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  • Images of the Lorraine Barge


    Taking up to 22 passengers in comfort, a cruise on the ‘Lorraine’ is a great way to explore the less well-known region of the Alsace-Lorraine in the north-east of France. We were very fortunate to be able to cruise on her during the first week of May 2006, and are delighted to share our thoughts on this larger capacity barge with you, plus of course more brilliant photographs of this cruise week, brought exclusively to you by The Barge Company. Please read on.

    Images of the Lorraine Barge

    Cabins on the Lorraine are simple but pleasant (see left), and your private en suite bathroom has a toilet, shower, wash basin, mirror and shelves (as right). All cabins are twins and some even have a third bed that folds down from the cabin wall for use when children wish to cruise with their parents and remain in the same cabin.

    Images of the Lorraine Barge
       
    Images of the Lorraine Barge Images of the Lorraine Barge

    The bar on the Lorraine (above) is well stocked and a pleasant focus-point in the living area for those who wish to socialise.
    Your lunch and evening meals are served in the dining room (above right). Good wines from all over France are served with all courses, so you can ‘taste’ your way around France throughout the day! The sunny salon (below left) is the perfect place to relax and enjoy that good book you’ve been meaning to find time for. Notice the huge windows that allow for a great view of the outside, whatever the weather.
    The sun deck (below right) is also a lovely place to spend time, either soaking up the sun or simply watching the world float by.

    Images of the Lorraine Barge Images of the Lorraine Barge
    Images of the Lorraine Barge Images of the Lorraine Barge
    Images of the Lorraine Barge
    Images of the Lorraine Barge
    Images of the Lorraine Barge

    The Lorraine’s cruise itinerary wends between the tiny villages of Xouaxange and Kraft (in opposite directions each week). Xouaxange is east of Nancy, and Kraft is south of Strasbourg. If you start your cruise in Xouaxange then you’ll experience the lush green countryside of the Sorn Valley during the first few days of your cruise (see pictures above). With steep, tree-covered banks you’re in a very tranquil valley away from the noise and hurly-burly of the 21st century. A visit to a Crystalmakers is a highlight of the first day (see pictures top left and middle), and a visit to see Mark Chagall’s famous stained glass window in Sarrebourg is not to be missed (top right).
    As you cruise on to Saverne a visit to the Château du Haut Barr is on the itinerary (below right), from where you can enjoy the most amazing views of the surrounding landscape (below left).

    Images of the Lorraine Barge Images of the Lorraine Barge
    Images of the Lorraine Barge Images of the Lorraine Barge Images of the Lorraine Barge
    Images of the Lorraine Barge
    Images of the Lorraine Barge


    Continuing the odyssey towards Strasbourg we entered this historic city in style, and the first landmark that came to our notice was the European Parliament building (top middle picture) which cast a very modern silhouette, in contrast to the ancient buildings that one finds in the very heart of Strasbourg, such as those above and right. The cathedral itslef is very spectacular, and is approached through this narrow street with traditional buildings, which it seems to dwarf!

    We enjoyed a personal guided tour from a charming Italian-French guide especially employed for his knowledge of this strategically placed city. This is an excursion not to be missed when cruising on the Lorraine.

    In the square just before the cathedral there is an interesting statue of Guttenberg, which pays homage to his advances in the world of printing during the fifteenth century (see left).

    The last ‘big’ excursion of the week was a visit to the ‘fairy-tale’ town of Colmar (below right). Narrow cobbled streets interlaced with narrow waterways made it a fascinating place to visit—not to mention the large number of individually owned boutiques and antique shops—great for a bit of a bargain hunt!

    Images of the Lorraine Barge Images of the Lorraine Barge


    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
    Web: www.bargecompany.com

    The Barge Cruise Company Ltd, 501 Chemin Lacoste, 82170 Grisolles, FRANCE

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