Afloat in France Bookings: 0845 077 2222

Your Country: United Kingdom  [change]
 
Next photograph

The Fleur de Lys

The Fleur de Lys is the most impeccably appointed barge in the world, with a gracious elegance and amenities that epitomize the concept of ultimate luxury. The stately salon has a Grand Piano and large windows that panoramically frame the passing countryside. 

The separate dining room accommodates the most elegant candlelit dinners while the double state rooms feature canopied beds and ensuite bathrooms. The Fleur de Lys is a barge that can boast a heated plunge pool on its upper deck.

The Fleur de Lys cruises the classic Burgundy route bordering France’s famous Côte d’Or – composed of the Côte de Nuits and the Côte de Beaune – where the legendary wines that are permitted to bear the Grands Crus and Premiers Crus labels can be discovered. You’ll recognize names like Meursault, Montrachet, Gevrey-Chambertin, Clos de Vougeot, Pommard and Santenay and sample wines that are rarely available outside the borders of France. 

She also cruises the River Saône and the Canal du Centre (built 1783-1791 to link the Loire and Saône rivers) visiting towns and villages enroute such as Beaune, Dijon, St Jean de Losne, Chalon-sur-Saône and Dole. 

Itineraries & Prices  |  Contact Us


Fleur de Lys
Guestssix
Crewsix
 

Dimensions

Length129 ft
Width (Beam)17.5 ft
Decks2
 
State Room 1 (upper deck)
Bedroom13'6" x 11'2"
Dressing area  13' x 7'9"
Bathroom10'3 x 6'2"
 
State Room 2 (lower deck)
Bedroom14' x9'5"
Dressing area9'5" x 4'9"
Bathroom (bathtub)9'5" x 6'2"
 
State Room 3 (lower deck)
Bedroom14'4"x 8'5"
Dressing area  8'5"x 8'2"
Bathroom (bathtub)11'1"x 5'9"

Note : beds are changeable as double or twin

Click the deckplans to view a larger version

Facilities

  • Air Conditioning (individual controls in each state room) 
  • Games 
  • Hairdryer 
  • Hi fi/Stereo (in salon) 
  • Intercom 
  • Grand Piano  
  • Shaver Socket 110-220V (Converter available) 
  • Television (in salon) 
  • Video (in salon) 
  • Writing Desk

History

Constructed as a freight vessel at Oostkamp in Belgium in 1941, Fleur de Lys plied the waterways of Europe with a varied cargo. During the Second World War, she was commandeered by the Germans and ordered to the island of Corsica. For a flat-bottomed barge, to cross the Mediterranean was something of a suicide mission. In the event, French partisans blew up a culvert beneath the canal and she was, therefore, left stranded on the Burgundy Canal. 

She underwent conversion into a passenger vessel, also in Belgium, employing Belgian steelworkers and British joiners. Her furnishing and equipment includes items from 22 countries. Whilst registered as a British ship for a time, she has sailed under the French flag since 1996.

At 160 metric tons, she is the largest size of barge capable of navigating the network of older canals in France.

Itineraries & Prices  |  Contact Us


 
Search barge dates, routes and prices
Order our brochure
Send us a message
 
English English
 
  Barges & Itineraries
Cruising in France
  Canal du Midi
Barge in South of France
  Carcassonne
Stay at Hôtel de la Cité pre or post your cruise
 

Orient-Express | Media | Hôtel de la Cité | Booking Terms & Conditions | Conditions of Carriage |  Affiliates  |   Links

Luxury hotels


<a href="#" onclick="return(false);" onmouseover="javascript:LEwmover();" onmouseout="javascript:LEwmout();"><img name="LEwmimg" src="/luxury_explorer_icon.gif" height="40" width="40" border="0"></a>