9th - 15th June

The Luciole crew, 2013

A fine bunch of people, the Luciole crew this year consists (from right to left) of Captain Francsico, Matelot (deckhand) Tom, the superb chef Mike, lovely hostesses Suzie and Anna and finally the best tour guide in the business Neil. 

It is at this time I can say that I will not be part of the Luciole crew this season, in order to pursue a career in graphic design while still maintaining a role behind scenes. This will mean the blog will no longer be mine, however I shall be passing the role on the to Tom to keep you updated with the Luciole season.

In further news the Luciole was published on the first page of Burgundys newspaper, an article celebrating the 47 years Luciole has cruised the canals of the region, featuring an interview of owner John Liley. The article is found online here: 

http://www.lyonne.fr/yonne/actualite/2013/06/13/la-luciole-une-peniche-hotel-de-47-ans-1586047.html

2nd - 8th June

John Liley at the helm

A long week cruising! We returned from the top of the Canal de Bourgogne to the Canal du Nivernais, passing through many locks and achieving over 90km in a week! The sun was really out and beamed down on the rolling Burgundy hills.  The trip down the Burgundy has been much enjoyed, however it is nice to be back on the Nivernais, the route which we love so much.

Owner and father of the Luciole, John Liley also joined with his sons. Who came to see her cruise the Burgundy Canal - Something thats not been done on the Luciole for over 12 years and resurfaced some old memories. John the father of hotel barging is a canal celebrity,  his involvement developing hotel barging and thus keeping many of the canals in France alive, meaning he is well respected within the community.

26th May - 1 June

The Luciole was cruising on the Burgundy Canal this week.  A change from our usual route, cruising from Tanlay to Les Laumes.  The older lock-keepers of course knew the Luciole from years past and were delighted to see again.

Our barge (bought from Continental Waterways in 9785) was originally called the 'Palinurus' and she began cruising in 1966, Captained by the entrepreneur Richard Parsons, who now lives in the hills near the Burgundy Canal.  Nearly fifty years on, we are very proud to be cruising on history and operating the first in the hotel barge world.

Palinurus first cruised in 1966, when a whole new vacation  idea was born

Our passengers came from from far and wide: New Zealand, the States and England.  Penny sends a merci millions for the beautiful flowers!