FRENCH COUNTRY WATERWAYS France   French Country Waterways has luxury hotel barges with six-night cruises from April through October. Meals are classic French cuisine and include complimentary wines, with more than half being from Premier Cru and Grand Cru vineyards. There is also a meal ashore at a local restaurant. All barges have a library with books and games and bicycles. Crews are fluent in English and French. Lowest rates are during April, August, and October. Passengers must be at least 18 years old, unless a family charters the full barge. ADRIENNE France Passengers: 12. Luxury hotel barge began cruises in 2005 on the Upper Loire. $3,395 to $4,995 per person double occupancy. Discount in April. ESPRIT France Passengers: 18. The barge, 128 ft. long, was built in 1949 in France as La Rose and used for 36 years for transporting cargo in France, Belgium, Holland, and Germany. In 1985 it was converted to a hotel barge. There is a crew of seven. There are two double-bed cabins and seven twin-bed cabins, all with individual air-conditioning and heating, and private bathrooms with showers. Six-night cruises go along the Canal de Bourgogne and Canal du Centre in the Cote d'Or wine region. $3,295 to $3,695 per person including open bar, daily tours and excursions, and transfers to and from Paris. HORIZON II France Passengers: 8. The barge, 128 ft. long, was built in 1954 to carry cargo. It was converted to a luxury hotel barge in 1984, then in 2005 was converted from a 12-passenger barge to 8 passengers in 4 suites. There is a crew of six. Suites have individual air-conditioning and heating controls, and private bathrooms with showers. The barge is a split-level design with paneled interiors. It cruises on the Canal de Bourgogne between Tanlay and Pouillenay in Burgundy.  $4,095 to $4,795 per person including an open bar, daily tours and excursions, and transfers to and from Paris. LIBERTE France Passengers: 8. The barge, 100 ft. long, was built in 1910 in Holland as a square-rigged sailing cargo barge. The barge was motorized in the 1950s and converted to a private sailing yacht, then was reconfigured as a luxury passenger vessel in 1981. The hull was extended in 1992. Cabins include two doubles and two twins, with individual air-conditioning and heating controls and private bathrooms with showers. The barge goes on six-night cruises on the River Yonne and Canal du Nivernais between Auxerre and Clamecy. $3,195 to $3,595 per person including an open bar, daily tours and excursions, and transfers to and from Paris. NENUPHAR France Passengers: 12. Built in 1924 in Belgium, 128 ft. long, the barge carried grain, coal and timber in Belgium, Holland, and France. It was motorized in the 1950s and was converted to a luxury hotel barge in 1979. It was reconfigured in 1988. Nenuphar means water lily in French. Four cabins have queen beds, two have twin beds; all have individual air-conditioning and heating controls and private bathrooms with showers. It cruises along the Canal de Briare, Canal du Loing and River Seine. $3,895 to $4,295 per person including an open bar, daily tours and excursions, and transfers to and from Paris. PRINCESS France Passengers: 8. The 128-ft. vessel was built in 1973 in the Netherlands by Daniel Ludwig, international shipping magnate and founder of Princess Hotels, as his private barge, then became a hotel barge in 1997. There are four suites with king or twin beds that have individual air-conditioning and heating controls and private bathrooms with showers. There is a canopied sundeck. Cruises go on two routes: in Champagne and in Alsace-Lorraine between Strasbourg and Nancy. $4,195 to $4,795 per person including an open bar, daily tours and excursions, and transfers to and from Paris.   For current fares and itineraries of  these French barges, click on this direct link .          TO MAKE A RESERVATION: Small Ship Cruises                       We work with several agencies and tour operators who are experts in small ships.   For them to make a reservation for you, fill out the  Cruise Request Form.