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Barge Cruises in France ~
Paris
- Champagne
Champagne
vineyards, Brie cheese, and Paris by night Cruise
the rivers of the Champagne region in France aboard a luxury 12-passenger barge-hotel
(7 days - 6 nights). On this cruise, you will tour the birthplace of "bubbly"
and the cellars of Moet et Chandon. You will also be able to taste the production
of small, family-owned vineyards and learn how Brie cheese is made. The countryside
offers World War I battle sites, sleepy villages, and a 17-century chateau. The
grand finale is an evening cruise on the River Seine through Paris. This
river boat was substantially refurbished for the beginning of the 2005 season.
Her six staterooms offer luxurious accommodation for 12 passengers. The salon,
dining area, and bar are finished in mahogany, teak and brass, decorated with
antiques and paintings. Two spacious decks offer magnificent views of the countryside.
TYPICAL
BARGE CRUISE ITINERARY
(actual program may vary)
Day
1 - Sunday: Paris to Cumières (Epernay). You will be picked
up at Hotel Ampere in Paris at 2 pm and taken to the barge moored at Cumières,
about a mile from the heart of Epernay in the Champagne region. After settling
in, your captain and crew will join you for a champagne reception. You can take
a walk through the village before enjoying the first of many delicious meals prepared
by your onboard chef. Day
2 - Monday: Cumières to Damery. Morning visit to Reims
and its magnificent Gothic cathedral. Back at the barge for lunch and a short
cruise to Damery, where the 13th-century church was part of a former Benedictine
priory. Next, tour the Abbey of Hautvilliers, where the world-famous monk,
Dom Perignon, first made champagne. Dinner aboard the barge. Day
3 - Tuesday: Damery to Chateau Thierry. Arriving in the heart of the
Champagne region, enjoy a pre-lunch tour of the world-famous cellars of Moet
et Chandon, including a wine tasting. Continue the cruise to Chateau Thierry,
where the barge will stay for the night. This lovely town offers a promenade along
the original walls with views over the Marne River valley, the scene of famous
battles during World War I. Nearby is the American Monument, which keeps
alive the memory of the American troops who fought in the war. Optional visit
to Belleau Wood battlefield and the American cemetery. Dinner aboard the barge. Day
4 - Wednesday: Chateau Thierry to La Ferté. Your cruise today
will take you through some of the most picturesque scenery in France. You will
also visit some small family-run vineyards to sample their fine champagnes. Mooring
for the night is at La Ferté-sur-Marne, which offers lovely promenades
along the river. Dinner aboard the barge. Day
5 - Thursday: La Ferté to Meaux. On to Meaux, in the very heart
of the Brie region, famous for its delicious cheeses. A nearby monument
commemorates the most advanced point of the German troops and the French counter-attackon
September 5, 1914. In Coulomniers, one of the centers of Brie cheese, you will
visit a master cheese-maker. You will see the cheese-making process first hand
and sample the cheese, along with wines from your host's excellent cellar. Dinner
aboard the barge. Day
6 - Friday: Meaux to Paris. Cruise toward the mighty Seine River, which
will take you into the very heart of Paris. Cruise past Coupvray, the birthplace
of Louis Braille, the inventor of the alphabet for the blind. At Saint-Maur-des-Fossés
the barge will go through a tunnel that enables it to bypass the shallow waters
of the Marne River in this area. Today you'll visit the elegant Chateau of
Vaux-le-Vicomte, a wonderfully-proportioned "classical French" chateau
with magnificent gardens. The chateau, built between 1656 and 1661 for finance
minister Nicolas Fouquet, was designed by the architect Le Notre, who later designed
the palace of Versailles near Paris. Your
vacation ends with an evening cruise on the River Seine through Paris, past Notre
Dame Cathedral, the Louvre, the floodlit Eiffel Tower and several illuminated
bridges. You will be joined by your captain and his wife for drinks followed by
the farewell "Captain's Dinner" on the barge. The cruise ends at the
Arsenal, near the Place de La Bastille in the 12th district. Day
7 - Saturday: Paris.
After breakfast aboard the barge, transfer your hotel or airport in Paris.
On
alternate weeks, cruise will be in the reverse direction.
This itinerary is
subject to change without notice. [top] Highlights - Abbey
of Hautvilliers
- Cellars
of Moet et Chandon
- World
War I sites
- Cheese-making
in Brie
- Chateau
of Vaux-le-Vicomte
- Evening
cruise through Paris
Included - Accommodations
with private bath or shower and all meals from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on
day 7
- Wine
with lunch and dinner and selected alcoholic beverages consumed aboard the barge
- Sightseeing
tours and entrance fees as specified
- Round-trip
transfers from specified meeting point
Not
Included - Transportation
to and from beginning and end points
- Health
and travel insurance
- Barge
crew gratuities (suggested 5% of cruise price)
- Superior
vintage wines
- Personal
expenses
- Optional
activities when available
- Other
items not specifically listed under "Included" above
Barge
Features - Cabins:
6 staterooms that can be set up with two twin beds or one queen bed (12 passengers)
- Stateroom
1 has a large bathroom with toilet and shower. Staterooms 2 through 6 each have
a separate toilet and shower. All staterooms have DVD players, screens and wireless
headsets.
- Internet
access and in-house blog to share your cruise experience with friends and family
at home
- Size:
128 ft. long
- Air
conditioning and central heating
- Air-conditioned
coach for excursions
2012
Cruise Departures
(September only) Every
Sunday: September 2, 9 (sold out) 16 and 23, subject to availability This
barge can be chartered for groups. Various themes and activities can be arranged
to fit the specific interests of each group. DEPARTURES
AND PRICES BOOK
YOUR CRUISE [top]
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