Our chef, Pascal, deserves a Michelin star ⭐️ or two. This is not just from me but from 20 others on the barge with me. Many recipes, Pascal told us, came from his grandmother. Does it get any more French and authentic than that? In fact, it does. On our final night on board Pascal serenaded us with La Vie En Rose. #frenchcanals #france #canalboatlife #canalliving #canaux #cruisingfrenchcanals #frenchwaterways #canauxdefrance #canalcruise #lifesbetteronaboat #canaldumidi #canalentrechampagneetbourgogne #cluse #bourgogne #boat #viefluviale #langres #saone #cruisefrance #cruising #croisieurope …

WONDERFUL start to seven days of barging in Burgundy. The crew, the captain and the chef – all wonderfully talented. We sail like a snail said our cruise manager Timea. Sounds like just the right pace. Tonight’s dinner was truly outstanding – worthy of a Michelin star ⭐️ The chef, Pascal, served us dishes inspired by his grandmother. Does it get any better? #frenchcanals #france #canalboatlife #canalliving #canaux #cruisingfrenchcanals #frenchwaterways #canauxdefrance #canalcruise #lifesbetteronaboat #canaldumidi #canalentrechampagneetbourgogne #cluse #bourgogne #boat #viefluviale #langres #saone #cruisefrance #cruising #croisieurope …

Never knew that Dijon was so beautiful. We are here before boarding our barge to explore Burgundy #frenchcanals #france #canalboatlife #canalliving #canaux #cruisingfrenchcanals #frenchwaterways #canauxdefrance #canalcruise #lifesbetteronaboat #canaldumidi #canalentrechampagneetbourgogne #cluse #bourgogne #boat #viefluviale #langres #saone #cruisefrance #cruising #croisieurope …

Today I pedaled 25 miles from Saverne to Lutzelbourg and along the Vallée des Éxlusiers. The latter is an old abandoned canal and lock system built in 1853. It was replaced by the Saint-Louis-Arzviller inclined plane, eliminating 17 locks and 2.5 miles of travel along the canal de la Marne du Rhin. I loved photographing the old lock-keepers’ houses, now homes to a lucky few. #frenchcanals #france #canalboatlife #canalliving #canaux #cruisingfrenchcanals #frenchwaterways #canauxdefrance #canalcruise #lifesbetteronaboat #canaldumidi #canalentrechampagneetbourgogne #cluse #bourgogne #boat #viefluviale #langres #saone #cruisefrance #cruising #croisieurope …

Tarte Flambé tonight in Saverne. #frenchcanals #france #canalboatlife #canalliving #canaux #cruisingfrenchcanals #frenchwaterways #canauxdefrance #canalcruise #lifesbetteronaboat #canaldumidi #canalentrechampagneetbourgogne #cluse #bourgogne #boat #viefluviale #langres #saone #cruisefrance #cruising #croisieurope …

What a great day! Cruised over a highway and river and then through two tunnels. Candlelight lunch while cruising through the longer tunnel. Next, we descended the boat “elevator,” an engineering marvel, then hiked to Castle ruins above Lutzelbourg, surprising guests at the summit with sparkly Cremant. #frenchcanals #france #canalboatlife #canalliving #canaux #cruisingfrenchcanals #frenchwaterways #canauxdefrance #canalcruise #lifesbetteronaboat #canaldumidi #canalentrechampagneetbourgogne #cluse #bourgogne #boat #viefluviale #langres #saone #cruisefrance #cruising #croisieurope …

Same barge, same location. First two are now, third photo is late September 2019. Lorraine is beautiful in all seasons. #frenchcanals #france #canalboatlife #canalliving #canaux #cruisingfrenchcanals #frenchwaterways #canauxdefrance #canalcruise #lifesbetteronaboat #canaldumidi #canalentrechampagneetbourgogne #cluse #bourgogne #boat #viefluviale #langres #saone #cruisefrance #cruising #croisieurope …

My baggage detoured to London, but thankfully arrived this morning. Boarded ICE 105 for Strasbourg then finally stepped on board the lovely barge Madeleine. #frenchcanals #france #canalboatlife #canalliving #canaux #cruisingfrenchcanals #frenchwaterways #canauxdefrance #canalcruise #lifesbetteronaboat #canaldumidi #canalentrechampagneetbourgogne #cluse #bourgogne #boat #viefluviale #langres #saone #cruisefrance #cruising #croisieurope …

Breakfast! My body clock was operating at 7 a.m. East Coast time when I sat down for schnitzel at 1 p.m. I shouldn’t be here – and not because of the unhealthy dish in front of me. I shouldn’t be here because I should be in Strasbourg. But with luggage delayed from Charlotte, I decided to overnight at Hilton Frankfurt Airport, pick up my luggage when it arrives tomorrow and rest assured that my bag will make it with me for back-to-back barge trips beginning tomorrow. More than two dozen travelers, and me as host, have been rescheduling these trips for two years. We couldn’t have guessed that our timing would coincide with record Covid cases in Europe. We’re all vaxxed and boosted (many of us, twice boosted), as protected and prepared as we can be. Plus, life is short, so if not now, when? Our challenges getting here have been only minor hiccups when we think of what it happening in Ukraine. We realize how blessed we are, even with some setbacks. PS. I ate the salad to balance things 😂 PPS: P.S. Despite all warnings, no one checked my vaccination status when entering Germany. #lostluggage #wienerschnitzel #frenchcanals #france #canalboatlife #canalliving #canaux #cruisingfrenchcanals #frenchwaterways #canauxdefrance #canalcruise #lifesbetteronaboat #canaldumidi #canalentrechampagneetbourgogne #cluse #bourgogne #boat #viefluviale #langres #saone #cruisefrance #cruising …