Discovering the Rural Delights of a Barge Cruise in France

A barge cruise in France makes for one of the most relaxing and enjoyable holidays you can imagine. As you glide along the picturesque waterways, you get the feeling this quiet and tranquil countryside is as unspoilt as it was in centuries past.

Indeed it is true, but how can that be in the middle of a modern country that boasts Europe’s second largest economy after Germany? Those embarking on a barge cruise in France may be interested in the following historical connotations as you cruise along the rivers… A country of contradiction

Many French people will tell you themselves that France is a country of contradictions.On the one hand, the French are largely passionate about their links to the land and agriculture. Even many urban dwellers will get out of town to spend time in the countryside, quite often on a barge cruise - in France, exploring the rural countryside is certainly not the domain of international tourists.

Serious about conserving rural traditions, the French will often oppose proposals to build in the countryside or change from smallholder farming (still a very large sector of the agriculture) to large corporate food production methods. They also take immense pride in the cuisine and their own traditions of being au-fait with the very best ingredients and wines.

On the other hand though, just like the UK, the vast majority of the French population lives either in cities or in small villages surrounding cities. In fact, the French countryside is not a place where most French people wish to live. This is inevitably a product of economics and occupation. Employment in the countryside, outside of agriculture, is scarce and many people can't afford to live there even if they chose to.

Yet there is also very much a ‘fashion’ factor that is quite different to the UK. In quite a few parts of the UK, moving to the countryside is a major aspiration for many. People will be prepared to commute large distances into the nearest town if it means they have their rural dream home. By contrast, in France, many people think that anything over a 20-30 minute commute to work is "too far" and something that will impact their family and social life. Urban centre living is still the main fashionable objective for many French people, whereas rural living is seen as being too rustic and unsophisticated - it’s great for a weekend and the holiday or for driving to and buying some fresh local produce, but they wouldn’t want to live there!

The benefits

This difference is vastly important in helping to protect the idyllic rural life so visible on a barge cruise in France. The country has never really undergone that same mass ‘dormitoryisation’ of many of its smaller towns and villages that has been such a blight on parts of the UK countryside. Very large numbers of people that live in small villages really are, in the very truest sense of the word, ‘locals’ who earn their living in the surrounding areas.

For the traveller visiting this warm and wonderful country, the results are overwhelmingly positive. Taking a barge cruise in France is one of the best ways to immerse in authentic country life and traditions – not things that exist only to service the tourist trade.

Paul Newman is the Marketing and E-Systems Executive for European Waterways. We can provide you with a luxury, all-inclusive barge cruise in France to enjoy the sights of the country's most picturesque waterways. Cruises are also offered in Holland, Italy and the UK.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.