Taking A Relaxing France Barge Trip

By Allyson Burke


To enjoy the beauty and splendor of the countryside of France you can tour the Eiffel Tower. Or you can take a relaxing France barge trip which can be the perfect choice for your holiday. The splendor of smallness is what these boats offer you.

Many dislike the enormous cruise ships that cater to a lot of people. But a barge cruise doesn't focus on more, it hones in on the things less seen while traveling. Experiencing small towns and local people is possible when you are slowly meandering down a local river. Even more important these trips focus on you, as their guest, and making your vacation a relaxing and unique experience.

Most of the barges once carried items like grain, coal, or other necessities to the local people living along the riverbank. They have been renovated to now carry a few people through these same waterways, allowing comfort and intimacy to be the focus. Because these boats have to fit down very small lochs, they are not huge in size, but grand in details.

Most of the itineraries developed focus on the food and the local culture one will see when delving into the small towns of areas of Burgundy, the Upper Loire, and the Champagne region. The barges allow you to get on and off easily and most of the cruises are all inclusive which means you pay one price and don't have to worry about pulling out your wallet again.

Being that you are in France there is a huge focus on food and wine. All the meals on board are included in the price and the staff makes sure that you have not only an abundance of food, but that it is French influenced. From the amazing sauces covering your evening meal to the luscious buttery croissants you have in the morning, your palate will not go home unhappy. The cruises also have excursions planned that allow you to taste local wines, foods, and wander through ancient castles.

When you first see the barge you will be struck with the idea that it looks like a toy a child would play with. That is where the comparison ends. With fewer rooms there is a focus on spoiling each guest. Each room is beautifully appointed with antiques, cozy beds, and lovely amenities. You have the opportunity to get to know your fellow passengers while enjoying the pampering and catering of the crew.

Many of the waterways these barges travel down are quite small. You can literally jump off the boat and walk alongside to get some exercise. Or simply sit on the deck watching the lovely scenery pass along beside you. These cruises set up adventures along the way that showcase the area you are going through. Whether it is tasting wine at a local winery or wandering through a historic castle, you will see the land as a native.

There is so much a France barge trip can bring to your vacation plans. Besides discovering a love of cruising, you will also have a relaxing vacation where you will learn something of a culture while being pampered. This is a trip of perfection.




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