French Country Waterways, barging vacations in France.
French Country Waterways, barging vacations in France.
French Country Waterways, barging vacations in France. The Adrienne at sunset.  
French Country Waterways, barging vacations in France.
French Country Waterways, barging vacations in France.
    The Esprit's sundeck.

Nestled deep in the hills and valleys of France's northern wine regions is a network of navigable canals that provide access to some of the country's most breathtaking scenery. Along these canals, luxury barges glide through the countryside at an unhurried three miles per hour, allowing you to soak in the scenery from one of our spacious sundecks or disembark and spend the day ashore. American owned and operated, French Country Waterways has been cruising the canals in 5-star luxury for over two decades. Join us for an all-inclusive seven-day journey and experience the very heart and soul of France.

Immerse yourself in the unique culture of Alsace-Lorraine. See the world-renowned vineyards of Champagne or Burgundy. Or explore the gardens of the Upper Loire. Even travelers who have toured France many times are sure to find new and delightful experiences.

Each of our five barges is elegantly appointed with all the amenities necessary for a luxurious and relaxing getaway. Every stateroom has a private bath, full-sized beds, and generous storage for clothing and luggage. Relax with your fellow passengers in lounges furnished with sofas, books, games and a fully stocked complimentary bar. The environment is cozy and intimate - like a floating country inn.

French Country Waterways, barging vacations in France.
     An elegant barge stateroom.
French Country Waterways, barging vacations in France.
Horizon II's salon.   

No trip to the culinary capital of the world would be complete without fine dining and, of course, wine. Each boat has an on-board chef preparing three gourmet meals a day with fresh supplies purchased in the passing villages. Lunch and dinner menus are paired with carefully selected red and white wines. During lunch, you will taste wines from family-owned vineyards that are rarely sold for export. All dinner wines come from distinguished Grand Cru and Premier Cru vineyards. In addition to your on-board dining experience, we have selected the most celebrated restaurant near each cruise route for an elegant dinner ashore. During this evening, you will enjoy the talents of some of France's most acclaimed chefs.

French barging vacations.
     Barging in the French Countryside.

Because the pace is leisurely, you can soak up the sights, sounds, and experiences of northern France. Relax on the deck while your barge glides through a quaint French village and listen to the carillon of an ancient cathedral. Borrow a bicycle from our onboard supply and explore the gardens and vineyards along the canals. Disembark and chat with the lockmaster before strolling to the local farmer's market for bread and fresh country cheeses. Your friendly, English-speaking crew can provide recommendations and directions for all your explorations. Or you can join in that day's planned excursion with your captain and fellow passengers. The freedom and flexibility of luxury barge cruising is like no other travel experience.

French Country Waterways logo.Click on the logo to order our brochure or to make a reservation for the vacation of a lifetime!


This travel advertorial is one of a series of carefully chosen products and services designed to enhance the experience of mature travelers. While this product or service is hosted by Travel with a Challenge, we cannot accept responsibility for the product or service. We invite you to explore the website via the site navigation menu below to access our acclaimed Travel Theme Pages, Travel Article Library, Web Magazine, and Advertiser Links Directory.
See our Privacy Policy. Editorial contact: alison@travelwithachallenge.com.
To discuss advertising options anywhere on this site, please contact: advertising@travelwithachallenge.com

Copyright© 2007 Travel with a Challenge,
all rights reserved
New material added monthly
Comments? Please contact Webmaster
Images edited with Fireworks™
Site designed with Dreamweaver™
Optimized for screen resolution of 1024X768
Compatible for Browsers 5+