10 Best European Barge Cruises for 2021-2022

Explore Germany & Luxembourg on this 7-day cruise aboard La Nouvelle Etoile where you will travel to the picturesque destinations along two delightful canals. Among the historic sites along the way are 12th century castle Burg Eltz, Trier (the oldest town in Germany), the Porta Nigra, and the private wine cellars of Pauli Bergweiler.

Church and Arch Bridge in Ghent, Belgium

Classic Cruise - Holland to Belgium

7 Days from $8,630

Board an exciting 7-day cultural cruise aboard La Nouvelle Etoile as it cruises from Holland crossing the border to Belgium to explore the world famous gardens, flower auction, pottery and some of the best-preserved works of art marked in history.

Classic Cruise - Upper Loire & Burgundy

7 Days from $8,630

Join an exciting 7-day cruise aboard La Nouvelle Etoile that will start from Upper Loire where it walks you through the history of France where royal families added its own architectural style. The cruise will end on a drive to the Sancerre wine for a private wine tasting.

Champagne Cruise

7 Days from $8,630

Spoil yourself on a 7-day cruise through the region of Champagne while aboard La Nouvelle Etoile. Visit Chateaux of Vaux-le-Vicomte, a large private estate listed as a Historic Monument in France where you can spend time with your friends and family or enjoy a romantic evening with your loved one.

European Classic Cruise - Upper Loire & Western Burgundy

7 Days from $6,990

Board the luxury hotel barge Renaissance and take a 7-day cruise through the rivers and canals of France. Cruise over Gustav Eiffel's famous aqueduct spanning the Loire River. Take some time to explore the beautiful village and canals of Montargis either on foot or bicycle.

Pastries at Les Halles Market in Dijon, France

Southern Burgundy Cruise

St-Julien-sur-Dheune to Saint Jean de Losne
7 Days from $6,850

Delight yourself with a 7-day trip on the Finesse while cruising around Southern Burgundy. As you sail, you will get to explore and discover the history, architecture, and culture of the spectacular villages this French region.

Canal Du Midi Voyage- Sallèles d’Aude to Trèbes

7 Days from $6,250

Enjoy an exciting 7-day cruise aboard Enchanté while cruising along Canal Du Midi. Experience a wine tour and tasting at a remarkable and historic winery. Explore historical villages and discover its stories from your knowledgeable tour guide throughout the cruise.

Southern Burgundy Cruise

7 Days from $5,350

Board L’Impressionniste for this 7-day cruise which will take you on a tour that starts and ends in Paris. View the beautiful French countryside from the ship, explore medieval villages, and taste the local goods produced in the region.

European Classic Cruise - Holland

7 Days from $5,960

See the wonders of Holland on this 7-day cruise aboard Panache. Enjoy a scenery of flowers, windmills and traditional houses while cruising through Dutch canals. Explore the classic side of Holland by visiting the historic city of Haarlem and other important historic towns.

European Classic Cruise - Alsace & Lorraine

7 Days from $5,650

Discover the beautiful storybook castles and picturesque villages of Alsace-Lorraine aboard the luxury hotel barge Panache on a wonderful 7-day trip to the eastern part of France. Explore the vineyards of Route des Vins d’Alsace for a private wine tasting and learn more about the region's art of wine making.

Best European Luxury Barge Cruises for 2021-2022

Trip Name	From	Days	Next Departure	Summary
Classic Cruise - Holland to Belgium	$8630	7	May 15, 2022	Board an exciting 7-day cultural cruise aboard La Nouvelle Etoile as it cruises from Holland crossing the border to Belgium to explore the world … 0
Champagne Cruise	$8630	7	Jul 3, 2022	Spoil yourself on a 7-day cruise through the region of Champagne while aboard La Nouvelle Etoile. Visit Chateaux of Vaux-le-Vicomte, a large private … 0
Southern Burgundy Cruise	$5350	7	Oct 24, 2021	Board L’Impressionniste for this 7-day cruise which will take you on a tour that starts and ends in Paris. View the beautiful French countryside … 0
Private Charter - Classic Cruise - Holland to Belgium Aboard La Nouvelle Etoile	$65000	7	May 15, 2022	Join an exciting 7-day private cruise aboard La Nouvelle Etoile as it sails from Holland crossing the border to Belgium exploring the world famous … 0
Private Charter - Southern Burgundy Cruise Aboard L'Impressionniste	$54900	7	Oct 24, 2021	Board L’Impressionniste for this 7-day private cruise which will take you on a tour that starts and ends in Paris. View the beautiful French … 0

Barge Cruising

Top European Barge Cruising Destinations

Stop in Avignon on your cruise of the Rhône river.

French Barge Cruises

Canal du Midi

Explore Paris, the legendary city of light

Seine River Barge Cruises

The Palais des Papes dominates the Avignon skyline

Rhone River Barge Cruises

Moselle River Barge Cruises

Golden hour in Venice's famed Piazza San Marco

Italy Barge Cruises

Netherlands Barge Cruises

Scotland Barge Cruises

All Europe Articles

Europe Barge Cruising Travel Guide

When to take a Barge Cruise in Europe

The best time to take a barge cruise through Europe is probably the autumn season, between September and October. Summer can also be an enjoyable barge cruising season if you don’t mind hotter temperatures and bigger crowds, and the start of the river cruising season in late spring (April-May) can be a good time to see Europe coming back to life after winter.

All you need to know about Barge Cruising

Barge cruises are one of the most unique ways to explore France, Central Europe, and the United Kingdom. Intimate accommodations, great food, and focused experiences are part of the excitement of a barge cruise.

View from the harbour of Basel, Switzerland

Best Times to Cruise the Rhine

Late April to early June and September to early October are widely considered the best times to cruise the Rhine River due to ideal weather and crowds, while cruise prices are correspondingly higher during these periods. That said, the decision of when to take a Rhine River cruise is largely a personal preference of weather.

What to expect on a barge cruise

On your European barge cruise, you can expect a leisurely pace, an intimate atmosphere, and great, locally sourced food.

Barge cruise vs. River cruise

What is the difference is between a European barge cruise and a river cruise? The relaxed and intimate atmosphere onboard is similar, and destinations are often largely the same as well, visiting many of the same major ports. The main difference between a barge cruise and a river cruise in Europe is the size of the boat and hence the number of passengers onboard.

Experience Europe from a novel perspective aboard an inviting barge cruise!

What were once barges built for cargo transport have been transformed by their innovative captains hoping to share their love of Europe with travelers into luxury cruising barges.

Intimate quarters, with space for just 12-24 travelers in cozy accommodations, give you exclusive access to the rivers and canals that traditional riverboats can't enter.

The slower pace of barge cruises may mean that you visit fewer destinations on your cruise, but it also means you get to truly enjoy the rolling slopes, vineyards, and rich cultures of Europe along the way.

Check out all the best destinations for barge cruising in Europe:

France: Canal du Midi, Alsace-Lorraine, Burgundy, Champagne, Paris.
Scotland & Ireland
Germany: Moselle River
Netherlands & Belgium

When to Go on your European Barge Cruise

The best time to enjoy a barge cruise through Europe is in the autumn season, when the summer tourists have gone home and the heat is waning.

If you don't mind bigger crowds and hotter days, summer is a good time to plan your trip as well.

Late spring, in April and May, can be an ideal shoulder season as well if you don't mind a bit of spring showers and cooler temperatures.

What's included on your barge cruise?

One of the best parts about barge cruises is that they are all inclusive- meaning that everything (even the alcohol) is included in the price.

Daily excursions and tours and any activities are also included.

Plus, the food is often prepared by the captain and their crew and sourced from local ingredients using old family recipes.

Like all cruises, airfare, extra tours before or after the itinerary, and gratuities are not included.