Deborah
Champagne itinerary
ECP / PCE
THE CANAL LATERAL A LA MARNE & THE MARNE RIVER
An insight into the riches of French heritage
The Canal Latéral a la Marne was built between 1840 and 1846 in order to improve navigation conditions and to promote trade. The canal is 67 km long, of which 16 km go through the Montagne de Reims Natural Park, it has 15 locks along its route and it is used most often nowadays as part of the network of "Green Ways", or cycle paths. This water way in north-eastern France is significant because it connects the Paris Basin to both the Rhine and Saone rivers. The Canal Latéral à la Marne links Vitry-le-François to Dizy, with the towns of Chalons-en-Champagne and Epernay and the village of Hautvillers, birthplace of Champagne, along the way. From that point onwards, the canal joins the Marne River which is navigable all the way to Paris, and passes through the towns of Chateau-Thierry and Meaux before it reaches the French capital city. The Marne canal and river form an important structuring axis for the areas and villages through which they pass, and they are intimately linked to the history, economy and social life in the valley..
From Epernay to Paris, cruise on the majestic Marne canal lined with cities full of character. You will discover charming and timeless Paris and its famous monuments, but also 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.
EPERNAY to PARIS
PARIS(2) - EPERNAY - DORMANS - CHÂTEAU-THIERRY - SAINT-JEAN-LES-DEUX-JUMEAUX -
MEAUX - LAGNY-SUR-MARNE - PARIS
DAY 1: PARIS - EPERNAY
Possible transfer from Paris by coach to join our ship in Epernay(2). 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: EPERNAY - DORMANS
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.
DAY 3: DORMANS - CHÂTEAU 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.
DAY 4: CHÂTEAU 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.
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.
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.
DAY 7: PARIS
Buffet breakfast onboard. Disembark at 9.00am.
PARIS to EPERNAY
PARIS - LAGNY-SUR-MARNE - ISLES-LES-MELDEUSES - SAINT-JEANLES-
DEUX-JUMEAUX - CHATEAU-THIERRY - DORMANS - EPERNAY - PARIS(2)
DAY 1: PARIS
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: PARIS - LAGNY-SUR-MARNE
We'll set out on an excursion through the major sites of the capital: the Place de la République, the main boulevards, the Opera, the Place de la Madeleine, Place Vendôme and the Louvre. Join us on an original walk along the prettiest covered arcades in Paris, allowing you to travel back through time and history around the Palais Royal. We'll return on board and start cruising towards Lagny-sur-Marne.
DAY 3: LAGNY-SUR-MARNE - ISLES-LES-MELDEUSES - SAINT-JEAN-LESDEUX- JUMEAUX
This morning will be spent cruising to Isles-les-Meldeuses. This afternoon, join us on a tour of the charming town of Meaux, from the Cathedral to the Bishops' Palace, passing the Gallo-Roman ramparts and the magnificent Bossuet Garden, traditionally believed to be an early work of Le Nôtre. We'll discover and taste the Brie de Meaux cheese, hailed as "the King of Cheeses”. During this visit, the ship continues cruising to Saint-Jean-Les-Deux-Jumeaux where we will return on board.
DAY 4: SAINT-JEAN-LES-DEUX-JUMEAUX - CHÂTEAU-THIERRY
This morning will be spent cruising, passing Champigny and Drachy, through the heart of the Seine-et-Marne countryside and its Champagne vines. In the afternoon, we'll arrive in Château-Thierry and set off for an excursion with a falconry show(1). We'll get the chance to discover an art that has been classified as Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. Afterwards, we'll return on board.
DAY 5: CHÂTEAU THIERRY - DORMANS
We'll start sailing towards Dormans. This afternoon, join us on an excursion along the famous Champagne route. We'll start off with a guided tour of the village of Hautvillers. This picturesque village is located in the Montagne de Reims Regional Natural Park and is best explored on foot. We'll continue our visit to a prominent champagne house, with a tasting*.
DAY 6: DORMANS - EPERNAY
This morning will be spent sailing towards Epernay. This afternoon, we'll set off by coach for our excursion to Reims, known as the "City of Coronations”. We'll take part in a guided tour of the historic center as well as a guided visit of the cathedral, which receives about one million visitors annually. We'll return on board. Tonight is our gala dinner and evening.
DAY 7: EPERNAY - PARIS
Enjoy one last buffet breakfast on board before disembarking at 9:00 a.m. Possible transfer by coach to Paris(2). End of our services.
2024 RATES
DATES |
SHIP |
ITINERARY |
PER PERSON RATE DOUBLE |
SINGLE RATE |
2024 DATES |
||||
Apr 3; Aug 21
|
Paris to Epernay |
$3506 |
$4737 |
|
May 8; Jun 5; Aug 28
|
Epernay to Paris |
$3506 |
$4737 |
2025 RATES
DATES |
SHIP |
ITINERARY |
PER PERSON RATE DOUBLE |
SINGLE RATE |
2025 DATES |
||||
Apr 3
|
Paris to Epernay |
$3506 |
$4737 |
|
Apr 10; Jul 3, 31; Aug 28; Oct 23
|
Epernay to Paris |
$3506 |
$4737 |
Rate includes: 6 night cruise, all meals, wine with meals, drinks from the bar and excursions. Bicycles available for cycling.
