The Ultimate Guide to Hotel Barge Cruises in France

Written by Blue Water Holidays - Tuesday 10th Sept 2024

With its fine wines, excellent cuisine and stunning scenery, it’s easy to see why France is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. If you are looking for a more unique and authentic way to explore this magnificent country, we might just have the answer - Hotel barge holidays.

France is crisscrossed by a network of waterways that make it a really popular destination for barge holidays. But some people are daunted by the idea of a self-drive barge cruise or would rather travel the country on a more luxurious vessel than a traditional narrowboat. That’s where hotel barge cruises in France come in.

Whether you’ve never heard of a hotel barge or are trying to decide whether France is the best destination to plan a hotel barge holiday, we’ve put together the ultimate guide to hotel barge cruises in France to share all of our expertise on this unique type of travel.

What is a Hotel Barge Holiday?

A hotel barge cruise takes place on a boat that has been converted into a floating hotel, offering all the services you’d expect from this kind of holiday accommodation whilst out on the water. They can range in size from only having a handful of guest rooms to hosting over twenty people on board, and are a great way to see more of a destination without having to worry about coordinating any of the travelling yourself.

Exclusive and intimate cruising on a hotel barge is a superb way to fully immerse yourself in the culture and beautiful landscapes of the glorious French waterways. Leave the stress of driving, navigating (and cooking!) to the onboard crew, and enjoy the relaxed and leisurely pace. Get away from the hustle and bustle and discover true local experiences and specially curated excursions.

Why Choose a Hotel Barge in France?

Hotel barge holidays in France have many advantages, including the ability to hop on and off as your barge gently meanders along the canal. Cruising at an average speed of only 4 miles per hour, you can walk, jog or even take one of the complimentary on-board bicycles to make your own way along the towpath, re-joining your vessel at another lock further along the canal.

A key advantage for many guests is that they can enjoy exploring France’s waterways without having to think about navigating the lock systems of canals themselves. The barge will be steered and crewed by a team of seasoned professionals, so whilst you can learn more about what it takes to drive a vessel like this, there’s no pressure to take part!

With no night-time navigation allowed, you are always moored up in the evening, giving you multiple opportunities to explore quaint villages and towns for an after-dinner stroll or to sample the region’s wines at a local bar.

All meals are included on a hotel barge cruise in France and with regionally inspired dishes, you will be treated to a real culinary journey. Ingredients are locally sourced, so don’t be surprised to see the chef heading to a local farmers market or bakery to acquire fresh produce. As an all-inclusive package, drinks are provided throughout the river cruise, including specially selected wine pairings for mealtimes.

What is a Hotel Barge in France Like?

So now you know what a hotel barge is and why it’s such a good choice for a luxury holiday in France. But what is it actually like on board?
To answer this question, we’ll use the example of one of our favourite hotel barge lines, CroisiEurope.

Family-owned, French cruise line CroisiEurope has a fleet of five new hotel barges, based on the designs for the original Freycinet barge – perfect for exploring the intricate canals. They’re the largest river cruise company in Europe and have been operating for over 40 years, meaning the standard of service you get on board is exceptional.

Taking a total of just 22 guests, these barges have the feel of a small boutique hotel. The 11 elegant, ensuite cabins are compact, but cleverly designed to make the most out of the space. With picture windows in each room, they are lovely and light.

The décor throughout is modern, stylish and welcoming, so whether you are enjoying a drink in the lounge bar or out on the terrace, dining in the restaurant, admiring the views from one of the loungers on the sun deck or even having a dip in the Jacuzzi, you will quickly feel like the barge is your moving home from home.

The Best Places for Hotel Barge Holidays in France

Once you've decided that you want to book a hotel barge cruise in France, the next step is choosing the region that you’d like to explore. France is a country with plenty of options for barge holidays, with various routes each offering unique features and advantages that will suit different types of guests.
Here are some of our favourite places for hotel barge cruises in France.

• The Doubs Valley and Burgundy

  The Doubs Valley is an area in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region of France, best known for being a haven for cyclists but also an excellent part of the country to explore on a hotel barge holiday. Enjoy an authentic experience of Burgundy as you cruise along the river that winds through the eastern corner of France before crossing into Switzerland.

  Burgundy is another French holiday destination that is known and loved for its wine, but the Doubs Valley also offers plenty of charming towns, countryside scenery and outdoor activities to enjoy when your hotel barge is moored. It’s a great place to visit if you want to feel like you’re a little off the beaten path, although you won’t compromise on luxury when you’re on board one of our vessels.

  Our fully escorted hotel barge cruise of Burgundy and the Doubs Valley begins in Dijon and travels through communes such as waterway hub Saint-Jean-de-Losne and artistic Dole, renowned for being a City of Art and History. Finish in the city of Besançon, known as the capital of watchmaking in France, and enjoy unlimited complimentary wine on board to properly enjoy the products of the region you’re exploring.

• Alsace

  Alsace borders Switzerland and Germany on the northeastern corner of France, making it a region with a unique culture not only shaped by the French way of life, but also by German influences. With the Rhine River and the Vosges mountains as geographic features, it’s a truly beautiful destination ideal for hotel barge holidays in France where scenery and history take centre stage.

  A highlight of Alsace is Strasbourg, the capital city of the area. Known and loved for its charming historic architecture and expansive cultural offering, it’s an incredibly picturesque place to visit with a great culinary offering as well as all the art, museums and music.

  You can explore Alsace and visit Strasbourg on our Strasbourg and Alsace hotel barge cruise which meanders along the lovely Marne-Rhine Canal. A highlight for canal enthusiasts is the 'Saint-Louis-Arzviller inclined plane' where boats are winched up a steep incline - the only system of its kind in all of Europe!

• Rhône à Sète Canal, Provence

  Provence has always been an iconic French travel destination, known for its Mediterranean climate and beautiful lavender fields, vineyards and olive groves. It’s no surprise that a region as stunning as this one is also a popular place for hotel barge trips in France, as you can enjoy the scenery at the relaxing pace of your boat and really soak up the atmosphere as you travel.

  The Rhône à Sète Canal connects the Étang de Thau to the Rhône River and was formed from two previously established canals, making it a long route offering a great variety of things to see along the way. You’re quite close to the coast on this canal, which influences the kinds of towns you can visit as you travel and creates a more unique cruising experience compared to what’s on offer in the north.

  Cruise from Sete through the heart of Provence on our Provence and Camargue hotel barge cruise, discovering history, outstanding natural beauty and regional delicacies on your Hotel Barge Ann-Marie. Visit an Oyster farm at Etang De Thau and enjoy a tasting, admire the beautiful wilderness of the sun-drenched Camargue, and discover the magnificent Roman ruins of Arles. This hotel barge cruise in France also includes catering from an onboard Master Chef, so you can properly enjoy French flavours and dishes as you discover one of the country’s most famous destinations.