jenny

Has anyone been barging in France? Which would be a good region to do it, and when? Read about it in this month's Frommer's Budget mag, and it sounds very interesting.

Judy

Hi Jenny, I read that too! It does sound fascinating. I am curious also. Judy

Kavey

Hi Jenny <BR> <BR>A poster called Debbie has definitely been barging in France, she was planning her trip same time as I was planning mine, we both went in the summer of '99. <BR> <BR>You could do a search and probably find her posts... <BR> <BR>She is back on this board at the moment, researching Croatia so if she happens to miss this thread you could look for her name in the Croatia ones and email her, she is CiaoDeb... <BR> <BR>Kavey

debbie

Oh Kavey to the rescue!! Get my e-mail I just sent to you (today NY time 6:54 pm. Just checked something on France forum and this posting caught my attention! Not on this forum now but Croatian one. Let me know your barge questions as I took a DELIGHTFUL one in Burgundy and happy to give you name of lady in U.S. who set it up. She lives 1/2 year in France and really steered me right with what to expect. Barges start flowing in May to September/October and it may be late to book for this season. Let me know with this site as I will try to check this posting this weekend for any replies.

Mary

We did such a trip in October of 99, and it was one of the best trips ever. We used Locaboat Plaisance (www.locaboat.com).

hmh

Interested in these posts. Am taking a Burgundy barge trip in 2 weeks, which was booked through Grand European tours, but is, it appears, set up through Continental Waterways. A couple sites are: http://www.continentalwaterways.com;...otelbarge.com; www.ewaterways.com. It appears that most of these cruises fill up early, but there are some specials listed for the fall. I would be interested in any postings re: the trip which would provide pre-trip "personal" observations. Thanks.

Carol

Debbie, I would really like the name of the woman who arranged your barge trip. Thanks, Carol

Ann

Jenny, are you looking for info on a self-drive boat or one of the canal cruises? I have posted several times before about the wonderful trip we made down the Burgundy canal on our own - it was actually quite simple and very relaxing and enjoyable. So as not to tie up the board, you should be able to find such previous posts through the forum search, or email me directly if you want more info. We set up the trip ourselves with no problems...

lynn

We too are looking into barging in France for next summer. This summer is a driving holiday through France. <BR>We ordered and received a brochure from Locaboat plaisance and it looks very interesting. <BR>Mary ,if you read this, would you mind if I email you directly to get some particular questions answered. <BR>Thanks <BR>Lynn

jenny

Thanks, all, for the replies. Will search the forum for past writeups.

debbie

Oh, just wrote a lengthy reply and poof my AOL closed me down. Will try it again: <BR> <BR>Re: My May 24 posting of who I used for barge company. I used: <BR> <BR>Betty Springer's Cruises in WA state <BR>Tel: 800-822-8594 <BR> <BR>Living in NY was no problem and Betty is very efficient. <BR> <BR>Betty lives in France and US and was able not only to recommend an excellent barge but she gave me lots of tips about being in France, sent me her book, "France- What to Know and Expect" and plotted out our road trip from Barge to Loire Valley. She has seen or been on most barges. We took, "La Reine Pedauque" and Capt. Max, French and wife Beatrice, British, were FANTASTIC. Bee even did my laundy as we pass her house enroute! The 12 of us (2 Canadians and rest German) had so much fun! The barge also catered to our desires. I do not eat beef and one morning I went into galley and Chef showed me the Beef Burgundy he was marinating. That night he made me a wonderful local fish. Another day we took the bikes (always at our use on barge) and wanted to go to a town known for escargot. Capt. Max said it is very steep and long away so went to another town. That night a surprise was awaiting me for twilight drinks- escargot. Chef went with car to get them for me. Each night the wines were presented, we had 5 glasses at each setting to sample the various wines! Cheese platter was always part of every gourmet dessert. We went with Betty's suggestion for this barge and now I see why. Barges are expensive but my experience will always be a salient memory in my mind. Do take a barge trip with a great barge! <BR> <BR> <BR>

Dan

We (2 families) rented a self drive barge in April '00. We only went for a few days on the Burgandy canal. But we loved it. The best food in little towns along the canal, the best wine, sold by the lock-keepers. Great scenery, biking on the tow path. <BR> <BR>We're going back in Oct for a longer trip on the Midi canal. If you have specific questions, just zapo my e-mail.

Fred

Here are a bunch of companies to contact for information: <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 more Paris information e-mail me – [email protected]

Robin

May I add another name? We took a barge trip with a wonderful couple who own and operate their own barge, called Swan. As they are a private party, your itinerary is a function of where they happen to be on their summer's journey. This barge is somewhat unique, as the whole barge was converted for the use of a maximum of four guests, plus the hosts. The food is fabulous, the company charming, and I would go again in a second! Please email for more detail, or check out their web site, www.swancruises.com

XXXX

READ THE SMALL PRINT. Just returned from a barge trip. The main attraction for me was that you supposedly can get off at any of the many locks and walk/bike on the canal path or thru villages. Trouble was because of little rain, they closed the canals and we wound up on a river cruise on a barge. This meant that we could not get out until we reached a river town, all larger than the ones I was interested in along the canals. If it rains, as it did frequently on our trip, you are stuck in one sitting room with the same people around the clock or in your tiny cabin. If you are not a party person, you will feel like you got locked in a fraternity house during a 6 day toga party! Booking agents will tell you that the itinerary may change (ie they may use different canals or do the trip in reverse), but mine, at least, didn't mention that a canal trip might turn out not to be a canal trip

XXXX

READ THE SMALL PRINT. Just returned from a barge trip. The main attraction for me was that you supposedly can get off at any of the many locks and walk/bike on the canal path or thru villages. Trouble was because of little rain, they closed the canals and we wound up on a river cruise on a barge. This meant that we could not get out until we reached a river town, all larger than the ones I was interested in along the canals. If it rains, as it did frequently on our trip, you are stuck in one sitting room with the same people around the clock or in your tiny cabin. If you are not a party person, you will feel like you got locked in a fraternity house during a 6 day toga party! Booking agents will tell you that the itinerary may change (ie they may use different canals or do the trip in reverse), but mine, at least, didn't mention that a canal trip might turn out not to be a canal trip

Fletcher921

We just got word that this is happening to us also! We were scheduled for a canal trip on 4/20/03 in the Upper Liore and have been changed to a river trip in the southern region from Nimes to Lyon. REALLY was looking forward to the canal experience.

helenw

Was barging in France in Oct. with Continental Waterways. Went with a group of friends. Excellent -food, day trips,which were excellent. etc. Was in the Alsace Lorraine Region. Was aable to get off and walk and bike. Not inexpensive,(2000 for six days, no air) so we found a cheap trip thru Country Cottages for $1500 for 4 air, 4 ddays in paris, villa for four couples and two cars in Provence. That also was nice. I would reccommend barging - but only if you like to eat good food and drink lots of wine. Helen

Michael

We did it 7 years ago, and it was a great experience. You must read up on the various barging itineraries and choose which one fits your needs best. We did it in August, and therefore ruled out southern France because of the heat. I (I did all the planning) also looked for &quot;ancient stones&quot; that could be visited along the canal. I insisted on a one-way trip given that one does not cover much more than 50 miles in a week. We discovered that it is best to go upstream because the locks are usually kept empty, so that if you go downstream, you need to wait until it is filled. We went from St. Florentin to Montbard. We used Rives de France.

dabro95708

We used France Cruises (francecruises.com) because they have the most complete list of barges and itineraries.<BR><BR>Ask for Jean-Francois - he knows the product very well and offers his best advices + tips to someone who needs a stress-free but fun-filled vacation in beautiful France.