Panache

Sunday, Day 1 Châlons-en-Champagne

Guests are met early afternoon in Paris** and transferred to the hotel barge moored in Châlons-en-Champagne. Enjoy a Champagne welcome while your Captain introduces you to the crew. Dinner on board.

Monday, Day 2 Châlons-en-Champagne to Tours-sur-Marne

This morning we cruise from Châlons-en-Champagne along the Canal Lateral à la Marne to our pretty mooring at Tours-sur-Marne.  After lunch on board, we visit the magnificent 800-year-old Reims cathedral, a Gothic masterpiece where the Kings of France were crowned, before some free time perhaps to wander around this delightful city with its grand squares and elegant shopping arcades. Dinner on board.

Tuesday, Day 3 Tours-sur-Marne to Dizy

Today we continue our cruise along the canal, with the opportunity to explore on foot or bicycle en route, and moor at Dizy, near Epernay. After lunch, we visit the pretty hilltop village of Hautvillers. Known as the ‘cradle of Champagne’. It is here that the monk Dom Perignon discovered the ‘méthode champenoise’ and we enjoy a private tasting of champagnes and matching cheeses at a boutique in the village. Dinner ashore at a local restaurant.

Wednesday, Day 4 Dizy to Damery

After breakfast, we head into the nearby town of Epernay, home to many of the major champagne houses for a cellar tour and tasting.  There is time afterwards to explore the town and to do some shopping.  After lunch on board, we head west along the beautiful River Marne, passing through the champagne vineyards to our mooring at Damery. Dinner on board.

Thursday, Day 5 Damery to Dormans

Today the hotel barge continues her cruise along the meandering Marne to moor at the pretty riverside town of Dormans, the site of a château, water mill and World War One memorial. In the afternoon, there is the option to visit the elegant Chateau de Conde with its sumptuous 18^th century interiors, or the WWI battlefield and monument at Château-Thierry and the American cemetery at Belleau Wood. Dinner on board.

Friday, Day 6 Dormans to Château-Thierry

This morning, we visit La Maison Pannier, a select champagne house with a labyrinth of medieval underground cellars, for a tour and a private tasting.  After lunch on board, we cruise to our final mooring at Château-Thierry, an historic, strategically-situated town overlooking the river, surrounded by vineyards that produce some of the region’s famous sparkling wine. Captain’s Farewell Dinner on board.

Saturday, Day 7 Château-Thierry

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

This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change. On alternate weeks the cruise is in the reverse direction.

**other locations are available for Private Charter bookings