Charter barge in France

Explore the beautiful Upper Loire Valley by chartered barge on a one week cruise aong the Canal du Briare.
For full details download a brochure

Click here to see boat pictures

......and here for the delightful scenery you will encounter

Until now there has been no package to bridge the gap between hotel-barging and self-drive rental boats.

Imagine….

………..the freedom to choose from France’s finest ingredients at the market then cook them on the barbecue over a bottle of local wine bought directly from the wine maker. Or how about strolling into town to sample the freshly prepared local specialties in a little auberge or enjoying a lavish gourmet feast on the terrace of a grand chateau?

………..being able to set your own pace for daily excursions and choose between cycling to a nearby attraction, hiring a driver/guide to go further a field or simply reading a book on your very own shaded aft-deck then going for a leisurely stroll along the canal.

………..having the total tranquility and privacy of your own boat with an experienced, French-speaking Captain to pilot it for you so you can relax and enjoy the beautiful, ever-changing scenery as you float along.

…………..having exclusive use of an immaculate, fully equipped and beautifully decorated 1924 Dutch barge – an activity until now, reserved for privileged barge owners.

Well now, you can have it all……….we are delighted to announce self-catering, skippered charters aboard the stunningly pretty, luxuriously fitted Dutch barge “Maria”.

So, who should buy this cruise?

Anyone with a passion for France and a sense of adventure.

Anyone with a preference for spontaneity and privacy over structured routine and regimented pampering.

Anyone who has ever taken a trip on a hotel barge and loved it but longed to sample the local restaurants or the simple pleasures of buying the fresh, local ingredients and preparing their own meals.

Anyone who would normally book a gîte but loves the idea of being on a floating gîte – a barge with ever changing scenery and moorings.

Anyone who yearns for the freedom of a rental boat but is nervous of piloting the boat and concerned about the barrier of not speaking French.

Anyone who has considered rental boats but doesn’t want to be crammed into a small fibreglass boat with no charm, limited facilities and very little space.

Anyone who would consider buying a barge in France but would like to try before they buy or wants to explore one of most beautiful waterways of France without committing to huge expense.