Thursday, September 20, 2018

French Hotel Barge Enchante - Harvest Time

I love the Doctor Who reference!


"No, they're not Daleks! It's harvest time and half of these stainless steel tanks are now full of grapes picked these past few weeks. The whites will stay in there 3-4 months and the reds 8-12."
 — Barge Enchante at Chateau Saint Jacques d'Albas
September 16, 2018



About The French Hotel Barge Enchante


Enchante

Enchanté moored in Le Somail


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Contact Paradise Connections Yacht Charters to book ENCHANTE
View Enchante's's online brochure
Visit our website for more info on our barges and barging: www.BargeCharters.com
 


Wednesday, September 19, 2018

Barge Finesse : Visit the Chateau de Germolles


Château de Germolles - Southern Burgundy



As one of the finest surviving examples of a Burgundian ducal residence, a visit to Château de Germolles is a popular excursion on French Hotel Barge Finesse's itinerary in Southern Burgundy. It’s a serene setting in which to learn more about the influential dukes who shaped Burgundy in the late medieval and early Renaissance periods.


Philip the Bold

The Valois Dukes of Burgundy – Philip the Bold, John the Fearless, Philip the Good and Charles the Bold – were thought to have ruled over the “Golden Age” of medieval Burgundy, when the groundwork was laid for both a cultural and an economic Renaissance in the region. Philip made the impressive Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy in Dijon his central seat, adding a vast ceremonial hall and kitchens where 30 chefs could prepare a banquet all at once.

In 1380 the Château de Germolles, described as “austere” at first, was offered by Philip to his wife, Margaret III of Flanders. The house would soon be turned into a refined and luxurious country retreat by the Duchess, boasting murals painted by the best artists from the Burgundian School.

Although the palace at Dijon retains very little of its architecture from this period, the house at Germolles is a wonderfully preserved example of the splendour of the ducal court on the eve of the Renaissance.


Visiting the Château



Heraldic frescos decorate the private apartments of Margaret’s country residence; the chapels and the Hall of Honour are also impressive late medieval statements, while the thirteenth-century storeroom gives you a glimpse into the effort it would have taken downstairs to maintain such a grand house. Tours are often conducted by the present-day owners of the property, who are able to share a great deal of the château’s history. History lovers aboard the hotel barge Finesse are always impressed and enlightened by this fascinating visit.


About The French Hotel Barge Finesse


Finesse


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Contact Paradise Connections Yacht Charters to book FINESSE
View Finesse's online brochure
Visit our website for more info on our barges and barging: www.BargeCharters.com
 





Tuesday, September 18, 2018

French Hotel Barge Savoir Vivre - News


* NEWS FROM SAVOIR VIVRE *




The luxury crewed French Hotel Barge SAVOIR VIVRE offers both cabin cruises and private barge charters along the Canal de Bourgogne in the Burgundy region of France. They have just announced that beginning next season (2019), Savoir Vivre will be including transfers from Paris to Burgundy where the barge is moored.


  About The French Barge Savoir Vivre 



Savoir Vivre is 80 feet long, air conditioned (central heating, too), has 4 identical guest cabins which can be configured with a queen or two twin beds, each having ensuite private bathrooms, flat screen TV, DVD, iPod dock, internet where available, 8 bicycles, etc.

Savoir Vivre is a bit different to the other hotel barges that we represent as they do not have an onboard chef. Pastries for the continental breakfast are supplied by the local baker. Lunch is catered by professional chefs who meet up with the boat with their prepared meal. Dinners are off the boat in locally selected restaurants (included in charter fee).


Recent Comments

"On June 30th 2018 we disembarked from a wonderful week’s cruise on Burgundy’s Ouche Canal on the Savoir Vivre.  We had wended our way at breakneck speed (2 kilometers/hour) through the beautiful French countryside… enjoyed fantastic cuisine and local wines…  explored historic sites, wineries and farms… and quickly made friends with our amiable fellow travelers (four of whom we had never met before).

But the key to the success of this adventure was the crew of the Savoir Vivre, ably led by Captain Richard Mégret.

Richard navigated us through countless narrow locks, drove us on remote country roads leading to dinners in quaint local restaurants, and quietly solved a few minor mechanical crises (e.g., power failures).  He served as outstanding host, organizer, French ambassador, and friend.  His droll sense of humor immediately made us feel right at home right from the start. Richard could not have been more accommodating to our every need and request.

Laura was a superb tour director… incredibly knowledgeable about local history, wines and customs, and always radiating enthusiasm about her beloved Burgundy.   Justine was a wonderful young hostess who deftly created amazing breakfasts and lunches. She immediately won us over with her charming friendliness.

This trio of professionals turned out to be essential partners in making this trip so memorable."

John & Joan, July 11, 2018


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Contact Paradise Connections Yacht Charters to book SAVOIR VIVRE
View Savoir Vivre's online brochure
Visit our website for more info on our barges and barging: www.BargeCharters.com
 





Monday, September 17, 2018

Luxury Hotel Barge Cruises - 2018 availability UPDATED September 19

 LUXURY HOTEL BARGE CRUISES
 * Open Dates For 2018 * 

UPDATED SEPTEMBER 19, 2018

Here's a list of open dates for private barge charters (all cabins open) and for cabin cruises (some cabins already booked). If you wish, we can inquire if a fully-open, private charter week can be opened up for a cabin cruise week.

Special offers may apply! 

French Hotel Barge Anjodi - Cruising the Canal du Midi

 FRANCE - Canal du Midi

ANJODI

ATHOS

EMMA

ENCHANTE


 FRANCE - Loire Valley

NYMPHEA


 FRANCE - Upper Loire / Western Burgundy

RENAISSANCE


 FRANCE - Bordeaux

ROSA


 FRANCE - Northern Burgundy

L'ART DE VIVRE

LA BELLE EPOQUE


 FRANCE - Southern Burgundy

FINESSE

GRAND CRU

L'IMPRESSIONNISTE

PROSPERITE

RENDEZ-VOUS

SAVOIR VIVRE


 FRANCE - Alsace-Lorraine

LA NOUVELLE ETOILE

PANACHE


 ENGLAND - Thames

MAGNA CARTA


 SCOTLAND - Highlands

SCOTTISH HIGHLANDER

SPIRIT OF SCOTLAND


 IRELAND - Shannon

SHANNON PRINCESS


 ITALY - Venice / Po Valley

LA BELLA VITA








Contact Paradise Connections Yacht Charters to book your barge trip
Visit our website for more info on our barges and barging: www.BargeCharters.com