Luciole Blog

20th – 26th October 2024

The last week of our 2024 season arrived. Although we know it will come, somehow when that final Sunday dawns, it is always a bit of a surprise. How fortunate we were to cruise with Chet and his lovely family, as well as the stylishly hat-wearing and elegant Ray and Pat.

Monday, the bluest of blue sky days, saw us strolling and biking along the River Yonne to the Museum of Pierre Merlier. The old mill is home to sculptures and paintings by the Burgundian artist, who made the mill his home. After he died, his wife assiduously collected the pieces to present them in the dramatic surroundings.

On Thursday evening after the visit to Chablis we took an early evening cruise along the Vermenton Arm. The light was stunning and with the leaves on the turn as Autumn courses the air, it could not have been more beautiful.

Through the week, chef Nicolas created his usual kitchen glory. For the final Captain’s Diner evening in Auxerre, the delicately arranged floral decorations graced the table. There were canapés on the deck under the mighty Cathedral of St Etienne and we toasted passengers, past and present, who have cruised on the Luciole, this and the many seasons before.

Thank you to everyone - passengers and crew alike - for being a part of the Luciole’s story. Her history is long, dating way back to her first cruising in 1966, and we know her future is bright.