As spring unfolds into summer, we can dream of future travels along the beautiful canals and rivers of Burgundy.

During this quiet time and breather that the pandemic has given us work continues aboard the Randle in preparation of welcoming our next guests. A new onboard air purification removes pollen, pollutants and bacteria, making the onboard air cleaner than the air outside, with additional benefits to hay-fever sufferers too. Under normal operating conditions the Randle is spotless; we have also introduced additional daily sanitisation procedures and complete sanitisation between cruises. Customers booking in 2020 can change their plans up to seven days before the sailing date without incurring cancellation fees. They will receive a 100 percent future cruise credit that can then be used for a 2020 or 2021 cruise.

Spring in Burgundy

Snowing Cherry tree blossoms of April, Cherry orchards were planted by wine growers to provide additional income between wine production. We look forward the cherry season when cherries are sold from the many roadside booths that spring up during the harvest.

Spring cherry Blossom of Irancy

A river of yellow oil seed flowers flows through an ancient meander of the river Yonne at Chevroches, the river once flowed through this valley too and over millions of years carved a 3km horseshoe into the limestone below, this fertile land has been inhibited for over 30,000 years and now grows oil seed used in the production of bio-fuel. An interesting fact is that once the canal was completed the villagers of Chevroches where able to export the same limestone to pave the streets of London, that’s some journey by péniche!

The ancient meander of the River Yonne at Chervroches.

The primary reason for the construction of the Canal-du-Nivernais was to export firewood from the forests of the Morvan to the city of Paris. The Morvan today is a national park and a beautiful forested land, morning mists viewed from of mooring in the Morvan, no filter required …

Morning mist in the Forest of the Morvan

You may not be able to visit us at the moment but you can enjoy a flight over our cruising region of the Yonne, the Canal-du-Nivernais, Chablis, Grand Auxerrios and the surrounding vineyards, we look forward to welcoming you back to Burgundy soon!

Wishing everybody good health and tranquillity where ever you may be.

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.