OUR PARIS RENDEZVOUS
Our Sunday rendezvous is at 2.30pm at the Hotel Mansart in central Paris, located one street away from the Place Vendôme and a stone’s throw from the Paris Opéra.
The hotel reception staff receive passenger names in advance and will direct our guests to the rendezvous point. We kindly request that passengers gather for the rendezvous no earlier than 1.45pm. Luciole’s Captain and Tour Guide Neil will meet and drive passengers in our bus to the barge, travelling in the region of 100 miles and arriving at the Luciole for a Kir Royal reception between 5 and 6pm. A rest-stop to stretch your legs will be made halfway along the route.
A luggage storage facility specifically for Luciole passengers is provided at the Hotel Mansart for those arriving early and wishing to explore the area unencumbered. Breakfast at around 15 Euros is also available, which is particularly nice for passengers arriving very early to the hotel from overnight flights.
At the end of our cruise, we offer a transfer service back to Paris, to the Place Vendôme, where taxis are available for onward travel. The estimated arrival time is at 1pm, allowing for a stop along the route.
For passengers wanting to join the Luciole, without making their way to Paris, they are welcome to arrive directly to the barge when she is moored in Auxerre. When the Luciole is moored at the southern end of our route, in the town of Clamecy, we are able to make the small detour and collect passengers from the centre of Auxerre en-route to the barge.
If you are wanting to hire a car, Auxerre is the most suitable location. At the end of the cruise, we are able to drop you directly at a car hire office of your choosing.
The hotel reception staff receive passenger names in advance and will direct our guests to the rendezvous point. We kindly request that passengers gather for the rendezvous no earlier than 1.45pm. Luciole’s Captain and Tour Guide Neil will meet and drive passengers in our bus to the barge, travelling in the region of 100 miles and arriving at the Luciole for a Kir Royal reception between 5 and 6pm. A rest-stop to stretch your legs will be made halfway along the route.
A luggage storage facility specifically for Luciole passengers is provided at the Hotel Mansart for those arriving early and wishing to explore the area unencumbered. Breakfast at around 15 Euros is also available, which is particularly nice for passengers arriving very early to the hotel from overnight flights.
At the end of our cruise, we offer a transfer service back to Paris, to the Place Vendôme, where taxis are available for onward travel. The estimated arrival time is at 1pm, allowing for a stop along the route.
For passengers wanting to join the Luciole, without making their way to Paris, they are welcome to arrive directly to the barge when she is moored in Auxerre. When the Luciole is moored at the southern end of our route, in the town of Clamecy, we are able to make the small detour and collect passengers from the centre of Auxerre en-route to the barge.
If you are wanting to hire a car, Auxerre is the most suitable location. At the end of the cruise, we are able to drop you directly at a car hire office of your choosing.
An interesting French fact.......
Situated in the chic area of the 1st arrondissment in central Paris, Place Vendôme was designed in 1702 by the favourite architect of Louis XIV, Jules Hardouin-Mansart. The Vendôme Column, inspired by the Trajan's Column in Rome, stands in the centre of the square and was erected by Napoleon I, following the victory of the Battle of Austerlitz in 1805 and the defeat of the Russian-Austrain army.
George Haussmann, a town planner was credited with the modernization of Paris in the mid 1800's.
Baron Houssmann as he was known, demolished Medieval quarters of Paris and replaced them with the wide tree lined boulevards and and balcony fronted elegant houses that we associate with the stylish Paris streets of today.
The style of French Baroque architecture that he is associated with, is easily recognisable in the Place Vendôme. Learing his trade under his great uncle François Mansart, such was his respect, he adopted the name Mansart. On his uncle's death he inherited his inspiring plans and drawings, which included the design of the 'Mansard Roof' with its steep sloping four sides, and dorma windows are customary on France's elegant buildings