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Bruges to Paris - 14 Day Luxury Barge Cruise
Charter price for 6x guests in 3x cabins is 40,800 EUR
This tour is in 3 parts:
Part 1: Bruges – Deinze – Menen – Lille – Douai
Part 2: Douai – Ruyaulcourt – Péronne – Noyon – Compiegne
Part 3: Compiegne – St Leu – Pontoise – Bougival – Paris
14 days of leisure and peace. Visit many small villages and historic towns with their century old churches and cathedrals. We also do not forget the many WWI memorials along the route. With a total sailing distance of some 462km (286 miles), we need to cover more distance per day than on a normal barging cruise. Six to eight hours cruising per day are no exception on this trip.
On most cruising days, we start cruising in the morning and stop somewhere around noon. After lunch, a minivan excursion brings you to interesting places in the area, while the ship continues its way to the evening mooring space. This way you get the best of both worlds.
For people seeking a stressless getaway from the bustle of everyday life, we can offer to stay on board all time. Just relax, enjoy the landscape rolling by while you enjoy a drink on deck or finally open that book you always wanted to read.
The ship provides very comfortable accommodation for up to 6 guests in three spacious twin or queen-size bedded cabins. All cabins have en suite bathrooms and air conditioning. The ship is furnished in a contemporary style, creating a bright and airy atmosphere. There is a large dining room and saloon where picture windows offer a superb view on the surroundings. The demonstration galley allows guests to see the chef at work. CD/iPod sound system and Internet connection are available for guests’ use. She has a spacious sun deck with alfresco dining area.
Your hosts are living on the ship and welcome you as their guests. Their main goal is to offer you a relaxing and pleasant holiday on board. They provide you with all necessary information on the ship and places to visit. Daily minivan excursions are planned to local castles, vineyards, champagne tastings and locations of special interest. Cycling maps and a mobile GPS are available for those who want to explore the country further away from the mooring places on their own.
On board there is a family atmosphere, we like to use first names. Leisure clothing is the dress-code.
We strongly recommend to wear comfortable shoes, decks can be slippery and for the excursions they are most advisa- ble too. High heels are not recommended at all. Smoking is only allowed outside on the sundeck, but please consider your fellow passengers.
Slow Tours offers a range of Luxury Tours Europe
Brugge:
Welcome aboard. Visit the historic city center of Brugge, UNESCO world heritage.
Deinze:
Sailing along the beautiful canal to Aalter where your guide awaits you for a trip to Ghent to see the Saint Bavo Cathedral and the Mystic Lamb of Van Eyck and other historic sites. Return to the ship in Deinze via picturesque Sint-Martens-Lathem on the meandering Lys.
Menen:
We pass trough Kortrijk and moor in the border city of Menen for the night. France is just on the other side. "Flanders Fields" tour with the Last Post ceremony at the Menin Gate in Ypres.
Lille:
Entering France into the Lille Metropole area. Sail with us on the rivers Lys and Deule and moor in the city center. The historic city of Lille is nowadays bustling with life and modern art. Wherever you go, there is something to see or visit, enjoy a coffee or listen to street musicians...
Douai (*):
Today brings us to the old university city of Douai with it's famous belfry tower and carillon. Depending on your interests, we also visit the WWI memorials of Vimy or the city of Arras or Louvre Lens.
Ruyaulcourt:
We follow the Canal du Nord to the tunnel entrance of Ruyaulcourt. Meanwhile you visit the city of Cambrai and the abbey of Vaucelles or the Matisse museum at Le-Cateau-Cambresis. Return across the Hindenburg Line to rejoin the ship for a hearty dinner in our quiet stop.
Péronne:
After we have gone trough the tunnel of Ruyaulcourt, we reach our next port of Péronne. Here we visit the memorial of the Great War or explore the beautiful meandering Somme river to the lively historic city of Amiens.
Noyon:
Circular town with Gallo-Roman ramparts and Medieval walls where Charlemagne was crowned, Hugo Capet was consecrated, where the future king Louis XVI married Marie-Antoinette and where Calvin was born. Possible visit of the mountain town of Laon.
Compiegne (*):
Beautiful flowered city with a rich history. Here Jeanne d’Arc was captured by the Bourguignons on mai 24, 1430. The 1918 Armistice ending the first World War was signed in a railway wagon in the woods nearby.
St-Leu d’Esserent:
From Compiegne passing trough Pont-Sainte-Maxence and Creil, we arrive at a very quiet mooring place in St-Leu d’Esserent with it’s beautiful abbey and church. Guided excursion to nearby Creil and castle of Chantilly.
Pontoise:
En route we visit the impressionists village of Auvers-sur-Oise where Vincent van Gogh spent the last days of his live. Experience the life of the impressionists in a virtual tour at the local castle.
Bougival:
From Pontoise to Conflans-Sainte- Honorine. Here we come on the river Seine which we sail upwards to Bougival on the outskirts of Paris. Visit the Castle of Monte Cristo, built by the writer Alexandre Dumas.
Paris:
Entering Paris on the Seine river, we pass the Eiffel tower, Louvre, Notre Dame and the Canal Saint Martin to arrive at our mooring at La Vilette. Sit back on the sun deck and enjoy! (And don't forget your camera!!!)
Paris:
Farewell after breakfast.
(*) Douai en Compiegne: Possible pick-up and drop-off point with good public transport. We stay here for 3 days to prepare the ship
If you would like to drive yourself before or after your tour, ask us for a quote on any brand new Renault, Peugeot or Citroen vehicle for driving in Europe.
Pick up your vehicle from most capital cities in Europe and return it to your drop off destination. Top insurance cover. Email [email protected] for a competitive quote
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