Luciole Blog

11th - 17th May 2025

A delightful, sun-filled week of friendship, with passengers cruising from Auxerre to Clamecy who had known each other for decades - such a joy to see. And not to forget Robin, who cruised with us previously and returned this time, bringing her friends. Thank you!

By chance, Francisco - Luciole's captain for nine years and aboard when Robin cruised - stopped by to see the crew. Captain Charlie was proud to give a tour of the Luciole engine room. The many updates since 2018 were noted, shared, and approved.

This year, the acacia trees - so plentiful in the forests and along the canal - put on the most remarkable display: clouds of billowing cream blooms unlike anything I’ve seen in 40 years. Nor has Thomas, our ‘honey man’ (honey!), and the lock-keeper in Accolay. Thomas makes the delicious acacia honey we serve at breakfast, and this season’s production will, without a doubt, be sublime.

In fact, cream was the colour of the week. The Burgundian creamy cheese, Délice de Bourgogne, was a particular hit. An adventurous party set out in search of the ‘creamy cows’ whose milk is used to make the cheese. To their delight, the creamy cows were indeed found - a more bucolic French scene could hardly be imagined.

As Luciole approached the final lock of the cruise in Clamecy, we unexpectedly grounded on a sandbank, close to the lock entrance. We were well and truly stuck. Thankfully, rope haulers appeared - Vincent, arriving for his tour; our old friend Krishna, who happened to be passing by; and a willing group of ‘the older generation’ who all pulled to bedge her with the gusto of teenagers.

The VNF (Voies Navigables de France—the French Canal Authorities) did their bit too, releasing a surge of water through the lock to help dislodge us. This, however, created an unexpected new problem: the bow swung around coming to rest on the opposite bank, leaving us lying vertically, across the River Yonne.

Finally - after a lot of barge-wriggling, expertly managed by Captain Charlie, and on-going enthusiastic pulling from our willing rope crew ashore - we were afloat again and made it safely into the lock. Tractor requirement avoided - an absolute miracle!