The L'Impressionniste (English: The Impressionist) was built in 1960 in Belgium and is a spits barge with a Dutch luxe motor-style bow.

She had a particularly long commercial hold for a vessel of 38.50m overall length, and this eventually was one of the reasons her hull was well suited to be converted into a hotel barge.

Her design and layout were based on La Belle Epoque, which was built the year before, and the original owners purchased the plans from Leigh Wootton.

She has a single rudder and chain-link steering which, coupled with her relatively fine bow, ensure practical maneuverability.

She was re-engined in 2000 with a Scania 250 hp (190 kW) and spent several of the following years on the river Rhône, which has a strong current and needs plenty of horsepower.