De Barge, which formerly plied the Bruges–Ghent canal, is today a well-known three-star character hotel that floats on the Bruges–Ghent Canal.
750 meters from Bruges Railway Station. Easily reached by car because of its location near the old city ramparts. The central Market Square and the Belfry of Bruges are within a 20-minute walk from De Barge. You can enter the old city center via park “Minnewater”, also known as The Lake of Love.
The non-smoking cabins at De Barge have a nautical atmosphere with typical boat decorations and blue tones. All rooms have windows overlooking the canal (except the 5 Cruise Cabins on the quay side), a private bathroom, and a small desk area.
Guests can relax in the lounge or on the terrace and have a drink at the honesty bar.
In the morning, enjoy a breakfast buffet with fresh breads, eggs, bacon, cold cuts, cheeses, juices and fruit. Have a nice cup of coffee or tea while you watch the boats pass by on the water.
The Bruges–Ghent canal is one of Belgium’s oldest waterways, and for centuries the barge was its lifeblood. Horse?drawn and unhurried, these barges carried passengers along the water, completing the journey from Ghent to Bruges in just 6 hours.
Barge service in Bruges dates back to 1624, with boats mooring at the beautiful Minnewaterpark – also known as the Lake of Love – until 1784, before moving on to the Katelijnepoort. The service continued until 1911, when the rise of motorized navigation made the humble barge a thing of the past, and these graceful vessels quietly disappeared from daily life.
That was until 1968, when one barge found a new calling. Hotel De Barge opened its doors – or rather its gangway – and a new chapter began. For over five decades the hotel remained in the hands of the same family, with the grandson carrying on the tradition not only as proprietor but as chef as well.
In February 2026, Hotel De Barge welcomed a new owner, full of enthusiasm and vision to bring this beautiful barge to its full potential. The water remains the same. The story continues.