The essence of France reveals itself, not in great monuments or spectacular sights, but in the unspoilt beauty of its countryside - in fields of scarlet poppies, in glades of poplars throwing dappled light, in the Mediterranean sunlight filtering through vines.

The physical delight of its timeless landscapes is enriched by the enjoyment of life that is evident everywhere, from vineyards to villages, from château to gîte: a glass of Burgundy tasted at the winery, a meal in a traditional bistro, the clack of metal as farmers play pétanque.  Savour these pleasures as they are meant to be enjoyed - at leisure - on a cruise aboard a barge or as it is known locally, a péniche-hôtel.

The country's canals seem to meander everywhere, from the stone megaliths of Brittany to the cathar castles of the south.  Burgundy and France-Comté are renowned for their vineyards, Gothic churches and Renaissance châteaux, while a cruise through Provence might follow in the footsteps of painters such as Cézanne and Van Gogh.