1. Enjoy guaranteed peace and tranquility
There’s nothing quite like the serenity that comes with softly floating down a canal in the beautiful French countryside, being warmed by the evening sun. A luxury barge cruise allows you to experience the scenery of rural Burgundy from the gentle waters of its world-famous canals.
The canal de Bourgogne meanders through plenty of exciting towns and charming villages, so your trip will never be short of interest. But unlike a city-center hotel, staying aboard a luxury barge guarantees that your evening accommodation will always be blissfully peaceful.
2. Personalize your trip to your own tastes
When it comes to planning a vacation, sometimes it feels like you can’t win. You either have the stress of planning everything out to the last detail, or you go all-inclusive and lose control over your itinerary.
A luxury barge cruise gives you the best of both worlds. With the right vessel, you get the comfort of five-star accommodation every night – not to mention world-class food and wine! – alongside the freedom to tailor your plans to your liking.
From the cultural sites you visit to the vineyards you stop at for tastings, a luxury French river cruise gives you the freedom to explore the region your way.
3. Sample fine dining on shore and onboard
For many of us, the best part of foreign travel is sampling the best food a country has to offer! A French canal cruise gives you the opportunity to visit everywhere from tiny local bistros to famous Michelin-starred restaurants along your route.
What’s more, the best luxury river cruises have their own private chef on board. Aboard the Grand Victoria, for example, our private chef tailors a fresh, seasonal menu to every party that travels with us. No matter your dietary requirements or personal preferences, you’re guaranteed a fine dining experience – paired, of course, with the best local wine!
4. Visit world-class vineyards
And speaking of wine… France’s vineyards need no introduction. A luxury barge cruise through the heart of Burgundy allows you the ‘hop on, hop off’ freedom to explore the region’s very best wineries. And with transport taken care of, you’re free to sample as much as you choose!
Burgundy’s vineyards produce over one hundred appellations that are known and celebrated the world over. A canal cruise with a knowledgeable guide can introduce you to the very best the region has to offer.
5. Soak up centuries of history
Burgundy and its surroundings boast an incredible concentration of UNESCO world heritage sites, making it the perfect destination for culture and history buffs. With historical sites dating back to Roman times, there’s always something fascinating to explore along the region’s serene waterways.
A private charter cruise down Burgundy’s canals brings you within reach of historic sites like the Château du Clos de Vougeot, a castle and vineyard dating back to Cistercian monks of the 12th century. Or there’s the medieval architecture and renowned marketplace of Dijon, the latter designed by Gustav Eiffel himself.
6. Get some much-needed time to yourself
A luxury barge cruise down France’s peaceful canals is the perfect opportunity to switch off from your busy schedule and reconnect with your nearest and dearest.
The Grand Victoria can be chartered privately for parties of six or fewer, ensuring perfect privacy for you and your guests. Your vessel’s crew are on hand with helpful and friendly service whenever you need it, but there’s plenty of space to relax in peace and quiet.
You can even stretch out and take in the beautiful scenery from the comfort of a private jacuzzi on board. (We’re pretty sure that’s not possible for vacationers traveling by car!)
7. Explore the outdoors with ease
The beauty of a Burgundy canal cruise is the freedom it gives you to explore the region at your own pace. The canal de Bourgogne is flanked by a well-maintained canal path for most of its length, perfect for walking or cycling alongside your barge.
The slow and steady speed of most river cruises means you can easily hop off to explore on foot or bike, before catching up with your vessel further down the canal. The Grand Victoria is equipped with its own fleet of bicycles, ready for guests to borrow at their leisure.
8. Relax in comfort and style
A trip along France’s canals doesn’t have to mean squeezing yourself onto an ancient narrowboat or rickety ferry! A luxury French barge cruise gives you the freedom to enjoy the countryside from the water whilst relaxing in five-star-standard accommodation.
Aboard the Grand Victoria, guests sleep peacefully in our luxurious staterooms with spa-inspired en-suite bathrooms. Up on deck, you can take in the beautiful Burgundy scenery from the comfort of the salon or the relaxing sun deck.
9. Make memories to last a lifetime
A luxury French barge cruise is an unforgettable experience that can be enjoyed by families and groups of all ages and interests. From sipping unforgettable wines as the sun sets to enjoying exquisite fine dining with the freshest ingredients, a private charter cruise through Burgundy will linger long in the memory.
If you’d like to discover more about routes and itineraries through this historic region, you can contact the Grand Victoria’s warm and friendly team at any time. We would be happy to assist you, and help to make your French canal cruise dream a reality.
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