Report on France trip. I would like to let everyone know that we went to France from September 5 through 20 and had a wonderful time. There was not one sign of anti-americanism-in fact it was the reverse. We were treated considerately and very kindly by everyone we encountered and we had the best of times. The highlight of our trip was a barge trip in the Loire Valley. While on the barge trip on the Lanikai-a barge for 6 passengers-and there were only the 3 of aboard, we visited the Chateau Fargeau, the Sancarre wine growing region, and many quaint villages along the way, as well as crossing the Eiffel canal. We were treated to daily wine classes and cheese tasting along with our meals. It was a great experience. Both Ray and Michele, our captain and his wife, were very kind and Michele is a wonderful cook so we exjoyed excellent meals. Another week of our trip was spent in Paris doing the Louve and Eiffel Tower, onto Brugge, Belgium by train. From Paris to Brugge we took the train, but at one stop we got on the wrong train and ended up in a small town called "Denderleuw" where we helped by a young Belgium man who spoke excellent English. We got back on the next train and only missed our arrival time by about an hour. Thereafter, whenever we had a problem we'd look at one another and laugh by saying we were on our way to Denderleuw. Brugge was wonderful and 2 days was too short a time, so it's on our list to do again. We then took the train to Mont St. Michel. We found it somewhat disappointing and too touristed. We didn't get to see the abbey because of the closing times and had to leave too early, so perhaps it was our fault. We got a rental car from Auto Europe in Rennes and drove the Loire Valley going to Amboise (where we also saw Chenenceaux), onto Gien where we spent the night and then we were picked up for the barge trip at that time. We had a great time. I'm going to see about taking French at the Jr. college so we can spend more time there. We loved it. Guess that's it. I hope you'll forgive my spelling of the names. I may have them wrong. M.

Thanks for your trip report. We visited Paris, Loire Valey, and Burgandy last April for the first time, and we also loved it. Can't wait to go back!

Sounds like a great time..I'm glad you enjoyed barging. I'm trying to get my DH interested!

Thankls for the report

Glad to see you had such a good time. How did you find out about the barge trip? How much did it cost? What was included and where did it start and end?

I was going to ask the same questions, hansikday

ttt waiting for a reply

We had a similar great Barge + Driving Tour experience, also on a small barge (6 passengers only!) called the Etoile.

The barge trip took place in Provence and through the Camargue, and we traveled through Normandy and to Mont Saint Michel the week prior.

We picked up our car on our arrival at Paris airport, drove to Giverny and stayed at the very charming La Reserve for 1 night. Then we spent 2 nights in Normandy near Bayeux at La Ferme de la Ranconniere, followed by 2 nights at the Manoir de la Roche Torin in Mont Saint Michel (with a dinner at the famous La Mere Poulard!).
We then drove back to Rouen where we stayed for the last night at the Hostellerie Saint Pierre (very nice chateau located just 6 miles outside of the city).

We returned the car at the train station in Rouen on the following morning, and took a direct TGV to Avignon where the barge was awaiting...The following week on the barge was a blast !

This was our best 2-week trip, all arranged and coordinated by Jean-Francois at France Cruises (francecruises.com), who has certainly been the most knowledeabe person I have spoken to.

Our accommodations cost about $1,200 (for 2) with breakfast and some dinners + TGV train tickets and the car rental for the week.

The barge was $5,500 for 2 for an entire week including comfortable accommodations on board, all meals (our Chef Cobie was outsanding), guided excursions by minibus to markets, Avignon, Frontignan, St Remy, Aigues Mortes...

We're ready to go back !

Sorry I took so long to reply. We found out about the barge on the Lanikai through Sunset Magazine. A friend had clipped the ad and saved it. The owners live are U.S. citizens living in Breckenridge, CO and Texas. We contacted them over the internet. The www.lanikai.com has a web page. The prices and schedules are on there. The English couple that run the trip are wonderful. Next year the barge will be in Holland so in September we are doing their trip. The cost is around $2,500 a person or so. We got it cheaper this year at $1,700 each and well worth the price. We loved it. M.

For those with a tighter budget, you also can boat high above the Loire on Eiffel's famous bridge-canal on a two-hour canal tour from Briare.

Oh, that sounds wonderful, in_wyoming! Glad you had a great time!!

We've always wanted to do a barge trip so thanks VERY MUCH for posting this report and glad you had a wopnderful time. Please keep spreading the word about the way French people really ARE!

just fyi, report is from 2003