MARIA is a classic Dutch Luxemotor that has been exquisitely converted into a luxurious private barge.  Built in Hoogezand (Groningen province), Holland in 1931, she was professionally refitted in 1992 by master shipwrights in Haren (Ems), Germany, upgraded in 2001 and again in 2004.  MARIA is 25 meters (82 feet) long and 4.8 meters (16 feet) wide.  She is constructed of riveted steel and weighs 90 tons.

Unlike many modified barges in service today MARIA has retained her original name.  She is named after the wife of her original skipper/owner, who, together with his wife, operated MARIA as a cargo barge carrying grains, potatoes, turnips, flowers and other commodities in Holland, Belgium and France.

After World War II she was lengthened to              30 meters (98 feet) to provide additional cargo capacity.  At her refitting in 1992 she was returned to her original length of 25 meters.

A Luxemotor is a Dutch-style canal barge built for the first time in the early 1920’s.  Most Luxemotors have a straight bow with the characteristic upsweep of the gunwale together with the “duck tail” transom.  The name is derived from the owner’s luxury living accommodations at the stern of the ship.

“We do not take a trip; a trip takes us.” John Steinbeck

..... or to quote our favorite vintner in Burgundy, “Take small sips of wine, but plenty of them.”

Updated February 14, 2010

MARIA’s unusually graceful lines and luxurious amenities set her apart as a foremost example of a classic Dutch canal barge.

We purchased MARIA in 2002 and have cruised extensively in France, including the canals and rivers of Alsace - Lorraine, Burgundy, the Seine to Paris, Val-d’Oise, Rhône-Alpes, Auvergne and Franche-Comté. From 2003 through 2008 we offered luxury charter cruises on MARIA and hosted guests from the United States, Australia, South Africa and Canada.  Since 2008 we have used MARIA exclusively as a private barge and she continues to be our floating home when we are in France.

If you are interested in a cruise on a charter barge similar to MARIA, we would be happy to provide you with a referral to the owner of the barge.  You can let us know by going to the “Contact Us” page on this site and clicking on the blue “Email Me” button.