French Waterways adds auto, helicopter tours to canal cruise

2026-04-27

French Waterways, which specializes in luxury barge cruises, will add vintage auto and helicopter tours to one of its historic canal voyages.

The cruise operator will offer an exclusive sailing along the Canal du Midi in southern France this year on the barge Savannah. CEO Rosie Mansfield called the trip a “once-in-a-lifetime experience;” prices start at $32,000 for four guests.

Itinerary highlights include touring the Mediterranean countryside in a vintage Citroen 2CV and by helicopter. Guests will visit medieval villages and a 17th century chateau.

Travelers will enjoy a seven-day cruise on the Savannah after a champagne welcome reception. From there, they will visit the Languedoc-Roussillon region, the Chateau de Peyrepertuse ruins and the medieval town of Mirepoix in the Pyrenees foothills.

Departures are available from either La Redorte or Bram. The cruises will be operated May through October.

Courtesy of Travel Weekly