MERGANSER is a traditional conversion of an old Dutch barge originally built in 1931. After sailing her from her home in Holland in 1990 the present owners have created a classic interior of mahogany, ash and other fine woods reminiscent of vessels of bygone days. They have achieved this without sacrificing comfort. Her compact cabins each have en-suite facilities of shower and WC, 220/240 volt power points and ample storage capacity, and her saloon and deck capacity is generous, this latter complemented by a canopy sufficiently large to enable al fresco dining for much of the year. She is owner operated. She is fully centrally heated and has a well-appointed saloon with a varied library. Passengers are also welcome in the wheelhouse, which doubles as a comfortable observation location.

Well, the canals and rivers themselves are of great interest. One does not have to leave the boat to see small villages with their stacks of wood laid ready for the winter and their small carefully tended vegetable gardens, vine clad hills, pretty lock houses. Then there are the towpaths for walking or cycling as we go slowly  from  lock to lock, the only exception being our cruises on the Seine and the Oise.We cruise for about four or five hours each day, with lunch often taken under the canopy as we cruise along. Opportunities exist to visit celebrated monuments, interesting churches, attractive towns, vineyards and local ateliers, often as an accompanied tour, and you can always just relax with a book in one hand and perhaps a drink in the other. The cuisine is always first class, dietary requirements and special tastes are well taken care of; the cabins, though small, are well appointed and comfortable with good housekeeping standards being maintained.  In 2010 Merganser will cruise the canals and rivers of France. Cruises will take in Paris,  the canals of the Loire valley, the canals through the Champagne vineyards, historic Reims and the rivers Seine, Loire, Marne, Oise and Aisne. High quality cuisine is a features of the fully inclusive cruises.  Bicycles are freely available; many of the routes are designed with towpath walking or cycling in mind and, whenever the route takes in an important or interesting city or town, time is available for exploration. 

The GalleyThe Saloon

 

Click here to see the video ! 

Barge cruising France - home page

Barge cruising France itineraries and prices

For the small print, and to contact us click as required