CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS FROM 2,230 PER PERSON EXCURSIONS Excursions in the program MEALS All meals included - authentic French cuisine and regional specialities plus a selection of fine wines INCLUSION Sun deck with spa pool ACTIVITY Use of bicycles AMENITY Restaurant on board ACCOMMODATION Cabin accommodation (twin or double bed) with en-suite bathroom DRINKS Open bar with alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks TRANSPORTATION Vehicle for transfers and excursions ITINERARY Cruise between Epernay and Paris INCLUSION WiFi on board ETC Rating: Charming Class Raymonde is a new, charming hotel barge built in 2014. She cruises along the beautiful Seine River, Marne Canal and Saint Martin Canal. COUNTRY France DURATION 7 Days/6 Nights FRANCE REGION Champagne & Paris CRUISE CODE BTRAY0816 BARGE Raymonde CABINS 11 MAX PASSENGERS 22
DESCRIPTION Raymonde barge travels along the Marne Canal, the Seine and Canal Saint Martin. It has 11 large cabins, all with window that can accommodates up to 22 passengers. The ship's decor is functional and luxurious that also comes with spacious lounge area, separate dining room and a hot tub at the prow. Cruise Highlights All-inclusive 6-night/7-day cruise Daily excursions and entry fees to: Paris and its major sites Meaux, a historically and gastronomically important town Hautvillers, the village where the Benedictine monk Dom Perignon invented Champagne Epernay town and its Grand Avenue de Champagne Reims, its cathedral and Beaux-Arts Museum Château Thierry town and a falconry show All meals and open-bar 24/7 Attentive service from 5 crew members Transfers between Paris and Raymonde Cruise year-round on specific departure dates Short cruises available from 3 nights Bookings available by the cabin. Alternatively, this barge may be fully chartered for the exclusive use of your group. Exclusions Drinks on the wine list, champagne at the bar, drinks served during excursions or transfers Cancellation and baggage insurance Personal expenses
ITINERARY Epernay to Paris Day 1, Paris - EpernayTransfer from Paris by coach to join the ship in Epernay. Passengers are welcome to board the ship at 6:00 p.m. After comfortably settling into your cabins, you'll be introduced to the crew at a welcome cocktail before dinner. Day 2, Epernay - DormansYou'll set off by coach for an excursion to Reims. You'll have a guided tour of the historic center and its cathedral. You'll return on board. The afternoon will be spent sailing to Dormans, reaching it in the evening. Day 3, Dormans - Château ThierryYou'll join an excursion along the famous Champagne route. You'll set out on a discovery tour of the village of Hautvilliers, birthplace of Champagne. You'll visit a major Champagne house followed by a tasting* of champagne. You'll return on board and cruise to Château Thierry, through the beautiful Marne canal landscapes. You'll reach your destination in the beginning of the evening. Day 4, Château Thierry - Saint-Jean-les-Deux-JumeauxYou'll discover the town of Château Thierry and participate in a falconry show with live demonstrations(1). Afterwards, you'll return on board and cruise to Saint-Jean-Les-Deux-Jumeaux, reaching it during the evening. Day 5, Saint-Jean-les-Deux-Jumeaux - Meaux - Lagny-sur-MarneYou'll cruise to Meaux. This afternoon, you'll set out on a guided tour of this charming town, followed by a tasting of the famous Brie de Meaux cheese. You'll return on board in Lagny-sur-Marne. Day 6, Lagny-sur-Marne - ParisEarly this morning, you'll start cruising towards Paris. In the afternoon, you'll arrive in Paris and set out for an excursion through the major sites of the capital. You'll join an original walk along the prettiest covered walkways in Paris, allowing you to travel back through time and history around the Palais Royal. You'll return on board. Tonight is your gala dinner and evening. Day 7, ParisBuffet breakfast on board. Disembark at 9:00 a.m. Paris to Epernay Day 1, ParisPassengers are welcome to board the ship at 6:00 p.m. After comfortably settling into your cabins, you'll be introduced to the crew at a welcome cocktail before dinner. Day 2, Paris - Lagny-sur-MarneYou'll set out on an excursion through the major sites of the capital: the Place de la République, the main boulevards, the Opera, the Place de la Madeleine, Place Vendôme and the Louvre. You'll join an original walk along the prettiest covered arcades in Paris, allowing you to travel back through time and history around the Palais Royal. You'll return on board and start cruising towards Lagny-sur-Marne. Day 3, Lagny-sur-Marne - Meaux - Saint-Jean-les-Deux-JumeauxThis morning will be spent cruising to Meaux. This afternoon, you'll join a tour of this charming town, from the Cathedral to the Bishops' Palace, passing the Gallo-Roman ramparts and the magnificent Bossuet Garden, traditionally believed to be an early work of Le Nôtre. You'll discover and taste the Brie de Meaux cheese, hailed as "the King of Cheeses. During this visit, the ship continues cruising to Saint-Jean- Les-Deux-Jumeaux where you will return on board. Day 4, Saint-Jean-les-Deux-Jumeaux - Château ThierryThis morning will be spent cruising, passing Champigny and Drachy, through the heart of the Seine-et-Marne countryside and its Champagne vines. In the afternoon, you'll arrive in Château Thierry and set off for an excursion with a falconry show(1). You'll get the chance to discover an art that has been classified as Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. Afterwards, you'll return on board. Day 5, Château Thierry - DormansYou'll start sailing towards Dormans. This afternoon, you'll join an excursion along the famous Champagne route. You'll start off with a guided tour of the village of Hautvillers. This picturesque village is located in the Montagne de Reims Regional Natural Park and is best explored on foot. You'll continue your visit to a prominent champagne house, with a tasting*. Day 6, Dormans - EpernayThis morning will be spent sailing towards Epernay. This afternoon, you'll set off by coach for your excursion to Reims, known as the "City of Coronations. You'll take part in a guided tour of the historic center as well as a guided visit of the cathedral, which receives about one million visitors annually. You'll return on board. Tonight is your gala dinner and evening. Day 7, Epernay - ParisEnjoy one last buffet breakfast on board before disembarking at 9:00 a.m. Transfer by coach to Paris. End of cruise. Paris to Paris Day 1, ParisPassengers are welcome to board the ship from 6:00 p.m. in Paris at the Grenelle wharf. During dinner this evening, you'll cruise through Paris to take in the romantic City of Light at night. You ll remain overnight at the Bercy wharf.day 2, Paris - EvryYou'll set off by coach for an excursion and foot tour of Paris. Your tour of the city will bring you to some of the most important sites in the capital: the Place de la Republique, the grand boulevards, the Palais Garnier, the Madeleine Church, the Place Vendôme, and the Louvre. Leaving from the Palais-Royal, you'll walk through the unique Parisian covered walkways pedestrian shortcuts with a life all their own within the heart of the bustling city. You'll be able to step back in time and history around the Palais-Royal. The galleries have retained their charm, but now the likes of Shiseido, Jean-Paul Gauthier, and Stella McCartney bring their own certain class. You ll spend the afternoon cruising to your
next destination, arriving in Evry at the end of the afternoon. After dinner, the evening is free to do as you please.day 3, Evry - Melun - Saint MammesYou'll spend the morning cruising towards Melun. Sit back and enjoy the bucolic scenery along the Seine riverbanks. In the afternoon, you'll join a tour of the Palace of Fontainebleau and its magnificent gardens. All the kings and queens of France passed through Fontainebleau at one time or another. The château is a unique example of a residence that was inhabited regularly for more than eight centuries. The French gardens, fountains and flowerbeds will transport you back to the palace s days of glory. You ll also visit the cosmopolitan town which sprung up around the château to round out your tour. After your visit, you ll return to the ship. You ll remain in port overnight. After dinner, the evening is free to do as you please.day 4, Saint Mammes - Troyes and the Tourist Champagne Route - MelunYou ll leave by coach for Troyes, one of the most beautiful medieval towns in France. The historic heart of the city overflows with charming half-timbered houses dating from the 16th century and adorned with lively colors. As you walk past many hôtels particuliers from the Renaissance, down narrow cobbled streets and secret passageways leading to small inner courtyards, you ll be delighted by the colorful yet authentic wood and stone façades all around. The town s majestic cathedral is not to be missed! A true kaleidoscope, Troyes is known as the city of a thousand colors. You ll enjoy lunch at the restaurant today before setting off for the tourist Champagne route. You ll travel through surprising landscapes where vines, forests and plateaus intertwine with picturesque villages, leading you to a wine cellar where you will indulge in a tasting of Champagne*, of course. You ll return on board in Melun. The evening is free to do as you please.day 5, Melun - Evry - Paris Quai d'orsayyou ll get back on the road this morning headed towards the splendid Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte. Commissioned by Nicolas Fouquet, the castle was designed by renowned artists such as architect Le Vau, painter Le Brun and landscaper Le Nôtre, all of whom are most famous for being the masterminds at work behind the legendary Palace of Versailles, built after the balanced grandeur of Vaux-le-Vicomte. Not only did this castle inspire Louis XIV, it was also a major reference in the whole of Europe for more than a century. You ll spend all afternoon sailing towards Paris and remain at the Orsay wharf overnight.day 6, Canal Saint MartinYou ll spend this morning sailing across the Canal Saint-Martin which flows through the most typical districts of authentic Paris. The former working-class area has kept all of its romantic charm from yesteryear. This afternoon, you ll discover the Saint-Germain-des-Prés district through a guided tour. You ll return on board for the gala dinner and evening.day 7, Paris Bassin de la VilletteEnjoy one last buffet breakfast on board before disembarking at 9:00 a.m. End of cruise.
BARGE DETAIL Raymonde Deck Plan 5 crew 39 metres long 11 Twin/Double en suite cabins (10 sqm) Air-conditioned Centrally heated Sundeck with spa pool Bicycles available on board CD player, ipod dock and TV Wi-Fi (subject to local reception) Air-conditioned coach
DEPARTURES RATES FOR 2019 Departure DateItinerary Cabin per personsingle Supplement April 16, 30 Paris - Epernay 2 230 Euros 925 Euros April 23 Epernay - Paris 2 230 Euros 925 Euros May 7, 21 Epernay - Paris 2,250 Euros 925 Euros May 14 Paris - Epernay 2,250 Euros 925 Euros June 25 Paris - Epernay 2,250 Euros 925 Euros July 2,16, 30 Epernay - Paris 2,250 Euros 925 Euros July 9, 23 Paris - Epernay 2,250 Euros 925 Euros August 6 Paris - Epernay 2,250 Euros 925 Euros August 13 Epernay - Paris 2,250 Euros 925 Euros Terms & Conditions Prices shown in Euros and will be converted in Australian Dollar (AUD) at time of payment using a daily ROE. An initial deposit of 30% of the total cruise fare for cabin or charter is payable at the time of booking. The balance must be paid within 60 days as per our terms and conditions and as specified in our confirmation invoice, which will be despatched when the booking form has been processed. Cancellation policy applies to all bookings.
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