Bruges to Paris - 11 Night, Two Country Cruise
Sunday, Day
1
You will be met by our driver at your hotel 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
After your last elegant breakfast on board
you will be driven to either your hotel or the airport.
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Alsace-Lorraine Cruise
Sunday, Day 1
After pick-up 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
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
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
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
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
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
After your wonderful breakfast on board you will be driven
to the airport or your hotel.
This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change. The
itinerary is in reverse direction on alternative weeks.
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Champagne & Brie
Cruise
Sunday, Day 1
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
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
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
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
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
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
After your last great breakfast on board you will be driven
to either the airport or your hotel in Paris.
This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change. The
itinerary is in reverse direction on alternative weeks.
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Chablis Cruise
Sunday, Day 1
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
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
A
morning cruise on the upper part of the River Seine to
Monterereau, 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
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
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
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
After your final wonderful breakfast you will either be
transported to the airport or your hotel in Paris.
This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change. The
itinerary is in reverse direction on alternative weeks.
European
Waterways - La Nouvelle Etoile Hotel Barge 2010 Rates 
