7 days / 6 nights Champagne, War and Chocolate voyage, cruising along the Marne valley
7 days / 6 nights Champagne, War and Chocolate voyage, cruising along the Marne valley
Champagne holds a world of mystery. With the mere word "Champagne" images of luxury and wealth spring to mind, let us cruise you through this magical part of France and indulge you in the drink of kings and queens, enjoying it at its best celebrating with friends!
Pick up in Paris, where your chauffeur-driven minibus will transport you to Vandierers on the Marne river, with Champagne reception on deck with introductions to the crew. Plenty of time to settle into your stateroom before Dawn creates your first gourmet dinner onboard Saroche.
After breakfast Jason will take you on a historic visit to the Chateau of Conde en Brie. This 16th century hunting lodge has hosted kings and queens, saints and sinners. The Chateau is officially closed today, however as a personal friend of the owners Jason will guide you on a private visit through this wonderful building and introduce you to the Count, who will demonstrate the flamboyant technique of “Sabering" a bottle of Champagne and then indulge in a glass or two in the shade of the courtyard.
We return to Saroche for a lazy lunch with 360* views of the glorious Champagne vineyards before setting sail and heading up stream towards Cumières. This important river gently meanders through the Marne valley covered on both sides in vineyards, steeped in WW1 history and surrounded by wonderful French countryside. All this can be admired from the deck. We moor up in the shadow of the Abbey of Hautvillers, once home and work place to the grandfather of Champagne Dom Perignon. Dawn will be demonstrating the art of “confit-ing” duck in her galley and there is time for a gentle stroll or a cycle along the towpath before Jason introduces you to "Bubbles du Jour" (each evening you will be presented with a different Champagne with explanations on the house it comes from and any unusual techniques and qualities it possesses) followed by another of Dawns fabulous meals on board, whilst Jason pairs your meal with magnificent wines from Burgundy. Finish the evening with a digestif on deck from the wide selection of single malts, rums, Cognacs and liquors and perhaps indulge in a Cuban cigar from Jason’s personal humidor.
After breakfast Jason will take you to Epernay, where he’ll drive you down the famous Avenue du Champagne home to the houses of Mercier, Perrier-Jouet and the biggest of them all Moet et Chandon to name a few. This morning you will visit chocolatier Thibault where you will spend time making artisanal chocolates with the master chocolatier, famous as the last chocolatier to make the alcohol filled champagne corks. This is a rare and exciting chance to get up close and personal and experience the intricacies of creating fine confectionary. Return to the Saroche where Dawn will present another fabulous lunch.
This afternoon we set sail for Tour-sur-Marne on the canal lateral a la Marne. We pass by hills covered in vines that stretch down to the waters edge. These are owned by many famous Champagne houses, such as, Mumm, Philiponat, Moët & Chandon and Heidesek to name but a few. With plenty of opportunity to walk and cycle along the well paved towpath, we slowly ascend the valley toward our mooring in the centre of the village of Tour-sur-Marne. This traditional Champagne village is home to the house of Laurent Perrier, however dozens of small independent champagne makers are represented here and Jason will take you on a short walking tour and then for “Bubbles du Jour” in one of the private cellars. On the way back to Saroche Join the crew in collecting fresh bread from the baker or visit the butcher, one of the finest in the area, where the chef does most of her provisioning. This evening Dawn will demonstrate the art of pate and terrine making, before cocktails and canapés on deck. Following this Dawn will continue to impress with another fine dining experience and Jason will match some of Burgundy’s most famous wines to the food.
We leave the Saroche this morning to head into the historic city of Reims. Our first stop is to the Eisenhower War Rooms, an important yet under publicised museum where the treaty to end the Second World War was signed. From here Jason will take you to the world famous Cathedral of Reims. Having survived the revolution and two world wars it is a testament to the resilience of the people of Reims, with its amazing nave and wonderful architecture it deserves the UNESCO World Heritage status it has gained. Time to wander the shopping district of Reims before meeting up to go to lunch. Jason will host lunch at Les Crayers bistro for a lazy yet tantalising Michelin dining experience. After lunch enjoy a stroll in the formal gardens at this most magnificent Relais and Chateau, once home to the Pommery family and now one of the best small hotels in the world.
Crossing the city of Reims we will visit one of the local fromageries for a cheese degustation and talk on their magnificent products. As we make our way back to the barge, Jason will stop off at an artisanal snail ranch where he will describe in detail what goes into making this gourmet dish so special. For the more adventurous there will be a sampling of this local delicacy. Back on board there is time for a refreshments or a stroll by the canal side before the evening kicks off with “Bubbles du Jour”. Tonight Dawn serves a light rustic french dinner of her homemade terrines and pates with local cheeses and salads, accompanied by hearty wines from the Langudoc.
After a lazy breakfast we take the mini bus to Meruil sur Ay, home to many famous Champagne houses but non more so than 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 Dawns creations which will leave you well suited to a relaxing afternoon on the 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 and watch her prepare her food as she divulges her kitchen secrets and recipes, whilst quizzing her about her menus and creations.
Enjoy canapés on the deck as Jason introduces “Bubbles du Jour”. Following tonight's dinner is classic French farmhouse style, where Dawn will present one of her hearty creations like Cassoulet, Beouf Bourgignon or Coq au vin, all washed down with delicious French wines from the Bordeaux region.
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 this tunnel allowed commercial traffic to enter the heart of Reims and thus connected Paris and Reims in the 18th century. Having passed the tunnel we continue our lazy cruise down the canal to Beaumont sur Vesels, with views of the Montaigne du Reims covered in Grand Cru vines.
After lunch Jason will drive you to the World War 1 trenches at the Mains de Messige, an archaeological dig that is as authentic and sobering as it is mysterious. These trenches were discovered by a Parisian archaeological student during a summer dig. Today they are the newest discovery of this grizzly episode in Champagne's torrid history. A walking tour of real trenches is a reminder of the other reason Champagne is world famous and before returning to the barge there is time to pay our respects to the fallen at the war cemetery. The route taken by Jason is the one used by General Paton as he swept across France on the allied offensive to help end the Second World War.
For your final evening aboard Saroche Jason will start by presenting your last “Bubbles du jour” on the deck with canapés before Dawn delights you one final time with a magnificent gala meal and Grand Cru wines
After breakfast, your chauffeur driven minibus will take you back to Paris with time on the journey to reflect on a truly unique vacation.
Depending on starting point the itinerary may run in the opposite way
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