 Cruise & Freighter Travel Association P.O. Box 580188 - Flushing, NY 11358 Toll Free: 800-872-8584 E-mail: info@travltips.com |
Barge Luciole |
| Cruise & Freighter Travel Association P.O. Box 580188 - Flushing, NY 11358 Toll Free: 800-872-8584 E-mail: info@travltips.com |
Barge Luciole |
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The 14-passenger Luciole is just over 100 feet in length and accommodations have been carefully planned to provide six double or twin-bedded cabins and two with single berths. Each cabin has its own private shower and toilet facilities. Her crew has always been outstanding and the cuisine fantastic! See more
details in the PDF of the colorful brochure: |
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Inland Voyages is owned and managed by John and Penny Liley. John resigned as editor of a leading British yachting magazine in the early 1970s to undertake an epic barge journey from England, across the Channel to Calais and then throughout the French river and canal system. He has since written several books and articles on barging in Europe. Penny first worked as chef on the Luciole and her attention to detail results in the warm, welcoming atmosphere on board. The barge has been continually updated and improved for continued smooth running.
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Nivernais Canal aboard the Luciole May through October 2010 (depending on fare/departure) |
Fares include: · Transfers to and from Paris · 6 nights on board · All meals and drinks on board · Open bar · Excursions via private bus · Use of on-board bicycles |
Paris Rendezvous: Transfers to the Luciole are from the Hotel Mansart - 5, Rue de Capucines, 75001 Paris. The Hotel Mansart is located one street up from the Place Vendôme - near the Opéra Garnier and the department stores. The rendezvous time is at 2:30 p.m. The hotel reception desk will know the names of those cruising on the Luciole. Guests are shown to the rendezvous room, where the Luciole guide will arrive, introduce himself and then escort everyone to our waiting bus; the hotel staff will assist with the luggage. Inland Voyages has also arranged a hotel room where passengers are able to leave their luggage, should they arrive at the hotel earlier on the Sunday morning. (The room is particularly useful if you are arriving following a Saturday night flight, or indeed just have to vacate another hotel mid-morning.) Breakfast is available at 13 euros (subject to change).
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Sunday: The rendezvous in Paris at 2.30 pm is followed by the journey in private bus to the Luciole at her mooring near the cathedral of Saint Etienne in Auxerre. The waterfront here is amongst the most picturesque in France. A Champagne reception welcomes guests on board. Monday: A cruise upriver leads you into beautiful pastoral countryside, along sweeping reaches of the River Yonne. Hand-wound locks lie along your course, providing opportunities to step ashore as the barge works through. You will moor at the village of Bailly, home to Burgundy's Crémant sparkling wine. An afternoon visit is made to Chablis, to a private wine cellar, then on into the famous vineyards of the area. Tuesday: The morning's voyage takes you up an attractive arm of the canal and on to the River Cure at Vermenton. In the afternoon you will return by bus to tour historic Auxerre and its old shopping centre, taking time to enjoy French provincial life. Wednesday: From Vermenton, you will visit delightful Noyers-sur-Serein. With its friendly market stalls,half-timbered houses and turreted ramparts, it is easy to see why Noyers-sur-Serein has been nominated 'one of the most beautiful villages in France'. After lunch return down theVermenton Arm, turning southwards at its end to a night-time mooring at Mailly-la-Ville. Thursday: A morning drive takes your group to Vézelay, where the spectacular 12th Century Basilica dominates the town. Here St. Bernard preached the 2nd Crusade. Vézelay, a centre of pilgrimage still, is a focal point for the region, with numerous shops and cafes. In the afternoon cruise again, past the dramatic cliffs of Le Saussois to an evening mooring at Châtel-Censoir. Friday: Cruise in the morning to Clamecy, a medieval town of narrow streets and stairways and a worthy climax to the cruise. The final visit is to the imposing Chateau of Bazoches. Set on a hillside amidst a rolling landscape, this was the 17th Century home of the Marquis deVauban, France's great military engineer. Saturday: An after-breakfast departure for Paris anticipates arrival there around 1 pm. For guests wishing to travel elsewhere in France by hire car, you can always stop in Auxerre while passing through on the way. |
Luciole reaches the very heart of France. Each day the accompanying bus takes passengers on excursions into a historic and culturally rich region-to chateaux, market towns and vineyards. And the expert on-board guide knows this region well. There is no additional charge for the tours; all excursions and admissions are provided complimentary. The only extra cost is when optional balloon trips are arranged during the summer months.
Beautiful and historic, the Nivernais waterway on which the Luciole travels provides a step back in time. Embracing both river and man-made canal-built to older, smaller dimensions-it is now primarily a recreational route winding through scenic, rural countryside. Each curve in the route presents an exciting panorama, to be explored on a stroll between locks or from the sun deck of the Luciole. It is a lifestyle where hustle knows no place.
 The saloon has large windows, comfortable seating, tables and an interesting little reference library. A small but well-stocked bar is in the forward corner where passengers may help themselves at any time. (There is no charge for drinks or wine from the open bar.) For lunch and dinner, the saloon is converted into a dining room. The tables are placed together to form a long dining table which is attractively set including complimentary wine. |
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 The front half of the Luciole is a carpeted observation deck outfitted with outdoor chairs, tables and a fleet of bicycles. It is a great vantage point for watching the lock operations and relaxing as you float through the peaceful countryside of Burgundy. Passengers can easily hop off and on the barge anytime it enters a lock. Since the Luciole is of the maximum dimensions for these waterways, you are never more than a foot from the lock wall. |
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The Luciole's 2010 season runs from May through October. The typical route is between Auxerre and Clamecy. Rates include six nights on the barge, all meals and wine served on board, local excursions by the bus and transfers between Paris and the barge. Whole boat charters are also available.
6/23/10
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