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CroisiEurope Opens Bookings For Its 2023 French Hotel Barge Itineraries

Europe’s largest river cruise operator, CroisiEurope Cruises, has announced that bookings are now open for its 2023 French hotel barge itineraries, operating through Alsace, Burgundy, Provence, Ile de France and Champagne as well as on the Upper Loire. As families and friends reunite following many months apart, these barges are large enough to welcome larger groups for family and friend reunions, yet small enough to be chartered for a private cruise. 

We missed the boat, er, barge, on purpose to cycle along the towpath. © 2019 Ralph Grizzle

New For Next Year

New for 2023 is CroisiEurope’s Paris, Medieval France & the Romance of Fontainebleau cruise from the Petite Seine to the Yonne. This new itinerary takes guests on a magnificent journey to quaint ports of call featuring historical cities, splendid gardens and excellent local cuisine. Operating between Paris and Sens, the cruise visits Evry, Melun, Moret-Sur-Loing and Montereau-Fault-Yonne with highlights including:


  • A visit to the sumptuous Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte, a 17th century masterpiece built by Louis le Vau for Nicolas Fouquet, Louis XIV’s Superintendent des Finances. Situated in the village of Maincy, the Château is remarkably well-preserved and houses an exceptional collection of furniture, tapestries and works of art. 
  • The charming village of Barbizon which nestles on the edge of Fontainebleau forest and owes its fame to the 19th-century landscape painters Théodore Rousseau, Jean-Baptiste Corot, Charles-Francois Daubigny and Jean-François Millet who lived there. Their artistic movement, the Barbizon School (1830 to 1875), was considered a precursor of Impressionism. The artists appreciated the tranquillity of this peaceful village and the beauty of the surrounding nature.
  • The famed and remarkably well-preserved Palace of Fontainebleau, a masterpiece of French architecture and art which was a royal hunting lodge in the Middle Ages, King Francis I’s residence in the 16th century and Napoleon Bonaparte’s favourite place to stay in the early 19th century. The Palace stands in absolutely stunning flower-filled grounds, with large formal parterres designed by Le Nôtre, a carp pond with a small pavilion, an English garden containing rare trees species, and Diane’s garden with an elegant fountain. 
  • Medieval Provins whose architecture includes high ramparts with fortified gates and the stone Tithe Barn which was used as a market when Provins was a medieval trading hub and host of a major annual trade fair. With views over Provins, the hilltop César tower dates from the 12th century, while the town’s underground tunnels feature centuries-old wall inscriptions. 
  • The peaceful city of Sens with its famous cathedral and covered marketplace.


Departures from April to October 2023 with prices starting at $3,731 per person for the seven-day cruise on the MS Deborah, including all meals and drinks, excursions and port fees.

Other 2023 Hotel Barge Itineraries Include:

  • A seven-day cruise on the Marne Canal between Paris and Epernay calling in Lagny-sur Marne, Isles-les-Meldeuses, Sain-Jean-les-Desux-Jumeaux, Chateau Thierry and Dormans. The cruise takes place on MS Deborah with prices starting at $3,731 per person;

  • A seven-day cruise between Burgundy and the Doubs Valley. The cruise starts in Dijon and calls in Petit Ouges, Saint-Jean-de-Losne, Dole and Ranchot before finishing in Besancon. The cruise takes place on MS Jeanine with prices from $3,394 per person;

  • A seven-day cruise along the Loire Canal between Nevers and Briare calling in Marseilles-les-Aubigny, Herry, Menetreol-Sous-Sancerre and Lere. The cruise takes place on MS Raymonde with prices from $3,797 per person;

  • A seven-day cruise on the Rhone Canal between Arles and Sète calling in Gallician, Aigues-Mortes and Palavas-les-Flots. The cruise takes place on MS Anne-Marie with prices from $3,585 per person;

The cruises take place on CroisiEurope’s fleet of six charming hotel barges, which feature just 11 en-suite cabins, a restaurant, lounge bar, sun deck and relaxation area with Jacuzzi with six crew members guaranteeing a personalized service.

Other Cruises By CroisiEurope

In addition to their barge itineraries, CroisiEurope will also be cruising on the rivers of France, including iconic rivers of the Loire, the Seine, the Gironde and the Rhone. New to the CroisiEurope portfolio, beginning this spring, will include the 7-day Tip of Provence to Lyon on the Rhone and Saone Rivers (and reverse) and the 7-day Authentic Normandy: Charming Villages, Traditional Food and Classic Sites.

Sanitation & Safety

Since last year, CroisiEurope has been successfully working with Bureau Veritas for the “SAFEGUARD” certification of its ships. The Safeguard Certification Label ensures the proper application of preventive sanitary measures, which have been subject to a rigorous auditing process and confirm that crew members have been thoroughly trained to implement them. These measures have been further strengthened this year with guests needing to provide proof of vaccination or a negative PCR or rapid antigen test prior to embarkation. 

About CroisiEurope | How To Book

Established in 1976, CroisiEurope has been a leader in offering the best value in all-inclusive river cruising for more than 45 years. Based in Strasbourg, France, CroisiEurope is headquartered at the epicenter of Europe with offices in Brussels, Paris, Lyon, Nice, Lausanne, Madrid, London, Phnom Penh, New York and Florida. With an English-speaking staff of 1,350, this family-owned company operates over 50 ships and a diverse selection of canal, river and ocean cruise sailings that navigate the most famous waterways in Europe, Asia, Russia, South America and Africa. 
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