CRUISE MAP
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Sunday, Day 1 - Paris
After being met by our driver in Paris you will taken to the barge moored in the heart of Paris for a wonderful champagne welcome. We have the afternoon to relax and cruise past Notre Dame and the Eiffel Tower. We will moor that night in the Latin Quarter where you will enjoy your first gourmet dinner on board.
Monday, Day 2 - Paris to Samoir sur Seine
Scenic cruise out of Paris to Samois sur Seine. After lunch we will take an excursion to Chateau of Fontainebleau. To walk through Fontainebleau is to walk through the history of France. Every royal family has added its own architectural signature. Go on the charming village of Moret, where the Impressionist Sisley painted, and then rejoin the barge for an evening cruise to Montereau.
Tuesday, Day 3 - Samoir sur Seine to Monterereau
A morning cruise on the upper part of the River Seine to Montereau, where the smaller river, the Yonne, meets us. After lunch we will take a drive out to the Medieval town of Provins, also called the "City of Roses". Here we will watch the magnificent show of the birds of prey. Return to the barge moored in a beautiful country setting.
Wednesday, Day 4 - Monterereau - Sens
A pleasant cruise along the beautiful River Yonne to the town of Sens, the oldest town in France. Visit the first great gothic cathedral, a magnificent building that dominates the main square. Time to shop, visit the museum or stroll around the town.
Thursday, Day 5 - Sens to Joigny
Winding up the Yonne, we reach the pretty riverside town of Joigny. The beautiful narrow cobblestone streets stretching their way up to wonderful churches perched on top of the town takes you back to another era. In the afternoon we will take a drive out to Chablis. We select one of the small family operations for an intimate tour of their vineyards and cellar.
Friday, Day 6 - Joigny to Auxerre
Cruise along the upper reaches of the Yonne to Auxerre, the most beautiful of all river towns whose skyline is punctuated by church spires and its streets lined with timbered 16th century houses. Time for shopping, visiting the old port or the 15th century clock tower. Farewell celebration on board enjoying your last elegant gourmet dinner.
Saturday, Day 7 - Auxerre to Paris
After your final wonderful breakfast you will be transported to Paris.
On alternate weeks the cruise is in the reverse direction.
This is a sample itinerary is subject to change.
Sunday, Day 1 - Paris
After your pick-up by our driver in Paris, you will be driven to the barge moored in the heart of Paris for a wonderful champagne welcome. Time to relax and cruise past Notre Dame and the Eiffel Tower. Moor the night in the Latin Quarter where you will enjoy your first gourmet dinner on board.
Monday, Day 2 - Paris to Meaux
Morning cruise out of Paris onto the River Marne. After lunch you visit the magnificent Chateaux of Vaux-le-Vicomte. Rejoin the barge in Meaux in time to stroll around and visit the cathedral.
Tuesday, Day 3 - Meaus to Le Ferte
Morning cruise from Meaux to La Ferte and an afternoon visit to Coulommiers, one of the centers of Brie cheese-making. You will enjoy a tasting of the various Brie's of a master cheese maker, along with wines from his excellent cellar.
Wednesday, Day 4 - Le Ferte to Charly sur Marne
We are now in Champagne and on our way to Charly-sur-Marne. Stop to enjoy the wonderful champagne of a small family vineyard before an afternoon cruise to Chateau Thierry, the scene of American battles in World War I. Optional visit to Belleau Wood battlefield.
Thursday, Day 5 - Charly sur Marne to Damery
The Marne takes us through covered hills dotted with small wine villages to the delightful little town of Damery. Afternoon visit to the cellars of Moet et Chandon for a private wine tasting.
Friday, Day 6 - Damery to Epernay
We leave the River Marne for a small canal leading to Epernay. Visit the Abbey of Hautvilliers where the monk Dom Perignon first made champagne. Afternoon drive to Reims Cathedral. Wonderful farewell celebration on board and your last gourmet dinner on board.
Saturday, Day 7 - Epernay to Paris
After your last great breakfast on board you will be driven to Paris.
On alternate weeks the cruise is in the reverse direction.
This is a sample itinerary is subject to change.
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Sunday,
Day 1 - Paris to Moret sur Loing
You’re
met by our driver in Paris and driven to La Nouvelle
Etoile moored in St. Mammes in the heart of
the Fontainebleau forest. After a Champagne welcome you
can take a stroll though the medieval walled town of Moret-sur
Loing, known to many as the home of the famous Impressionist
painter, Alfred Sisley. Tonight you can enjoy your first
of many gourmet meals on board.
Monday, Day 2 - Moret sur Loing to Nemours
Today,
we begin our cruise into the upper Loire region. Affectionately
known as the “Garden of Paris”,
this little known region gently reveals its secrets. After
lunch, we visit the Palace of Fontainebleau. To walk through
this palace is to walk through the history of France. Every
royal family has added its own architectural style. On
our drive back to the barge it may be possible to visit
the artist community of Barbizon. We will moor for the
night in Nemours.
Tuesday, Day 3 - Nemours to Montargis
Today,
we will have a full day cruise on the canal to Montargis
with
plenty of opportunity to bike or walk along
the side of the canal. After lunch we will visit Montargis
also called “Little Venice of the Gatinais” because
of its numerous canals. Visit one off the many museums
or shop at the famous Mazet Praline shop with its exquisitely
packaged delicacies.
Wednesday, Day 4 - Montagis to Chatillon Coligny
After breakfast, we will set off for a leisure cruise
to the charming village of Chatillon Coligny. This afternoon,
we will take a drive out to the splendid 16th century Chateau
Fargeau. The chateau is over a thousand years old and the
most important history place of Puisaye Forterre. In the
evening there is time to stroll around the ramparts surrounded
village of Chatillon-Colligny.
Thursday, Day 5 - Chatillon Coligny to Rogny les Sept Ecluses
Continuing
our cruise up-hill we will reach Rogny-les-Sept-Ecluses.
(The seven locks of Rogny). This “staircase” of
seven locks was build in 1648 and an impressive tribute
to the engineers of the past. After another gorgeous lunch
we will take a short drive out to the beautiful town of
Gien, build on the river banks of the Loire. Gien is famous
for its faïence earthenware and we will visit the
faïence factory and museum.
Friday, Day 6 - Rogny les Sept Ecluses to Briare
After passing the locks of Rogny, we have reached the
highest summit of the canal and we will now start to
descent down towards the river Loire. In Briare, we will
cross the Loire valley on a canal Bridge. This magnificent
structure was designed by Gustav Eiffel in 1890. This
afternoon we will take the opportunity to drive out to
the Sancerre wine region to sample some of this delicious
wine and maybe taste some of the local Crottin de Chavignol
cheese on our way back to the ship. Tonight will be your
farewell dinner on board.
Saturday, Day 7 - Briare to Paris
After your last elegant breakfast you will be driven
back to Paris.
On alternate weeks the cruise
is in the reverse direction.
This is a sample itinerary
is subject to change.
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Sunday, Day 1 - Strasbourg to Nancy
After pick-up in Strasbourg by our driver you will be driven to La Nouvelle Etoile moored in the heart of Nancy for a wonderful champagne welcome. We will then take a leisurely late afternoon cruise at sunset before the locks close and you will enjoy your first gourmet dinner on board.
Monday, Day 2 - Nancy to Einville
We will enjoy a morning cruise to Einville and then to Nancy
for a walking tour of the city beginning at the elegant “Place
Stanislas”. Flanked by handsome Baroque palaces and
enclosed by ornate gold and wrought iron entry gates, the
square is considered one of the grandest in all of France.
The Art Nouveau movement originated in Nancy, and you may
choose to visit the Ecole de Nancy to see its fine collection.
Tuesday, Day 3 - Einville to Schneckenbush
After a morning cruise past tidy farms and pasturelands,
we will drive to the privately owned Chateau de Fleville.
This graceful Renaissance residence adjoins a 14th century
castle keep. The interiors are richly furnished with 18th
century antiques. We then return to La Nouvelle moored in
the peaceful village of Schneckenbush for the night.
Wednesday, Day 4 - Schneckenbush to Lutzelbourg
Each day we travel on the canal we have been gradually climbing
to the crest of the Vosges Mountains. After navigating two
tunnels carved into the mountaintop, we will encounter the
Inclined Plane at Arzviller. This unique lock allows a barge
to glide effortlessly up or down the mountainside using a
sophisticated system of weights and balances. A short drive
along the way will take us to the Christallerig of Harz village
where fine crystal is still hand blown. We continue the cruise
through the Zorn Valley where the surrounding hilltops are
dotted with ruins of feudal castles. Our overnight stay will
be in Lutzelbourg.
Thursday, Day 5 - Lutzelbourg to Saverne
We wind through the heart of Saverne, past the regal 18th
century Bishop’s Palace. From Saverne, we will take
an afternoon drive along the Route du Vin d’ Alsace
to the old fortified town of Obernai where we will visit
the Marker Square and the 14th century ramparts that surround
the city. Stop along the way at Winegrower to taste some
of the best Alcasian wines.
Friday, Day 6 - Saverne to Strasbourg
Today we will finish the cruise in the busy port of Strasbourg.
Our afternoon tour of Strasbourg includes the folk museum
and the 11th century gothic cathedral, leaving enough time
to stroll around to explore the fine shops. Returning to
the barge we will celebrate our cruise with a lovely farewell
dinner.
Saturday, Day 7 - Strasbourg
After your wonderful breakfast on board you will be driven
to the Airport or your hotel in Strasbourg.
On alternate weeks the cruise is in the reverse direction.
This is a sample itinerary is subject to change.
Sunday, Day 1 - Bruges
You
will be met by our driver and be driven to La Nouvelle
Etoile which
will be moored in the beautiful little town
of Bruges, known as the “Venice of the North”.
After a wonderful Champagne Welcome, we will take you into
Bruges for a city tour on one of the little canal boats.
Upon return to La Nouvelle Etoile you will have time to relax
and get ready for your first of many gourmet meals on board.
Monday, Day 2 - Bruges to Ghent
This morning you can join a guided walking tour of Bruges
with a local guide. Return to the barge for lunch. After
lunch, you will have some free time in Bruges. Late afternoon
cruise to Ghent.
Tuesday, Day 3 - Ghent to Oudenaarde
After
breakfast, your guide will take you into Ghent. Visit the
cathedral
with fabulous painting "The Adoration
of the Mystic Lamb” painted by the Van Eyck brothers.
Return to the barge for a cruise up the River Schelde to
the town of Oudenaarde where we will moor for the night.
Wednesday, Day 4 - Oudenaarde to Tournay
A
morning cruise further up the River Schelde will take us
to the ancient
town of Tournay with its famous "Pont
des Trous" (Bridge with Holes) used to collect tolls
on the rivers in the old times. This afternoon you can stroll
around Tournay or take an optional drive to Waterloo.
Thursday, Day 5 - Tournay to Arleux
We continue along the Schelde through the town of Valenciennes
to the junction of the Canal du Nord at the little French
village of Arleux. We will drive to Valenciennes along the
way to visit the museum of Fine Arts.
Friday, Day 6 - Arleux to Peronne
We begin our climb over the Vermandois Hills of Picardie
through the many locks and several tunnels of the Canal du
Nord. The scenery is spectacular rural France at its best.
There is a great towpath for the barge along the canal that
allows you to have a leisurely walk if you wish. After lunch,
there will be a trip to Amiens to visit what must be one
of the greatest of all Gothic cathedrals with its powerful
towering spires and columns.
Saturday, Day 7 - Peronne to the end of The Canal du Nord
After breakfast you can visit the war museum in Peronne.
Upon return, we will continue on the Canal du Nord. There
will be plenty of opportunities to walk or bike while the
barge travels from lock to lock. The cruise now continues
along the Canal du Nord as it drops down into the valley
of the Somme River before climbing over another watershed.
Sunday, Day 8 - The Canal du Nord to Compiegne
Today we will cruise down to the Oise River valley to moor
in the riverside town of Compiegne. There are many places
to visit, including the train where the World War I armistice
was signed, as well as the Royal Palace.
Monday, Day 9 - Compiegne to Auvers sur Oise
We
are now cruising down the Oise River valley where we stop
at the village
of Auvers sur Oise. This charming village
is a van Gogh scene. Here is where he lived and painted most
of his last,and most important paintings where he stayed
in a small room above a local café. We will have an
afternoon walk around the town and visit the cemetery where
Vincent and his brother are buried.
Tuesday, Day 10 - Avers sur Oise to Conflans
We take a full picnic lunch with deck chairs and tables
and go on a day excursion to Giverny to visit the home and
gardens of Claude Monet, probably the most famous of all
the Impressionist painters. The gardens will be at their
most beautiful at this time of year where we will see the
famous lily pond and the Japanese bridge that inspired so
many of his paintings. We will moor for the night in Conflans,
which is the junction of the Oise and Seine Rivers.
Wednesday, Day 11 - Conflans to Paris
In
the morning we will cruise to Bougival and visit Malmaison,
the home
of Napoleon. We will see its many lavishly decorated
rooms furnished by Josephine. We will rejoin La Nouvelle
Etoile for an evening cruise up the floodlit River Seine
past the Eiffel Tower and into the "Port d'Arsenal" adjacent
to the Bastille for a farewell dinner on board.
Thursday Day 12 - Paris
After your last elegant breakfast on board you will be driven
to Paris or Charles De Gaulle Airport.
On alternate weeks the cruise is in the reverse direction.
This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change.
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Waterways - La Nouvelle Etoile Hotel Barge 2017 Rates 
