Experience the Ultimate
in Luxury Canal Cruising
Luxury Canal Cruising France invites you on an exclusive cruise experience of a lifetime.
Specialising in boutique, all inclusive cruises through regional canals and waterways, our barge hotel holidays offer the perfect way to explore and discover France’s scenery, history and culture at a delightfully relaxed pace in an intimately luxurious environment.
With a collection of beautifully appointed vessels to choose from, tailored itineraries to capture local highlights and points of interest, and carefully-crafted gourmet menus showcasing the finest in seasonal produce and regional wines, you can immerse yourself in the beauty of the unfolding scenery while enjoying five star attention from an experienced crew.
Unspoiled landscape, medieval ruins, historic villages, architectural wonders, and picturesque vineyards can be viewed from the comfort of your deck with a glass of chilled champagne, or up close and personal with a day excursion conducted by your own private tour guide. Meander through the famous lock systems of France’s waterways, cruise alongside tow paths, or walk or cycle to the next village before returning to your vessel for a silver service lunch or dinner.
LE CANAL DU MIDI
Commenced construction: 1667 · Opened in: 1681
15
Years of construction
12,000
Construction workers
600
Women workers
45,000
Plane Trees & Cypresses planted
327
Structures Built
240
KM dug by shovel and pickaxe
It was the vision of Pierre-Paul Riquet to connect the Atlantic to the Mediterranean by a canal. It would allow the safe passage of goods and services avoiding the long and dangerous route via the Straits of Gibraltar. This vision was presented to Colbert, Minister of the King of France in 1660.
It took Riquet 6 years of arguing with skeptics and adversaries to finally convince Colbert, the most powerful man in the country. On the advice of his Minister, Louis XIV ordered the construction of the Royal Canal of Languedoc, which, subsequently, under the French Revolution, became the “Canal du Midi”.
F.A.Q's
How do I pay for my canal cruise holiday?
We offer a safe, secure digital environment with the option to either pay by direct bank deposit, or online through our website.
Have you seen the barges yourself?
Yes, we have. In fact, all the barges available through Luxury Canal Cruising France have been handpicked by Directors Leigh and Kristie Kaighin, who have been aboard every vessel for a personal inspection, and to meet the crew.
What if I need to change the dates of my holiday?
We require two months notice if you need to change the date of your booking. Naturally we will endeavour to accommodate any requests, but they will be subject to availability and dependent on the season and type of vessel required.
