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French canal barge cruises in the history-rich waterways of rural France! Cruise with Swan for week-long charter cruises in the tranquil heart of France. Their luxury charter barge cruises provincial France, a land of unspoiled villages, majestic châteaux, gourmet foods and wines and what many consider the most exquisite canal scenery in Europe.
A sun-filled French spring evokes memories of the sunny weather and sunny guests. Last year's sunshine produced the finest wine harvest on record (and that's a long record!) so they're excited about the upcoming wine tasting in Burgundy. If you miss it this year, they also have return cruises to Sancerre and the fabled Côte d'Or available. Then they leave Burgundy for a long-anticipated return to Alsace Lorraine. Wine pleasures continue here with the exquisite wines of Family Dussourt, among others. Alsace remains France's undiscovered treasure, with glorious food and wine and its ebullient hospitality. |
Swan Cruises Gallery
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The Experience
Vive La Bonne Vie!
Witness why guests love France and the French way of living! Despite differences between governments, French people have remained steadfastly happy to see American visitors. Each year, tourism doubles France's population and French people are as proud of their hospitality as they are of their much-admired life style. Graciously sharing this inventive blend of gastronomy, artful wine, culture and history with each other is normal; so is sharing it with their visitors.
La Vie on Swan
Boats, like people, have unique personalities and the relaxed informality of life aboard centers around Diana's open galley and fresh regional cuisine. With her Diplôme d'Etudes Culinaires from France's La Varenne Cooking School, she serves all meals on board except two and all are shared together. Twice a week they also visit specially selected local restaurants for moderately priced dinners and simply split the bill. This unique cruising style means they can tie up to the canal bank wherever curiosity beckons with daily excursions ashore in their passenger van, ship's bicycles or by foot. Their 7-day 6-night cruises gives relaxed access to unspoiled villages, vineyards, châteaux, picturesque markets—the best of France is the daily adventure!
Witness why guests love France and the French way of living! Despite differences between governments, French people have remained steadfastly happy to see American visitors. Each year, tourism doubles France's population and French people are as proud of their hospitality as they are of their much-admired life style. Graciously sharing this inventive blend of gastronomy, artful wine, culture and history with each other is normal; so is sharing it with their visitors.
La Vie on Swan
Boats, like people, have unique personalities and the relaxed informality of life aboard centers around Diana's open galley and fresh regional cuisine. With her Diplôme d'Etudes Culinaires from France's La Varenne Cooking School, she serves all meals on board except two and all are shared together. Twice a week they also visit specially selected local restaurants for moderately priced dinners and simply split the bill. This unique cruising style means they can tie up to the canal bank wherever curiosity beckons with daily excursions ashore in their passenger van, ship's bicycles or by foot. Their 7-day 6-night cruises gives relaxed access to unspoiled villages, vineyards, châteaux, picturesque markets—the best of France is the daily adventure!
Browse The Barge
Swan is a traditional, 90 foot, iron-riveted hull, newly converted, cradling a bright, luxurious interior. Accommodations are for four guests in two spacious double cabins. Airy en-suite bathrooms include tiled showers, sinks, dressing counters and residential-style flush toilets (just like home). Their "grand salon" makes Swan queen of the waterways—30 feet split-level lounging and dining with Diana's open plan kitchen forward and a joyfully windowed seating lounge aft for viewing life ashore as it slides past. If traditional yacht woodwork, spaciousness, and amenities normally found in a modern home mean luxury to you, then you will agree with their slightly smug claim to this "appellation."
Cruise Schedule
Holland and Belgium April
Burgundy and eastern Loire May and June
Burgundy's Côte d'Or July
Vosges July, August, and October
Alsace and Lorraine August and September
Burgundy and eastern Loire May and June
Burgundy's Côte d'Or July
Vosges July, August, and October
Alsace and Lorraine August and September
Rates and Booking
Rates Include
Accommodation in a spacious cabin: one cabin has a large double bed and the other cabin has a large double bed which can, if requested in advance, be altered to become twin beds—each cabin with private bathroom; use of all boat facilities including bicycles, library of books, music and games; tours and excursions to local sights in our passenger van; transfer to and from the boat to designated pick up and drop off points. All meals, (breakfast, lunch and dinner) on-board wines, beers and soft drinks are provided except for two dinners ashore.
Booking Conditions
A 30% deposit is required at the time of initial booking. The balance is due 90 days prior to the charter start date. Bookings made within 90 days of the charter start date must be paid in full at initial booking.
Travel insurance, any optional meals, wines and liquors taken off the ship; laundry service, optional tours such as golf, tennis, etc.; transportation to and from designated pick up and drop off points.
Cancellations made more than 20 weeks in advance of the charter start date receive a full refund of monies paid, less $150 per person cancellation fee. Cancellations made 16-20 weeks in advance of charter start date receive back all monies paid less the 30% per person deposit fee. Cancellations made less than 16 weeks prior to charter start date receive no refund. These conditions are standard in the European barging industry and will be strictly adhered to. To prevent needless hardship in case of emergency cancellation, purchasing insurance at the time of initial payment is strongly recommended.
Accommodation in a spacious cabin: one cabin has a large double bed and the other cabin has a large double bed which can, if requested in advance, be altered to become twin beds—each cabin with private bathroom; use of all boat facilities including bicycles, library of books, music and games; tours and excursions to local sights in our passenger van; transfer to and from the boat to designated pick up and drop off points. All meals, (breakfast, lunch and dinner) on-board wines, beers and soft drinks are provided except for two dinners ashore.
Booking Conditions
A 30% deposit is required at the time of initial booking. The balance is due 90 days prior to the charter start date. Bookings made within 90 days of the charter start date must be paid in full at initial booking.
Travel insurance, any optional meals, wines and liquors taken off the ship; laundry service, optional tours such as golf, tennis, etc.; transportation to and from designated pick up and drop off points.
Cancellations made more than 20 weeks in advance of the charter start date receive a full refund of monies paid, less $150 per person cancellation fee. Cancellations made 16-20 weeks in advance of charter start date receive back all monies paid less the 30% per person deposit fee. Cancellations made less than 16 weeks prior to charter start date receive no refund. These conditions are standard in the European barging industry and will be strictly adhered to. To prevent needless hardship in case of emergency cancellation, purchasing insurance at the time of initial payment is strongly recommended.