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FLOATING THROUGH FRANCE

Brand new ships and itineraries are providing plenty of reasons of explore the French rivers and waterways in style

BY JEANNINE WILLIAMSON

It might be a lesser-known river cruising destination than Germany and the countries bordering the banks of the Rhine and Danube, but a voyage through France is a wonderful way to experience our closest European neighbour.

On the Seine ships are based in Paris, and cruise to Normandy, and the Rhone runs through beautiful Provence, between Lyon and Arles. The Gironde, Garonne and Dordogne transport passengers through the famous Bordeaux wine region and last year CroisiEurope pioneered cruises on the Loire with the innovative paddlewheeler Loire Princesse, designed to navigate its low waters.

Slow the pace even more on a barge. With its extensive network of waterways, including the UNESCO-listed Canal du Midi stretching 240km from Toulouse to the Mediterranean and the canals of Burgundy that meander through vineyards, France is Europe’s top barging destination.

This year French-owned line CroisiEurope celebrates its 40th anniversary with a new ship, the 24-passenger hotel barge Deborah, which will sail on an unprecedented route on the Briare Canal between Burgundy and the Loire Valley. Other first-time itineraries to provide clients with a really authentic taste of France include a Toulouse cruise taking in the Agen aqueduct, the second longest in France, and a combined cycling holiday and cruise on the Loire.

In partnership with CroisiEurope, tour operator Shearings has expanded its escorted river cruise programme with new products including a Seine cruise on MS Renoir including return coach travel, and a fly-cruise on Loire Princesse, both with an option for two-day pre- and post-cruise land stays. Similarly, G Adventures has started selling a Burgundy cruise, starting and finishing in Dijon, on the line’s barge Daniele.

Set to debut on the river market, Crystal Cruises has opened bookings for the 84-passenger Crystal Debussy, one of its five new river vessels. The Seine-based ship’s maiden voyage is in June 2017 and it will sail on five to 10-night voyages.

Edie Rodriguez, the line’s president and CEO, said: “We are going to deliver the most luxurious river experience in the industry with a combination of innovative vessel designs, unmatched guest service and fascinating itineraries.”

Three new Longships, based on the Seine, will be launched by Viking River Cruises in March, bringing its French fleet to a total of nine vessels.

Neil Barclay, head of sales at Viking Cruises, said: “France remains one of our most popular destinations, with three itineraries travelling the Seine, Rhone and rivers of Bordeaux. We aim to provide our guests with a real flavour and unique perspective on the destinations they visit and this is reflected in our itineraries, from truffle hunting in the Pernod countryside to chef-escorted tours of the food markets of Lyon or blending your own personal Cognac at a renowned family-owned distillery. Our agent training programme contains full details of all Viking product and we welcome the opportunity to help them find new ways for their customers to explore and experience this much-loved country.”

In May barging and small ship specialist European Waterways launches its new hotel barge Finesse. The eight-passenger vessel will offer six-night sailings on the Saone and Canal du Centre in Southern Burgundy. The company recently published an enlarged 80-page brochure.

Managing director Derek Banks said: “New double-page photographs, some taken from the air, really convey the hotel barging experience. We believe it provides travel agents with a detailed insight into the unique and intimate qualities of hotel barging that differentiate the concept from larger-vessel river cruising on Europe’s main arteries.”

Scenic’s trio of ships based in France and launched in 2008 and 2009, the Diamond, Sapphire and Emerald, all underwent full refurbishments during the winter. Cabins, restaurants, public areas and the sun deck were renovated to bring them in line with Scenic’s newer vessels.

Amadeus is now including wine with lunch as well as dinner, which is a particular bonus in France where all the wine is locally sourced. Tauck is increasing its family sailings, which include a nine-night Paris and Rhone itinerary, as well as waiving single supplements for its top category one cabins – useful for single grandparents travelling with their family. For 2016 Tauck is also including air travel in the price.

Uniworld has unveiled a set of exclusive excursions available on all three of its French river cruises in June, July and August. The Connoisseur Collection includes a visit to La Couronne restaurant, Rouen, where renowned American chef Julia Child had her first French meal, a trip to the Remy Martin cognac producer and truffle hunting in Provence.

APT has launched a new seven-night Grand Bordeaux itinerary with highlights including a visit to Saint-Emilion to explore the subterranean monolithic church where wines have been made and aged since 1892.

Finally, for active clients that also enjoy ocean cruising, Ramblers Cruise & Walk has teamed up with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines for new itineraries including a nine-night cruise from Dover to Rouen on March 18 taking in the Gironde, Garonne and Seine.

SALES TIPS

1. Suggest a pre- or post-cruise land extension to provide customers with the best of both worlds – and help switch-sell to committed city breakers.
2. For reluctant fliers French river cruises offer a variety of travel options including train, ferry and coach transport.
3. Time spent cruising is generally shorter than on Rhine and Danube itineraries, so culture vultures will have plenty of time to explore on dry land.
4. Catering from four to 24 passengers, barges can be exclusively chartered and provide a memorable holiday for families and groups of friends.
5. In common with all river cruises passengers only need to unpack and repack once, creating a relaxing and stress-free way to cover a variety of destinations.

SELL IT

European Waterways offers the six-night Classic Cruise in Burgundy on Finesse, sailing from Montchanin to St-Jean-de-Losne on August 7 or 14 from £3,950pp. It includes all meals with wine, an open bar, daily excursions, use of onboard bikes and transfers to and from Lyon. Travel to Lyon is not included.
01753 598555
gobarging.com

Shearings offers a seven-night round-trip Loire cruise from Nantes on CroisiEurope’s Loire Princesse from £1,439pp for a departure on July 20, including all meals, drinks, one included excursion, return flights and transfers.
0844 209 7143
shearings.com

Titan Travel offers Uniworld’s seven-night ‘Connoisseur Collection’ Paris and Normandy round-trip cruise from £2,799pp for the July 17 departure from Paris, including all meals, drinks, excursions not featured on regular sailings, flights and Titan’s door-to-door VIP Home Departure Service.
0800 988 5166
titanagents.co.uk
Other lines featuring French cruises:

AmaWaterways
amawaterways.co.uk

A-Rosa
a-rosa.de/en

Avalon Waterways
avaloncruises.co.uk

Emerald Waterways
emeraldwaterways.co.uk

Vantage Deluxe World Travel
vantagetravel.com

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