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16th - 22nd August
On a sunny Sunday, it was wonderful to welcome aboard our lovely returning passengers Mary, Susie, Susie, Carol and Art for their third and second Luciole cruises respectively. They also brought along family and new friends for their first Luciole cruise!
On Monday morning, we were delighted to welcome hotel-barge agent Emma and her husband, Phillip, for a cruise and lunch aboard. Emma has looked after this group for all three of their Luciole cruises with us, spanning six wonderful years, so it was particularly lovely to see her again.
There was a cheery goodbye in the Nivernais lock of Béze before the Luciole bus made its way through the golden countryside to Château de Bazoches, the magnificent ancestral home of the Marquis de Vauban, Louis the XIV’s great military engineer.
Following our visit to Vézelay, it was back to Penny’s in Fontenille for an apéro. We enjoyed Bersan’s lovely white Côte d’Auxerre, along with an unexpected discovery – a bottle of red wine that had accidentally been chilled in the fridge! We all had a good laugh about it, but on such a warm evening, it proved surprisingly refreshing – perhaps we had discovered something new?
Arthur made me laugh and reminisce when he asked about ‘the rabbits’ that in 2024 ran wild in the garden – and, in fact, throughout much of the village – after a neighbour had accidentally left the door of their cage ajar. The four rabbits were enormous, long-eared Belgian bunnies, black and brown in colour. Sadly, they did not make it through the winter, but knowing that they had enjoyed their final days in freedom and had escaped the cooking pot was rather wonderful!
Our peaceful mooring on the quay at Vincelles is always a favourite. As evening falls, there is an opportunity to look up at the black, starry sky while the river slips languidly by. It is simply magical.
On Friday, we took the opportunity to capture Gill and our fabulous chef Michael side by side. Surely, they must share a family connection going back generations? With Gill’s Irish roots and Michael hailing from Liverpool, their remarkably similar cheerful smiles certainly make you wonder!
For Mary, Susie and their friends, it simply would not be the same without a pack of playing cards in hand. While moored in Auxerre, a happy hour of cards, accompanied by a drink, was the perfect way to relax and enjoy the city as the sun slipped behind the cathedral towering above us.
And then, at the end of the Captain’s Dinner evening, everyone was treated to a very special rendition of ‘Carol-Carolo’, with the chorus adapted for each passenger and crew member – including ‘Susie-Susio’! We were entertained with the singing, and personalised little ditties and plenty of laughter all around.
Joyous, truly joyous – thank you ever so much for such a wonderful week aboard Luciole.
Hotel barge Luciole
Cruising since 1976
Phone: 00 44 1625 576880
From USA: 011 44 1625 576880
WhatsApp: 00 33 6 09 92 20 76
Email: info@bargeluciole.com
23 Adlington Road, Bollington
SK10 5JT England
1-2 Quai de la Republique, Auxerre
89000 France
© Hotel Barge Luciole 2026
