Barging or TGV – See France slowly or at high speed…

It is a reality that you can’t afford to miss. Barging in France can cost less than a holiday with a car, train or bus travel, restaurants, gas, etc. On a modern air conditioned barge you can see the best of France and be totally relaxed. Each barge is a floating fantasy well appointed and of different capacity. You can join a group or perhaps organize your own group of 6 or even 12 friends. It is slow but that’s what you may want in a holiday.

You have your choice of region and companies as you can see on the web. Some arrange hotels for you while others provide staterooms. They are usually air conditioned and well appointed. The barge will also provide bicycles, if that is your desire. And for excursions off the boat, they provide transportation.

The sites are memorable. You can see the Champagne country in the north, Burgundy, Soane, Loire, Dijon, Seine, Chablis, Beaune or Avignon, Provence, Normandy or the Canal du Midi. The Rhone River is recommended all the way to Arles.

Barges carry as many as 50 passengers. They are anywhere from 16 feet wide and 80 to 129 feet long.

It’s the most relaxed way to go but it is limited to the rivers or canals. This is not the same as river boating or chartering your own sailing yacht in places like Greece. I’ve done them all and would be happy to share my experiences with you. For toll free information in North America call toll free 1 (877) 642 2743 or 1 (888) 264 3983. The price often includes train charges to the point of debarkation and tipping 5 – 10% is recommended and expected. So, I suggest you consult your travel insurance plan before you depart.

Here’s a barge at Chenenceau on the Loire. You can take a tour then return to your barge. (This is highly recommended.) Nothing is easier.

On the other hand…

I discovered the TGV (Train a Grand Vitesse) speed train about 6-7 years ago; it started in 1981 and is huge today.

I found myself in Marsielles and had to get to Paris that night. Luck was on my side. The TGV to Paris had just started that week. It advertised the trip as a 3 hour journey. It had taken me a week to wend my way from Paris to Marseilles and now I was going to be there in three hours.

The train was new and up to date. There was a small table at the window so I could read. The seats were comfortable enough to fall asleep, especially with the sound of the rails traveling through the air. I was even able to order food and take it back to my seat.

Sure, it is true that you don’t see much since the tracks are usually set below the roadways so that speed can be attained without worry of collision. Yes, there were times when there was a view but not for long and only at a distance. Plus, the trip took just over three hours — hardly enough time to have a sandwich, read a chapter and fall asleep. And, when we finally arrived at Gare De Lyon, we were told that since the train was quite new and the speed glitches hadn’t been solidified, the train was late.

However, because of that, each passenger received a $100 voucher for their next ride. The Gare De Lyon was decorated with imitation palm trees to celebrate the new TGV route from the south. It is luxurious, fast and for getting from one place to the other, there’s nothing better. Remember too, you arrive in the center of the city and don’t have the cost of getting in from the airport. You can travel from Paris to most of Europe and a monthly pass or longer period pass is well worth the investment.

TGV (SNCF)

Years later, I took a two hour TGV ride to Lyon. Actually, I did it twice. The first time I would be met at the station by a colleague and taken to a television station for an interview. What I failed to take note of was what station to stop at. When I got off, I waited for a long time before getting a call on my cell asking me where I was. I should have been at Part Dieu. I was not. When I finally met up with my colleague we rushed to the TV station and arrived only five or six minutes before air time. But things went smoothly and I was able to return to Paris — again at great speed and comfort — a week or so later.

There are special seats for the inferm and the speeds of up to 320 KM per hour assure that you don’t waste time. From Paris you can go to 200 destinations including Reims and Rouen in the north, or on to London under the channel. You can go to Bordeaux, Montpellier or Avignon, to Dijon and Lyon but you can also transfer for farther destinations.

Go to www.TGV.fr for more information

Caution:

You usually have to have your ticket stamped at special machines at the head of each platform. You can also have your luggage loaded by porters at a normal cost.

So you can see France from a boat, rail or by land. It’s a question of your preference, but do go. France is its own reward.

Write to me if you have questions at [email protected]

Arnie Greenberg