What is a barge trip?
Barges are handsome vessels carrying 4-20 passengers that cruise along European canals, primarily in France. Barging focuses on gourmet food and wine, exploring the countryside, and lots of relaxing.
Are there canal boats in France?
Cruising in France offers the largest river network in Europe with over 100 canals and rivers creating around 800km of navigable waterways making it the ideal destination for canal boat holidays. Experience nine boating regions from a completely different perspective.
What is a barge in France?
ABOUT HOTEL BARGES AND CANAL BARGE CRUISES Barges carry from 4 to 20 passengers. Most were working cargo barges (peniche, in French), but have now been been transformed into air-conditioned elegant floating hotels.
What do you wear to a barge in France?
The weather in France is generally warm in June, July and August. Useful items on a barge cruise include a sweater or lightweight jacket for evenings and air-conditioned interiors, comfortable walking shoes with low or no heels, and your swimming suit if your barge has a Jacuzzi on deck.
What city in France has canals?
Annecy, France
Annecy, France Annecy, often billed as the “Venice of France,” sits in the Haute-Savoie region, along the shores of Lac d’Annecy. Unlike other canal towns, which use their waterways to access the sea, Annecy’s picturesque canals are lake-fed.
What is a French river boat called?
Péniche. (barge) A type of river or canal-based transport, used for the haulage of heavy goods and cargo along the French waterways. Today, many have been refurbished as luxury floating hotels.
What is a French waterway called?
Three of France’s most iconic include Pont-Canal d’Agen (Canal de Garonne), Pont-Canal du Briare (River Loire), and Pont-Canal de l’Orb. Aval. (down stream) This useful French waterways term refers to the downward direction of travel (towards the sea) on a canal or river.
What do you bring to a barge?
Bring a comfortable pair of walking shoes, some sandals that can double as slippers, and a dressier pair of shoes for evening, preferably with low heels. Add nightwear, a bathing suit, and a sun hat and you will be ready for anything.
What should I take on a barge trip?
Essential items for a barge cruise : a lighter, clothes pegs and … gardening gloves: so that you can cultivate your skills at mooring and steering without wrecking your hands. There is a first-aid box on board so you don’t need to worry about that; just bring any of your own medications that you need.
What is barging in shipping?
A barge is a kind of cargo-carrying vessel designed to transport passengers or goods through rivers or canals. Normally, these shipping vessels are long, flat-bottomed boats that do not have a self-propelling mechanism. A barge needs to be pulled by tow or a tug boat.
How many canals are there in France?
Waterways of France The French network of waterways includes 100 canals and rivers, totaling over 8,000 kilometers. There are dozens of possible cruises, along a single canal or into other inter-connected waterways. Boats (within size limits) can pass through from the English Channel to the Med.
What city is known for its canals?
Venice
Venice could well be the world’s most famous canal town: it’s hard to imagine canals without envisioning the Italian city’s winding waterways, gracefully arched bridges, sputtering vaporettos and striped gondoliers.
What are the boats called in Paris France?
Bateaux Mouches
Bateaux Mouches (French pronunciation: [bato ˈmuʃ]) are open excursion boats that provide visitors to Paris, France, with a view of the city from along the river Seine. They also operate on Parisian canals such as Canal Saint-Martin which is partially subterranean.
What is un bateau mouche?
pleasure boat (on the Seine)