There are plenty of different options when it comes to choosing where to travel on a luxury barge holiday in France. Here are some of the most popular places to visit and routes to follow.
As perhaps the most famous canal in France, the Canal du Midi is the route you’ll hear recommended the most when it comes to barging in France. Connecting Toulouse to the Etang de Thau, a highlight of this waterway is the journey around the foothills of the Pyrénneés mountain range, providing absolutely stunning views. It became a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of the brilliant array of historic sites along the canal and the range of landscapes you can admire from the water, making it an ideal choice for first-time barge holidaymakers.
The region of Burgundy in the center of France is a brilliant place for a barge holiday thanks to the numerous canals that crisscross the area and offer a range of routes to visitors. As well as being famous for its wine, Burgundy has outstanding scenery along its waterways that include rolling hills, lush vineyards and plenty of picture-perfect towns and villages. It’s also the best place to come if you’d like to add visits to chateaux to your luxury trip itinerary, as there are hundreds of ornate and historic buildings across the region.
The Loire Valley is one of the most popular places for boating holidays in France, and the Canal de Briare takes you right through the region. Connecting Briare with Montargis, it’s one of the oldest routes in the country that offers plenty of historical sightseeing en route, including the Pont-Canal de Briare aqueduct. Centre-Val-de-Loire is also known for its vineyards, so this is an excellent canal for a holiday if you’d like to enjoy plenty of exceptional wine tasting as part of your trip.
The scenery in Provence is some of the most beautiful in all of France, making it the ideal destination for a canal barge cruise where you can admire the landscape as it slowly rolls past you from the comfort of your boat. The region’s southeastern location means that you can enjoy a unique blend of French and Mediterranean culture, influencing everything from the food to the architecture. It’s also one of the warmest places in the country, so is perfect for a sun-soaked boat trip in the spring or autumn.
The Canal de Bourgogne in Burgundy is one of the most popular canals for barge trips in France. It connects the River Seine with the River Rhone and passes through 190 locks, which also makes it the highest canal in the country. This is another route that is ideal for travelers that want to indulge in wine tasting whilst barging in France, as Burgundy is known for its outstanding grape varieties.
Never been on a barge holiday before? Here’s what you can expect from the experience.
When many people think of barges they picture small and cramped boats, but the kinds of vessels on offer to luxury holidaymakers are anything but. You can expect more than enough space for all your guests and their belongings, as well as plenty of luxurious touches that make the entire experience incredibly comfortable.
The beauty of a barge holiday is that you’re in control of where you go, what you see and what you do, within the confines of the canal you choose to cruise along of course! With the freedom to moor up where you choose and plenty of different things to see along France’s waterways, you can tailor your trip itinerary to the preferences of your holiday party.
Canal boat holidays are also great options for those who enjoy walking and cycling, as you can hop off the barge at any point and either cycle or stroll along the towpath or follow the canal along a nearby trail.
You don’t need to stress about trying to cram everything in on a canal barge holiday. Instead, prepare to take things at a relaxing pace as your barge moves at an average speed of 5 miles an hour and allows you to enjoy a true slow travel experience that is ideal for those looking to unwind and destress.
No matter which area of France you decide to explore on a barge holiday, one thing you can expect is stunning scenery at all points of the journey. From the vineyards of Burgundy to the golden fields of Provence and the historic sites along the Canal de Briare, you’ll probably find that you’re happy simply to sit on the deck of your barge and enjoy the changing views as they roll past you.
One of the biggest benefits of a barge holiday is that it combines your accommodation and transport for a trip into one. Instead of worrying about trying to book a car or using public transport, you can travel in comfort with the freedom to adapt your plans depending on how you feel each day.
Leading on from that last point, the flexibility of a barge holiday is another benefit. Whilst you will have to pick your barge up from a certain location and return it at another, along the way you have the freedom to choose what you want to visit along the route and how long you’d like to stay in each place, providing much more freedom than an organized tour or trip relying on public transport.
Barge holidays are particularly suited to those seeking luxurious experiences because of the intimacy and privacy they offer. Once you step inside your vessel you’ll be transported to a cosy, secluded floating home with plenty of special touches that will feel worlds away from the waterway just outside the walls.
Traveling on canals in France gives you the opportunity to see parts of the country that aren’t accessible by any other mode of transport, offering unique experiences and access to relatively undiscovered areas. You will also get the chance to visit towns and villages along the way that may otherwise have been too far out from classic tourist trails, which is ideal for holidaymakers that like to see the authentic side of the places they visit.
Finally, the slow pace and secluded nature of traveling by barge are ideal for travelers looking for a truly luxurious holiday experience, particularly when you choose an itinerary that focuses on sampling some of the finest aspects of French culture, cuisine and landscapes. With so many options to choose from, there’s a canal boat holiday for everyone.
Whether you’re a first-timer to France or are looking for a new way to explore the country after years of classic holidays, a luxury barge holiday is always a brilliant option. Barges are some of the safest and easiest types of boat to drive as a beginner, so enjoy the challenge of a new experience whilst you enjoy beautiful scenery, undiscovered towns and villages, and the luxurious comfort of a floating holiday home.
This article was provided by Locaboat Holidays, who are specialists in boating holidays in France and across Europe.
