Luciole Blog Jun 8th

8th - 14th June 2025

It was a cruise of blue skies, sunshine, and big moons. On numerous nights, stunning reflections shone onto the inky calm of the canal.

Our visit to the restaurant Le Belle Croix, nestled in the heart of the Saint-Bris vineyards, gave us the chance to marvel at the view: sauvignon blanc vines stretching out toward the poplars standing proud on the high southern ridge.

On Thursday, we visited Vézelay. The midsummer hollyhocks were beginning to open their cheerful flowers welcoming visitors. We paused partway up the hill to admire them before continuing to the Basilica. Two weeks ago, the Eternal Hill had been bustling with crowds celebrating Ascension Day. This week, we could appreciate the breathtaking Romanesque nave and Gothic choir in peace and silence.

Just before leaving Vézelay to stop by Penny’s in Fontenille for an apéro, we all noticed a donkey and its owner making their way up the hill toward us. We chuckled to see the pair dutifully crossing at the zebra crossing!

Back on the Luciole, we laughed over Sandra and Meg’s coordinating dinner attire - and our napkins! There was also an unexpected special guest appearance: Olivier Maguet, the Mayor of Châtel-Censoir. He explained eloquently, in English, that next month at the lock 'La Place' - which we would cruise through the following day - a Union Jack would be flown in recognition of two British servicemen who lost their lives to the Germans during World War II. In this sleepy corner of Burgundy, it’s hard to imagine the vital role the French Resistance played - disrupting enemy operations and passing on crucial information to the Allies. In truth, it is never far from memory, and is celebrated annually in villages, towns, and memorials all across France.