France canal cruises Information about the barge

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Canal cruises France - Welcome aboard

Soak up some seriously slow cruising, far from the madding crowd. Why not enjoy canal cruises in France aboard a classic 1922 luxemotor barge and my comfortable home Nilaya. barge cruises in France

Join her voyage of discovery through the magnificent rivers and canals of France. Enjoy your canal cruises in France aboard a beautiful, historic 1922 barge as it moves slowly through the European waterways.

So slow in fact that you can easily walk or cycle and get ahead of her. Speed is not what barging on the rivers and canals of France is all about. It's about a week of tranquil lazy days, cruising through ever changing scenery, relaxing and leaving your normal world so very far behind.

Flexible, relaxing, fun, hands on canal cruises in France. Getting involved with the daily routine, shopping, meeting the French etc. will provide a wonderful and Wonderful experience. There will also be loads of time to relax too!

Joining Nilaya for canal cruises in France makes you an integral part of our team. You'll need to be reasonably agile and willing to participate in as many aspects of shipboard life as you feel like.

This might include shopping for food at local markets, cycling off to find fresh baguettes and croissants for breakfast, assisting in the galley, tidying up, helping work the barge through locks, navigation, steering, and most importantly, telling the captain where to go.... They're your canal cruises in France after all!

You'll need to participate, make your own bed, have an open mind, great sense of humour and accept that things can and will go pear shaped sometimes. If you arrive aboard Nilaya with a positive mindset, you will quite simply have the time of your life.

Once aboard, I hope to indulge you in my passion for global travel, Belgian beer, local wine, tasty regional cuisine and soaking up the ever changing landscapes that glide ever so gently past the barge.

Nilaya offers most of the comforts of a home away from your home. Her two cosy cabins can be arranged as either twin or double and both have private en-suite shower rooms. She has a spacious saloon with big panoramic windows offering great views, day or night plus a well equipped galley.

Nilaya accommodates up to four guests, so once you've booked, it'll be a bit like having your own private barge. If you are a party of five or six and two persons are prepared to use the double sofa bed in Nilaya's saloon (and use a private access to the Jannetje cabins ensuite bathroom), please email. We might be able to accommodate you.

Payments from guests provide for day to day running and most importantly, the large maintenance fund keeping my 89 year old, 82 ton barge afloat!

Don't hesitate to get in touch if I can be of any further assistance. New photographs, links and information are being added to this site all the time.

Barge Nilaya is my wonderful cruising home and I welcome you to her unreservedly. They say that you only regret the things you failed to do in life? Just imagine that fun you've yet to have.