Experience the Champagne Region in France aboard Hotel Barge Panache
Few places on Earth can boast the name recognition of Champagne in France. This renowned region, famous for the sparkling white wine that bears its name, is also the birthplace of chivalric romance and has been at the crossroads of Europe since Roman times. You can taste the history, heritage and culture in every glass.
The Champagne cruise takes guests along the River Marne through the heart of the Champagne region. Excursions include a visit to La Maison Pannier, a renowned champagne house founded in 1899, where guests will be treated to an exclusive tour of its labyrinth-like cellars and a private tasting. Guests will also enjoy a tour and tasting at another select champagne house, Domaine Ployez-Jacquemart, near Reims, established in 1930 by Marcel Ployez and his wife Yvonne Jacquemart.
The cruise, in which vineyards come down to the water’s edge, also includes a tour of the village of Hautvillers, known as the “cradle of Champagne”. It is here that almost 350 years ago, the monk Dom Perignon discovered the “méthode champenoise,” a special – and many consider the best – way of getting the “sparkle” into the wine, and guests will enjoy a “degustation” of champagnes at a delightful boutique. The magnificent Baroque Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte is also on the itinerary, as is a visit to the city of Reims with its Gothic cathedral where 25 Kings of France were crowned.
The Champagne region of France features the stunning landscapes that inspired Impressionist artists such as Renoir. Today it continues to draw visitors and wine aficionados from around the world who wish to sample the famous product that sets the gold standard for sparkling wines.
The River Marne flows from Epernay to Paris, meandering through the beautiful region of Champagne. There is a plethora of vineyards spread across the undulating plains as far as the eye can see and there will be plenty of opportunity to sample the sparkling wine to which the region has given its name, including private tastings at renowned champagne houses.
This is also a part of France that is rich in both modern and ancient history and during our voyage we visit a number of significant landmarks, châteaux and one of the finest Gothic cathedrals in the country where 25 kings of France were crowned.
As well as Champagne, the region is rich in other delicious products, particularly its wonderful creamy cheeses, with the towns of Meaux and Coulommiers at its heart.
Cruise Highlights
• Enjoy private winery tours and tastings at renowned Champagne houses such as Maison Pannier
• Visit the village of Hautvillers where Dom Perignon discovered the Méthode Champenoise
• Tour the majestic cathedral in Reims, where the Kings of France were once crowned
• Cruise the pretty River Marne past waterside vineyards
• Visit the Champagne 'capital' of Epernay for a cellar tour and private tasting
• Visit Château-Thierry, the scene of fierce battles in World War I, and Belleau Wood
What is hotel barging?
Despite the growing popularity of cruising, especiallly on large river vessels, hotel barging is still a little known niche concept. Most hotel barges started life as cargo vessels but have since been painstakingly converted to offer luxury boutique accommodation for small groups of up to 20 passengers.
This is cruising, but in a very different style to ships plying the big rivers or oceans. The pace is slow, with a 6 day cruise covering maybe just 50 miles along a rural canal. Passengers can walk or bike the towpaths as their floating hotel glides gently along. Guests enjoy an intimate atmosphere, high levels of personal service and immersion into the culture, history and gastronomy of regions of Europe such as Burgundy, the Midi, or the Italian Veneto.
Every day there is an excursion, perhaps to a chateau, a vineyard for a wine tasting, or some other ‘off the beaten track’ location. About half of European Waterways’ bookings are for whole boat charters, ideal for families. Otherwise, clients book a cabin to join other like-minded people. A ‘slow boat’ European Waterways barge cruise offers the ultimate in experiential travel. A truly unique experience!
European Waterways offer luxury hotel barge cruises on the beautiful canals and rivers of Europe, such as through Burgundy, the Midi, Alsace, the Po Valley, Holland and the Scottish Highlands.
The exclusive collection of hotel barges accommodate up to 20 passengers who may charter a whole barge with family or friends, or join a small group of like-minded travellers on an individual cabin basis.
Each barge is fully crewed with a Captain, chef, hostesses, deck-hand and tour guide. The 6-night cruises include gourmet meals, fine wines, open bar, excursions and the use of facilities such as bicycles and spa pools.
La Palombière Treehouse - Sawday's Canopy & Stars | Glamping in France
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A magnificent treehouse has newly grown up in the woods of Château Lestange, a traditional French manor house 12km from Bordeaux. La Palombière is made of red cedar and Douglas fir, decked with fresh flowers, sumptuous linen and touches of antiquity (the doorknobs are borrowed from the historic château), but kitted out with a wood-burner and a super shower for supreme comfort. A canopy bed with sparkling fairy lights (and the option of champagne in the fridge bar) make it a wonderful place for couples, but discover the trapdoor up to the mezzanine level and you might wish you'd brought the kids. Upstairs, they'll find an attic with camping beds (for no more than three little ones or two teenagers, or space gets tight) a TV to practise their French, and the best views of all.
Sawday's Canopy & Stars is an inspected and selected collection of outdoor holiday experiences with a dash of eco-panache; treehouses, hay lofts, Gypsy caravans, converted horsetrucks and all sorts of glamping oddness. There's even an Iron Age roundhouse or two! Call us on 0117 204 7830 or visit
Montage de la Foire du Trône 2017 en vidéo
Reportage sur le montage de la Foire du Trône 2017. Cette année la Foire du Trône reserve quelques changements et deux nouveautées. Le Alex Airport est remplacé par le Air Swing, Le Moonraker change d'emplacement et devrait se retrouver sur l'allée des Cèdres. Les deux nouveautées sont une Chenille qui revient et le Tornado. Autrement les habituels Extreme, TopSpin Fresh, Maxximum et autres best-sellers seront toujours de la partie.
NOUVEAU DRONE & CARENCE EN FER | TAIPEI VLOG 9
Dans cet épisode, vous pourrez constater un petit coup de fatigue pour tous les deux ^^ Sûrement dû au manque de fer dans notre alimentation un petit peu chaotique aha
On a aussi testé notre nouveau drone fait maison #DIY ! On espère que ça vous a plu !
Bienvenue à tous les nouveaux abonnés :)
Cette année on a décidé de faire un “vlog” (en Français) pour vous faire découvrir notre vie à l’étranger, en Asie et plus particulièrement à Taiwan :-)
Un nouvel épisode (VLOG) presque tous les jours alors abonnez vous pour nous suivre :D
Un petit pouce vers le haut nous fait chaud au coeur également !!