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We have been guiding guests on scenic French waterways barge cruises in luxurious accommodations for 50 years, offering a truly unique experience.
French Canal Cruises with European Waterways
Luxury hotel barges are the perfect way to explore the stunning French landscape, with canal cruises allowing you to explore the culture and food of the region in style.
There are plenty of beautiful canals in France to explore, and with European Waterways, you’ll get there in style. With 13 hotel barges to suit between 6 and 12 passengers, you’ll enjoy a floating hotel in the most gorgeous settings.
Why You Should See France on a Canal Cruise
If you are looking for a trip ‘off the beaten track’, you’ll be hard-pressed to find something better than a canal cruise. Exploring the waterways of France is the ideal way to see the country. There are nearly 3,000 miles of inland waterways and canals to cruise down, with plenty of excursions and places to visit.
A French canal cruise gives you full use of the barge facilities with sundecks, spa pools, and bicycles for riding along the towpaths. You’ll see France from a new perspective, exploring local culture, historic towns, and making new friends along the way.
Four Decades of French Canal Cruises
Explore Everything France has to Offer
Exceptional Customer Service & Staff
See the Best of Europe
Read Our 5* Reviews
Choose Your Luxury Hotel Barge
The welcome we received and everything on board was perfect
Pauline Taplin, Hampshire, UK
This is a treasure that most people don’t know about
Denise Thorson , New Jersey, USA
Everbody should do this at least once in their life
Charles Baertl, Texas USA
For a very special occasion this is the place to be
John Thorson, New Jersey, USA
Canal Cruises in France
Visit Beautiful Burgundy
As one of the main wine-producing regions of France, Burgundy canal cruises are extremely popular. Not only can you explore part of the 60,000 acres of vineyards in the area, but you can explore the rich history and heritage too.
Roam The Historic Canal du Midi
If you are looking for the ultimate French waterway canal cruise, Canal du Midi is the place to be. The 360-km network of waterways is considered to be one of the most remarkable civil engineering feats and is basked in sun for the perfect getaway.
Explore The Culinary Delights Of Gascony
Food lovers will find the gastronomic delights of Gascony perfect for their French canal cruise. Taking you through the heart of L’Occitanie along the Canal des Deux Mers, you can explore orchards and vineyards with some of the most delicious food on offer.
Enjoy Stunning Views In The Loire Valley
For an exclusive canal cruise in France, visit the luxurious Loire Valley. With its fairytale castles and stunning views, you can cruise along the River Cher on a premium hotel barge. European Waterways is the only company to offer this experience so book your Loire Valley canal cruise today.
Private Tastings In Champagne
The champagne houses of France offer some of the best-tasting experiences in the world, with private tasting sessions available. You’ll find that there is no better way to sample luxury wine than on a French canal cruise in Champagne.
Discover The Architecture Of Alsace & Lorraine
Explore the rich culture and architecture of Alsace & Lorraine. From Christmas markets and close proximity to Germany, you’ll get a wonderful blend of experiences, with unique cuisine and stunning views along the Canal de la Marne au Rhin.
Enjoy the ultimate luxury French canal cruise with European Waterways. Book your holiday today or contact our team to discuss your needs.
More Destinations For Your Canal Cruise In France
With more than 2,700 miles of French inland waterways to visit on a French canal cruise, you’ll get a unique and unforgettable experience with European Waterways. Visit the Canal de Garonne or discover things to do on the Canal de Bourgogne. You can see France in an entirely new way, with vineyards, picturesque villages, and more to do on your trip.
The Ultimate Hotel Experience With French Waterways Canal Cruises
Insider Experiences
These experiences form the heart of a European Waterways cruise; spontaneous, unique adventures that just couldn't be had anywhere else
Multi Generational Cruises
With capacity for between 6 and 20 passengers, a private hotel barge charter is perfect for a multi generational getaway
A Home Away from Home
All hotel barges in the fleet benefit from an annual refurbishment and this may vary from redecoration and refurnishing of the...
Enriching Excursions
Every hotel barge cruise includes daily excursions to some fascinating local places of interest - châteaux, Cathar hilltop...
Hotel Barging Experience
Far removed from the hustle and bustle of city life, hotel barge voyages allow you to travel in luxury without the strains of...
Outstanding Service
Crews are mainly British or French and they all speak English, so there is no need to worry about a language barrier when they are...
A Gastronomic Experience
The classic traditions of French and International cuisine are an unforgettable highlight of your cruise. The onboard chefs are...
Themed Charter Cruises
We can arrange a wide selection of themed charter cruises which will appeal to all types of interest groups, large or small...
Family & Friends Cruises
Families or groups of friends can charter any of the hotel barges. You will have the whole vessel to yourselves and she becomes a...
Barging & Biking
We know that many of our passengers enjoy taking some exercise during their hotel barge cruise, so each vessel carries...
Shopping & Markets
Even if you are not normally a lover of shopping, the vast array of fascinating shops and markets you can discover on one of our...
Wine & Whisky Tours
Many of our cruises are through some of the best wine- growing regions of France, such as Burgundy, Bordeaux...
Hotel Barges For Your Canal Cruise In France
La Belle Epoque
La Belle Epoque is a deluxe, 12 passenger hotel barge that cruises the picturesque Burgundy Canal in Northern Burgundy
Finesse
Finesse is an ultra deluxe, 8 passenger hotel barge that cruises the River Saône and Canal du Centre in Southern Burgundy
Kir Royale
Kir Royale is a ultra deluxe, 8 passenger hotel barge that cruises the renowned Champagne region of France
Book Your Themed Barge Holiday
Garden Cruises
Our dedicated garden cruises include visits to some of the best gardens, estates and parklands in Europe
Christmas Markets
We offer a Christmas Markets cruise aboard hotel barge Panache in Alsace, with a special itinerary filled with twinkling lights, brass bands, and the sweet aromas of mulled wine and gingerbread from quaint little chalet-like stalls
Whisky Cruises
We offer a Whisky cruise aboard hotel barge Scottish Highlander along the Caledonian Canal and Loch Ness, with a special itinerary that allows...
Verified Reviews
Video Feed
Luxury hotel barge Renaissance has been designed to carry her guests in ultimate luxury along the Canal de Briare, France’s oldest canal, completed in 1642 and steeped in history on a cruise route that features elegant châteaux, small countryside villages and the famed wine-growing region of Sancerre.
Hotel Barge L'Ipressionniste
Hotel barge L’Impressionniste glides gently through the picturesque Ouche Valley in Southern Burgundy through locks with their charming lock houses. You will see medieval villages perched on hilltops and have the opportunity to discover a region famed for its history and viticulture, with visits to such places as Beaune, the regions ‘wine capital’, and the elegant city of Dijon.
Hotel Barge La Belle Epoque
La Belle Epoque in her first life transported logs from Burgundy to Paris, but today she is transformed into a deluxe hotel barge carrying a very different cargo along the same canals.
The Lock-Keeper Blog
7 Great Markets to Visit in France
There is so much to love about travelling to new places and experiencing local cultures, but nothing compares to the sights, sounds and scents that awaken the senses on a... Read More
Ten of the Most Enchanting French Châteaux to Visit
France is dotted with many châteaux just waiting to be discovered. Let us introduce you to ten of the most enchanting French châteaux. Read More
Spotlight on Renaissance: A French Time Capsule in the Heart of Western Burgundy
In 2008, European Waterways unveiled the Ultra Deluxe Renaissance, paying homage to the region's rich tapestry of cultural and architectural brilliance from the Renaissance era... Read More
In the Press
La Belle barge provides small-scale cruising with a very French flavour
Mike Grenby spent 6 days on the Burgundy canal, read about his Belle Epoque adventure here Read More
La Belle barge provides small-scale cruising with a very French flavour
Mike Grenby spent 6 days on the Burgundy canal, read about his Belle Epoque adventure here Read More
Slow Barge through the Loire Valley
Karen Pasquali Jones takes a tranquil cruise aboard Renaissance, through Burgundy and the Upper Loire Read More
6 Reasons You Should Go on a Canal Barge Cruise
Laura Lynch spent a week aboard the luxury hotel barge Finesse cruising the Canal du Midi. Read about her experience here Read More
Cruising in Burgundy
David Powell spent a week on the luxury hotel barge L’Impressionniste cruising through Burgundy. Read about his experience here Read More
The Best River Cruise Ever!
Tim Hedgley cruised aboard hotel barge L’Impressionniste in Southern Burgundy in June 2017. Read about his experience Read More
Taking a Hotel Barge through Burgundy
Cruise through Burgundy aboard the elegant La Belle Epoque Read More
La Belle barge provides small-scale cruising with a very French flavour
There’s a lot of numbers, but no math needed for a six-day cruise along the Burgundy Canal on La Belle Epoque: one hotel barge, 17 meals, 22 wines and 19 cheeses, one hot tub, some mountain bikes and visits to at least a dozen interesting sites Read More