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Luxury French Barge Cruises
With a Difference
Join us aboard the ‘Queen of Burgundy’ for an unforgettable journey through the beautiful French countryside. Our luxury river cruises are completely tailored to you, with flexible schedules and customizable itineraries to ensure a truly perfect vacation.
Food and Wine
Discover the authentic Burgundy experience with expert food and wine pairings from our professional chefs.
Itineraries
From wine to jazz, we offer a range of thoughtful itineraries to cater to your every interest.
Luxury cruise in France
On a luxury cruise in France cruising down the canals and rivers a meditative calm descends. And the great thing is you'll find it all when you hit the waterways of France. Any luxury French barge cruise on the canals of France has a certain allure but when heading out on the canals there's an additional dose of anticipation. The Grand Victoria itineraries are designed to provide a cultural adventure, which our guide can adapt to meet individual interests because the most exciting places can fall flat without spontaneity. It is exceptional moments that make long-lasting memories.
Bring a few friends or your family along on this French canal cruise for the adventure of a lifetime because a French barge vacation with us makes an impact with authentic experiences, new profound relationships, and cultural experiences.
Whether you want an active adventure out in the picturesque French countryside, a relaxed cruise down the scenic waterways, or something in between, we’re ready to help you make the lasting memories of a lifetime on a luxury French barge cruise in France. This is the stuff of travel tales.
The cruise experience
Our all-inclusive luxury French barge cruises in France are packed with adventure and excitement; the result is a pure French fantasy! Discover the rich flavors and zest for local life barging on the canals and rivers of France.
Explore boutique shops and bustling local markets, lunch at a local bistro while pampered by the owners themselves, tour the legendary Burgundian vineyards, and wineries dotting the countryside, and walk the ramparts of historic château in private tours, all possible to do during one of our French canal cruises.
Burgundy is even more beautiful than the imagination. There’s a special flavor with a blend of culture and tradition. It’s in the Burgundy wine but it transcends everything. It’s in the graciousness of the people. It’s in the quaint villages speckled among the Burgundy vineyards. And you quickly learn that fine French wine is only where Burgundy’s story starts.
This unique journey offers exclusive and unforgettable interactions with locals. Life as you know it seems very far away!
Best of Burgundy Wine
Burgundy is even more beautiful than the imagination. On our Burgundy canal cruises itinerary, you’ll take in some of the best destinations in France for wine lovers.
Discover the depth and complexity of Burgundy wines during one of our luxury French barge cruises. An inexperienced or seasoned wine lover learns to identify and appreciate a wide palette during wine tasting at some of the most renowned wineries in the world and Burgundy vineyards.
At the Château de Pommard wines are produced from five different terroirs within a single Clos. This is also the largest monopol owned by a single owner in Burgundy today. Guests visit the Château de Pommard to discover their passion and taste a selection of fine French Burgundy wines. Pommard vineyards lies between Beaune and Volnay along the Côte de Beaune.
Explore medieval France
Our all-inclusive luxury French barge cruises in France are packed with adventure and excitement; the result is a pure French fantasy! Discover the rich flavors and zest for local life barging on the canals and rivers of France.
Explore boutique shops and bustling local markets, lunch at a local bistro while pampered by the owners themselves, tour the legendary Burgundian vineyards, and wineries dotting the countryside, and walk the ramparts of historic château in private tours, all possible to do during one of our French canal cruises.
Burgundy is even more beautiful than the imagination. There’s a special flavor with a blend of culture and tradition. It’s in the Burgundy wine but it transcends everything. It’s in the graciousness of the people. It’s in the quaint villages speckled among the Burgundy vineyards. And you quickly learn that fine French wine is only where Burgundy’s story starts.
This unique journey offers exclusive and unforgettable interactions with locals. Life as you know it seems very far away!
The Art of Slow Travel: Embracing the Relaxed Pace of a Burgundy Canal Cruise
In a world that seems to move faster and faster every day, it can be challenging to step back and appreciate the beauty of a slower pace of life. However, embracing the art of slow travel can provide an entirely new and exciting way to experience the world.
One of the best ways to embrace a relaxed pace in your travels is to take a Burgundy canal cruise. Here at Grand Victoria Cruises, our private charter trips allow you to leisurely explore the region's history, culture, and food while cruising down a picturesque canal.
Ready to join us? Here are three tips to fully embrace the relaxed pace of a Burgundy canal cruise.
9 Reasons to Book a Luxury French Barge Cruise This Summer
Looking for something different from your summer vacation this year? The beautiful vineyards and quaint backstreets of the French countryside may be just what you need.
And if you want to experience France away from the beaten tourist trail, a luxury barge cruise down Burgundy’s world-renowned waterways makes for a truly unforgettable experience. You can relax and enjoy the breathtaking scenery from the comfort of your own private charter, perhaps with a glass of one of the region’s celebrated wines in your hand.
We may be biased, but our decades of experience in luxury travel have shown us just how special a French canal cruise can be. In this post, we’re sharing nine of our favorite reasons to take a luxury barge cruise in France this summer.
Barge Cruising in Burgundy
Barge cruising in Burgundy is a unique and unforgettable way to experience the beauty of this region of France. With its picturesque canals and waterways, Burgundy is the perfect destination for a relaxing and luxurious barge cruise.
What is barge cruising?
Barge cruising is a form of slow travel that involves navigating narrow canals and waterways on a traditional barge. These barges are typically converted from old freight barges and have been outfitted with comfortable cabins and amenities for passengers. Barge cruises are typically all-inclusive, with meals, drinks, and excursions included in the price.
3 Causes of the Burgundy Wine Shortage
Burgundy, located in the eastern region of France, is known for its iconic wines that are renowned for their quality and complexity. However, in recent years, there have been concerns about the shortages of Burgundy wine. Several key factors have contributed to this situation, including climate change, disease, and changing consumer preferences.
Top Tips for Sustainable Travel | Grand Victoria Cruises
Sustainable Travel: How to Explore the World Without Harming the Planet
Travel is one of life’s true joys. Exploring new places, trying new things, and learning about new cultures is a way to broaden the mind and escape the pressures of the everyday.
But increasingly, it can be hard to justify the enormous carbon footprint of regular overseas travel – particularly when it’s done by air. In this post, we round up some practical tips and advice that can help you reduce your impact on the environment without getting rid of your travel bug.
5 Tips for Luxury Travel in Burgundy
Burgundy, France, is one of the most beautiful destinations in the world for luxury travel. It’s well-known for its Romanesque heritage and wine acclaim, but there’s so much to appreciate about this cultural destination.
If you’re hoping to visit Burgundy in style, here are five tips and tricks to make the most of your luxury travel in France.
Cruise through the French Wine Country
Morning in Burgundy! There are few places in the world where waking up is quite like this. Fog drifts over the canal, creating an other worldly atmosphere and bringing an air of mystery to this countryside. Beneath your feet, you can feel the gentle sway of your accommodations floating in the waters of the River Saône.
The Basics of Food and Wine Pairings
With so many different foods and wines to choose from, food and wine pairings can be tricky. But when you have a solid understanding of flavors and pairing methods, the process of deciding what goes with what becomes less difficult. Read on to learn the basics of food and wine pairings and to enhance your dining experience.
Best Places in Burgundy To Taste Wine
Burgundy is a beautiful area of France well known for producing some of the finest wines in the country and the world. What better place for a true wine enthusiast to go wine-tasting? Here are some of the best places in Burgundy to taste wine.
Reasons To Go on a Culinary Tour of France
Are you looking for a unique vacation experience featuring good food and fine wine? Consider these reasons to go on a culinary tour of France.
Notre-Dame Church Auxonne, France
One of the joys of barging in France is the architecture. Century old churches steeped in history. At the center of the Place d’Armes, the Notre-Dame Church, built in the 13th and 14th century, is the main monument of Auxonne. During the Second World War Auxonne was liberated on 10 September 1944 by troops who landed in Provence.
The Magical Experience Barging on the Canals of France
Guests on board the luxury barge Grand Victoria tend to rave about their experience when it comes to the all-inclusive luxury barging cruises in Burgundy, France. It’s no surprise, considering the picturesque scenery, gourmet four-course meals, and wine pairings tempt any palette.
Canal barge cruising offers a completely different experience from a river cruise, which covers several rivers in one sailing, and with more than 100 passengers. The canal barge cruise is slower, smaller, and focuses on personalized attention to service with a more intermit setting.
COVID-19 Cleaning Protocols
From the Desk of the Edward and Cindy
We are excited to welcome you to the Grand Victoria! There is no higher priority to our entire family than the safety of our guests and crew while we cruise the waterways in France. In the current environment, it’s important for all of us to travel smarter and more consciously.
We want to reach out personally and inform you of the operational guidelines onboard the Grand Victoria to support you on your barge trip through France. We are completely committed to placing the safety of our guests and crew as the highest priority in our decision making and the monitoring of government advisories daily. We already take great pride in maintaining the highest standards of cleanliness and hygiene on board the Grand Victoria. Our guidelines strictly follow the recommendations and standards set forth by government agencies for your memorable French barge river cruise.
Experience the Flavors of Burgundy Wine
So, what are you going to do on your canal and French river cruise in France cruising aboard Grand Victoria river yacht? While we could spend hours speaking sharing the joys of traveling in on French river cruises, we restrain ourselves and answer the question as briefly as possible.
I guess some details are in order. To begin with, barge cruises in France offers the obvious pleasure of not having to pack and unpack your bags for every new town you want to visit. In addition, Grand Victoria passengers are offered a full itinerary of fascinating stops and plenty of choices to ensure their vacation creates the memories of a lifetime.
Grand Victoria Creamy Carrot Soup
Our carrot soup recipe is of full flavor and inspired by our chef on board the luxury barge Grand Victoria! This recipe is easy to make and is a guest favorite. We serve this starter with a Rully Premier Cru Chardonnay. The Rully is a wine full of fruit, which is lively and well-rounded on the palate.
Ingredients
8 medium carrots (about 1 1/2 pounds)
2 Tbl unsalted butter
3 medium shallots, minced
2 1/4 cups vegetable stock
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon white pepper
1 cup whole milk
1 Tbl minced fresh parsley
Nutmeg
Crème Fraîche
Truffle Oil
Biodynamic or Organic Wines
The luxury river barge Grand Victoria has two simple ambitions: share our fine French wine knowledge and fine French wine enthusiasm with guests during dinner wine presentations and our excursions. The Grand Victoria prides itself on ensuring guests leave more educated about French Burgundy pinot noir and chardonnay wines. Everyone’s preferences are different, and our wines are professionally paired by a trained sommelier with each course served at dinner to enhance your food experience.
The Grand Victoria "Tangerini" Cocktail
Ingredients
- 2 ounces freshly squeezed tangerine juice
- 2 ounces Absolut Mandarin Vodka
- 2 ounces Cointreau
- granulated sugar
- lemon cut in half
- tangerine slices (if desired)
Method
Rub the rim of two martini glasses with a cut lemon, and dip the rim into a plate that’s been lightly coated with granulated sugar. Place the tangerine juice, vodka, and Cointreau into a cocktail shaker and shake vigorously for 30 seconds. Strain into glasses, garnish with a tangerine slice if desired, and serve immediately!
French Barge Vacation - Almond French Toast with berries
Dining on board the luxury river barge Grand Victoria is incomparable! Gone are the days of boring continental breakfasts on French Barge Vacations. Instead we're saying good morning to our guests with the smell of fresh croissants baking in the oven, while our chef is crafting the best breakfasts on the canals. Breakfast is a delicious start to the day with a platter of seasonal fresh fruit and yogurt accompanying a different hot dish every morning, fresh brewed coffee, an assortment of teas, or a cappuccino for the coffee connoisseur. Our healthy recipes for pancakes, omelets, and more make nutritious and satisfying breakfasts. Our chef tantalizes your taste buds with every meal we serve on board such as almond French toast! Enjoy our recipe at home!!
French Barge Vacations-Blueberry Sour Cream Pancakes
Guests wake up to the glorious smell of croissants baking and fresh brewed coffee on a French barge vacation. The Grand Victoria is no different. We pride ourselves on serving the best breakfast on barge cruises in France. We offer a variety of yogurt, croissants, and fresh fruit served every morning with a selection of coffee and tea. Enjoy a latte, cappuccino, flat white, or fresh brewed coffee.
But the most exciting part is our cooked breakfast menu. We offer the most amazing blueberry sour cream pancakes and bacon, drizzled with maple syrup. Cruise in France on board the luxury barge Grand Victoria and have your senses tantalized with this fantastic recipe.
Château de Pommard - Barging in France
Barging in Europe offers guests the chance to pack and unpack once. Luxury river barge cruises in France guests visit the majestic Château de Pommard. On our Classic Burgundy itinerary we feature a private tour of the Château and enjoy a wine tasting to discover the true taste of Burgundy’s fine French wine appellations, viticulture, and winemaking from the heart of the largest privately-owned clos in the Cote d’Or. The luxury yacht features the Château de Pommard in our itinerary where guests taste wine using professional tasting elements such as color, aromas and flavors, sweetness, acidity, tannins, body and balance. Guests have the opportunity to taste four Château de Pommard Pinot Noir wines in a private tasting room. Sip and swirl to their heart’s content.
Beaune - The Heart of Burgundy
The beating heart of Burgundy wine and the Côte-d'Or is a guest favorite on a luxury river and canal cruise in Burgundy. The walled town of Beaune is a city rich with culture from the epic Hostel Dieu, or Hospices de Beaune as it's more commonly known, to the endless wine cellars that wind beneath the streets of the old village center. Beaune is quaint and unassuming in every way imaginable for our guests on board the Grand Victoria.
Nestled amongst the vineyards in the very heart of Burgundy, the city of Beaune is a picturesque town with cobblestone streets and plenty to see and do. Beaune is the hub of wine commerce in the region and sits on the Route des Grand Crus that links many of Burgundy’s storied vineyards. On our barge trips through France itineraries, Beaune features prominently as the home of the Hotel-Dieu, or the Hospices of Beaune, as well as an opportunity to visit French cafes and shops.
Dijon - Historic Seat of the Dukes
Once the seat of ducal rule in the medieval period, Dijon is a marvelous city just waiting to be explored! A luxury barge cruise through the French countryside is a wonderful exploration of a region of rich history. Dijon, the capital of Burgundy, is no exception. As one of several stops on our itinerary, Dijon holds a special place for us as a unique, vibrant city full of character. During our tours, guests have the opportunity to experience this wonderful culture firsthand at the market, a cafe, and walking the cobblestone streets of the city center.
Harvest Season in Burgundy
Every fall, the vineyards harvest the grapes that are used in their legendary winemaking process. Learn more about this important time of the year on a luxury river and canal cruise in France!
It’s Burgundy grape picking season! At Grand Victoria, it is one of our favorite times of the year for our french barge vacations and Burgundy wine tours. Vines loaded with violet or golden grape clusters, daily harvests, tractor engines in the distance, the laughter of grape harvesters and the expert look of the vine growers. Every year in September, the grape harvest in the Burgundy wine region gets the wine production process under way and attracts wine lovers from around the world. In different estates of the Côte de Beaune, you can enjoy this unique experience in the heart of the vineyards for yourself. But before grabbing your pruning shears or picking up your baskets, maybe we should tell you a little more?
Visit the Clos de Vougeot On Our Excursions
One of the most interesting stops during a luxury cruise with the Grand Victoria is the historic Clos de Vougeot in the Côte de Nuits.
As we have discussed previously, we absolutely love wine! Part of what we enjoy sharing with our guests aboard the Grand Victoria is a passion for wine tasting and pairing with our fresh meals on board. It’s a significant part of the culinary experience during a barge cruise! On board, we feature various Premier Cru and Grand Cru wines for meals; we also highlight various local producers in our various excursions throughout the week.
Luxury French Barge Cruise 2018 New Itinerary
This year, we have added a new lunch destination, changed our mooring locations, and have offered new winery excursions. A French Burgundy canal cruise with us is unlike any vacation you’ve done before, and we have shared our passion for luxury cruises with dozens of guests over our past two years in operation. We welcomed plenty of new faces and shared our love of Burgundy’s food, wine, and culture with them on a memorable vacation.
The Culinary Adventure of Burgundy
We love food! Aboard the luxury river Grand Victoria, we offer an excellent range of cuisine, paired with the Burgundy wine region's best wines.
There are numerous reasons to add Burgundy to your list of places to travel on a luxury river barge cruise! The countryside is nothing but stunning views as far as the eye can see; rolling hills crowned with historic castles, overlooking the region’s extensive vineyards, dot the landscape. Villages dating to the Middle Ages line Burgundy’s canals and rivers, and stepping foot into them is like being transported back in time. Markets and town squares bustle as they have for centuries, in the shadow of majestic churches reminding you of a bygone era of architecture.
The Wines of Burgundy
During a luxury river barge cruise on the Grand Victoria, you can expect to visit several of Burgundy's legendary wine producers. Learn more about these practitioners of the historic art of winemaking. Burgundy has a rich wine history dating back to the Roman Empire, and continues its timeless art to this day across numerous producers. During a week’s stay aboard the luxury river barge Grand Victoria, guests have the opportunity to visit several of these storied producers and explore their cellars and vineyards. Of course, no visit is complete without tasting their wines!
The Simple Pleasures of a Burgundy Canal Barge Cruise
Our guests tend to rave about their experience when it comes to our all-inclusive luxury barging cruises in Burgundy, France. It’s no surprise to the Grand Victoria, considering the picturesque scenery, gourmet four-course meals, and wine pairings to tempt any palette.
Burgundy Wine Region Map (France)
Barging in France offers guests the chance to visit Burgundy, home to several wine producing regions, each with their own terroir and specialities. This handy map is a great guide to the region we call home.
A New Gastronomic Center Is Coming To Dijon!
Coming to Dijon in 2020: The International Gastronomy Exhibition Center! Burgundy is known for its delicious cuisine, developed to complement the regional wines that put Dijon, Beaune, and the surrounding area on the map.Dijon is enhancing its status as a gastronomic hub with the announcement of a major development project near the Port du Canal: the International Gastronomy Exhibition Center. Barge vacations in Burgundy will offer travelers the chance to experience this amazing exhibition during their excursions.
Enjoy luxury accommodations
The Grand Victoria is the perfect barge to cruise through France in style
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