Max Passengers: 12
Ship Type: River Cruise ShipOperated by: European WaterwaysCruise France’s beautiful
Burgundy region aboard 12-passenger
L’Impressionniste, designed for traveling on canal barges in
France. The spits barge was constructed as a working vessel in 1960 and converted into a hotel barge in 1996. Now, she glides effortlessly on the charming Canal de Bourgogne, taking travelers on a memorable journey through medieval villages, hilly landscapes, and wine regions.
The now-refurbished L’Impressionniste barge, which translates to “The Impressionist,” makes a superb impression with her refreshing blend of traditional and modern French influences. Her light and airy interiors include picture windows and beautiful prints reminiscent of her namesake era. Amenities like a sprawling sun deck and a cozy saloon add resort-style appeal to the Burgundy Canal cruise experience.
Staterooms & Suites
Expect splendid accommodations on L’Impressionniste, each unique and named after a renowned Impressionist painter. Warm and pleasant interiors create a peaceful space where guests can retreat after a day of shore excursions.
Guests get their pick of two
Junior Suites and four
Staterooms. Standard features in all accommodations include modern ensuite shower rooms, quality beddings, and portholes. Twin or double bed configurations are available.
There are also separate quarters for the crew.
Please refer to the
L’Impressionniste deck plan below to learn more about the ship’s layout and cabin orientations.
Amenities
While the L’Impressionniste hotel barge offers intimate cruises in France, she provides ample space for onboard activities. The ship is impressively appointed with a few common areas where her 12 guests can relax and mingle with fellow passengers.
The cozy
Saloon is the indoor hangout spot, serving as a combined living and dining room onboard. The room’s classic looks are inviting, with warm wood paneling, teak flooring, comfortable leather sofas, balloon-backed dining chairs, and a roomy dining table for meals.
Meanwhile, the
Sun Deck is an expansive space where guests can enjoy the scenic views of Burgundy. Outdoor tables and chairs offer an excellent spot for alfresco meals on beautiful days, while lounge chairs are perfect for relaxing as the French countryside rolls by. A
Spa Pool is also positioned on the bow for prime sightseeing opportunities.
For entertainment, the hotel barge has a modest collection of music, board games, and books.
Dining
Food is fantastic aboard L’Impressionnniste; breakfast is relatively straightforward with bread, coffee, and other everyday morning fares, while lunch and dinner feature regional dishes and fine wines.
The dress code on L’Impressionniste is typically casual, with passengers opting for comfort for daily activities and shore excursions. On the final night, guests dress up for the Captain’s Farewell Dinner; cocktail wear is encouraged.
Itinerary
Sailing the glittering waters of
southern Burgundy, L’Impressionniste takes passengers on a journey through Burgundy’s wine capital Beaune, old-world Dijon, and the picturesque castle Château de Bussy-Rabutin. The hotel barge is also available for
private charter.
Shore excursions during the journey of barging Burgundy are fun and diverse, from sampling fine Burgundy wine to roaming 12th-century castles. Bicycles on board the barge allow passengers to hop off and cycle the towpaths along the way.
L’Impressionniste Ship Specifications
Length: 128 feet
Decks: 2
Speed: 12 kn
Year built: 1960
Class: Hotel barge
Passengers: 12
Crew: 6
About L’Impressionniste
Since the company’s establishment over 35 years ago,
European Waterways has made it their mission to put together hotel barge cruises on Europe’s most beautiful and intimate waterways.
Each of the company’s European cruises hosts only six to 20 passengers, making each experience feel cozier and more personalized than the usual yacht cruises. Moreover, the smaller vessels are built to navigate narrow waterways and smaller ports, giving passengers the opportunity to enjoy a unique side of tourist destinations like
Holland,
Ireland,
England, and
more.
European Waterways is known for transforming decades-old working barges into luxury cruise barges. Some of the beloved barges in the fleet include
Anjodi,
Magna Carta,
Renaissance, and
Scottish Highlander.
Please contact our
Adventure Life travel experts for assistance in selecting the right tour, boat, and season for your upcoming France cruise.
Plug/ Voltage type Onboard:
Standard French 2 pin plugs 
