The history of the barge M.S. Niagara.

Niagara is a traditional Dutch Luxe-motor barge, built in Holland in 1923. The Luxe-motor is one of the most elegant styles of barge hull, with a very distinctive bow and smooth curved lines along the beams. For many years she transported cargo such as wheat, corn, sand and stones across Northern Europe, after the Second World War, she was taken to the South of France and worked on in the region.

In the 1950's the barge was purchased by a private individual and the Niagara was converted into a home. The beginnings of a new life for the barge, slowly cruising along the rivers and canals of the Midi. It was at this time that the barge had a Leyland 160 HP diesel motor engine installed, replacing a very old twin cylinder Bronze. The new 6 cylinder Leyland was coupled with a Mason gear box and 4 blade propeller. This gave a new life to the barge, she now cruised with power and elegance.

In the 1970's the barge was called back into service, this time not to transport cargo but to assists in the tracing and construction of the maps of all the European waterways. So for a few years the barge travelled along the many rivers and canals such as the Rhone, Seine and Burgundy canal, with a team of expert cartographers. When the project was terminated, once again the Niagara become a private home.

In 1991, the barge was purchased by the Sonafho group and returned to the ship yard to be converted into the luxury hotel barge that she is now. After more than 2 years of skilled work and craftsmanship the barge was re-launched at Saint Jean de Losne in Burgundy, France. Now equipped with air-conditioning, a heated swimming pool, all the equipment and fittings are installed to provide you with a very comfortable special vacation cruise.

The conversion work was mainly accomplished at Saint Jean de Losne, the skill and expertise of the craftsmen from Atelier-fluvial where crucial to the success. It is also in the drydocks of Atelier Fluvial that the MS Niagara is maintained and repaired.

For more than 5 years the barge was skippered by Phillip, for 2006 MS Niagara will be proudly in the hands of a fine skipper by the name of Mat... more soon.