Best French Barge Cruises
By Heidi Sarna
Updated January 2026
I've enjoyed small-ship cruises of all kinds all over the world, but I'm particularly partial to barge cruises along the canals of France, and a few other canal systems in England and Sweden.
Everything I truly desire when traveling is offered on a barge cruise:
- Delicious healthy local food prepared by a talented chef
- Good regional wines served at lunch and dinner
- Intimate atmosphere with just 6 to 12 passengers (a few barges carry more passengers then this)
- Lovely open top deck
- Cozy ensuite cabins
- Close-up views of France's pastoral landscape and canal lock system along the way
- Opportunities to cycle and walk along the canals' tow path
- Daily excursions to historical towns and villages
- Wine tasting at vineyards (in France)
- Delicious cheese served daily
- Great balance between relaxing and active
- Absolutely everything is included (except for crew gratuities at the end)
My first barge cruise was aboard the 12-passenger Luciole with a dozen friends, old and new, to celebrate a 50th birthday.

It was a perfect way to celebrate my dear friend's milestone in an intimate setting where everything was taken care of for us. We were catered to in a casual, low-key way, as if visiting a distant relative's beautiful rustic country home.

The vibe was easy-going, yet the standard of service, food and wine was top-of-the-line.
For me, it was the very best combination.
My Luciole barge cruise, just like most other barge cruises, was six nights long and one-way, cruising about 60 kilometers (about 35 miles) over the course of the week, including passing through numerous locks. Some canal barge cruises might cruise a bit further in a week, up to about 100 kilometers or 60 miles, it depends on the itinerary.
Thanks to the lovely leisurely pace, you'll feel as if you've traveled much further than you have.
VIDEO: Below is what it's like to pass through a fascinating 19th-century lock on a French canal cruise.
French barge cruise fares include pick-up from Paris (or another major French hub) to the barge, and at the end of the cruise, return transport as well.

I love that barge cruises are all-inclusive and everything is covered in the fares. Not having to pay for drinks or choose between excursions or figure out how to get to the point of embarkation makes a barge cruise convenient and wonderfully carefree.
That said, keep in mind, barge cruise fares are pricey.
Expect to pay somewhere between $5,000 and $10,000 per person for a six-night all-inclusive canal barge cruise in France and England. If you'd like to charter a barge for a private cruise for your friend or family group (which is a great idea by the way!), there is usually some savings off the per-person rate.
I share booking info at the end of this post.
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Here's our list of 17 appealing barge cruises that have been reviewed by Heidi and our QuirkyCruise team:
- Luciole, 12 pax
- Enchanté, 8 pax
- Kir Royale, 8 pax
- C’est La Vie, 8 pax
- Roi Soleil, 6 pax
- Adrienne,12 pax
- Grand Victoria, 6 pax
- Savannah, 6 pax
- Anjodi, 8 pax
- Johanna, 6 pax
- Esperance, 6 pax
- L’Impressionniste, 12 pax
- Athos, 10 pax
- Horizon II, 8 pax
- Magna Carta, 8 pax
- Juno, 46 pax
- Diana, 50 pax
Details About 17 Of Our Favorite French Barge Cruises
There are many barge cruises to choose from; in fact so many, it's a bit overwhelming to know which one may be right for you.
Well, we're here to help. The QuirkyCruise team has sampled these 17 French canal barge cruises (well, they're not all in France, we review a barge cruise on the River Thames and two on Sweden's Göta Canal!) and we recommend them all. To help you decide if one may be in your travel future, in this article, we share our reviews with you.
And if you fancy booking a barge cruise, we can help; please show your interest in the form at the end of the post and we're happy to assist!
Luciole
- 12 passengers
- Nivernais Canal, Burgundy, France
I fell in love with the 12-passenger Luciole. On this 6-night barge cruise, I found the service and crew to be fantastic. I loved the old-world look of the Luciole, with wood everywhere for a cozy and welcoming country house feel.
I would definitely count it as one of the best French barge cruises available.
Of its many plusses, another one is that it carries 12 passengers, making it an ideal private charter to celebrate a milestone birthday or anniversary, for just for a group of friends or relatives to get together.
Here's an excerpt from my full review of Luciole:
“With six overnights on board, from Sunday to Friday, that left five full days to enjoy the cruise.
Each day, there was a three- to four-hour tour that our guide Vincent would take us on, either after breakfast or after lunch. The other half of each day was spent relaxing on deck. Two in our group enjoyed painting the passing scenery from a set of mini watercolors they brought along!
We also pursued walking, jogging or cycling (my passion!) along the towpath, hopping off the barge (and then on again) at the various lock points.
On our canal barge cruise, we passed through four to eight locks a day — a total of 32 locks on the 35-mile stretch we covered on our six-night cruise. Locks control the flow of water, creating a series of steps to allow a canal, and the boats on it, to cross land that is not level…”
READ MORE: Here's Heidi's full review of her very special week aboard the Luciole on the Nivernais Canal.

Looky! Heidi's Luciole Review Won A Travel Writing Award!

Enchanté
- 8 passengers
- Canal du Midi, Southern France
Writer Donna Heiderstadt shares her insights and images highlighting her week aboard the 8-passenger Enchanté,, telling us:
“‘On a July afternoon three decades after our first small-ship cruise, my friend and I enjoyed a welcome glass of bubbly as we stepped aboard Enchanté, an eight-guest canal barge operated by European Waterways on the Canal du Midi in France’s Languedoc region — and learned we’d be cruising with just two other guests: a friendly, well-traveled Australian couple.
The only hesitation I'd harbored about canal barge cruising was that Suzanne and I needed to be prepared to share admittedly tight quarters with up to a half dozen complete strangers. We had hoped that none of our fellow guests would have oversized or disagreeable personalities that could potentially dampen our own enjoyment — and we lucked out with a couple close to our age who were culturally curious, active and engaging.
As we toasted our shared good fortune with gentle clinks of the crystal flutes that had been handed to us by Lea, one of our hostesses, we knew we were about to be well looked after — and well fed.
Soon, Hannah, the chef whose culinary talents we would applaud in the coming days even as our waistbands grew snug, appeared with a tray of crispy, creamy, buttery, cheesy nibbles to tease the gastronomic delights that awaited us.
We were in Salleles d’Aude, a town located on the Canal de la Robine with an esplanade featuring a beguiling Mediterranean mix of plane trees, palm trees, and bougainvillea. Not long after Enchanté’s five-person crew welcomed us, they got to work as our pilot, Manu, and captain, Beth, readied the barge for our sail to Le Somail, where we’d dock overnight.
I would normally have ducked into my cabin to unpack at this point, but as Manu guided Enchanté onto the Canal du Midi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which was completed in 1681 and totals nearly 150 miles, I realized the landscape would be spectacular from the get-go.
So, all four of us stayed put, sipping Champagne and snapping photos as we glided beneath a canopy of parasol pines and then past neat regiments of hunter-green cypress trees silhouetted against a pastel-blue sky filled with cotton-ball clouds.
It was a blissful start to a week of intentionally slowing down and savoring the food, wine, culture, and authenticity of this lesser-known region of southwest France….”
READ THE REVIEW: Here's Donna's full review.

Kir Royale
- 8 passengers
- Canal du Midi, Southern France
Writer Kathryn Harrison, along with her writer and ship expert husband Ben Lyons, share insights and impressions about their week aboard the 8-passenger Kir Royale.
Kathryn writes:
“‘The rain began somewhere past Paris and kept us company all the way east. In the back of a comfortable van, we made gentle small talk with our future shipmates — two friends from Massachusetts and a Canadian couple celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. We compared notes on croissants and jet lag while the countryside blurred out our windows.
Then, through the downpour, I saw her: the 8-passenger Kir Royale, navy-hulled and cream-trimmed, moored beneath a tunnel of trees on the Marne Canal. Ben squeezed my hand. Seven years earlier he’d done a similar barge trip with his mother and promised himself he’d return with me — his wife, the unapologetic Champagne lover.
Charles, our cruise director, met us with a grin. ‘My English is very French,' he said, handing out flutes of chilled bubbly. The six of us passengers gathered in the glowing salon as he introduced the crew: André, the taciturn French captain who had spent his life steering the country’s inland waterways; Julie, a cheerful deckhand who handled ropes and locks with the grace of a dancer; Rosario, a waiter who would guide us through wine and cheese pairings; Sabina, the Bulgarian hostess who mixed the perfect apéritif and somehow kept every cabin immaculate; and finally Léo, the chef — Paris-trained in a Michelin-starred kitchen but drawn here for freedom and creativity.
After safety briefings we toasted the week ahead, then took a soggy stroll through Châlons-en-Champagne — its medieval timber frames gleaming in the rain, the Cathedral of Saint-Étienne echoing softly within.
By the time we returned, lamps glowed in the barge windows and the scent of dinner drifted from the galley. Rain or not, it was already beautiful…”
READ THE REVIEW: Enjoy Kathryn's full story here.

C'est La Vie
- 8 passengers
- Marne River and the Canal Latéral à la Marne, Northern France
Writer Molly Hottinger, and photographer Len Kaufman, took their first barge cruise aboard the 8-passenger C'est La Vie and finally understood the great appeal of this kind of luxurious, slow travel.
Molly writes:
“From the moment I stepped aboard the C’est La Vie for a 6-night journey on the tranquil banks of the Marne River and the Canal Latéral à la Marne, I knew the Champagne region was an ideal setting for my introduction to luxury French barge cruising.
Travel photographer Len Kaufman and I chose C’est La Vie’s Champagne itinerary this past July for its blend of legendary vineyards, medieval towns and tranquil waterways, far from the summer bustle of Paris.
Every detail of the onboard experience aboard this French barge cruise is designed for comfort, relaxation, and French hospitality.
The C’est La Vie’s saloon serves as the main dining and social hub, featuring a full bar, panoramic windows, and a communal table that encourages conversation. In the adjacent sitting area, there are two facing leather couches are great for conversation, while the glass coffee table has picture albums from previous cruises.
The barge’s rich teak paneling and trim, polished brass, and elegant furnishings create a classic maritime feel with an inviting ambiance. The shaded sun deck was the other spot on board for socializing, enjoyment of quiet moments, and watching the passing scenery…”

READ THE REVIEW: Here's Molly & Len's full review.
Roi Soleil
- 6 passengers
- Canal du Midi, Southern France
Writer Karl Zimmermann shares his insights and impressions of his week aboard the 6-passenger Roi Soleil.
Karl tells us:
“‘Luxe, calme et volupté' is the refrain in a work by nineteenth-century French poet Charles Baudelaire titled “L’Invitation aux Voyage.” Into English that translates as “luxury, peace and exquisite pleasure.” This phrase rang a bell for my wife Laurel and me.
We were among six passengers, three cabin’s-worth, a full house, aboard the Roi Soleil barge cruise, the Sun King, for six lovely nights in mid-April on the Canal du Midi in Southern France. The Roi Soleil is a “river barge” — what it’s actually called, though that does seem a misnomer for a vessel so elegant and luxurious.
We dined like queens and kings, courtesy of chef Toby, a Brit now based in the French Alps. “That’s the best food I ever ate,” says Laurel, a dedicated foodie and quite a cook herself. We soaked up local history on daily outings led by our tour guide, the knowledgeable and irrepressible Becky, who was invariably attentive to the wishes and needs of all of us…”

READ THE REVIEW: Enjoy Karl's full review of the Roi Soleil here.

Adrienne
- 12 passengers
- Canal du Central, Burgundy, France
Writer Rick Sylvain shares his insights and impressions of his week aboard the 12-passenger Adrienne.
Rick writes:
“Maps say we are in the heart of France, the confluence where the winding Saone River meets the Canal du Centre. But to passengers aboard the luxury hotel barge Adrienne, we are at the intersection of blissful and soul-stirring.
If you seek an unforgettable week cruising the French countryside, getting immersed in medieval towns, chateaux and estates, wining and dining in ways you never dreamed possible, and tiptoeing through vineyards that produce some of the world’s most prized wines, your barge has come in.
Sailing between Chatillon-sur-Loire and Nemours in the Upper Loire, Adrienne offers France as it was meant to be seen: slow-going and intimate, not the lightning round of the tour buses…”
READ THE REVIEW: Here's Rick's review of his lovely week on the Adrienne.

Grand Victoria
- 6 passengers
- Canal du Central, Burgundy
Writer Christina Colon and her husband Peter have traveled extensively all over the world, including quite a bit in France. Both are fluent in French, and greatly appreciate the food, wine and culture.
So when they had the opportunity to cruise aboard the elegant 6-passenger Grand Victoria, they took it. The stylish boutique hotel barge was just their speed.
Owner-operators Edward Anderson and Cindy Unvericht and their crew offer a beautiful experience.
Christina describes her first impressions:
“The Grand Victoria feels more like a river yacht than a barge, though it has the typical dimensions and interior of other 5-star canal barges. Built in the 1980s, to the specifications of the heiress to the DeKuyper liquor fortune, it was designed for her private travel around Europe. The current owners redecorated after a gut renovation in 2015.
With amenities in abundance, it boasts a well-stocked bar, deck furniture, chic lounge, and elegant dining area. The eight original staterooms situated near the front of the vessel down a short but narrow half staircase were reduced in number to three. All of them were enhanced in size, allowing for a king-size bed (or two XL twins), double sinks, a full shower and ample storage room. Voila! Three couples can definitely travel in style.
As our cruise began, we settled in and lapped up our posh surroundings, reclining on the plush outdoor furniture while owner-operator Edward stood at the helm in the wheelhouse…”
READ THE REVIEW: Here's Christina's full review of the Grand Victoria.


Savannah Barge
- 6 passengers
- Canal du Midi, Southern France
Cynthia Heininger and Jim Feeney write about the 6-passenger Savannah Barge, a luxurious hotel barge built in 1936 as a cargo barge specifically for the Canal du Midi to transport liquids (fuel, alcohol and wines, at different stages of its career).
They write:
“In the 1990s, the owner of L’Occitane en Provence renovated the vessel as a showroom for the company’s famed cosmetic line. It was converted to a hotel barge in the early 2000s.
The boat was in poor condition when today’s owner-captain, Adrien Bramoullé, purchased it, but he refurbished it completely in 2014, transforming it into a sophisticated floating hotel with a maximum capacity of seven passengers in three double cabins and one single.
Savannah normally cruises the Canal du Midi between Bram and La Redorte, or the reverse, on a six-night itinerary. We joined old friends, forming a roster of three couples.
On the first day of our Canal du Midi cruise, in June 2022, Captain Adrien picked us up at our hotel in Narbonne in a comfortable Mercedes SUV…”
READ THE REVIEW: Read all about Cynthia and Jim's week aboard the elegant Savannah.

Anjodi
- 8 passengers
- Canal du Midi, Southern France
Judi Cohen's first European canal barge cruise won't be her last. She and her husband spent a week aboard the Anjodi, a canal barge in the European Waterways fleet.
She tell us in her review:
“Considered an off-the-beaten-path destination in the Languedoc region of southern France, the 240km-Canal du Midi was built in the 17th century to connect Toulouse with Sete on the Mediterranean Sea.
Although my husband and I have travelled on small ships around the world, we had never been to this region of France nor on any barges.
Nervous about sharing an 8-passenger barge with other guests we didn’t know (there were seven passengers in total on our cruise), plus a crew of four, we took a deep breath, packed our small suitcases, and set off to France.
This was our first international trip since the start of the pandemic, so it was a relief to find virtually all our travel stress evaporated throughout this slow and intimate 6-night small-ship barge journey.
It was exactly what we needed. We felt comfortable whether we were on the top deck of Anjodi gracefully moving along the Canal du Midi or on shore exploring the surrounding towns and villages.
Slow travel on a quirky barge is the perfect way to experience the lesser-travelled regions of France, far away from the crowds…”
READ MORE: Enjoy Judi's full review of her Anjodi barge cruise here.


Johanna
- 6 passengers
- Canal du Midi, Southern France
Johanna was writer and world traveler Ben Lyons' first barge cruise. He sampled the slow and easy 6-night holiday with his mother Jane, and they both enjoyed it. Johanna is run by the husband-wife team of Kris and Patsie and crew.
Ben writes:
“Casting off from the quaint French town of Chateau Thierry, it was immediately apparent our barge trip would be at a different pace — literally and figuratively — from other cruises.
Once up to ‘full speed,’ I scanned the shore to gauge our progress; we were matching the pace of brisk walkers. Onboard with me was only my mother, one other couple, and the Captain and chef.
The hustle of New York City, where I live, had rarely seemed so far away…”
READ THE REVIEW: Here's Ben's full Johanna review.
READ THIS REVIEW TOO: Enjoy Ben's mother Jane's review here.

Esperance
- 6 passengers
- Canal du Midi, Southern France
Elysa and her college-age daughter Sam had a fabulous time on Esperance. Their first canal barge cruise suited them perfectly, and they especially appreciated the excellent cuisine, as Elysa's daughter studied at the Culinary Institute of America and knows food.
Further, they just loved the landscape of southern France, the perfect setting for their foodie and wine barge cruise.
Elysa tell us :
“The Canal du Midi is set in the lovely region of Languedoc in southern France. It’s a step back in time to motor through this idyllic pastoral countryside. You quickly realize why artists are drawn to this area after seeing firsthand the inspiration surrounding you.
From small quaint villages with stone churches and narrow cobblestone streets to vineyards and small farms, this cruise was all about the journey. A slow-moving barge is a perfect vessel — and speed — to make sure you don’t miss a thing…”
READ THE REVIEW: Enjoy Elysa's full review of her six days aboard Esperance.

L'Impressionniste
- 12 passengers
- Burgundy Canal, France
Scotland-based writer Robin McKelvie spent six nights aboard the barge L’Impressionniste.
Robin describes his canal cruise for us, explaining:
“The lock eases open and we glide through the morning mists under an embrace of giant oak trees. A heron startles off ahead; above a red kite scans for prey. As the emerald forests and hills rise, we retreat inside to a breakfast of freshly baked croissants the cruise manager has just cycled off to a boulangerie for.
And proper coffee. It’s not wine time yet, of course, but that’s a delight to come.
Welcome to the 12-passenger L’Impressionniste, not just the finest way to discover the joyous Burgundy Canal, but a real alternative to cruising the more famous Canal du Midi.
The Burgundy Canal sweeps for 150 miles, connecting the River Yonne at Migennes with the River Saone at St-Jean-de-Losne, through a system of 189 locks.
Taxes to build it were first raised as far back as 1607, but construction didn’t begin until over a century later…”
READ THE REVIEW: Robin tells us all about L'Impressionniste.

Athos
- 10 passengers
- Canal du Midi, Southern France
Writer, photographer and video-creator Peter Knego shares his review of another one of the best French barge cruises out there, the 10-pax Athos.
Here's an excerpt.
“To many, the idea of transport on a barge might seem appropriate for iron ore, grain or some other form of cargo, and of course, that is most often the case.
That noted, savvy QuirkyCruisers also know that some barges have been modified to carry a human contingent on deluxe cruises through scenic and intimate settings.
One of these rarified entities is European Waterways hotel barge Athos, which operates on six-night transits of the eastern part of the Canal du Midi in the South of France.

Measuring 98.3 by 16.6 feet, the maximum dimensions to transit the locks of the 150-mile engineering marvel, Athos has five staterooms to accommodate ten guests who are tended to by a crew of five.
She was built in 1964 to transport sand, grain and wine but was transformed into her current configuration in 1982, although she still does convey a good selection of wine for the sole purpose of sating her guests.
Athos is actually owned by a private entity and chartered to European Waterways, who operate a fleet of passenger barges on various canals and waterways of Europe…”
READ THE REVIEW: Enjoy Peter's entire review of his week aboard the Athos.
Horizon II
- 8 passengers
- Marne-Rhine Canal, Alsace-Lorraine, France
Writer John Roberts shares his insights and impressions of his week aboard the 8-passenger Horizon II.
John tells us:
“‘When I boarded the Horizon II barge for a French Country Waterways Marne-Rhine canal cruise in the Alsace-Lorraine region of France, I had only a basic idea of what to expect.
After more than three dozen river cruises in Europe, I was joining my smallest vessel yet for a journey with French Country Waterways.
Horizon II carries just eight passengers, and my wife Colleen and I were surprised to see just one other pair onboard for our weeklong trip — a nice couple from California. So, the four of us and our five crew members began our journey in the city of Nancy. I was excited to savor the fantastic food and scenery that I heard are the hallmarks of this style of travel.

In this French Country Waterways Marne-Rhine canal cruise review, I’ll tell you about our day-to-day itinerary, the foods and wines we enjoyed and what it’s like being on the intimate canals, passing through locks and stopping at small towns in the countryside….”
READ THE REVIEW: Read John's full review here.
Magna Carta
- 8 passengers
- Thames River, England
Ok, so this isn't a barge cruise in France, this one is on the River Thames, a narrow snaking river in southeastern England that wends past some of the country's most historic places. If you like French barge cruising, do consider this similar experience on the Thames.
Here's an excerpt of Heidi's review:
“‘Walking off the 8-passenger hotel barge Magna Carta, from its Thames River mooring at the edge of lush woodlands that envelop the Cliveden House estate in the Berkshire hills, we set off on a short uphill trek through the forest. We soon reached a clearing with views all around us of the enchanting English countryside as the wind rustled the trees and birds chirped in the crisp morning air.

Another day on our weeklong Magna Carta cruise, we rounded one of the Thames’ many curves and saw Windsor Castle suddenly in our view. It was surreal! Dating back nearly 1,000 years, the historic Windsor complex was practically in our laps. With our barge moored almost in its shadow, it was a short walk there for touring.
Later in the week came historic Tudor-era Hampton Court, the Thames riverside playground of Henry VIII and his wives in the 16th century. Magna Carta often moors right at the edge of the property so passengers can walk directly into the estate for their tours.
Unfolding like a ribbon tossed on an old map, the narrow snaking Thames River is flanked by many historic places like these. It’s an ideal waterway for small-ship cruising; whether you’re exploring on shore or relaxing on board watching England, old and new, float by…”
READ THE REVIEW: Here's Heidi's full review of this very special barge cruise.
Juno
- 46 passengers
- Göta Canal, Sweden
One of my top small-ship cruises ever was aboard the 46-passenger Juno, slowly cruising across the belly of Sweden along the Göta Canal, starting in Gothenburg on the west coast, to capital city Stockholm. We booked a four-night trip with Göta Canal Steamship Company
Here's an excerpt of Heidi's review:
“Our family summer trip aboard the historic 46-passenger M/S Juno, one of a trio of wonderful old small cruise boats belonging to Sweden's Göta Canal Steamship Company, was one of my favorite quirky cruises to date, no question about it.
A great way to chill out and step off the grid for a few days, we loved moving at a snail’s pace through the beautiful Swedish countryside aboard the intimate little vessel.
Squat and oblong with a short stack, stubby nose, and a necklace of wooden planks strung around the hull for protection when passing through narrow locks, Juno’s looks haven’t changed all that much from 1874. She was built to carry cargo such as timber and grain on Sweden’s Göta Canal, the backbone of a 600-km waterway that links rivers, lakes and man-made canals across the heartland of Sweden.
The Göta Canal opened up the country to trade and commerce in the early years of industrialization and enabled Sweden to avoid paying taxes to Denmark, who controlled the waterways around the southern tip of Sweden…”

READ THE REVIEW: Here's Heidi's entire review of this super memorable barge cruise across Sweden.
Diana
- 50 passengers
- Göta Canal, Sweden
For those seeking a travel experience that is truly quirky, off-the-beaten-track, nostalgic, endlessly scenic and on a refreshingly human scale, a Göta Canal cruise aboard Diana or one of her sisters, is a wonderful option.
Here's an excerpt of Peter's review:
“Barely larger than a giant modern cruise ship’s tender, the handsome, 50-guest, 269-gross-ton MS Diana was built in 1931 and has enjoyed a storied career sailing between Stockholm on Sweden’s Baltic coast to Gothenburg, the country’s main portal on the North Sea.
Traversing a series of lakes, locks and the Gota Canal, itself, Diana’s six-night Grand Sweden voyages are among the most unique and picturesque on this planet.
The Diana, herself, is a diminutive slice of floating history, her quaint looks conjuring up comparisons with the steamer in the movie “Fitzcarraldo” or, perhaps even Agatha Christie’s “Death On The Nile.”
Between her vertical stem and classically proportioned counter stern, her enduringly ribbed and riveted hull supports a sheered and cambered superstructure that consists of two decks with sheltered promenades, topped with a classic stovepipe funnel.
That vertical funnel is actually a relatively new addition, replacing a streamlined early 1960s funnel that never quite looked right, which in turn displaced the original stovepipe funnel from 1931…”

READ THE WHOLE REVIEW: Here's Peter's full review of his Diana barge cruise.
Barge Meanderer — 12/02/25 UPDATE
Barge Meanderer was sold by its previous owners Susan and George in 2024 and is now owned and operated by Mairi and Emile.
- 6 passengers
- Upper Loire Valley, Burgundy
For writer Dana Freeman's second barge cruise (the first took her through Southern Burgundy on the Prosperite), she choose to cruise aboard Barge Meanderer in April, early in the season, which means fewer crowds than the summer months, plus cool pleasant weather and the awakening of spring flora. Note, Dana cruised on Barge Meanderer under her previous owners; we have reached out to the current owners and have not heard from them (yet). We also don't see any 2026 dates listed on their website.
READ THE REVIEW: Here's Dana's review of her week aboard Barge Meanderer, with the previous owners
Hope you enjoyed our round-up of 17 of the best barge cruises out there!
Drop me a line if you have any questions — [email protected]. I love everything about canal barging and can help you with any questions you may have if you're wondering if a canal cruise is for you! And if you're ready to book one, my trusted travel advisor Kevin is ready to assist; you can reach him via the form below and he'll be glad to set up a call to discuss what you're interested in. Bon Voyage!
Interested In A Barge Cruise?
For years, we've been referring our readers to our favorite travel advisor, Kevin Flink, because of his excellent customer service and expertise in travel planning. Kevin owns a franchise of Cruise Planners, one of the highest producing land and cruise travel agencies in the world, which means he gets access to various discounts and perks from cruise lines, hotels and insurance companies that he can pass on to his clients.

To show your interest in booking a barge cruise (or any cruise!) with Kevin, please tell us a bit more about what you’re looking for and we will be happy to get you both connected.
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HEIDI SARNA











Great article; we are looking at doing a barge tour in France and can’t decide between Canal du Midi and Bordeaux or Burgundy….I’m sure they are all nice….
It is hard to choose! I’d say the vibe of canal cruises in France is very similar from one canal to another, it’s intimate and your just inches or feet from the sides of the canal; all three areas you mention are stunning and the day trips would be wonderful, as all of France is dotted with historic villages and vineyards. Let me know which you decide!
You also have Provence to cruise on a barge, the company Rhône Croisière with Le Phénicien barge operate for 20 years and Provence is the most visited are in France. There are so many spots to visit, the wheather is always beautiful, historical village, vineyard…..
Thank you, there are many great, options and your suggestion seems appealing too! Here’s a link: https://www.rhone-croisiere.com/en/