Barge in France Recs

For what it might be worth, the current (September) issue of France magazine has a story of a family with 3 kids that barged the Canal de Garonne. They rented from Minervois Cruisers, which also rents on the better-known Canal du Midi. http://www.minervoiscruisers.com/

Are you interested in a crewed boat or a self-drive?

Kat, if you do a barge trip before I do I am not going to be happy! You know that is on my bucket list!! ;-)

I would need a crew or we'd end up in New Zealand! @Andrea: Problem solved! We'll have to do it together. (as long as you leave my limoncello bottle alone!)

We can't give you a review yet, but we have booked a week-long barge cruise in September on Barge Stern leaving from Nevers, France. This is a boat with accommodations for two in addition to the owners/crew. It is expensive but we feel(hope!) that it will be worth it. It is a "bucket list" item for us as well. We will post a review when we return.

Kat-we used (and will use again next year) Ellen Sack "The Barge Lady" to book us on an incredible wine excursion in Burgundy aboard Prosperite. Check out her website (bargeladycruises.com) or give her a call. Our boat was a whole boat booking but it looks like she has others available for individuals. Since you didn't list a budget I will tell you ours was an especially expensive trip and not the way we usually travel. We were fortunate enough to have been taken on this trip by a generous friend but we enjoyed it so much that we are putting together a group of our own to do it again. It was one of the most fabulous trips we've ever had.

You might be on to something kat. I don't know what your time table is, but we are shooting for fall of next year to utilize air miles. We have discussed doing this with Susan & Monte, and Eileen has also shown an interest. From what I hear, Sid would require his own boat due to extremely loud snoring. And no worries, you can keep your limoncello. When barging through wine country I will stick with that! Let's discuss on the 17th!!

kat and Andrea, you do realize that almost the entire Helpline will want to go with you? I wish I could go but I already have our trips planned through 2015, zut!

Darcy, too bad you're all booked up. It would be fun. Seriously, I would hesitate to embark on a trip like that in close quarters with people I don't personally know. It's a good thing kat and I are friends! For areas, I'm partial to Burgundy. I did a short trip on the Canal du Midi from Carcassonne and don't feel the need to return to that area since there are other places I would like to explore.

I've cruised with France Cruises and had an amazing time. Www.francecruises.com