Champagne Therapy - 7 day Deluxe Barge Tour

Sunday - A Historic Setting, Champagne Reception, and Gourmet Delights

Arrival on Aurora, moored on the Marne River at Chateau Thierry, scene of American Battle of WWI. Welcome reception by your Chef & Captain Steve Pope and the crew, with Champagne & petits fours. Possible afternoon visit of Belleau Memorial or participate to the spectacular show of the Eagle before the first gourmet dinner

Monday - Cruise to Dormans through the picturesque vineyards of Champagne.

Possible excursions:

• Early morning visit to the local Baker to assist to the making of French Baguette and croissants.
• Excursion to the Chateau of Condé, privately owned historical monument, famous for its interior decors from the 17th & 18th c. Frescoes and “trompe l’oeil” painted by Watteau, Servandoni and other prestigious painters.
• In Try sur Dormans discover the Museum of L’Escargot de Champagne, then our first culinary stop for a tasting of Terrine d’Escargot accompanied, of course, by a flute of Champagne.

Tuesday - Cruise to Cumières

Possible excursions:

• Visit the village of Hautvillers, where the famous monk Dom Perignon invented the Champagne method of fermentation, then Oeuilly, a village out of time with La Maison Champenoise, a traditional vintner’s house where you can see the life since the 18th cent.
• Visit Reims, city of coronation its magnificent Cathedral, one of the greatest in the world, where the French kings used to be crowned. Visit one of the most famous Champagne Cellars Taittinger, Pomery or Veuve Clicquot
• Our culinary visit brings us to the famous Cheese Specialist in Reims “Maison Charlet” with 300 variety of cheeses. Then to the Biscuit Factory of Fossier, dating from 1756, famous for the “Biscuit rose de Reims”

Wednesday - Cruise to Mareuil sur Ay.

Possible excursions:

• Visit the Market of St Martin d’Ablois with the Chef.
• Excursion to Epernay and visit of the Dom Perignon cellars at Moet & Chandon
• On the “Route des Blancs” in Oger, discover the “Museum of Traditions, Love and Champagne” with an amazing collection of traditional wedding accessories, bridal crowns, wedding dresses etc…
• Today we can also participate in the preparation of “Paté en croûte de Jambon” by a local traiteur

Thursday - Cruise to Condé sur Marne

Possible excursions:

• Airfield Museum of Vraux recalling the activities at the Airfield during WWII
• Visit a chocolate factory in Pierry and sample the delicious bonbons
• After a short stop in the amazing Forest of Verzy, visit a unique Whisky distillery in Louvois.

Friday - Cruise to Châlons en Champagne, jewel of Roman & Gothic architecture

Possible excursions:

• Visit the magnificent Renaissance Chateau de Montmort, with its draw bridge that crosses over a moat, and its vegetable garden
• Afternoon visit of a traditional Champenoise Farm in the beautiful village of St Amand sur Fion followed by a visit to a goat cheese farm in La Chaussee-sur -Marne

Saturday

After last gourmet breakfast, return to Paris by private motor coach (about 1h45).

Note: Excursions are tailor-made to suit your interests.