12th Share of Dutch Barge in Auxerre France

One twelfth share in Donjeux, a 6-berth, 25-ton, 17 metre by 4 metre steel-hulled replica of a Dutch Luxemotor barge. She was built in 2003 by Central Craftworks in the UK for Ownerships Ltd, then transported to France and launched on the river Yonne at Auxerre in Burgundy. Her owners later set up the Donjeux Owners Association which assumed full responsibility for her from Ownerships in 2009.

The share entitles you to two weeks cruising in the main holiday season one year and then three cruising weeks the following year, and this pattern repeats in alternate years. There is a very fair system for choosing cruising weeks each year with each share moving up a priority "ladder" from the bottom pair of shares to the top pair over a 6-year period. Additional weeks can be had on the boat outside the main cruising season if desired. Annual management fees for the share have varied from £480 - £520 over the past four years. There is sometimes an additional fee to put into the "kitty" (currently holding £9,866) to cover repainting or maintenance/refurbishment. This year the additional fees came to £200 per share. The weeks for this share in 2023 are 9th-30th June.

If desired there is currently the possibility of converting this share to a special School Holiday share so that all weeks are taken in the school summer holiday. If converted to a "School" share this requires payment of an additional 25% for annual management fee. If you are at all unsure about any aspect of the boat sharing arrangement, the management of the group or about the nature of cruising on French waterways please do not hesitate to get in touch for a chat and we'd be very happy to talk you through it, whether you choose to buy the share or not!

Donjeux has the sweeping lines of the typical Luxemotor, with a high bow and curvaceous stern. The wheelhouse is two-thirds back from the bow. Behind it is the aft double cabin and shower room; to the front is the kitchen and saloon (with bed settee), the bathroom, toilet and beyond that the fore double cabin.

She is fully equipped for extended cruises, with an ample diesel tank, an 800 gallon water tank, a gas oven and hob, microwave, refrigerator and kitchen equipment to cater for six, plus a 240v inverter.

Donjeux's home base is the Aquarelle Marina in the beautiful city of Auxerre in Burgundy. The city has many interesting sites including a cathedral and an abbey, as well as a variety of shops, markets and restaurants. The driving time from Calais is about 4.5 hours.

There are numerous cruising options from Auxerre - heading northwards down the River Yonne (and e.g. onto the Burgundy Canal) or southwards up the Canal du Nivernais- perhaps the most delightful of the French Canals? In some years owners arrange 'remote handovers' away from Auxerre to allow cruising further afield e.g. to reach Paris via the Yonne and Seine, for example.