Hobo Holidays operate the barge MERGANSER, carrying a maximum of eight passengers, boasting excellent cuisine, first rate tours, and a knowledgeable and attentive crew.

Over the course of the summer the barge travels a selection of some of the best cruising routes in France, featuring visits to Paris, the Champagne and Burgundy regions, the Loire valley, the ancient capital of Reims, and much more.

The Barge

Merganser is a traditional conversion of a Dutch luxemotor barge originally built in 1931. After sailing her from her home in Holland to England in 1990 the present owners created a classic interior of mahogany, ash and other fine woods reminiscent of vessels of bygone days. They achieved this without sacrificing comfort. Her compact cabins each have en-suite facilities of shower and WC, 220/240-volt power points and ample storage capacity. Her saloon and deck capacity is generous, this latter complemented by a canopy sufficiently large to enable al fresco dining for much of the year. As barges go, Merganser is a medium sized vessel with a modest sea going capacity. She can, therefore, negotiate with comfort the large canals and rivers of France and Belgium as well as the smaller and less busy canals within France. She operates with a complement of three or four experienced crew dedicated to the comfort of each passenger on board. The cuisine is first class.

In 2008 Merganser will cruise the canals and rivers of France. Cruises will take in Paris, the Canal des Vosges, the canals of the Loire valley, the canals through the Champagne and Sancerre vineyards, the Burgundy region, the historic cities of Reims and Nevers, and the rivers Seine, Marne, Oise, Aisne and Saone. High quality tours and cuisine are features of the fully inclusive cruises. She has a well-appointed saloon with a varied library and passengers are also welcome in the wheelhouse, which doubles as a comfortable observation location.