Bastille Day is celebrated to mark one of France’s most significant dates. Noted as one of the most successful rebellions against oppression in history, 14th July 1789 saw the storming of The Bastille prison by angry Parisians protesting the King’s reign, ever-increasing taxation and continued scarcity of food. This day marked the beginning of France’s transition from a feudal aristocracy to a modern Republic.
The Bastille itself was a medieval fortress located on the east side of Paris that was originally built in 1370 to defend Paris against the English during the Hundred Years’ War. During the reign of King Louis XVI it was used as a state prison to hold political prisoners, often for years without trial. The prison was chosen as the rebel’s target as it was seen as a symbol of the monarchy’s oppressive rule over the starving people.
Modern Day Celebration
Today France celebrates this significant turn in their history with an impressive military parade along Paris’ famous Champs-Élysées. Come nightfall the sky is lit up with a spectacular fireworks display from the Eiffel Tower.
All over France families prepare delicious regional dishes, such as Normandy Fish Stew and Bayonne ham tart with garlic. Picnics and parties continue late into the night, culminating with local firework displays and revelry into the wee hours of the morning.
A Day to Remember
Bastille Day is a uniquely French day of celebration complete with party atmosphere and contagious joyfulness. If you want to experience it firsthand on French soil (or should that be water?), get in touch to book your summer barge cruise.
What is hotel barging?
Despite the growing popularity of cruising, especially on large river vessels, hotel barging is still a little known niche concept. Most hotel barges started life as cargo vessels but have since been painstakingly converted to offer luxury boutique accommodation for small groups of up to 20 passengers.
This is cruising, but in a very different style to ships plying the big rivers or oceans. The pace is slow, with a 6 day cruise covering maybe just 50 miles along a rural canal. Passengers can walk or bike the towpaths as their floating hotel glides gently along. Guests enjoy an intimate atmosphere, high levels of personal service and immersion into the culture, history and gastronomy of regions of Europe such as Burgundy, the Midi, or the Italian Veneto.
Every day there is an excursion, perhaps to a chateau, a vineyard for a wine tasting, or some other ‘off the beaten track’ location. About half of European Waterways’ bookings are for whole boat charters, ideal for families. Otherwise, clients book a cabin to join other like-minded people. A ‘slow boat’ European Waterways barge cruise offers the ultimate in experiential travel. A truly unique experience!
European Waterways offer luxury hotel barge cruises on the beautiful canals and rivers of Europe, such as through Burgundy, the Midi, Alsace, the Po Valley, Holland and the Scottish Highlands.
The exclusive collection of hotel barges accommodate up to 20 passengers who may charter a whole barge with family or friends, or join a small group of like-minded travellers on an individual cabin basis.
Each barge is fully crewed with a Captain, chef, hostesses, deck-hand and tour guide. The 6-night cruises include gourmet meals, fine wines, open bar, excursions and the use of facilities such as bicycles and spa pools.