We will use our unique
in-depth experience
to find you your
perfect barge cruise
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Summary
Varnished mahogany and sparkling glass and brass are the hallmarks of style aboard the very pretty Randle. She is classic River Boat style, more of a yacht than a hotel barge, and cruises in the Burgundy region, catering beautifully for up to four guests in two gorgeous cabins.
Enjoy the epicurean lifestyle as you cruise through the beautiful Burgundy countryside from restaurant to restaurant. France is renowned for its cuisine and here in this corner of Burgundy you have a choice of some very wonderful dining establishments. Dine Michelin-starred or cosy bistro, the choice is yours, and evening chauffeur service is included for your dining pleasure.
A highlight of cruising with Randle is her dine-around cruise, offering guest the chance to eat well, and more modestly if they wish, enjoying authentic local cuisine and wines as they cruise along the route.
Key Features
- Excellence class (4*)
- A variety of routes in the upper Loire/Burgundy region
- Charter bookings only, 6 night cruises, March to October
- 4 guests / 2 suites
- Dine-around dining
- Air conditioning and heating throughout
- Sun deck with steamer loungers
The Classic Cruise — Randle
Classic Cruise Itinerary
Route | Between Chevroches and Auxerre on the Nivernais Canal, Burgundy |
Pick-up | Paris hotel, 2pm |
Dining | Classic Dine-Around Cruise: 6 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 1 dinner on board. 5 dinners are taken at local restaurants at guests' expense |
Classic Cruise Highlights
- Excursion to 1,000 year old Basilica at Vezelay
- Visit the 28,000 year old Paleolithic cave paintings at Arcy
- Tour of Auxerre, capital of the region
- Savour the wines of the famous Chablis vineyards
- Cruise the delightful Yonne river with excellent towpaths; explore the villages along the way
Alternative Itineraries
Alternative charter itineraries can be arranged:
- Morvan cruise, from Lake Baye to Clamecy
- Paris to Auxerre cruise including exploring the romantic heart of Paris
- Full Board cruise, includes all meals and drinks, served on board, in the price.
- 13 night and 3 night cruises available by request.
Please enquire.
Day 1 — Sunday
Paris to Chevroches
At 2pm, rendezvous in Paris for a private transfer to the Randle moored in the picturesque Burgundy village of Chevroches. Enjoy a Champagne welcome aboard, meet the crew and settle in.
Before dinner enjoy an evening stroll around nearby historic town of Clamecy. Wander through meandering cobbled streets with ornate timbered houses and the magnificent 16C church of St Martin.
Evening dining at Hostellerie de le poste.
Chef Denis Guenot prepares revisited regional cuisine, young, inventive and adapted to the rhythm of the seasons, accompanied by excellent Burgundy wines.
Day 2 — Monday
Cruise to Lucy-sur-Yonne
Chef Gael arrives with fresh croissants and prepares a delicious continental breakfast as we commence our cruise descending onto the river Yonne, past limestone cliffs and the 14c fortified farm of Chartreuse-de-Bassville.
Continuing to our destination of the day, the canal side village of Lucy-sur-Yonne befire the afternoon tour to Vézelay, a UNESCO world heritage site and medieval fortified town with Romanesque Basilica, said to house a relic of Mary Magdalene. Stroll the picturesque village with its many boutiques, art galleries and cafés. Enjoy an evening at one of Vézelay’s choice of excellent restaurants from cosy bistros to haut cuisine.
Day 3 — Tuesday
Cruise to Mailly-la-Ville
Continuing along the meandering canal pass hilltop villages and the magnificent white cliffs of Rochers-du-Saussois, and after lunch on board arrive at the riverside village of Mailly-la-Ville where we moor for the evening.
This afternoon, thrill to the caves of the Grottes d’Arcy, a cave system formed over millions of years with stalactites, crystal formations, and over two hundred fascinating 28,000 year old Palaeolithic cave paintings representing Bear, Rhino and Mammoth.
Dine aboard or at a Michelin starred chateau – your choice:
Dinner Aboard
Salmon marinated with Beetroot & Dill
Parma wrapped Pork Fillet stuffed with Sage & Shallots
Fraisier Cake
Santenay Premier-Cru from the Côte d’Or
Michelin Starred Château Vault-de-Lugny, 20 minutes from our mooring, chauffeur service included.
Day 4 — Wednesday
Cruise to Accolay
Wednesday is morning market day at the picturesque village of Noyers-sur-Serein. A fortified medieval village with ornate 15C timber framed buildings, it is listed as one of the 159 prettiest villages in France, ‘Les Plus Beaux Villages de France’. Home to artists, potters, a jeweller and a leather worker, stroll its cobbled streets and market stalls, and perhaps buy a little something for friends back home.
The afternoon cruise proceeds to the pretty canal side village of Accolay. A short walk from the mooring lies the Hostellerie de la Fontaine with an elegant 17th century vaulted stone dining room, or dine al fresco on balmy evenings. The refined gastronomy with local accents is punctuated with creative notes and fresh seasonal products, along with a fine wine list or a selection of wines by the glass
Day 5 — Thursday
Cruise to Vincelles
This mornng, relax on deck as views of vineyards come into view along the Yonne valley. After lunch on board we continue to the riverside village of Vincelles to moor for the night.
The tour this afternoon is to the famous grand-cru vineyards of Chablis, or we’ll take a private tasting at one of the family vineyards in the surrounding villages of Chitry, Bailly or Irancy.
Dine this evening at Auberge-de-les-Tilleuls, where Alain Renaudin prepares delicious dishes according to the seasons, creating traditional and gastronomic cuisine. He is a member of the Maîtres Cuisiniers de France,
Day 6 — Friday
Cruise to Auxerre
After a morning cruise enjoy a last lunch on board and then continue to the final mooring beneath the historic and important town of Auxerre, prosperous Roman times, and the birthplace of Saint Germain.
Now bustling and modern, Auxerre maintains its charming 15C timber framed buildings and cobbled streets. We can take a private tour to the cathedral and historic centre or you may wander as you wish.
We’ll dine this evening at l’Aspérule Auxerre with top chef Hidechika Kurita who has several Michelin restaurants in Tokyo, Dijon and Avignon.
Day 7 — Saturday
Departure from Auxerre
Depart at 09:00 for your chauffeured transfer back to Paris, arriving at 12:00 to 13:00.
This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change. The itinerary is in reverse direction on alternate weeks.
“A fantastic holiday”
Many thanks for a fantastic holiday. We all enjoyed it very much. You have a fantastic barge which is really well appointed. We all really needed the holiday, and it did not disappoint. Everything was just perfect. Please pass on our thanks to Gael and Stu as well. Gael’s cooking was excellent and Stu gave us some very interesting tours.
I would not hesitate to recommend the Randle.
Rich and Martine – Summer 2020
Accommodations and Facilities
- Dimensions: 72ft (22m) x 12ft (4m)
- Master suite (king size fixed double bed) has a bath
Guest Cabin (upper and lower single beds) has a shower room. Both have wardrobe, drawers and desk and air-conditioning - Bathrooms have showers, hand basin and WC, toiletries, towels, bathrobes and hair-dryer, and opening porthole
- Crew has separate quarters in the bow.
- Lower-deck saloon has seating for six
- Upper wheelhouse has dining for six with panoramic views
- Steps up to the sun-deck and down to the lower deck are traditional in character and less suited for those of restricted mobility
Other items on board
- English speaking crew of three for four guests – Captain, Cordon Bleu Chef and tour guide
- Exterior sun deck has hardwood ‘steamer’ chairs and tables
- Traditional rowing boat
- Wifi (limited in some places), TV/DVD and audio
- Electric bikes and an electric launch
- Air-conditioned Mercedes V Class Avant-Garde limousine for transfers and excursions
Facilities At A Glance
Fine Wines — Fine Dining
Classic Diners Cruise
Breakfasts, lunches and one evening meal are taken on board included in the price. 5 dinners are fine-dining experiences taken at selected local restaurants and are not included in the cruise price.
Randle’s own gourmet chef, Gael, prepares your delicious lunches and the final Captain’s dinner on board, all dishes made from fresh local ingredients. A Premier Cru wine is also selected to complement every lunch.
Sample lunch on-board menu
Asparagus Feuilleté with lemon butter
Roasted Red peppers with basil & Goat’s Cheese
Cous-cous Cherry Tomato & Herb Salad
Plateau de Fromage.
Givry Premier-Cru from the Côte Chalonnaise
~
Caramalised Red Onion Tart
Red cabbage salad with roquefort & walnuts Marinated Aubergines with peppers, capers & olives Plateau de Fromage.
Chablis Premier-Cru from the nearby vineyards
Wine and cheese are the region’s specialities.
Lovers of French wine will revel in the region’s specialities. Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc grapes give Burgundy wines their exquisite nose and evocative flavour. Enjoy private tours to family run village vineyards, try Époisses cheese, Charolais beef, mustard sauces, blackcurrants and escargot.
Randle’s own wine cellar remains open throughout the voyage, stocked with local Burgundy Pinot Noir, Caesar, Melon and Chardonnay wines from the vineyards along the route.
Charter barge Randle cruises in the Nivernais, Burgundy region
– [below] In the region: Villeneuve sur Yonne, Ancy-le-Franc, Fontenay, Chablis, Tanlay, Vezelay, Noyers-sur-Serein –
Ancy ©Thierry Gromik | Vezelay ©Adrian Fletcher | Others ©FW, wikimedia, n/a
Classic cruise rates and dates
All rates and prices will be confirmed at time of booking. Special Offers are available from time to time – contact us
What’s included
6 nights accommodation
Return transfers from Paris
Meals according to the itinerary
All excursion fees and associated transport
What’s not included
Travel to the meeting point
Travel, medical and cancellation insurance
Crew gratuities (5-10% suggested)
Personal expenses
2024
Charter only bookings
Sunday to Saturday
Rates and dates
6 night dine around cruise
Value rate weeks
March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
April 7, 14, 21, 28
October 20, 27
4 guest charter: 18,835 USD
3 guest charter: 17,310 USD
2 guest charter: 15,830 USD
Regular rate weeks
May 5, 12, 19, 26
June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
July 7, 14, 21, 28
August 4, 11, 18, 25
September 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
October 6, 13
4 guest charter: 19,770 USD
3 guest charter: 18,670 USD
2 guest charter: 17,560 USD
2025
Charter only bookings
Sunday to Saturday
Rates and dates
6 night dine around cruise
Value rate weeks
March 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
April 6, 13, 20, 27
October 19, 26
4 guest charter: 18,835 USD
3 guest charter: 17,310 USD
2 guest charter: 15,830 USD
Regular rate weeks
May 4, 11, 18, 25
June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
July 6, 13, 20, 27
August 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
September 7, 14, 21, 28
October 5, 12
4 guest charter: 19,770 USD
3 guest charter: 18,670 USD
2 guest charter: 17,560 USD
Booking
Booking a luxury barge vacation isn’t the kind of thing one does with just a mouse-click or two. It takes a little research, thought and understanding, and we hope that our pages have provided you with all the information and inspiration you need to take this next step.
Why should you book with us? Because…
We’ve explored the waterways of France on our own boat since 2003 and know each of the barges and their routes.
We’re independent, impartial and enthusiastic – and we are the only France cruising specialist that can offer you the benefits of our own in-depth cruising knowledge and experience.
We love France, we love the rivers and canals of France, we love hotel barging – and we love talking about all three!
There’s nothing like speaking to a friendly expert to help you see the wood for the trees and to make the best possible decision about the vacation cruise of a lifetime. Get in touch – we’re here to help.
We will use our unique
in-depth experience
to find you your
perfect barge cruise