17th - 23rd May
It was a delight to welcome a three-generation family aboard this week. The two youngest passengers were absolutely adorable and impeccably behaved. For the crew, it is always a privilege to be part of a family's holiday and to receive those trusting smiles from the little ones as they gradually get to know us.
We cruised out of Clamecy towards Châtel-Censoir, which provided plenty of opportunities to take the bikes ashore (with child seats, of course) to explore the locality on wheels, as well as enjoy leisurely strolls along the towpath.
In the afternoon, there was a visit to Bazoches, the medieval castle of Vauban. The impressive building sits on a hill against a backdrop of forest, while below lie rolling pastures filled with buttercups and grazing Charolais cattle. Nature provided its own entertainment when the bellowing of an enormous bull seemed to fill the whole of the tranquil valley.
We returned to Châtel-Censoir, staying just ahead of a rainstorm en route. The light in the port was particularly beautiful, especially looking towards the lock. In the still water, the reflections were almost mirror-perfect.
A visit to Vézelay and the Maison du Visiteur proved equally memorable. Christopher's presentation captivated everyone, including our youngest guests, who were enchanted by the film. It was a wonderful reminder that inspiration can reach even the very young. Afterwards, there was a brief stop at Penny's for garden playtime, rosé for the adults, and a rummage through the Playmobil and Brio collections to select a few extra toys to enjoy back on board Luciole.
Noyers-sur-Serein offered a lovely opportunity for some free time to explore the village and browse its boutique shops. This included a visit to Yazmhil and Brice's leather workshop, where beautifully crafted bags, belts and bracelets were displayed. The bright and cheerful handbags seemed to shout, "Take me home."
Thinking of families, as the week progressed the Liley family gathered from around the world for a weekend wedding celebration. My sister, Charlie – once a Luciole host many years ago, when I was the cook – travelled from Canada via Paris with her partner, Jim. Their arrival at the restaurant in Avallon, with Vincent kindly collecting them from the train station, made for a joyful reunion on a warm, sunny evening. I was deeply grateful to our lovely passengers, who welcomed them so warmly that night and again the following day during our final cruise into Auxerre.
The weather at the beginning of the week had been a little on the cool side, but by the end of the cruise it was glorious. In the evening, the River Yonne, perfectly calm and languid, treated us to yet another flawless reflection as the sun set behind the Cathedral of Saint-Étienne – a fittingly beautiful finale to a wonderful week.
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
