6th - 12th July 2025
The week began with a drop in temperature and some rain—much to the delight of the gardens! For our passengers, we pinned our hopes on Monday afternoon, when the sun was forecast to return, and sure enough, the prediction was spot on. The temperatures were just perfect.
We were a merry band of passengers from Boston and the UK - though Sarah has spent many decades living in ‘la belle France’.
Our Monday visit took us to the Château of Bazoches, where we were warmly welcomed by the Count. What a fabulous château it is, with breathtaking views across the valley to Vézelay, perched atop the Eternal Hill. On our return journey to the Luciole, we couldn’t resist stopping at a magnificent sunflower field for a photo opportunity. It gave Jeannie the perfect early chance to tick “sunflower photo” off her to-do list for the week!
On Wednesday, we had a special visit during the cruise from Richard Parsons, captain and owner of the very first hotel barge, dating back to 1966. Richard began cruising with a boat called ‘Palinurus’, which our company purchased in 1985 to accompany our original barge, Secunda. She was renamed Luciole.
John Liley was also cruising this week, as was our long-time friend Sarah, whose husband had been Richard’s business partner in Continental Waterways. It was a wonderful reunion for these three special friends.
After our restaurant dinner in Saint-Bris-le-Vineux, there was great curiosity as we closely inspected the mighty machine that works the surrounding vineyards, famous for their Sauvignon Blanc grapes. Then, during the drive home, there were gasps as the majestic Buck Moon rose on the horizon, glowing gold.
We finished our cruise in Auxerre, and on Friday night, the view of the city from the Passerelle was as stunning as ever, as dusk settled into inky blue velvet, perfectly reflected onto the mirror-like surface of the River Yonne, it was a stunning finale to a wonderful week.
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
