Vandieres and Beaumont in Champagne
Sunday
We meet in Paris, from where your chauffeur driven minibus will transport you to Vandieres on the Marne river.
Enjoy a champagne reception on deck, with introductions to the crew, and then plenty of time to settle into your stateroom before Dawn creates the first gourmet dinner on board Saroche.
We meet in Paris, from where your chauffeur driven minibus will transport you to Vandieres on the Marne river.
Enjoy a champagne reception on deck, with introductions to the crew, and then plenty of time to settle into your stateroom before Dawn creates the first gourmet dinner on board Saroche.
Monday
Vandieres - Cumieres
After breakfast, Jason will take you on a historic visit to the Chateau of Conde-en-Brie.
This 16 century hunting lodge has hosted Kings and Queens, murderers, Saints and sinners... Jason will guide you on a private visit through this wonderful building and if the owner is in-house, he will introduce you and perhaps a glass or two of champagne may be drunk with the Count?
We return to Saroche for a lazy lunch with 360 degree views of the glorious Champagne vineyards before setting sail and heading upstream towards Cumieres.
This important river gently meanders through the Marne valley covered on both side in vineyards, steeped in history and surrounded by wonderful French countryside, all of which can be admired from the deck.
We moor up in the shadow of the abbey of Hautvillers, giving us time for a stroll along the tow path before Jason introduces you to "Bubbles du Jour", followed by another of Dawn's fabulous meals on board.
Vandieres - Cumieres
After breakfast, Jason will take you on a historic visit to the Chateau of Conde-en-Brie.
This 16 century hunting lodge has hosted Kings and Queens, murderers, Saints and sinners... Jason will guide you on a private visit through this wonderful building and if the owner is in-house, he will introduce you and perhaps a glass or two of champagne may be drunk with the Count?
We return to Saroche for a lazy lunch with 360 degree views of the glorious Champagne vineyards before setting sail and heading upstream towards Cumieres.
This important river gently meanders through the Marne valley covered on both side in vineyards, steeped in history and surrounded by wonderful French countryside, all of which can be admired from the deck.
We moor up in the shadow of the abbey of Hautvillers, giving us time for a stroll along the tow path before Jason introduces you to "Bubbles du Jour", followed by another of Dawn's fabulous meals on board.
Tuesday
Cumieres - Tours sur Marne
After breakfast, Jason will drive you through Epernay to visit chocolatier Thibault where you will spend the morning making artisinal chocolate with the master chocolatier, famous as the last chocolatier to make the alcohol-filled champagne cork.
This is a rare and exciting chance to get up close to one of the worlds favourite foods!
Return to the Saroche where Dawn will present another fabulous lunch.
After this, we will set sail for Tour les Marne on the Canal laterale la Marne, passing hill-covered vineyards owned by many famous Champagne houses such as Mumm, Philiponat, Moet & Chandon and Heidesek to name but a few.
With plenty of opportunities to walk and cycle along the well-paved towpath, we slowly descend the valley toward are mooring in the centre of the village of Tour, in time for "Bubbles du Jour" before dinner on board.
Cumieres - Tours sur Marne
After breakfast, Jason will drive you through Epernay to visit chocolatier Thibault where you will spend the morning making artisinal chocolate with the master chocolatier, famous as the last chocolatier to make the alcohol-filled champagne cork.
This is a rare and exciting chance to get up close to one of the worlds favourite foods!
Return to the Saroche where Dawn will present another fabulous lunch.
After this, we will set sail for Tour les Marne on the Canal laterale la Marne, passing hill-covered vineyards owned by many famous Champagne houses such as Mumm, Philiponat, Moet & Chandon and Heidesek to name but a few.
With plenty of opportunities to walk and cycle along the well-paved towpath, we slowly descend the valley toward are mooring in the centre of the village of Tour, in time for "Bubbles du Jour" before dinner on board.
Wednesday
Reims
We leave the Saroche this morning to head into the historic city of Reims, our first stop is at the Eisenhower war rooms, an important yet undiscovered museum were the treaty ending the Second World War was signed.
From here, Jason will you take you to the world famous cathedral of Reims which survived the revolution and two world wars, bearing testiment to the resilience of the people of Reims.
With its amazing nave and wonderful architecture, it deserves its world heritage status.
Time to wander the shopping district of Reims before meeting up for lunch with Jason at Les Crayers bistro for a lazy yet tantalizing Michelin dining experience.
After lunch, there will be time to admire the delightful garden at this most magnificent Relais and Chateau, once home to the Pommery family and now one of the best small hotels in the world.
Leaving Reims behind, we drive back to Saroche, stopping at Bouzy enroute for a small private tour and tasing before rejoining Saroche in time for a dip in the jacuzzi before Dawn serves a light dinner on deck.
Reims
We leave the Saroche this morning to head into the historic city of Reims, our first stop is at the Eisenhower war rooms, an important yet undiscovered museum were the treaty ending the Second World War was signed.
From here, Jason will you take you to the world famous cathedral of Reims which survived the revolution and two world wars, bearing testiment to the resilience of the people of Reims.
With its amazing nave and wonderful architecture, it deserves its world heritage status.
Time to wander the shopping district of Reims before meeting up for lunch with Jason at Les Crayers bistro for a lazy yet tantalizing Michelin dining experience.
After lunch, there will be time to admire the delightful garden at this most magnificent Relais and Chateau, once home to the Pommery family and now one of the best small hotels in the world.
Leaving Reims behind, we drive back to Saroche, stopping at Bouzy enroute for a small private tour and tasing before rejoining Saroche in time for a dip in the jacuzzi before Dawn serves a light dinner on deck.
Thursday
Tour sur Marne to Mont du Billy
After a lazy breakfast we take the minibus to Meruil sur Ay, home to many famous chamapagne houses but none more so that Billecart Salmon.
Enjoy a private tour of the last remaining independent large Champagne house followed by a delectable tasting.
Returning to Saroche for more of Dawn's creations will leave you well-suited to a relaxing afternoon on deck or walking by the barge as we climb the 8 locks to the summit pound, where we moor in the shade of the trees in the middle of the french countryside.
As we cruise, those who are interested can join Dawn in the kitchen to watch her prepare her famous pates and terrines, whilst quizzing her about her menus and creations.
After "Bubbles du Jour" another delightful meal awaits for dinner.
Tour sur Marne to Mont du Billy
After a lazy breakfast we take the minibus to Meruil sur Ay, home to many famous chamapagne houses but none more so that Billecart Salmon.
Enjoy a private tour of the last remaining independent large Champagne house followed by a delectable tasting.
Returning to Saroche for more of Dawn's creations will leave you well-suited to a relaxing afternoon on deck or walking by the barge as we climb the 8 locks to the summit pound, where we moor in the shade of the trees in the middle of the french countryside.
As we cruise, those who are interested can join Dawn in the kitchen to watch her prepare her famous pates and terrines, whilst quizzing her about her menus and creations.
After "Bubbles du Jour" another delightful meal awaits for dinner.
Friday
Mont de Billy- Beaumont
This morning we set sail and head along the canal to the tunnel at Mont du Billy.
Jason will prepare the barge to go through the tunnel, a marvel of french engineering allowing commercial traffic to enter the heart of Reims and thus connecting Paris and Reims in the 18th century.
Having passed the tunnel, we continue our lazy cruise down the canal to Beaumont sur Vesels.
After lunch, Jason will drive you to the WWI trenches at the Mains de Messige.
The archeological dig is as authentic and sobering as it is mysterious.
These trenches were discovered by a Parisian archeology student doing a summer dig: To date they are the newest discovery of this grizzly episode in Champagnes torrid history.
A walking tour of these real trenches is a reminder of the other reason that the Champagne region is world famous.
We return to Saroche in time to freshen up before the Captain's Dinner, hosted by Jason, beginning with "Bubbles du Jour" and cocktails on deck before Dawn wows you with more delights from her kitchen.
Mont de Billy- Beaumont
This morning we set sail and head along the canal to the tunnel at Mont du Billy.
Jason will prepare the barge to go through the tunnel, a marvel of french engineering allowing commercial traffic to enter the heart of Reims and thus connecting Paris and Reims in the 18th century.
Having passed the tunnel, we continue our lazy cruise down the canal to Beaumont sur Vesels.
After lunch, Jason will drive you to the WWI trenches at the Mains de Messige.
The archeological dig is as authentic and sobering as it is mysterious.
These trenches were discovered by a Parisian archeology student doing a summer dig: To date they are the newest discovery of this grizzly episode in Champagnes torrid history.
A walking tour of these real trenches is a reminder of the other reason that the Champagne region is world famous.
We return to Saroche in time to freshen up before the Captain's Dinner, hosted by Jason, beginning with "Bubbles du Jour" and cocktails on deck before Dawn wows you with more delights from her kitchen.
Saturday
After breakfast, your chauffeur-driver minibus will take you back to Paris with time on the journey to reflect on a truly unique vacation.
Depending upon starting pint, the itinerary may be run in the opposite way
After breakfast, your chauffeur-driver minibus will take you back to Paris with time on the journey to reflect on a truly unique vacation.
Depending upon starting pint, the itinerary may be run in the opposite way