Christmas Cocktail: Parisian Poinsettia

To get you in the festive spirit, here’s our Parisian Poinsettia cocktail recipe – the perfect fusion of champagne, triple sec and cranberry juice… Read more...

Delicious & Easy Christmas Treats

Olivia Gibbons, co-owner and chef of the popular Irish Hotel Barge Shannon Princess , shares a delectable mince pie recipe for the holiday season.

Did you know that the origin of the humble mince pie lies in the Middle East? It eventually made its way west and became part of the Christmas tradition throughout the UK and Ireland.

These little treats are a welcome sight leading up to and during the festive season. Lovely with a cup of tea and if you are feeling indulgent, add a spoonful of brandy cream. Get the recipe, read more...

Black Friday Specials - Save 30%

In recognition of Black Friday, how about we make luxury a little more affordable? Book a 2022 private barge charter between Friday 26th November and Friday 3rd December, 2021 and enjoy a 30% discount for 6-night cruises aboard Anjodi, L’Art de Vivre, and L’Impressionniste. Read more...

Save on Barge Cruises for September & October 2021

We have updated our special offers page for the remaining barges cruises of the 2021 season. If you have been dreaming about barging, perhaps now is the time. Read more...

Do You Need To Renew Your US Passport?

Watch the video HERE

The State Department is struggling with a backlog of passport applications, just as many Americans are making plans to travel abroad. The department says mail delays, a shutdown of their online booking system, and staffing shortages are part of the problem – CBS News, July 23, 2021.

Most countries demand that you have a passport that is valid for at least 6 months when you arrive in their country. Please take this into account when booking your charter. Read more...

NEWS: French Hotel Barge Rendez-Vous

French Barge Rendez-Vous — Barge cruises in Southern Burgundy, France

We are excited to announce that the French Hotel Barge Rendez-Vous will be converted into a 4-passenger barge for the 2023 season, resulting in two larger guest cabins.

The high level of service, cuisine and experience will be maintained, as well as the inclusion of round-trip, chauffeured transfers between Paris and the barge. Read more...

RECIPE: Gruyère de Comté and Poppy Seed Lollipops

A great choice for show-stopping canapés or a wonderful homemade gift for your loved ones, these Gruyère de Comté and poppy seed lollipops are sure to be a festive favorite. Read more...

UPDATE: Save 30% with Savoir Vivre in Burgundy, France

UPDATE: New week open for cabin bookings, plus current availability. The French Hotel Barge Savoir Vivre, offering barge cruises the Canal du Bourgogne in southern Burgundy, now has four weeks open for the 2021 barging season. The three cabin weeks have a 30% discount while the one charter week is available at the low season rate. Read more...

A History of Western Provence Wines

Want to know more about Western Provence wines? This handy little guide will reveal everything you need to know. The city of Massalia, (modern day Marseille), was founded by the Phoenicians in 6th century BC. Traders from the east plied the Mediterranean and brought vines and wine to the area, planting grapes throughout the south of France. The wines produced during this period were not "red" as we think of red wine today. Grapes were pressed and processed very quickly, giving the wines a pale color. Read more...

Meet Enchanté Chef, Sylvain Moretto

Classically-trained French chef, Sylvain Moretto, has been the master chef aboard Enchanté for ten seasons, with an additional three seasons aboard Renaissance. Read about life as a barge chef on the tranquil Canal du Midi… Read more

French Foodie Barge Cruises

If you are a lover of fine food and particularly how and where locally-grown ingredients are sourced, our culinary cruises will really tickle your taste-buds. Enjoy tasting world-class cuisine and sampling fine wines in picturesque surroundings aboard a luxury hotel barge.

Our fabulous collection of French Foodie Cruises feature enhanced, more immersive wine and food excursions, daily gourmet dining, and onboard cooking classes presented by talented master chefs. Find out why these limited tours sell out year after year. Read more...

Today is World Chocolate Day - French Chocolate Mousse Recipe

Relax, put your feet up and indulge in a sumptuous French Chocolate Mousse, courtesy of our barge chefs. What could be better? Read more...

FRANCE: The Niverais Canal

The Nivernais Canal in Burgundy is often described as France’s most beautiful canal. The Canal passes through western Burgundy, crossing the Yonne Valley and from time to time merging with the Yonne River itself.

The Nivernais Canal is known for its tranquility, its beautiful valleys and hills, and its historic and picturesque villages and vineyards. Its path through the hills of Morvan, the wild valley of the Yonne, and the green meadows of Bazois. Enjoy the Canal du Nivernais aboard Hotel barge L’Art de Vivre. Read more...

FRANCE: The Canal de Garonne

Discover the Canal de Garonne aboard 8-passenger, luxury French hotel barge Rosa, as she cruises Bordeaux and Gascony in Southwest France. The area around Agen is a bountiful fruit-growing region of France, with strawberries, cherries, apples, pears, plums and peaches grown in the vicinity. Read more...

Experience France: Autumn Wine Harvest

For many visitors to France, a major draw is the country’s centuries-old legacy of winemaking, particularly during the wine harvest months. Our wine appreciation cruises travelling through such renowned regions as Burgundy, Bordeaux, Champagne and Alsace, have long been popular with oenophiles keen on an inside look into the production behind some of the world’s finest vintages.

Though summer may be the peak barging season for many travellers, the vineyards of France offer up delights and surprises all year round. As the days shorten and the vine leaves turn golden, vintners begin the age-old tradition of harvesting grapes and start the winemaking process anew. If you choose to cruise in the off-peak season in Autumn, you’ll be well-rewarded with a glimpse into one of France’s most time-honored traditions. Read more...

How to Read and Understand a French Wine Label

The French Hotel Barge Athos who cruises along the canal du midi in southern France shares some insight on how to read and understand a French wine label.

When you’re browsing the wine shop shelves looking for the perfect trip down memory lane in a wine bottle, how can you possibly know whether anything on that shelf will resemble what you drank while you were onboard Athos? You need to be able to understand the content on a french wine label. The best news is that fluent french is not an obligation in this case. Read more...

Barge Cruises in our New Times

Savor the Privacy and Seclusion on a Whole Barge Charter

How better to enjoy the very best of a destination on a post-lockdown escape, than in the comfort and seclusion of a private whole barge charter? From groups of friends to families in hopes of reconnecting and making up for lost time during lockdown, we’re seeing a high interest for charter bookings in 2021. It’s not difficult to see why, with the perks of what feels like having your very own private floating villa, equipped with a personal crew and private chef. Read more...

FRANCE: Experience the Tastes of Gascony

Gascony has some of the most delicious gastronomic traditions in France. Let the French Hotel Barge Rosa introduce you to the region’s food and wine in the most wonderful way.

How better to spend a relaxed, romantic holiday than sampling some of the country’s delectable delights aboard a barge cruise? Here are a few of the specialties you should definitely try. Read more...

FRANCE: The Cuisine of Strasbourg

Strasbourg is a highlight of any French barge cruise that takes in the stunning, and often overlooked, regions of Alsace and Lorraine. Sitting at the crossroads of western and central Europe, this city is bursting with a rich and intricate history, home to an incredible array of architecture, and proud of its strong cultural traditions.

Perhaps not the first city that comes to mind when you think of culinary delights, but Strasbourg should not be dismissed if you are a self-confessed foodie. Known as one of the most unique gastronomic destinations in Europe, it draws its influence from both France and Germany, making its recipes unlike anything you will find anywhere else in the world. Read more...

RECIPES: 5-Seed Honey Bread from Shannon Princess

Olivia Gibbons, co-owner and chef of the popular Irish Hotel Barge Shannon Princess, shares her recipe for 5-Seed Honey Bread. Read more...

RECIPES: Homemade Butter from Shannon Princess

Olivia Gibbons, co-owner and chef of the popular Irish Hotel Barge Shannon Princess, shares one of her most popular recipes: barge-made country butter. Olivia makes both cow and goat butters on board. “We also add different flavours. Our homemade butters are served with our galley-made breads, scones and pastries and are also used to add flavours to meats and fish dishes” says Olivia. Read more...