On the Nivernais canal where we operate, there is a continuous variety. There are many places to moor the barge and quaint hand-wound locks with their lock houses and gardens. If you wish, you can ride a bike or stroll along the old towing path to the next stone-built bridge or lock, before joining the barge again.

Inland waterways vary enormously. Some are sweeping and grand, some small and intricate and some, it has to be said, can be unvarying and dull. Generally speaking the bigger, wider routes are less personal, with electrically operated locks, and stopping points that are often miles apart.

What is little known, is that, with the passage of time, many of the older more attractive waterways of Europe have become shallow and impassable to the deeper hulled boats who sit lower in the water. This is particularly true of the Nivernais Canal, where barge Luciole, specially developed and drawing less in the water than many other barges, is able to cruise, providing a passport to our entrancing region.