Canal & Co

Welcome to the wonderful world of waterways cruising.  We may be a little biased after our combined 60 years of being involved in the growth of this unique industry, but we think you will agree that this is a special  way to discover the heart of France.  You will see the French countryside in its full glory.  You will discover her secrets at 4 mph, allowing plenty of time to see the detail you would miss with any other form of travel.  This is the graceful way of life that seems long forgotten to us today.  In fact, this may be the first time you experience such a relaxed voyage.   

We are proud to have the opportunity to welcome you aboard these five unique vessels. You will have the vacation of a lifetime, and will return home with fond memories and new found friends that you will never forget.  One of our recent guests described her experience on the Anacoluthe as “unpretentious luxury.”  We hope you will agree.

Why is "Canal & Co French Hotel Barging" so popular?

A Canal & Co French Barge Vacation is a change of pace from what most people have experienced – There is a certain intimacy that comes from slowness, from being with a small group and from the realization that as you amble through the cobble stone streets of a medieval village that the very stones you are walking on have been walked on  by people like yourself for centuries.

The light of course has been a big attraction in France.  - It gave a life to the impressionists painters of the 1800’s.  In the morning the sun shines soft, highlighting the orange and reds, in the afternoon it filters through the trees overhead the canal as you glide through the forests and fields, and in the evening it lights up the greens and forms the pastels in the Burgundy vineyards as it makes its journey westward toward sunset.

.The tours of course are special - you will visit private castles with their magnificent gardens, quaint villages where time seems to stand still,  vineyards where we will stop for a taste, world historical sites that help give us an insight as to who we are and why,  and lots more.  Each day brings a new shore excursion in one of our air conditioned buses with one of our licensed tour guides.  It is all included in the price.

Of course there is the serious pleasure of the “perfect gourmet.”  You will dine on meals prepared by chefs who were trained in some of the finest schools in France. You will finish one meal and look forward to the next.  French chefs are artists, excelling themselves day after day with meals produced from only fresh foods. Our Canal & Co food is supplied by the finest wholesale food purveyors and delivered to our vessels twice each week.  If you have special dietary requirements we can easily accommodate them.

Who said that “a day without wine is like a day without sunshine?”– The complimentary wines that accompany both lunch and dinner are carefully selected from the vast choice of quality French vineyards.   You will enjoy 22 different wines during the week on board.  Your well chosen wines are served at dinner in a relaxed atmosphere.  They will compliment the meal and bring about a feeling of well being and contentment which will linger as the evening unfolds and you sit and chat with friends, old and new.  It does not get any better than this.

The boats offer a high comfort level.  All Canal & Co barges offer air conditioned comfort on a vessel that is tastefully decorated with a mix of beautiful wood and brass complimented by lovely fabrics.   Most of your time will be spent in the public areas of our barges which feature a spacious saloon, dining area, bar and sundeck.  Anacoluthe even has a piano.  Cabins are all outside with portholes or windows, private shower bathrooms, drawers, wardrobe, bookshelf, and reading lamp.

Canal & Co. offers a customized level of service.  Normally there is one crew member for every three passengers - your guarantee of first class, highly personalized service. Our experienced bilingual crew, most of whom have been with us for many years, include experienced pilots, well-informed tour escorts and friendly hosts and hostesses intent on sharing their local knowledge with you to ensure that your cruise is a delightfully memorable experience.

A towpath runs alongside the canals, giving you the option to either walk or bicycle between locks, or stay on board and watch the world go by as the scenery changes with every bend in the river or canal. All barges (except Anacoluthe) have bicycles so you can explore nearby villages and countryside or ride the towpath alongside the barge, which stops at locks along the way.

Relax, enjoy, let yourself be taken care of by a dedicated crew who’s only concern is for your well being and enjoyment.

 We look forward to welcoming you aboard soon

 Bon Voyage 

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