Luciole Blog

1st - 7th June 2025

The Luciole began her cruise this week from the delightful port of Clamecy. As passengers sat down to their first dinner aboard, the saloon was lit by the mellow evening light. Once again, we had a lovely array of different countries represented around the table.

Apéro on the terrace in Fontenille was followed by a stroll down to the bottom of the garden to the “wild patch.” The Bee Orchids have finally opened their spectacular and intricate blooms for all to see. I counted sixteen flowers - I can hardly believe it - and was very proud to share them with everyone. Meanwhile, the early Pyramid, Lizard, and Man Orchids are over for another year.

Will Liley was out visiting this week - good to have him aboard! He was checking on the technical, engine-side of the operation and also took some fabulous photos, including the shot above Prégilbert, with the 12th-century Church of Our Lady.

Back when I was first cooking aboard the Luciole, the lock keeper had the most wonderful vegetable garden. I was always given vegetables in season, including flat-leaf parsley—which, hard to believe, I had never seen in the UK. In France, however, it was plentiful.

On our Chablis visit to Château Bichot, Emma gave a lovely wine tasting before we strolled around the town and then drove up to Grand Cru Hill to see the renowned vines. The flowers on the vines are nearly over now, and it’s exciting to see the tiny grapes developing. The harvest will be here before we know it!