The villages slip by as L’Impressionniste glides along the canal, Fleury-sur-Creche, La Bussiere-sur-Ouche, Gissey-sur-Ouche, each one a picture of rural France, enhanced by the scent of tarragon and thyme crushed underfoot by walkers on the tow-path. Green and gold fields stretch far to the velvety hillsides and black and brown horses lift their heads to watch the barge sail by.
Hotel Barging on a Canal in Burgundy, France
Burgundy is the most popular hotel barging area in Europe and once smitten with this form of transport and the food and wines of Burgundy, few can resist a second and third trip. There is no better way to visit the vineyards, picturesque villages, Gothic churches and Renaissance chateaux of France than on an excursion from one’s floating hotel to which one will return ready for a pre-dinner cocktail. Because it is France, most people ignore the spirit based cocktails and opt for something like a Kir, that mixture of white wine and cassis invented by one of Dijon’s mayors, a glass of chilled white Chablis, or the superb Crémant de Bourgogne, the delicious sparkling wine of Burgundy.
Luxury Barges Operated by European Waterways
Of the luxury barges operated by European Waterways, nine cruise the canals of Burgundy, with a crew to cater to everyone’s wishes, a guide to conduct daily excursions to towns, chateaux and vineyards – with wine tastings – the barge captained by an experienced navigator who is usually a wine expert.
L’Impressionisste for instance, takes 12 passengers as does her sister ship, Le Belle Epoque, and cruises through the Cote d’Or department of Burgundy, the area where the Pinot Noir grape reigns supreme.
This is the perfect cruise for both wine lover and lover of French history as visits are arranged to the 13th century Chateau de Commarin, the fortified outpost of Chateauneuf en Auxois, the Close de Vougeot, headquarters of the esteemed Chevaliers du Tastevin, and the medieval town of Dijon, once one of the greatest cities in Europe. Dijon is famous for its mustard (try the cassis flavoured mustard for something different) but it is also home to the magnificent Palace of the Ducs du Bourgogne now housing the Museum of Contempory Art. It also has a colourful local market.
What to do on Board the Barge - L'Impressionisste.
Although many people are happy to remain on board reading, watching the world go by or listening to the onboard collection of CD’s, many more prefer to take a walk from one lock to another, or to cycle from one lock to another along the tow-path on one of the onboard cycles, meeting further up when the barge is maneuvering a lock. Total relaxation on deck is assured with a Jacuzzi, adequate seating and sunshades. Fresh fruit is laid out daily and soft and alcoholic drinks, tea and coffee are available all day.
Gourmet Meals and Fine Wines Aboard the Barge
Mealtime has everyone in anticipation as the GoBarging chefs are renowned for their skills in producing gourmet meals, prepared with local ingredients purchased in the towns along the way. Well-known Burgundian dishes will feature on the menus, escargots bourgignon, coq au vin, boeuf bourgignon and parslied ham, but the chef is always happy to substitute another dish if desired. Seafood will make an appearance as will delicious salads and seasonal vegetables.
Cheeses will mostly be unknown to those who live outside France, but will probably include a Régal de Bourgogne, a Bleu d’Auvergne, an Epoisses and an Abbaye de Citeaux.
The wines are guaranteed to be superb, reds and whites from the Beaune area along with some Grand Crus, names that will be familiar like Meursault, Volnay, Pommard, Montrachet and Chablis – a wine lovers dream.
Barging on French Canals is Dreamlike
In fact, the whole experience is dreamlike, gliding along calm waterways, ducks keeping up with the barge in the hope of a morsel of bread, tying up at night near a small village, sleeping like a baby in a comfortable bed, and eating and drinking like the proverbial kings and queens of old – only better.
Go-Barging and European Waterways are experts in the field of canal cruising and can accommodate parties, families or specialized groups. The barges can be chartered on an individual basis – perfect for a honeymoon in fact. And they can offer not just France, but Scotland, Ireland and the Thames waterway in the UK.
Mari Nicholson - Award Winning travel writer and historian, member of British Guild of Travel Writers.Travelwriters.co.uk, and Society of Women Writers and ...
