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France's Waterways from Paris to Champagne

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An all-inclusive gastronomic delight through the waterways of the Champagne region.

You are viewing the 2023 itinerary. Select your departure year
20232024
7 days From $3,355 per person
Travel among a group of like-minded travelers led by a professional tour manager

2023 Tour code: GR-CCRA-23

About the tour

Cruising down the famous Champagne route of France on the elegant MS Deborah hotel barge, with excursions to the birthplace of Dom Pérignon and Meaux, this tour is a gastronomic delight. We also enjoy a grand tour of Paris during this all-inclusive journey.

*Please note on the September departure the cruise will sail in reverse from Epernay to Paris.

Highlights

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What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 - To Paris and MS Deborah

Meet your group and Tour Manager at our dedicated Departure Office at St Pancras where we board the Eurostar for Paris. Upon arrival we transfer to board our hotel barge, MS Deborah, for a six night cruise on the Canal Latéral à la Marne. Overnight ship.

Includes
  • Dinner
Day 2 - Paris

Today we enjoy a guided tour of the splendid French capital. We see many of the major attractions such as the Place de la République, the Grand Boulevards, the Opera House, the Place de la Madeleine, Place Vendôme, and the Louvre. We finish our excursion on foot, discovering the prettiest arcades in Paris at the Palais Royal, where old world charm meets the new vibrant side of the city. We set sail this afternoon for Lagny-sur-Marne where we moor overnight. Overnight ship. 

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 - Meaux and Cheese Tasting

We cast off early today to begin cruising to Meaux. As we travel, perhaps make use of the bicycles on board by taking a ride alongside the Deborah if weather permits. We sail slowly, and you have access to the boat at all times. After lunch on board, we arrive in Meaux for a sightseeing tour that includes the magnificent cathedral, the Bishop's Palace, as well as the Gallo-Roman ramparts. We also take in the striking Bossuet Garden, believed by many to be one of Le Nôtre's earliest works.

Later on we visit the Brie de Meaux exhibition room where we are shown a film demonstrating how one of France's most famous and popular cheeses is made. After this we taste some of this locally made, distinctive soft cheese for ourselves. We return to the boat following our busy day for a relaxing dinner on board. Overnight ship. 

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 - Chateau Thierry

This morning is spent sailing, passing Champigny and Drachy, through the heart of the Seine-et- Marne countryside and its Champagne vines. In the afternoon we arrive into Château Thierry and depart on foot for a tour of the Jean de la Fontaine museum, situated in the poet's family home. We follow this with a tour of the town that became the site of two major battles first during the Napoleonic wars and then in WWI. We take time to see the castle walls and the Hotel Dieu where Jean de la Fontaine once lived. Overnight ship.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 - The Champagne Route and Dom Perignon

This morning we sail towards Épernay. After lunch onboard we take an excursion along the famous Champagne Route including a visit to the village of Hautvilliers - the birthplace of Dom Pérignon, a Benedictine monk who created the Champagne method of producing this distinctive sparkling wine. We continue our education with a delicious tasting at one of the leading Champagne houses in the area. We return to our ship for a fantastic gala dinner. Overnight ship. 

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 - To Dormans

This morning we continue on towards Dormans. We can then take an excursion to Reims. Reims' most famous landmark is the city's cathedral - Notre-Dame de Reims. Noted as one of Europe's most important Gothic buildings, the 13th century cathedral is today a UNESCO World Heritage site. Discover the beautiful stained glass windows, majestic sculptures and impressive architecture during our visit to this pretty city today, where we enjoy a guided tour as well as a visit to the cathedral. The ship overnights in Dormans. Overnight ship. 

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 - Return to London

After a buffet breakfast, we disembark our barge for the last time at Épernay and transfer to the Gare du Nord railroad station in the center of Paris. Here we catch the Eurostar service to London St Pancras International. On arrival our tour concludes.

Includes
  • Breakfast

Additional information

Departure times

Departure times vary based on selected rail vacation. This information will be provided in your final documents. For more information please speak with your rail specialist.

Mobility information

Due to the nature of our tours they are generally unsuitable for those with restricted mobility. If you’d like to discuss any particular vacation with us in this respect, then please don’t hesitate to call us.

Train

Eurostar

Ship

The Deborah

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