Hotel Barges (Peniche Hôtel) came into being following the decline in commercial and freight carriage on the canals of Europe. Many barges have been converted into floating hotels of varying degrees of luxury. This trend began in the 1960s and has now grown into a network of hotel barges operating on many of the canals and rivers of France, Belgium, Holland, Germany and the UK.
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When referring to travelling on the Canal du Midi in southern France Thomas Jefferson, then ambassador to France before he became the third President of the United States, wrote to a friend almost 200 years before canal vacations became popular saying "You should not think of returning to America without taking this tour I have taken". However, the practice of converting large barges (i.e. barges generally designed to fit into the locks of canals with minimal remaining volume) only began in 1966 with the Barge Palinurus, converted from carrying coal and captained by Richard Parsons on the canals of the Burgundy region of France. At the time the barge was equipped to take 20 passengers, with only one bath, two showers and two toilets shared between them, cruising on the River Yonne and the Burgundy Canal (Canal de Bourgogne).
The popularity of cruises, particularly amongst American clients, on this new type of boat was improved significantly thanks to the American writer Emily Kimborough and her book 'Floating Island' published in 1968, all about her experiences aboard the Palinurus. The high standards of accommodation expected by American clients rapidly drove the levels of luxury aboard hotel barges upwards. In 1969 Richard Parsons teamed up with Guy Bardet to launch Continental Waterways, a company that eventually ran 15 hotel barges in France.
3 decades later and the market for luxury vacations on floating hotels has grown even further, with over 200 cabins available on french canals alone.
Luxury Hotel barges have been cruising in Europe for over 30 years and are felt by many of their clients to be one of the most enjoyable, relaxing and luxurious ways of experiencing the country. Clients of the barges find that the waterways remain blissfully unspoilt and 'traffic-free'. Usually cruising for a few hours each day, clientsl have time to take in all the sights and sounds, experiencing the wealth of history en route and catching a glimpse of times gone by. Most hotel barges provide excursions in private vehicles that allow clients to enjoy local sights and experience the local culture.
Hotel Barges come in a wide variety of sizes- some taking just four guests with others over 20 guests, with the size of accommodation varied to suit the physical dimensions of the hull. Levels of luxury range from 'comfortable Bed and Breakfast' right up to '5 star luxury, full board' with pricing to suit.
The large number of barges, costs and variables in choice of accommodation mean that several brokers exist to help potential clients find which barge is right for their own vacation. These brokers are often based in the USA, with a few operating much closer to the barges in the UK and in France.
(1) France Today Magazine Article "Once Upon a French Canal" [1]
(2) The Barge Company Website [2]
(3) GoBarging Website [3]
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