Luciole’s itinerary balances cruising the glorious Nivernais Canal with daily excursions in our bus. Burgundy is a beautiful and culturally rich region with vineyards, chateaux and Medieval market towns. This corner of France is historic and enchanting. Luciole offers a barging experience that is relaxed and informal, very personal and with an extremely attentive crew. Captain Francisco has piloted the Luciole for the past seven seasons. The Luciole is proud of their reputation, earned during the forty years they have been cruising.
Luciole is a fantastic barge for single travellers, as there are actual single cabins and no single supplement! Singles pay the same per person as guests sharing a twin cabin!
En-suite cabins are located on the lower deck. All have good storage and openable porthole windows. Newly installed air-conditioning units are individually controlled. In the en-suite shower bathrooms we provide towels, Molten Brown toiletries and hairdryers.
The saloon on the upper deck has large windows, allowing lovely views across the countryside. It is large and welcoming, with comfortable seating and dining areas. A light and bright place to relax and dine with fellow passengers. The wall to wall picture windows give an uninterrupted panorama of the Burgundian countryside as we cruise or when moored. The open-bar is well-stocked and there is a library and music system. We also offer free mobile Wi-Fi.
On the large raised sun deck, passengers can relax and enjoy the wonderful vista as we cruise, passing by tranquil pastures, quaint lock houses,12th Century farms and even a German World War II air base. It is the perfect place for morning coffee, afternoon teas or sun downer cocktails under the parasol. Bicycles and helmets are kept on the front bow deck just below, for passengers wanting to cycle the tow path and explore the local villages.
Each day we cruise for 6 to 7 hours through the glorious scenery of the Nivernais Canal. The Luciole’s evening moorings vary; dramatic Auxerre, charming villages and Medieval Clamecy, where time stands still.
Our expert guide knows this historical and culturally rich region well. Every day his informed tours take you to delightful destinations of wine tasting, shopping and sightseeing.
Luciole also operates Theme Cruises for charter groups only, such as wine appreciation and walking itineraries. Ask us about curating a special-interest cruise for your group!
Features At-A-Glance
12 GUESTS
6 CREW
3 DOUBLE CABINS WITH EN-SUITE BATH, WHICH CAN BE CONVERTED TO TWINS; THREE TWIN CABINS; AND TWO SINGLE CABINS WITH NO SINGLE SUPPLEMENT!
34 METRES LONG
12 BICYCLES
AIR CONDITIONING/CENTRAL HEATING
CD PLAYER
GAMES
LIBRARY
WI-FI
AIR CONDITIONED MINIBUS FOR EXCURSIONS
Sunday
Monday
A journey in the afternoon is made to a wine cellar in the Chablis vineyards, barely sixteen kilometres to the east of Auxerre. Chablis is one of the greatest names in wine, with production within a strictly-defined area. The most prestigious wines are produced from vineyards on the south of the town on 'Grand Cru Hill'.
Tuesday
Our excursion to historic Auxerre is in the afternoon. The city offers many historic features: the Cathedral of St Étienne, Abbey of St Germain, with the Romanesque crypt and attractive clock tower in the centre of the town, built in the 15th Century. The Church presides over one of the most attractive waterfronts in France, recently renovated and where the Luciole now has her own private mooring. Auxerre was originally a Roman camp and became a centre of learning and pilgrimage in the Middle Ages. It was declared a holy city by the Pope in the 11th Century. The afternoon provides a good opportunity to visit the shops and take time to enjoy French provincial life.
Wednesday
After lunch the Luciole’s journey continues southwards to a night-time mooring beneath the walls of Mailly-le-Château. Here you can take the steep path from our mooring at Bourg d’en Bas, or Lower Town up to Mailly-le-Château where a terrace offers spectacular views of the Yonne Valley.
Thursday
There is plenty of time to soak up the atmosphere of this hilltop town and a super chance to visit the numerous craft shops selling clothes and gifts. Another opportunity too, to stop at one of the local cafes and watch the world go by (very French cafe life!).
We cruise in the afternoon to an evening mooring at Lucy-sur-Yonne, passing through a region where dramatic cliffs stand by the water's edge. Watch out for the delightful ducks and geese, who have made this canal bank their home. Along the cruise route the Rochers du Parc and those at Les Saussois are regularly used by climbers. Do take a look at our video for a true idea.
Friday
Our final tour is to the imposing Château of Bazoches. Set on a hillside amidst splendid rolling countryside, this was the 17th Century home of the Marquis de Vauban (1633-1707). Vauban was France's great military tactician and engineer, who was responsible for the creation of the first coherent network of fortifications surrounding the developing kingdom of France. He was also a prolific and at times visionary writer who remained steadfastly loyal to his roots in the Morvan region around Avallon and Vézelay and considered the Château of Bazoches as his true home.
Saturday
This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change. On alternate weeks the cruise is in the reverse direction.
2025 Prices
Double/Twin Cabin per person
Single Cabin per person (when available)
12 Passenger charter
10 Passenger charter
Note all our prices are in Euros. We convert to Australian dollars at current exchange rates on the day of payment of deposit/full payment.
Departure Dates 2025
Value Season
High Season
Value Season
High Season
Value Season
Price is all-inclusive - inclusions are:
- Return transfers between Paris and Luciole
- All meals on board catered for by your private on board chef
- Open bar 24/7 , premium wines served throughout the cruise
- Excursions and entries
