The Randle, Canal-du-Nivernais, Burgundy, France.

Enjoy a perfect day barge cruising aboard the Randle in Burgundy

Looking back over 2023 there have been many memorable moments enjoyed aboard the Randle,
Our season commenced with a spring voyage up to the top of the canal, at 235m (770ft) above sea level and where its construction began in 1784. Just as the cherry-trees were coming into blossom, like a late scattering of late snow over the budding vineyards.
The season finished with an autumnal cruise back to our home town of Auxerre, Burgundy. Amongst the balmy summer evenings on deck, the excellent restaurants and wine along the way there was a day during a two-week cruise that combined all the joys of barge cruising into one 24hr period, a perfect day.

Sunrise over the Nivernais Canal

The day commenced with an early morning drive in the dawn mists to the beau village of Vézelay, and then on to the meadows overlooked by the UNESCO listed Basilica where a hot air balloon was being prepared for flight.
Once aboard and tall as a house the burners roar into life filling the balloon and causing it to gently lift off the meadows and drift over the Basilica of Vézelay, gliding over the beautiful Burgundy countryside of grazing cattle, green pastures, and wooded hills, with the small villages below waking up to the new day ahead. On and on to the battlements of Avallon, of Arthurian legend, to finally land gently on a nearby meadow for a champagne and croissants celebration of the flight.

Balloon flight over Avallon

After the flight we return by car to the Randle resting at her mooring in the riverside village of Accolay, and where our gourmet chef Gael has spent the morning preparing a delicious lunch from fresh local ingredients, swans form a queue in the canal for any tasty morsels that might be left over. A delicious lunch of duck and quals eggs paired Pinot-Noir from the nearby vineyards of Irancy.

After lunch the Randle is readied for an afternoon voyage along the canal and river, taking in the glorious countryside in the summer sun with swans and ducks accompanying us along the way. At each lock the friendly lockkeepers turn the gates and fill the water just as they have done for nearly two hundred years, the Randle’s 65-year-old engine gently chugs away between lock, canal, and river, bringing us in the late afternoon to the pretty riverside village of Mailly-la-Ville. After securing the Randle on the mooring under a swaying weeping willow tree we settle in for cocktails on deck.

Apéro time aboard the Randle

This evening there is a special treat in store as dinner is and the renowned nearby Michelin starred Chateau Vault-de-Lugny. Looking just like a film set, the 17th century chateau is set behind 13th century castellated walls and a water filled moat. Like a lost oasis and the dark and wooded Burgundy countryside the diners enjoy and warm welcome and some of the best cuisine that France has to offer.

Dinner at Chateau Vault de Lugny

After dinner our limousine whisks the replete diners back through the Burgundy countryside to the Randle, waiting cosy and warm and inviting, and where there is sure to be a good night’s sleep had by all.

Charter the Randle for a voyage to remember

Locking through a canal lock on the Canal du Nivernais

With a captain, crew and lock-keepers taking care of navigation..

A summer’s day cruising aboard the Randle.

.. all you have to do is just sit back and relax and watch the countryside slowly drift by.

Lunch stop under the shade of a walnut tree. Canal du Nivernais.

Cruising from restaurant to restaurant and savoring the best cuisine France has to offer, dining at outstanding local restaurants along our route is one of the joys of Randle barge cruising, evening taxi service is included for those too good to miss, but not too close to the canal.

The Auberge du Centre, Monceaux-le-Comte.

Restuarant Hostellerie de la Fontaine, Accolay.

Restuarant la Pomme d’Or, Sancerre.

Restuarant La Grangée, Alluy.

Summer slips into Autumn the Randle rests at an evening mooring on the river Yonne.

Enjoy a perfect day barge cruising aboard the Randle in Burgundy, your next cruising adventure begins here.

Follow the Randle on Instagram

Return to our website

At you service, please email me : tim@edgecharter.fr

Tim Harrold is owner and captain of the Randle, a beautiful and classically styled river boat fitted with two en-suite cabins and all the modern facilities to travel in comfort. Tim offers private barge tours on the picturesque Burgundy Canal du Nivernais and river Yonne. A luxury cruise with Tim and his crew includes gourmet cuisine, fine wine, and guided tours by private car to vineyards and chateaux. Learn more about Edge Charter and barge trips on the Randle along Burgundy's canals and rivers here. Slow Travel Tours is an affiliation of small-group tour operators who offer personalized trips in Italy, France and other European countries.