A collection of 18 ultra-luxurious barges each with their own distinctive décor.
What we love
Accommodating between 6 and 20 guests, European Waterways' hotel barges allow you to discover the inland waterways of Europe in luxury. Offering an intimate and immersive experience, each vessel is unique and the perfect way to holiday with friends or family, with private excursions, attentive service, and locally sourced cuisine.
| capacity | 6 - 20 Guests |
|---|---|
| crew | 3 - 10 Crew |
| style | Relaxed, slow travel at its finest with immersive experiences ashore and a convivial ambience on board. |
| inclusions |
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European Barges
In mainland Europe, barges operate unique itineraries in France, Italy, Belgium, Holland, Germany and Luxembourg.
Kir Royale
The newest vessel joined the fleet in May 2024, carrying 8 guests and sailing the scenic Champagne region of France. Kir Royale features spacious interiors with bespoke furniture, individually designed cabins with modern en-suite bathrooms and three sun decks to enjoy the beautiful views, as well as a heated spa pool. Kir Royale cruises the River Marne and Canal Latéral à la Marne between May and October to take in the delights of the Champagne Region with exclusive excursions to legendary champagne houses along the way.
Anjodi
This beautiful Dutch-style barge carries 8 lucky guests on the Canal du Midi in southwest France. The charming Anjodi has been cruising on the Canal du Midi for over 30 years, and past guests include TV chef Rick Stein, who travelled on board during his 'French Odyssey' series. The beautiful interiors feature African hardwoods and polished brass, and there is a spacious sundeck with loungers and a small spa pool.
L'Art de Vivre
This historic barge carries just 8 guests through Burgundy on the Canal du Nivernais. L'Art de Vivre is the oldest barge in the European Waterways fleet, originally built as a supply vessel during the First World War for Allied troops fighting at the Somme. These days she cruises in rather more sedate surroundings, but remains true to her heritage, with interiors featuring original wood and polished brass and four compact but comfortable en-suite cabins.
Athos
This spacious barge carries 10 guests on the Canal du Midi in southwest France. Athos was originally built to carry sand, grain and wine, and was converted to a luxury hotel barge in 1982. The interiors have a refined and traditional feel, and guests are accommodated in five compact but comfortable en-suite cabins. There is a spacious sundeck with loungers and a shady canopy, while inside is a cosy saloon.
La Belle Epoque
This beautiful Dutch-style barge carries 12 guests on the Burgundy Canal. La Belle Epoque once transported logs between Burgundy and Paris, and was converted into a deluxe hotel barge in 1995. The beautiful interiors include a wood-panelled saloon and dining room, and guests are accommodated in six compact but comfortable en-suite cabins. There is a spacious sundeck with loungers and a small spa pool, perfect for watching the world go by.
Enchanté
This beautiful Dutch-style barge carries 8 lucky guests on the Canal du Midi in southwest France. The charming Enchanté was converted into a deluxe hotel barge in 2009, and is tastefully decorated in a contemporary fashion. Guests are accommodated in four comfortable en-suite cabins, offering the largest barge accommodation on the Canal du Midi. There is a spacious sundeck with an al fresco dining area and a small spa pool.
Finesse
This beautiful Dutch-style barge carries just 8 lucky guests along the meandering waterways of southern Burgundy. The luxurious Finesse, originally built in the 1950s, was converted into a deluxe hotel barge in 2016. The contemporary interiors are flooded with natural light, and guests are accommodated in four surprisingly spacious en-suite cabins. There is also a sundeck with an al fresco dining area and a small spa pool, while inside is a cosy saloon with a fully-stocked bar.
L'Impressionniste
This beautiful Dutch-style barge carries 12 guests on the waterways of southern Burgundy. L'Impressionniste was originally built to carry freight, coverted into a deluxe hotel barge in 1996. The elegant interiors feature large picture windows and teak flooring, and accommodation consists of two junior suites and four staterooms, all with en-suite facilities. There is a spacious sundeck with loungers, an al fresco dining area and a small spa pool.
La Nouvelle Etoile
This elegant Dutch-style barge carries 8 lucky guests on cruises along the waterways of France, Germany and the Low Countries. La Nouvelle Etoile was converted into a hotel barge in 2002, and cruises on France's oldest canal, the Canal de Briare, along with itineraries in Alsace, Champagne, Picardy, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany. There is a sophisticated atmosphere on board, with a cocktail bar and piano, and guests are accommodated in four compact but comfortable en-suite cabins. There is also a spacious sundeck with an al fresco dining area and hot tub.
Nymphea
This beautiful Dutch-style barge carries just 6 lucky guests on the river Cher in the Loire Valley. Nymphea was originally built to transport beer on the Dutch waterways, and her shallow draft means that she is one of the few vessels able to navigate the river Cher. The yacht-style interiors feature rich hardwoods and polished brass, and guests are accommodated in three compact but comfortable en-suite cabins. There is also a sundeck with comfortable seating, while inside is a cosy saloon and dining area.
Panache
This beautiful Dutch-style barge carries just 12 lucky guests on the waterways of the Netherlands and northern France. The charming Panache cruises the Dutch waterways in spring, before repositioning to the Champagne region of France in early summer, then Alsace-Lorraine through to the autumn. The yacht-style interiors feature mahogany fittings and polished brass, and guests are accommodated in six surprisingly spacious junior suites, all with en-suite facilities.
Renaissance
This beautiful barge carries 8 guests on France's oldest canal, the Canal de Briare. The charming Renaissance is a former French cargo vessel, converted into a deluxe hotel barge in 1997 and fully refurbished in 2015. The beautiful interiors are designed to evoke the feel of a French manor house, and guests are accommodated in four generously proportioned suites, all with en-suite facilities. There is a spacious semi-covered sundeck with loungers, an al fresco dining area and a small spa pool.
Rosa
This beautiful Dutch-style barge carries 8 guests on the canals of southwest France. The charming Rosa is a former Dutch 'clipper' barge, built early in the 20th century, and past guests include TV chef Rick Stein, who travelled on board during his 'French Odyssey' series. The beautiful interiors feature wood panelling and comfortable seating, and guests are accommodated in four compact but comfortable en-suite cabins. There is a spacious sundeck with an al fresco dining area and a small spa pool, while inside is a cosy saloon.
La Bella Vita
This stylish European Waterways barge carries just 20 lucky guests on the Venetian Lagoon, River Po and Canal Bianco.
La Bella Vita was acquired by European Waterways in 2010, fully refurbished with a vibrant and modern Italian interior. There are two upper deck junior suites and eight lower deck staterooms, all air-conditioned and with en-suite facilities, plus a large sundeck with loungers and a shady canopy, a spacious dining room and a fully-stocked bar.
UK & Ireland Barges
Magna Carta
This beautiful Dutch-style barge carries just 8 lucky guests on the River Thames between Hampton Court Palace and Henley. Originally built as a cargo barge in the 1930s, the Magna Carta has been lovingly refurbished and now cruises along one of the prettiest stretches of the Thames. The beautiful interiors feature the finest mahogany, teak and oak, and guests are accommodated in four compact but comfortable en-suite cabins. There is a spacious sundeck with loungers and a small spa pool, while inside is a cosy saloon with a fully-stocked bar.
Scottish Highlander
This beautiful Dutch-style barge carries just 8 lucky guests across Scotland on the Caledonian Canal. Originally built as a cargo barge in the 1930s, the charming Scottish Highlander was converted into a deluxe hotel barge in 2000, and now cruises the lochs and canals of the Great Glen between Inverness and Fort William. The characterful interiors feature wood panelling, Chesterfield sofas and the obligatory tartan, and guests are accommodated in four compact but comfortable en-suite cabins. There is also a small outdoor deck and an observation area behind the wheelhouse, while inside is a cosy saloon with a fully-stocked bar.
Spirit of Scotland
This elegant hotel barge carries just 12 lucky guests across Scotland on the Caledonian Canal. Spirit of Scotland is a spacious and modern barge, cruising the lochs and canals of the Great Glen between Inverness and Fort William. The characterful interiors evoke the traditional Scottish steamers of old, and guests are accommodated in six compact but comfortable en-suite cabins. There is also a covered outdoor dining area, a sundeck with loungers and a small heated spa pool, while inside is a cosy saloon and dining room with a fully-stocked bar.
Shannon Princess
This well-equipped hotel barge carries just 10 lucky guests through Ireland on the river Shannon and its lakes. The Shannon Princess is a spacious and modern vessel, and is the largest hotel barge cruising on the Shannon. The interiors are light and airy, with panoramic windows, and guests are accommodated in five surprisingly roomy junior suites, all with en-suite facilities. There is a large sundeck with loungers, an al fresco dining area and a small heated spa pool, while inside is a cosy saloon and dining room.
