CHAMPAGNE:FROM EPERNAY TO PARIS
April 23-April 29, 20197 DAYS, ALL-INCLUSIVE, $3,495 per person
From Epernay to Paris, cruise on the majestic Marne canal lined with cities full of character. Discover charming and timeless Paris and its famous monuments, as well as Reims, the City of Art and History, home to many UNESCO World Heritage Sites including the Notre-Dame Cathedral. Do not miss out on Hautvillers and its beautiful surrounding vineyards.
DAY 1 PARIS TO EPERNAY
Transfer from Paris by coach to join our ship in Epernay. Passengers are welcome to board our ship at 6:00 p.m. After comfortably settling into your cabins, we’ll introduce our crew at a welcome cocktail before dinner.
DAY 2 DORMANS – EPERNAY
We’ll set off by coach for our excursion to Reims. We’ll have a guided tour of the historic center and its cathedral. We’ll return on board. The afternoon will be spent sailing to Dormans, reaching it in the evening.
Excursion: Reims guided tour, 5 hours
We’ll leave by coach from Dormans to Reims, known as the “City of Coronations”. Reims played a prominent role in French monarchical history as the traditional site of the crowning of the Kings of France. Many notable champagne-producing houses have their headquarters in Reims. We’ll enjoy a guided tour on foot and discover the Place Royale, Place Du Forum (Roman forum), the Place de l’Hôtel de Ville and more. The cathedral became a UNESCO World Heritage Site, along with the former Abbey of Saint-Remi and the Palace of Tau, in 1991. We’ll take part in a guided visit of the cathedral, which receives about one million visitors annually. Built in the 13th and 14th centuries, this work of art is unique in its unity of style, stained-glass windows of rare magnificence and the “Smiling Angel” statue. At the end of our tour, we’ll return on board in Dormans.
DAY 3 DORMANS – CHATEAU THIERRY
Join us for an excursion along the famous Champagne route. We’ll set out on a discovery tour of the village of Hautvilliers, birthplace of Champagne. We’ll visit a major Champagne house followed by a tasting* of champagne. We’ll return on board and cruise to Château Thierry, through the beautiful Marne canal landscapes. We’ll reach our destination in the beginning of the evening.
Excursion: Excursion along the famous Champagne Route, 5 hours
Our tour guide will greet us before we start off on our coach tour of the Champagne Tourist Route, where you’ll discover the magnificent vineyard-dotted valleys of the region. You’ll partake in a guided tour of the village of Hautvillers, once home to the famous Dom Perignon, a French Benedictine monk who made important contributions to the production and quality of champagne as we know it today. This picturesque village is located in the Montagne de Reims Regional Natural Park and is best explored on foot. Many of the little streets in the village have names that are reminiscent of the history of this village which is often called “The Pearl of Champagne”. We’ll continue our visit to a prominent champagne house, with a tasting*, of course. After our tour, we’ll return on board.
DAY 4 CHATEAU THIERRY – SAINT-JEAN-LES-DEUX-JUMEAUX
We’ll discover the town of Château Thierry and participate in a falconry show with live demonstrations(1). Afterwards, we’ll return on board and cruise to Saint-Jean-Les-Deux-Jumeaux, reaching it during the evening.
Excursion: Visit of the Château Thierry, 3 hours
We’ll leave on foot to visit the medieval castle in Château-Thierry. In these fortifications which have dominated the Marne Valley for centuries, you’ll take part in a falconry show with live demonstrations. You’ll get the chance to discover an art that has been classified as Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. You’ll literally rub elbows with impressive birds. It’s the perfect occasion to view these amazing animals up close and discover their prowess. You might even be so lucky as to touch one or two! After our visit, we’ll return to the ship.
DAY 5 SAINT-JEAN-LES-DEUX-JUMEAUX – MEAUX – LAGNY-SUR-MARNE
We’ll cruise to Meaux. This afternoon, we’ll set out on a guided tour of this charming town, followed by a tasting of the famous Brie de Meaux cheese. We’ll return on board in Lagny-sur-Marne.
Excursion: Guided tour of Meaux and cheese tasting, 4 hours
We’ll take a coach to Meaux and then have a guided tour of the Episcopal Palace. Your guide will tell you the story of the famous cheese of the region. After learning about Brie de Meaux, what would be better than tasting the cheese declared as “The Prince of All Cheeses” by Talleyrand in 1815 at your return on board? Transfer by coach to St Jean les deux Jumeaux (PCE) or Lagny-sur-Marne (ECP) to reach the boat.
DAY 6 LAGNY-SUR-MARNE – PARIS
Early this morning, we’ll start cruising towards Paris. In the afternoon, we’ll arrive in Paris and set out for an excursion through the major sites of the capital. Join us on an original walk along the prettiest covered walkways in Paris, allowing you to travel back through time and history around the Palais Royal. We’ll return on board. Tonight is our gala dinner and evening.
Excursion: Paris & Its Covered Walkways, 4 hours
Guided visit of Paris. This tour of the city will bring you to some of the most important sites in the capital such as the Madeleine Church and the Louvre. Leaving from the Palais Royal, we’ll walk through the unique Parisian covered walkways – pedestrian shortcuts with a life all to their own within the heart of the bustling city. Afterward, we’ll return to the ship by coach.
DAY 7 PARIS
Enjoy one last buffet breakfast on board before disembarking at 9:00 a.m.
Reserve Space Now. No Obligation Until You Make Your Deposit.
Would you like one of 10 available cabins? Prices for this seven-day, all-inclusive cruise trip are US$3,495 per person, double occupancy, and with all that this trip offers, that’s quite a value. Yes, I can accommodate singles, but the best bet is for you to find a roommate.
Includes: Your cruise with all meals from dinner the first evening to breakfast on the final day – drinks included in this price are water, wine, beer, fruit juices during the meal and coffee after both lunch and dinner for meals eaten on the ship – drinks from the bar, except for champagne or wines from our special list – double-occupancy cabin with shower in bathroom – assistance from our onboard multi-lingual host/hostess – transfer by coach from Paris to Epernay – excursions mentioned in the program – welcome cocktail – gala dinner – all port fees.
Not included: Drinks from our wine list or drinks ordered during excursions or transfers – cancellation and baggage insurance – personal expenses.
Requirements: Valid passport required. Non-EU nationals are advised to consult their embassy or consulate.
I truly appreciate your unbiased advice. It’s difficult to find these days. — Keith, Calgary AlbertaCopyright © 2018 Avid Travel Media | publisher of The Avid Cruiser® | River Cruise Advisor ® | About | Terms & Full Disclosure | Privacy | Contact | Subscribe