Panache

Sunday, Day 1 Nancy

Guests are met in Nancy and transferred by private chauffeured minibus to Panache for a Champagne welcome and the first opportunity to meet your crew. Perhaps there is time for a stroll before dinner on board.

Monday, Day 2 Nancy to Toul

This morning, we explore Nancy, the ancient capital of Lorraine. Our tour begins at the Baroque Place Stanislas, considered one of the grandest in all of France, with its ornate gold and wrought iron gates. We can also explore the indoor market, the Museé des Beaux Arts, or some of the delightful gardens. In the afternoon, we embark on our first cruise along the Canal de la Marne au Rhin and partly on the River Moselle, to moor at Toul, Dinner on board.

Tuesday, Day 3 Toul to Pagny-sur-Meuse

After breakfast, we tour the delightful town of Toul, with its fortifications designed by the military architect Vauban and streets of old houses which somehow survived the ravages of successive wars. We then enjoy a private wine tasting at Domaine Lelièvre in nearby Lucey, which produces the fresh and floral AOC Côtes de Toul. Our afternoon cruise sees us ascending a series of locks before passing through the 867 metre long Foug Tunnel to arrrive at our mooring in Pagny-sur-Meuse. Dinner ashore this evening at a restaurant in Toul.

Wednesday, Day 4 Pagny-sur-Meuse to Demange-aux-Eaux

This morning, we cruise further along the canal to moor at the little hamlet of Sauvoy. After lunch on board and while the barge negotiates the 5 km long Mauvages Tunnel, we set off for a guided tour of the charming town of St-Mihiel, home to the renowned 16^th century sculptor Ligier Richier. As part of the tour we see Richier’s magnificent sculpture, The Lamentation of Christ in the Church of St-Etienne, before moving on to the Fôret d’Apremont where we can see some of the monuments from World War One, such as the Trenches of the Bavarians and the German cemetery. We return to the barge moored at Demange-aux-Eaux. Dinner on board.

Thursday, Day 5 Demange-aux-Eaux to Naix-aux-Forges

After breakfast, we visit the town of Vaucouleurs, from where Joan of Arc departed with her escort in 1429 on her epic journey to Chinon to meet with the Dauphin, Charles VII. We see the fascinating Musée de Jehanne d’Arc, full of images of the girl saint, and the Castle Chapel with its wonderful stained glass windows and where Joan would pray. In the afternoon, we enjoy a cruise along the winding canal through a series of locks, with good walking and biking opportunities en route, to arrive at Naix aux Forges, once a Roman town in the 2^nd century AD. Dinner on board. 

Friday, Day 6 Naix-aux-Forges to Tronville-en-Barrois

This morning we embark on our last cruise along the canal, passing the town of Ligny-en-Barrois en route, to arrive at our final destination of Tronville-en-Barrois. After lunch on board, we visit Bar-le-Duc, officially classified as an “Historic Town of France” and renowned for its Renaissance architecture. We enjoy a walking tour of the old upper town, including the Place Saint-Pierre, Gothic Church of St. Etienne and the surrounding streets with their medieval houses. Time perhaps too to explore the shops in the lower town before we return to the barge for the Captain’s Farewell Dinner on board.

Saturday, Day 7 Tronville-en-Barrois

After breakfast, guests are transferred by private chauffeured minibus to their choice of location in  Nancy.

*This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change.