La Bonne Amie - Itinerary

Sunday: We meet at your Paris hotel and transfer to the Gare de l’Est rail station for Nancy, enjoying a gourmet picnic basket en route. Upon arrival, drive to your ship at Port Ste Marie. Welcome reception on board with time to relax before dinner.
 

Monday: Cruise to Xouaxange.
Visit of historic Nancy, capital of the Dukes of Lorraine, famous for its architecture and Art Nouveau style, the beautiful Stanislas Square
Visit of Sarrebourg, its Museum (archeological treasures, remarkable collection of chinaware and Faience earthenware from Niederviller) and the Chapelle des Cordeliers ("La Paix" Stain glass window by Marc Chagall).

Tuesday: Cruise to Arzviller, passing two tunnels and the famous Arzviller Barge lift.
Excursion through the Vosges Mountains to Mount Dabo and its chapel overlooking the valley, and visit of the Crystal museum and boutique at Baccarat.

Wednesday: Cruise to Lutzelbourg.
Visit of Saverne and its typical Alsatian half-timbered houses, its Chateau built by the Cardinal Louis de Rohan (famous for the Affair of the Necklace of Queen Marie Antoinette) and its Rose Garden.
Excursion through the forest of Saverne to the Chateau of “Haut Barr” with its incredible panoramic view over the Vosges mountains and the Alsace plain.

Thursday: Cruise to Saverne, the City of Roses.
On the Wine Road, visit the picturesque villages of Molsheim, Obernai and Barr, and have a wine tasting (Riesling, Tokay, Gewurztraminer) at a local cellar.
Discover the Maginot Line from WWII followed by a visit & tasting at "La Marquise de Sévigné" fine chocolate factory.

Friday: Cruise to Hochfelden.
Shopping and visit of Strasbourg, capital of Alsace and home of the European Parliament, the Gothic Cathedral Notre Dame, the Alsatian Museum: Popular Arts & Crafts, Customs & Traditions of Alsace, and Arts Decoratifs Museum in the Palais Rohan.

Saturday: After Breakfast, transfer to the rail station to Paris Gare de l’Est where our chauffeur will pick you up and bring you back to your hotel.

Sunday: Pick up at your hotel, and transfer to your ship, moored on the Marne River at Chateau Thierry. Champagne welcome, unwinding on deck while cruising the river to Dormans, charming town dominated by a Louis XIII castle, and the Chapel of Remembrance from the 1st World War.
 

Monday: Cruise to Cumieres through the picturesque vineyards of Champagne.
Excursion to the Chateau of Condé, privately owned historical monument, famous for its interior decor from the 17th & 18th c. of frescoes and “trompe l’oeil” painted by Watteau, Servandoni and other prestigious painters.
In Try Sur Dormans discover the Museum of L’Escargot de Champagne, for a tasting accompanied, of course, by a flute of Champagne.
Or visit Oeuilly, a village out of time, and La Maison Champenoise, a traditional vintner’s house where you can see the life in the vineyards since the 18th century, a 1900 village school, and museum of distillation.

Tuesday: Cruise to Vraux.
Visit the village of Hautvillers, where the famous monk Dom Perignon invented the Champagne method of fermentation.
Excursion to Reims, its magnificent Cathedral, one of the greatest in the world, where the French kings used to be crowned. Shopping possibilities or a visit to one of the most famous Champagne Cellars Taittinger, Pomery or Veuve Clicquot.

Wednesday: Cruise to Chalon en Champagne.
Excursion to Epernay and visit of the Dom Perignon cellars at Moet & Chandon.
On the “Route des Blancs” in Oger, discover the “Museum of Traditions, Love and Champagne” with an amazing collection of traditional wedding accessories, bride’s crowns, wedding dresses, etc...

Thursday: Cruise to Pogny.
Visit the Renaissance castle of Montmort, with its draw bridge that crosses over a moat and its vegetable garden, then visit a chocolate factory in Pierry or a unique Whisky distillery in Louvois.

Friday: Cruise to Vitry Le Francois.
Afternoon visits of a traditional Champenoise Farm in the beautiful village of St Amand sur Fion or visit a goat cheese farm in La Chaussee-sur-Marne.

Saturday: After breakfast, return to Paris by private motor coach.