2012 Season - just around the bend

With the 2012 season starting on the 15th April, preparations are being made to the Lady Luciole in order to get her ready. A coat of paint has given her a new outfit. And a new front to the saloon will also be very smart.

A selection of new and old faces make up the crew, including myself. Very much looking forward to seeing the scenes and old faces along the canal that make Burgundy so special, while knowing that many strangers will also become friends over the next 8 months.

Look forward to seeing those of you this season who are cruising with us; and for those who can't - I will make sure I keep you updated on here.

Stay tuned.

Regards, your matelot.

Will

Our movie gallery

We have a new Barge Luciole video..... 

Roll on summer sun - make the most of - beautiful Burgundy

.......sit back, relax and watch......ENJOY!

http://www.bargeluciole.com/videos.php

Adventure Barge Cruises

Have you considered chartering a barge with your family or friends but wishing there was more activity and adventure? Hotel Barge Luciole is now offering the perfect cruise for you!

Tree walking, horse riding, cave climbing and kayaking are exciting activities alongside our regular visits. Families and friends wanting a summer adventure that pleases every age, do check out our full itinerary for the week.

Horse riding through Burgundy, close to the Parc du Morvan

An ADVENTURE barge cruise on Luciole combines barge cruising, with a choice of exciting activities or our regular visits to historic sites. Perfect for a mixed age charter group of under 10s, teens and upwards.

From barge cruising to kayak paddling

We can organise the perfect vacation for you, full of activity, yet still maintaining the essence of a barge cruise in our historic region of Burgundy.

Cruising back to our winter mooring

Our last passengers of the season, left on the bus up to Paris with Neil and the remaining crew fired up the engine for the two day cruise back to Auxerre and our winter mooring.  The mist hung over the water until mid-morning, we wrapped up warm and drank hot chocolates until the sun burnt through.

The Luciole crew leaving Clamecy on a chilly morning, en-route to Auxerre

We even experienced what it was like cruising, sitting on the sun deck, playing chess, dominoes (the game of the season, it was chess last season!). Admittedly the beer was drunk straight from the bottle but the whole experience of cruising on a sunny day along this Nivernais Canal, was great. We felt we knew what our passengers experience and that was rather nice!

We really did feel like passengers, although the service was not quite up to scratch

16 - 22 October

The last week of our season we cruised with more returning passengers from America and England.  The weather held out along with the deck flowers, which survived frosty mornings when the decks were rather skiddy (a matelots nightmare!).  On Friday we celebrated two birthdays - happy birthday once again guys - hope I am as fit in fifty years time!

The lock signs along the way of the glorious Nivernais Canal

Big thank you to everyone, passengers and crew for a great experience - matelot Will - over and out!

9 - 15 October

Well two weeks of our season remaining.  Where has it gone? 

Ever hopeful of lassoing a bollard on barge Luciole

What a great charter group of friends.  The crew greatly enjoyed your company.

2 - 8 October

This week the Luciole cruised with retuning passengers.  Which always feels an honour, I have to say!

Colour on the Luciole deck and along the Nivernais Canal towpath

Lots of walking along the tow path this week and lovely colours as the trees start to turn, with Autumn.  The colour on the Luciole deck is good too - the flowers are doing brilliantly, with the yellow daisies performing particularly well.  Its been quite a job looking after them through the season.  I have to admit I was not very green fingered in April, but pleased think I have turned a corner now!