End of the season 2025
The end of the season creeps up quietly and then, suddenly, the crew have flown, taken the train, or driven home – off to enjoy a well-earned rest and to savour the good times shared by all. We marked the close of the season with a final supper together in Clamecy, remembering friendships made and laughter shared.
On Monday, accompanied by friends and family, we began our cruise back to Auxerre, stopping en route in Châtel-Censoir to unload the teak deck and bicycles for winter storage in Fontenille. The sun shone and the autumn colours were glowing gold.
I was very fortunate to visit Chicago, where I met up with Christopher and Hélène from La Maison du Visiteur for their talks on the Basilica of Vézelay. It was also wonderful to see the Barge Ladies and to meet Aimee Laberge again, who writes so beautifully and cruised with us earlier in the season – do look out for her Vézelay article in Classic Chicago Magazine. Naturally, I couldn’t resist a boat ride – the best way to see any city or countryside – and there was an evening at the Alliance Française, where I was honoured to give a talk on Burgundian wine and cheese pairing, alongside a gougère demonstration. Such warm hospitality – an enormous thank you to everyone.
Back in Burgundy, Luciole made a short winter cruise along the quay to moor opposite Place Saint-Nicolas, while the VNF (Voies Navigables de France, who manage the waterways) lowered the water level to carry out work on the weir. It felt rather strange being directly onto the quay.
It certainly was nice to return to our usual mooring beneath the Cathedral two weeks later.
Plans for winter works with the wonderful Harry and Sarah team are now in full swing, with Will organising the schedule. The galley floor has been lifted to replace the water tanks and, once these are installed, the floor will be re-laid and a new stainless-steel kitchen fitted. Down in the engine room, the air-conditioning system is also being replaced. It’s busy behind the scenes – rather like a theatre – but we know that when the curtain rises next season, everything will be passenger-perfect and ready to go.
As Will and I left Auxerre to return to the UK, the Christmas lights were twinkling throughout the town and along the river – a theme of blue – celebrating 120 years of history for the local football team, AJA Auxerre.
Next year, hotel barging reaches half that age at 60 years. The very first cruise aboard Palinurus took place in 1966, with our dear friend Richard Parsons. His boat, Palinurus, is now known as Luciole. Celebrations all round!
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 2026
