Belmond is building two new luxury hotel barges for its Afloat in France brand.

Belmond Pivoine (peony) will cruise the River Marne and Canal Lateral de Marne between Meaux and Châlons-en-Champagne; Belmond Lilas (lilac) will cruise the Canal de la Marne au Rhin between Strasbourg ad Arzviller. Each barge holds up to eight passengers and will be designed to reflect the colours of the flowers they are named after. From €5,200 per person for six nights excluding flights based on an eight-passenger charter.

0845 0772 222; belmond.com