Luciole Blog

16th – 29th June 2024

June is high season in hotel barging – it is such a lovely time in Burgundy to cruise. Everything is lush, the birds are singing and the flowers along the canal bank are as plentiful as if someone has emptied a wild flower seed packet through the grass. A simply fabulous time to be on the Canal du Nivernais.

This year it has to be said however, is different. Very different. The Paris Olympics have had a surprising effect on tourism, resulting is a significant downturn of bookings for all the hotel barges and French tourism in general. We now know this is ‘normal’. Passengers from Los Angeles and London have told us how it happened in their cities too. The inhabitants move our and passengers usually destined for the Olympic country or city, France and Paris in our case, have taken the opportunity to visit another location.

So, to this end, crew took the opportunity of a well deserved break, taking time to recharge batteries after a busy start to the season in April. Family and friends were visited and family and friends took advantage of empty cabins to stay aboard in stunning Auxerre. The Luciole crew work so hard it certainly is nice to see them able to share their Luciole life onboard, with their loved ones and friends in the inspiring city of Auxerre.