European Waterways Ltd. Is a British company which offers barge tours in nine countries, including France. Its French offerings include 13 itineraries, six of which are through the wine country of Burgundy. It also has a tour through the Canal du Midi in southern France, which is a UNESCO world heritage site. It has outfitted one of its barges with wheelchair lifts and handicapped-accessible rooms for the disabled; this barge tours in the south of France.
European Waterways Ltd
35 Wharf Road, Wraysbury
Middlesex TW19 5JQ, England
(800) 394-8630
gobarging.com/?gclid=CJn63_OV5p8CFRkragodQUdCWw
While other large lines pamper you with luxury, Le Boat is geared for the do-it-yourselfer. Le Boat rents boats that you drive yourself, stopping en route whenever the mood strikes you. You do your own cooking, shopping at local markets along the way for the freshest foods, or maybe discovering a great little bistro in a village. Your schedule is determined by your whims that day, and not by a group's pre-determined schedule. Le Boat rents boats in 10 locations throughout France, with several itineraries available at each location.
Le Boat
93 N. Park Place Blvd.
Clearwater, FL 33759-3917
(800) 734-5491
leboat.com/
While most barge lines offer only ultimate luxury canal cruises, France Cruises offers canal trips in all price ranges, from budget to luxury. Most barge lines offer themed cruises, usually only featuring wine or cooking, but France Cruises offers a variety of themed trips, including bicycling, painting, golfing and family-oriented.
France Cruises
6703 Munich Road
San Antonio, TX 78258
(866) 498-3920
francecruises.com/
Avalon Waterways features French wines and local cuisines on its luxury barge tours through the heart of France. It also offers guided sight-seeing at major stops along the way, such as Arles, Avignon and Lyon, and the medieval city of Tournon. Pre-cruise sightseeing in Paris and Nice also is offered.
Avalon Waterways
5301 S. Federal Circle
Littleton, CO 80123
(877) 797-8791
avalonwaterways.com/
