Tag Archives: hotel barge cruise

Cruising in Bordeaux with the Luxurious Saint Louis Barge

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The Saint Louis is a charter only, luxury barge accommodating six passengers in cabins that can be configured as twin or double beds.   With en-suite shower facilities, retractable clothes lines, bath robes, hairdryers, heated towel rails, full length mirrors, and ample wardrobe space, you will be comfortable in your temporary home.

The salon on the barge includes a fully stocked open bar, comfortable seating area, coffee maker, music system with CD’s and Wi-Fi available.

Saint Louis has one of the largest open sundecks of any barge of comparable size where you will be able to relax and dine whilst enjoying the peace and tranquility of this wonderful, secluded canal. The sundeck is easily accessed via wide stairs directly from the salon.

Saint Louis cruises in South West France where the finest fruit, vegetables, meats, cheeses and wines of great note are all produced.  Because of the outstanding quality of our ingredients and their freshness, our ethos in the kitchen is: cook it simply, cook it lightly, embrace seasonality and avoid heavy use of sugar, salt and fat, let the flavor and texture of the food be the focus. Over the past 6 years the chef Martin, has worked with some of the finest Michelin Star chefs in France, Biasibetti and Pourcel. His training and extensive knowledge of French cuisine and his love of food shows in every dish he prepares.

France is renowned for its cheeses and no meal would be complete without an offering of the area cheeses. A selection of cheeses are chosen each day to create cheese boards that may include dried fruits, nuts and honey for guests to enjoy.

Pairing wine with food is an art and the barge owners work closely with their wine distributor in St Émilion, himself an executive chef, to bring guests a wide variety of wines of great quality from across this region that are specifically selected to complement the food aboard the barge. The barge has an excellent cellar and carry approximately 600 bottles on board.

The enjoyment of food is central to what we do; it is not only a taste experience it is also a visual one. Each evening guests sit down to a different table setting featuring a variety of themes throughout the week.

The Saint Louis cruises the Bordeaux area, and offers 2 cruises:  Bordeaux Area between Castets en Dorthe and Serignac sur Garonne.  The other itinerary is a Gascony itinerary cruising between Boe Port and Lacourt St Pierre.  Some of the highlights of these cruises are:   The Lily Gardens that inspired Monet, 12th century hill top town of Lauzerte, Moissac Abbey and Cloisters, the town of St Emilion, A 1st Grand Crus Chateaux, 12th Century town of La Mas d’Agenais and its church, with an original Rembrandt painting of Christ on the Cross, Port Chateau d’Arche, Serignac and the local weekly market at Valence d’Agen.

Check out the itineraries offered by the Saint Louis Barge.  We also have videos on the Saint Louis barge, the cruising area and the gourmet food to be found on the Saint Louis.  888-869-7907 Europeanbarging.com

6 Passenger Clair de Lune barge on the Canal du Midi

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When looking for a barge cruise in Southern France, an excellent choice would be the 6-passenger Clair de Lune, tastefully furnished with Mediterranean plane tree and American cherry wood furnishings. There is a stylish, modern salon with a comfortable sitting area, a large dining table and a well stocked bar. There are three spacious cabins, each of which can be configured with a queen bed or two twin sized beds. Each cabin has a large wardrobe, dressing table, and an ensuite bathroom, with large shower. The cabins and the salon all have large picture windows. The beds in each cabin face the windows, so that you can enjoy the scenery even from inside of the barge. For easy access, the boat has been built with as few stairs as possible.

A very large sundeck takes command on the exterior of the barge, where you can lounge in comfort on reclining chairs. Sun-lovers can soak up the sun and cool down in the Jacuzzi, while those who prefer the shade can relax under the awning while watching the picturesque scenery unfold. The sundeck is a perfect setting to enjoy an al fresco lunch or a leisurely candlelit dinner on beautiful summer evenings.

In the spring and fall the Clair de Lune cruises on the quaint Canal du Midi between the charming village of Le Somail and the fortified city of Carcassonne, discovering some of the most beautiful scenery in the south of France along the way. During the cruise you will visit historical sites such as the spectacular Cathar village of Minerve, the elegant city of Narbonne and enjoy wine tastings at renowned local domaines. In the summer it cruises an alternative itinerary on the Canal du Midi passing Carcassonne and Castelnaudary. Excursions include a visit to Limoux for a private wine tasting, the medieval Cathar town of Mirepoix and beautiful Lac de Saint-Ferréol.

The Clair de Lune team is led by its French owner, Yves Pastor, who is accompanied by an English-speaking crew: a professionally trained Chef who will be responsible for all of the meals on board, a tour guide who will lead all of the excursions, and a hostess. Yves’ lifelong love of boating and desire to provide a luxury barge experience to passengers from all over the world is what drives his passion for barging. While on board, the crew invites you to relax and enjoy the landscapes and natural beauty of this magnificent canal.

Europeanbarging.com   888-869-7907