CRUISE MAP
Sunday, Day 1 Krafft
Guests are met in Strasbourg and transferred by private chauffeured minibus to Panache for a Champagne welcome and the first opportunity to meet your crew. Perhaps there is time for a walk or cycle ride before dinner on board.
Monday, Day 2 Krafft to Strasbourg
Our day starts with a morning cruise, across the Gran Ried wetlands and home to an abundance of birdlife, to arrive at the historic city of Strasbourg. Later, we enjoy a tour of the beautiful ‘capital city of Europe’ including, of course, a visit to the 12th century Gothic pink sandstone cathedral, home to an astronomical Renaissance clock and soaring spire. We visit Place Gutenberg and explore La Petite France, a pedestrian area brimming with half-timbered houses, boutique shops and cafés. Dinner on board.
Tuesday, Day 3 Strasbourg to Hochfelden
After breakfast, our cruise takes us past the impressive European Parliament building on the outskirts of Strasbourg and on through the Brumath Forest to our picturesque mooring at Hochfelden. This afternoon we enjoy a scenic drive into the rolling Vosges hills on the Route des Grands Vins, where the finest wines of Alsace are produced, and a private tasting of Gewürztraminer, Pinot Noir and Riesling wines at a long-established winemaker, such as Domaine Pfister. Dinner ashore this evening at a traditional Alsatian restaurant.
Wednesday, Day 4 Hochfelden to Saverne
This morning we take a guided tour, with an optional beer tasting, at the Meteor Brewery, founded in 1640 and the last privately-owned brewery in Alsace. Returning to Panache, we cruise further along the canal, with good walking and cycling opportunities, to the enchanting town of Saverne where history traces back over 2,000 years to the Gallo-Roman Times, mooring at the foot of the Château de Rohan, also known as the ‘Versailles of Alsace’. Dinner on board.
Thursday, Day 5 Saverne to Lutzelbourg
For early risers, there is perhaps an optional visit to a local bakery to watch skilled patissiers preparing their delicious creations, before we enjoy a cruise to our mooring at Lutzelbourg. In the afternoon, we visit the mountaintop village of La Petite Pierre with its medieval castle, then tour the outstanding René Lalique collection and see over 500 exceptional examples of Art Nouveau and Art Deco glassware. Nearby Wingen-sur-Moder is also the World War Two battleground where American infantry fought with distinction. Dinner ashore at a local restaurant.
Friday, Day 6 Lutzelbourg to Niderviller
This morning, we enjoy a cruise through beautiful Alsatian countryside, before visiting the Lehrer Crystal glassworks. We then ascend the unique Arzviller boat elevator that carries Panache 450 feet up the mountainside in minutes. After lunch on board, we enjoy a tour of Sarrebourg, including visits to the 13th century chapel containing Marc Chagall’s remarkable stained-glass window and the impressive museum of Roman and Medieval artefacts. On our return we enjoy a candlelit cruise through the two Arzviller tunnels to our final mooring at Niderviller. Captain’s Farewell Dinner on board.
Saturday, Day 7 Niderviller
After breakfast, guests are transferred by private chauffeured minibus to their choice of location in Strasbourg.
*This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change. On alternate weeks the cruise is in the reverse direction
Sunday, Day 1 - Paris
You are met at the designated meeting point and transfer to the barge mooring at the Port d ‘Arsenal, in the heart of Paris. Champagne welcome and your Captain introduces you to the crew. We enjoy short cruise through Paris past the monuments and romantic bridges. Dinner on board.
Monday, Day 2 - Paris to Meaux
After breakfast depart Paris onto the River Marne. After lunch, we visit the magnificent Chateau of Vaux-le-Vicomte and its gardens, location of the film "The Man in the Iron Mask". Rejoin the barge in Meaux in time for a stroll around town. Dinner on board.
Tuesday, Day 3 - Meaux to La Ferte
After breakfast we cruise to La Ferte. After lunch we visit to a master cheese ripener for a tasting of their various Bries, followed by a visit the Merovingian Crypts of Jouarre - a unique heritage that takes you back to the 7th Century. Dinner on board.
Wednesday, Day 4 - La Ferte to Charly sur Marne
Cruise upstream to Charly-sur-Marne. Visit one of the small family vineyards before lunch to taste their wonderful champagne and visit their cellars. Lunch is followed by an afternoon an idyllic cruise to Chateau Thierry, the scene of American battles in World War I. Dinner on board.
Thursday, Day 5 - Charly sur Marne to Damery
The river Marne winds its way through vine-covered hills dotted with small wine villages to the delightful little town of Damery. After lunch we visit the vast cellars of Moet et Chandon for a private tasting, followed by a stroll around Epernay.
Friday, Day 6 - Damery to Cumieres
After breakfast we cruise the last stretch of the River Marne before arriving at our mooring in Cumieres. Visit the outside of the Abbey of Hautvilliers where the monk Dom Perignon first made champagne. After lunch we drive to the Reims cathedral, where the Kings of France were crowned. Return to the barge for the Captains Farewell Dinner on board.
Saturday, Day 7 - Cumieres to Paris
Disembark after breakfast and transfer to the designated drop off point.
On alternate weeks the cruise is in the reverse direction.
This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change.
Sunday, Day 1 Béthencourt-sur-Somme
Guests are met at the Hotel Westminster in Paris and transferred by private chauffeured minibus to Panache for a Champagne welcome and introduction to your crew and barge. Time perhaps for a cycle ride before dinner on board.
Monday, Day 2 Béthencourt-sur-Somme to Noyon
This morning, we visit the site of the first day of the Battle of the Somme, where 23,000 men died on July 1st, 1916. We visit the moving Thiepval memorial, a monument to 75,000 “missing” from this battle and the visitor centre with its wonderful archival film footage and photographs from the era. Other optional sites which can be visited today include Newfoundland Park memorial where the Newfoundland Regiment of 700 men was wiped out in just 40 minutes; the huge Lochnagar crater created by a British mine attack; the South African memorial at Longueval; the famous little town of Pozières with its nearby Gibraltar bunker; the ancient Windmill monument and infamous Tommy Café. We return to the barge for lunch and then enjoy a cruise through countryside and the Libermont tunnel to our mooring at Noyon. Dinner on board.
Tuesday, Day 3 Noyon to Compiègne
This morning, there is a choice of tours. We can visit Bellicourt, where American and Australian tanks and troops successfully breached the Hindenburg Line in the autumn of 1918 in one of the most important American engagements of the war. Another option is to visit Villers-Bretonneux, a village whose liberation in 1918 claimed over 1,200 Australian soldiers’ lives. Every year, the ANZAC Day ceremony is held at the town’s memorial where over 10,000 Australian servicemen are commemorated. We can then move on to Le Hamel, memorial site of General Monash’s astounding 93 minute victorious battle over the Germans with his Australian and American forces. After lunch back on board, we continue our cruise, joining the River Oise and moor at Compiègne. Dinner on board.
Wednesday, Day 4 Compiègne to Auvers-sur-Oise
After breakfast, we head out to the Armistice Clearing deep in the forest of Compiègne. This was the venue of the signing of the Armistice in a carriage of Marshal Foch’s private train on November 11th 1918 The clearing and its museum tell a fascinating story that stretches far beyond November 1918, as it was also on this famous train that Hitler insisted the French capitulate to Germany in 1940. We re-join the barge and continue south, passing barges laden with various merchandise, to our mooring at Auvers-sur-Oise. Dinner tonight is at a local auberge.
Thursday, Day 5 Auvers-sur-Oise to Bougival
This morning we walk in the footsteps of Vincent Van Gogh. The painter spent the last part of his life in this picturesque village and was buried in the local cemetery. Here and there, panels indicate the scenes portrayed by the painter. It is the district around the church, however, that constitutes the favourite “place of pilgrimage” for art lovers. We then rejoin the barge to continue our cruise, now heading up the River Seine after reaching the mouth of the Oise, towards our overnight mooring at Bougival. This evening, you should have time for a stroll through the village, following “the Impressionists Walk” where you will find reproductions of Impressionist paintings located in the precise locations where these works are believed to have been painted. Dinner on board.
Friday, Day 6 Bougival to Paris
After breakfast, we may continue with the Impressionist theme and visit Claude Monet’s beautiful gardens at Giverny. Alternatively, we can visit Château de Malmaison, a charming estate purchased by the Empress Josephine while Napoleon Bonaparte was away fighting the Egyptian campaign. It houses many fine artworks in lavish apartments and there is a notable rose garden. Returning to the barge, we cruise to Paris, gliding past the futuristic La Defense business district with its impressive concrete and glass architecture. The cruise culminates with a magical cruise through Paris, known as the "City of Lights", past floodlit monuments and the illuminated Eiffel Tower, whilst enjoying the Captain’s Farewell Dinner. We moor overnight in central Paris.
Saturday, Day 7 Paris
After breakfast, guests are transferred by private chauffeured minibus to the Hotel Westminster in Paris.
* This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change
European
Waterways - Panache Hotel Barge 2017 Rates 
