17th - 23rd Aug 2025
We were delighted to welcome a wonderful group of passengers aboard after our summer break. Our talented chef, Camille, prepared delicious canapés on Sunday; the sun shone, and we were all excited at the thought of cruising again.
For one of our passengers, Colleen, it had been thirty years since her last Luciole cruise. Colleen returned with three friends, many fond memories, and a (slightly blurry) photo of the saloon from those earlier days. Looking at it truly felt like stepping back in time. The nicest part, though, was that although the décor had changed (thank goodness!), it was easy to see that the joyful atmosphere remains just the same.
Colleen also appeared in an old brochure from that era, alongside two-year-old Will Liley - who now manages the technical side of the business as well as our website. Time really does fly!
Vézelay was thronging - it was the beginning of the weekend’s music festival. As we stood outside the Basilica, gazing up at the impressive western façade, the magical sound of music floated towards us. The choir was rehearsing Monteverdi’s Vespers, to be performed later that evening. At the end of the afternoon, as we made our way down the Eternal Hill, lively entertainers passed us on their way up, leaving no one in any doubt that the festival had begun.
After the musical magic of Vézelay, a calm glass of rosé at Fontenille was enjoyed by all before returning to the Luciole.
Friday’s cruise began with mist floating eerily on the canal before the sun broke through. On returning from the visit to Bazoches, James (our cocktail king) and Karen greeted passengers with cocktails and smiles before Captain’s Dinner—and I am delighted to say that, unlike in the 1990s photo, there was not a pink tablecloth in sight!
Hotel barge Luciole
Cruising since 1976
Phone: 00 44 1625 576880
From USA: 011 44 1625 576880
Email: info@bargeluciole.com
23 Adlington Road, Bollington
SK10 5JT England
1-2 Quai de la Republique, Auxerre
89000 France
© Hotel Barge Luciole 2025
