Famous Reims Cathedral Stained Glass Windows by Marc Chagall

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Marc Chagall- A World Renowned Artist

Marc Chagall was one of the most renowned and successful artists of the 20th century. He was born in 1887 and died in 1985. Though born in Russia, the artist spent the longest period of his life in France. This Russian-French artist is famous for various artistic styles and was a pioneer of modernism. He was fascinated with many artistic styles and created works in practically every medium of art such as paintings, stained glass, fine art prints, tapestries and book illustrations etc.

For a long time Marc Chagall has also been respected as the world’s pre-eminent Jewish artist due to the greatness and variety of his work. Chagall is famous for his works inspired by the Bible and for painting the ceiling of the Paris opera in 1963. He masterfully used the medium of stained-glass to produce windows for the cathedrals of Metz and Reims.

“God’s Lantern”

Metz’s stunning St. Stephen’s Cathedral, which has the second tallest nave in Europe, is also famous for Chagall windows shining among its 70,000 square feet of leaded glass artistry. This glass work makes it the most illuminated cathedral in France and causes the cathedral to be known as “God’s Lantern.”

St. Stephen’s is the only German church for which Marc Chagall created windows. Blue light shines through the stained-glass into the interior of St. Stephen’s, making angels and other Biblical figures apparently move ethereally in this light.

In 1974, Marc Chagall, in collaboration of the Jacques Simon Workshop, created three stained-glass windows for the axial chapel of the Cathedral in Reims.

The realization of these windows, which took six years (1968-1974), was made possible thanks to the donations of the Committee of Builders of Champagne-Ardenne, and a membership drive conducted by the Friends of the Reims Cathedral.

There is also a Marc Chagall Museum in Nice France. This museum is located on the top of the ancient hill of Cimiez and is surrounded by a beautiful garden planted with Mediterranean trees. This museum contains the largest collection of Marc Chagall’s works which are on display in a permanent exhibition.

Our barge cruises through the Champagne region of France include visits to Reims Cathedral and other wonderful places. Book your trip with us. Call today!

Comparing Luxury Barge Cruises with Casual Bike and Barge Cruises

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Below is a brief description of the difference between a Full Service barge and a Casual Bike and barge cruise.

Many of the casual bike and barge cruises are 7 nights instead of the 6 nights on a regular full service barge.  Prices range from $1640 to $3278 per person.  Cruises are in Holland/Belgium, Germany, France and Italy.  These barges range from  6, 20, 21, 22, 24 and 34 passengers.

These cruises are typically for serious cyclist as the biking ranges from  20KM – 65KM per day.  Bikes on these barges are typically heavy duty bikes designed for cycling in the  area.  Many bike and barge cruises have electric bikes available at a cost of between $100 – $150 for a week.

Included in the price: 6 or 7 night cruise, guide for the cycling tours  (except the Johanna which offers area maps,  a GPS and pre paid cell phone), breakfast buffet including makings for your packed lunch, dinner (3 courses) on boat, water with meals, clean towels and  bed linen delivered half way through the cruise and bike rental (with helmets).

Not included:  entrance fees for museums and the like, drinks on board, Listed meals ashore and personal insurances and transfers to and from the barge.

Click here for a slideshow on a casual bike and barge cruise.

Luxury barges range in price from low $3000’s to over $7000 per person.  We have several barges in the mid to high $4,000’s.

These rates include: 6 night cruise, daily maid service, bicycles on board for cycling, gourmet meals, wine and cheese of the region with lunch and dinner, open bar with alcoholic beverages and all the sightseeing.  Some barges will have a small swimming pool or spa/Jacuzzi.

The prices are based on the features of the barges and wines provided. On the lower priced barges, you will be looking at cabins around 90 – 100 sq. ft., compact bathrooms – usually with a shower curtain and small shower stall. The wines will be regional wines. The more expensive barges will have larger cabins – 170 – 230 sq. ft. with larger bathrooms, big shower stalls with a glass door. Some of the wines will be premier and grand cru.

Barges also range from  4 (Bordeaux only), 6, 8, 10, 12, 14 and 18 passengers.

Many of the barges offer themed cruises – Gardens, wine, cycling, art, family and golf.  Some of the regular barges, in addition to having the bikes on board for guests to cycle any time, also offer for charter, special biking itineraries.  On these barges, the bikes are not the heavy duty cycling bikes but more for the casual cyclist.  Only for a special cycling charter will you have the professional bikes.

Click here for a link to a barge cruise video.

Italian Islands of Murano and Burano

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Italian Islands of Murano and Burano are Great Vacation Spots

Italian Islands of Murano and BuranoThe islands of Murano and Burano are located in the Venetian lagoon. They offer a perfect escape for visitors who want to discover the wonders of Venice. In addition to the picturesque UNESCO World Heritage backdrop, the islands are renowned for their ability to transport people back in time to an era of respected and genuine craftsmanship.

Whether you are on a barge cruise or river cruise from Venice, Italy, two ports of call will be the islands of Burano and Murano. It would be a wonderful experience to know the history, art and folklore of these islands. Situated in the north of the historic centre, Murano and Burano are the most famous small islands to visit near Venice. They stand as the faithful guardians of their culture and traditional handicrafts that have made them famous throughout the world.

Italian Islands of Murano and Burano are Wonderful Tourists Locations

Even though they are a bit touristy, they do have some really nice craft to offer. Murano is famous for its beautiful glass processing and Burano for lace making and the cheerful colorful buildings.

Murano is a great attraction for tourists who want to learn more about glass and purchase some souvenirs and artistic objects for home. “Murano Glass” is known as the finest glass in the world. In Murano-popularly known as the glass blowing island-you are usually taken directly to one glass blowing factory, where you will see some interesting glass blowing techniques and then have the opportunity to buy some glass ware, glass objects and such. The Italy glass you purchase here will add to the charm of your house as well as stay as the memory of the place forever.

While Murano’s claim to fame is glass, Burano’s is the lace. Burano is one of Europe’s most prosperous lace making centers. The women of Burano are famed as the best in Italy at creating all kinds of fine lace items, from clothing to fashionable accessories. Most of the shops carry the same products, but if you keep checking out the shops, you can find some really nice quality lace and linen items.

As you arrive in Burano, the first thing to catch your attention is the ensemble of colorful row house facades. According to a legend, the colorful houses helped fishermen recognize their homes in the thick mists that sometimes surrounded them. Today they brighten up the atmosphere and add to the unique charm of Burano.

Our Po river cruise and Italy barge cruise will be a great option if you want to visit the amazing Italian islands of Murzno and Burano. Call us for more details! Europeanbarging.com 888-869-7907

Fleur Bike And Barge Cruise in Burgundy France

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Casual Bike and Barge Cruise through Burgundy France on the 20 passenger Fleur barge.

This barge cruise in Burgundy was a great way to see the countryside.  Cycling options include biking the whole day, the morning, the afternoon or not at all – depending on cruise location.  Highlights of the cruise include:

Paris – Fontainebleau – artists village Barbizon – Moret sur Loing – the rocks of Nemours – Chateau-Landon – medieval city Ferrières – Montargis

Touring the Loire Valley on a Loire Valley Cruise

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The Loire Valley is one of the most attractive tourist destinations in France. It lies in the middle stretch of the Loire River in central France. The valley has numerous vineyards, fruit orchards (such as cherries), and artichoke and asparagus fields lined along the banks of the river. Due to such an abundance of fauna in the Loire Valley, it is often referred to as the Garden of France. It is also popularly called as the Cradle of the French Language. The city of Tours in the Loire Valley is renowned for speaking the purest French.

Loire Valley has been inhabited since the Middle Palaeolithic period. It is remarkable for its historic towns, architecture and wines.  The central part of the Loire River valley got listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2000.

Loire Valley is famous for its historic towns such as Ambiose, Angers, Blois, Chinon, Orleans, Saumur, and Tours. These historic towns display excellent architectural heritage. But specifically, Loire valley is considered exceptional for its châteaux, such as the Château d’Amboise, Château de Chambord, Château de Chinon, Château du Rivau, Château d’Ussé, Château de Villandry and Chenonceau.

The undulating riverside terrain of the Loire Valley and especially its many cultural monuments are reminiscent of the influence of ideals of the Renaissance and the Age of the Enlightenment on Western European thought and design.

The Loire Valley has an extensive wine territory encompassing several French wine regions situated along the river from the Muscadet region on the Atlantic coast to the regions of Sancerre and Pouilly-Fume. Many wineries in the region offer tours.

As mentioned earlier, the central part of the Loire Valley got recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000. The honor came for the Loire Valley region between Maine and Sully-sur-Loire on December 2, 2000. While adding this part to the list of esteemed UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the committee bestowed high praises on the region in these words: “an exceptional cultural landscape, of great beauty, comprised of historic cities and villages, great architectural monuments – the Châteaux – and lands that have been cultivated and shaped by centuries of interaction between local populations and their physical environment, in particular the Loire itself.”

Loire Valley is a wonderful region to explore. Book your vacation on our Loire Valley cruise for a memorable experience with your family!

For more information contact: Europeanbarging, 888-869-7907, jan@europeanbarging.com