Panache

Sunday, Day 1 Châlons-en-Champagne

Guests are met early afternoon in Paris** and transferred via private chauffeured minibus to the hotel barge moored in Châlons-en-Champagne. A Champagne welcome awaits you onboard where the Captain will introduce you to the crew. Dinner on board.

Monday, Day 2 Châlons-en-Champagne to La Chaussée sur Marne

This morning, we visit La Maison Ayala, a renowned champagne house situated in Aÿ, one of the 17 rare villages classified as Grand Cru in the Champagne region. We take a tour of the historic cellars to learn about the house’s history and understand the philosophy behind Champagne Ayala. After lunch on board, we cruise past the pastoral scenery of Sarry and St Germain la Ville to La Chaussée sur Marne. Dinner on board.

Tuesday, Day 3 La Chaussée sur Marne to Vitry le Francois

After a leisurely breakfast, we head off for a private champagne tour and tasting at the boutique grand cru winery of Frèrejean Frères, located in the Côtes des Blancs village of Avize, in the middle of the Champagne countryside. En route, we make a stop at a picturesque hillside vineyard to learn about the key attributes of champagne grape growing. Following the tasting, we indulge in a gourmet, private lunch at the family domaine. This afternoon, we continue our cruise past the vineyard-covered countryside along the Marne before mooring at the busy river port of Vitry le François – an ideal spot for an evening stroll before dinner on board.

Wednesday, Day 4 Vitry le Francois to Pargny sur Saulx

This morning, we leave the River Marne to cruise the Canal de la Marne au Rhin to Pargny-sur-Saulx, along the way passing the tiny village of Ponthion, which was once a palatine crown estate in the 9th century Merovingian and Carolingian dynasties. After lunch, we visit the medieval fortified city of Saint-Dizier, site of Napoleon’s final victory before his abdication and eventual downfall at Waterloo. Originating as a fortified settlement around a 13th-century château, during World War II, it became a base for German troops and the château now houses the municipal museum. We can also make an optional visit to the nearby scenic National Park of Lac du Der Chantecoq, the largest artificial lake in Western Europe, an ideal spot for walking, birdwatching or simply enjoying the view. Dinner on board.

Thursday, Day 5 Pargny-sur-Saulx to Revigny sur Ornain

After breakfast, we visit Joseph Perrier Champagne house, famous for its light-reflecting cellars constructed in 1825 to allow light into the depths of the foundation where vintages are shelved to reach maturation. With 21 hectares of south-facing slopes, the view is just as delightful as the vintage! After sipping champagne, we travel to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Notre-Dame-en-Vaux; constructed around 1217, this Catholic Church was given world heritage status in 1998 as it was one of the stops on the religious pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. Lunch is served on board, followed by a serene cruise as we enter the ancient region of Lorraine, home to the eponymous quiche – our mooring for the night at Revigny-sur-Ornain. Dinner on board.

Friday, Day 6 Revigny Sur Ornain to Bar le Duc

This morning, we cruise to Bar-le-Duc, a town overflowing with Renaissance architecture and art. The elegant Place Saint-Pierre is occupied by some fine Renaissance houses, including the Florainville mansion (now the Law Courts) and the Grangettes belvedere provides a spectacular view across the town. En route, we pass through the postcard-perfect village of Laimont; the surrounding countryside and its glorious floral arrangements are ideal for a leisurely stroll or bike ride. Lunch is served on board, followed by a visit to the truly historic town of Vaucouleurs, where Joan of Arc began her mission upon asking local military captain Jean de Boussac to escort her as far as Chinon. The local museum and castle chapel are a treasure trove of canonical history, from the 14th-century statue of Our Lady of the Vaults (before which Joan meditated) to a 1945 statue of Joan which sits atop the high altar. Dinner on board.

Saturday, Day 7 Bar le Duc

After breakfast, guests are transferred by private chauffeured minibus to Paris**.

This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change.
**other locations are available for Private Charter bookings