7th - 13th June
Ten charming passengers from different corners of the world arrived from Paris in our bus. On arrival to Clamecy, it quickly became clear that this group, who had all booked individually, were soon going to become friends. It was a delightful thing to witness.
Michael, our chef, is creating truly delicious meals in the galley – light summer lunches and elegant gastronomic dinners. For Jerry's birthday there was a delicious chocolate gâteau, although the chef had gone easy on the candles!
Billowing clouds scurried across the sky during our Wednesday cruise from Mailly-le-Château to Accolay. The season of the singing nightingales is drawing to a close. These small birds, smaller than a thrush, have enchanted us day and night for months. They are shy and rarely seen, usually hidden amongst the foliage. Yet, unbelievably, this week a nightingale sang from a tree entirely devoid of leaves, revealing itself beyond any doubt, beak wide open in full song. It was a remarkable sight – and for Penny, the first such sighting in forty years of cruising.
Speaking of nature, while the nightingales' melodies may be fading, the frogs are certainly not piping down. Their chorus can be particularly vociferous at night. Still, the smooth, carved stone frog in Avallon continues to enchant visitors with its permanent smile.
In Chablis, we were treated to a fascinating wine tour with Mina. Alongside the celebrated Chablis wines, we tasted Le Jardin, a delicious blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and the rare Chardonnay Rosé – a Chardonnay grape with pink skin. Crisp, fruity and full of character, it proved every bit as delightful as our group. A case was quickly purchased and brought back aboard Luciole to accompany Friday's lunch.
There had been a little wind throughout the week – perfect for sending those billowing clouds racing across the sky. Yet, as so often happens in Auxerre, the breeze dropped away as the sun began to set. Two of our passengers departed by taxi on Friday evening to continue their travels, but not before a final farewell on the passerelle. Friendships had been made and firmly sealed as the sun slipped below the cathedral and the first stars began to twinkle.
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
