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| Excursions on board the Luciole are gently educational as day by day you learn more about the cruise area, its history, geography, culture and customs. You will spend either the morning or afternoon of each day enjoying a pleasant visit to a nearby place of interest—perhaps a medieval chateau loaded in history, a strategic town settlement, savouring a private wine-tasting or the chance to stroll around a bustling French market taking in all the sights and sounds (and smells!) of local life. Neil, your personal barge guide (see pic second from bottom on left, below), is at hand at all times to amplify on any aspect of the history or local customs that you wish. We were delighted at how knowledgable he is, and the fact that guests are in his safe hands at all times. |
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The beautiful sun deck, far left, is always covered in bright flowers. From here guests can either enjoy reading, socialising or simply take in the passing scenery, though some guests choose to test the excellent quality bikes that are carried on board Luciole. The tow paths along the Nivernais Canal between Auxerre and Clamecy are, generally speaking, excellent; smooth, tarmacced (asphalt) and about two metres wide. We found cycling alongside the barge and going ahead to explore small, delightful villages along the way, to be great fun and easy to do, and this is a perfect barge for cycling themed cruises. | ||
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During our cruise on Luciole
everyone enjoyed the excursions as they
weren’t demanding,
nor too long away from the barge, so didn’t
sap the guests’ energy.
On the first day of the cruise we spent the
morning exploring Auxerre, a
strategic town in Burgundian history, and
enjoyed the feeling of a ‘real’ French
town as opposed to a ‘tourist trap’. Ancient
wood-framed, timber houses overhang
the streets as modern day inhabitants bustle
past. Attractive boutiques are plentiful
and lady clients in particular will enjoy
browsing…Typical French cafes are also on
every street corner, so why not sit outside
and enjoy a drink as you watch the world
go about its business?
On another day we enjoyed a fine wine tasting at a cave (wine cellar) in the world-famous village of Chablis. You’ll be surprised just how small this village is, considering its world famous wines are drunk all over the planet! Other excursions included the amazing hill-top village of Vezelay. It’s ancient basilica is quite spectacular, and we were treated to a guided tour from a real local monk! Pictures below (from left to right) are of the Chateau de Bazoche (a superbly understated chateau housing many treasures, and former family home of famous minister Vauban). Built in a trapezoid shape she nestles in to the hillside just a few km away from Vezelay, enjoying magnificent views over the rolling countryside. This chateau definitely has the air of somewhere that time forgot; as we toured the ancient rooms, from dungeon to palatial halls, we didn’t encounter a single other visitor! A magical, Rapunzel-esque location…. The middle picture, below, shows an interior of the incredible Basilica at Vezelay, and bottom right, the towering cliffs that the barge floats next to on its voyage south to Clamecy (above left). |
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TO CONTACT US Phone: +33 563 02 87 04, Fax: +33 563 02 24 11 Phone (Toll-Free from USA + Canada):1-800-688-0245 Email:info@bargecompany.com
The Barge Cruise Company Ltd. 501 Chemin Lacoste 82170 Grisolles FRANCE |
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