Does anyone have any recommendations for short barge trips in France? We will be there this summer and would like to see the Loire Valley and the chateaux.<BR><BR>Thanks

We, a 3 generation group of 6, have been working with www.bargecompany.com for a summer 2003 barge trip. They have been very helpful. Now I must wait a year+ to find out how wonderful it will be.

Contact a bunch of these places to get information to learn more about barging:<BR><BR>Crown Blue Line provides barges for cruising through the canals. You skipper your own boat. They give you lessons in boat handling that qualify you to receive a temporary French inland boating license. The boats are fully equipped for living, with bedrooms, galleys, etc.<BR>Tel: 800-355-9394<BR><BR>Locaboat: <BR>Tel: 1-800-688-0172 (wait for English)<BR>Fax: 011-33-3-86-62-42-41<BR>e-mail for locaboat is &lt; [email protected] &gt; or <BR>&lt; http:// www.locaboat.com &gt;<BR><BR>French Country Waterways <BR>P. O. Box 2195 <BR>Duxbury, Massachusetts, 02331 <BR>Tel: 800-222-1236. <BR><BR>Hoseasons Holidays Ltd.<BR>http://www.hoseasons.co.uk<BR><BR>Connoisseur Cruises<BR>http://www.connoisseurcruisers.co.uk/<BR><BR>The Barge Lady: <BR>Two numbers - try both:<BR>800-880-0071; 800-243-6244<BR><BR>Premier Selection<BR>1106 Calvert St. <BR>Harrison NY 10528 <BR>800-234-4000<BR><BR>LeBoat<BR>1-800-992-0291 <BR>Fax 201-236-1214<BR>Burgundy, Champagne, Provence, Upper Loire<BR><BR>Continental Waterways<BR>Tel: 1-800-323-7308<BR><BR>Maupintour:<BR>Combines barge trip and Paris<BR>Tel: 800-255-4266<BR><BR>Abercrombie and Kent<BR>Tel: 800-323-7308<BR><BR>The Barge Lady<BR>800-880-0071<BR><BR>The Barge Co.<BR>800-668-0245<BR><BR>France Afloat<BR>1-888-9AFLOAT<BR><BR>Boat Rental Companies throughout France-<BR>Syndicat National des Loueurs de Bateaux de Plaisance<BR>Port Javel<BR>75015 Paris<BR>Tel: 011-33-1-44-37-04-00<BR>Fax: 011-33-1-45-77-21-88<BR><BR>Barging in Burgundy Wine Country-<BR>Comite Regional de Tourisme de Bourgogne<BR>Boite Postal 1602<BR>21035 Dijon Cedex<BR>Tel: 011-33-3-80-50-90-00<BR>Fax: 011-33-3-80-30-59-45<BR><BR>Barging in Bordeaux<BR>Gurnham Group<BR>1-800-475-0004<BR><BR>Barging in Brittany-<BR>Comite de Promotion des Canaux Bretons et des Voies Navigables de l'Ouest-Bretagne<BR>12, rue de Jemmapes<BR>44000 Nantes<BR>Tel: 011-33-2-40-47-42-94<BR>For Paris information e-mail me: [email protected]

I don't know of any companies that offer "barge" trips in the Loire, if that's what you're looking for. There are a variety of boating activities you can undertake on the Loire, from short excursions you can arrange from the ports de plaisance along the river to rides in the traditional barques through the marshes of the Marais Poitevin, to kayaking. You can also hire your own houseboat through the local tourist offices.

French Country Waterways has the Nenuphar which does the upper Loire Valley, stopping at Chateau Vaux-le-Vicomte.