PARIS – Very few visitors rent a car in Paris – “much too dangerous. Too many crazy drivers,” says my guide Romy as he assembles a small tour group outside the cycle shop at 37 Boulavard Bourdon, across from the new Paris opera.

MENTON, FRANCE – The woman wearing the colorful Provençal apron insisted we try one of her oranges. She wanted to reward us for being early morning visitors to her tiny stall in this sun-drenched town’s historic outdoor market.

AIX-EN-PROVENCE, FRANCE – Market day in this ancient Roman city is always a colorful event. The fruit and vegetable stands are lush with bright, local produce; large jars filled with spices punch the air with erotic scents; freshly-picked flowers are stacked high; colourful French characters, cigarettes dangling out of their mouths, seduce the crowd with their charming wit and salesmanship.

CAGNES-SUR-MER, FRANCE – A visitor sits on a hotel terrace high above the Mediterranean coastline enjoying a glass of wine and watching the sun dip behind the far-off Alps. The golden streaks that appear at sunset look like they've been added by an artist's brush.

I had been looking forward to this trip for a while. Not just because it would be my third visit to fascinating France, but also because of the mode of transportation I would be using to get around during my six days here — a barge. And not just any old commercial barge, but a luxury European Waterways barge with all the amenities of a 5-Star hotel.