Your captain will meet you at your Paris hotel. You will be escorted to La Chouette waiting for you at a nearby quay on the river Seine.

Marvel at the sights of Paris from the magnificent River Seine. We will show you Paris in an unforgettable way "Under the Bridges of Paris" on board La Chouette with a glass of champagne in your hand.

Next we cruise upstream out of the metropolis for just a few miles before we leave the hustle and bustle of the Seine for the peace and tranquillity of the River Marne.

Our mooring for the night is in the quiet town of Le Perreux where we enjoy a barbecue on deck.

A leisurely breakfast to start your day. Afterwards our morning cruise takes us into the narrow canal sections of this navigation which by-pass parts of the river that are too shallow to cruise. We make our way on to the magnificent city of Meaux dominated by its impressive cathedral.

After lunch on board we take a trip in our mini-bus to the Abbaye de Chaalis. Dating back to the 12th century, this former Cistercian monastery now houses the Jacquemart-Andre Museum of Furniture and works of art of all kinds.

We rejoin La Chouette in plenty of time to enjoy an aperitif before taking dinner in one of the city's top restaurants, La Grignotiere.

There is a fascinating market to visit, with its stalls spreading all the way across the bridges over the river.

At the Salle d'Exposition de Brie de Meaux we will learn about the history and manufacture of this world famous cheese. You can take the opportunity of tasting the cheese along with a fine red Givry wine. This is followed by a guided visit to Meaux cathedral.

After lunch on board we take a leisurely cruise to La Ferte sous Jouarre and moor for the night right next to the excellent restaurant, Au Bec Fin, where we will enjoy our dinner.

Today's cruise is to Chateau Thierry through the most delightful Marne valley countryside. We stop at Nanteuil sur Marne for lunch and a short walk around a typical French village. Our restaurant is the Auberge du Lion d'Or which gives us the 

golden opportunity to enjoy the traditional French family Sunday lunch. This is the first village in the Champagne region. From now on it's vines all the way!

On arrival at our mooring we visit Hill 204 and Belleau Wood, the scene of the last major engagement in World War 1, and where a massive American monument stands and surveys the valley below. Supper on board.

After an early start we cruise past mile after mile of champagne vineyards meticulously cultivated in their serried ranks right up the hillsides.

We choose a mooring convenient for a trip to Reims to see the famous Notre Dame Cathedral where the Kings of France were crowned for centuries. As Reims has so much to offer, we will tailor the visit to suit your own desires. These might include a visit to the Museum of Fine Art, Museum of Surrender where General Eisenhower accepted the German surrender on 7th May 1945, or the Basilique Saint Remi..... or perhaps you would prefer the shops!

Lunch is in a 1925 Art Deco Brasserie which is a favourite meeting place of the Remois (citizens of Reims).

Back to La Chouette in time to sit out on deck with something to sip before preparing for dinner at the Michelin starred Auberg le Relais just over the river.

After breakfast we meander up the valley towards Epernay passing through Dormans, dominated by a towering national monument built by Marshal Foch to commemorate the Marne Victories, and Chatillon sur Marne, with it's impressive 33M high statue of Pope Urbane 11 who was born there in 1040 and instigated the first Crusade.

Next we see Hautvillers up on the hillside to our left. This is where Dom Perignon, inventor of the 'Method Champagnoise,' lived and worked as the cellar master in the Benedictine Abbey for 47 years.

Cumieres is our mooring and from where we take a trip into Epernay, first 'capital' of Champagne. Here we enjoy a tour of the town and visit one of the prestigious champagne houses. Here we see how champagne is made and taste the end product. Later we will visit the charming village of Hautvillers.

Dinner will be at Epernays 'La Cave a Champagne' (Michelin) with a different Champagne for each course!

After breakfast we transfer to Epernay railway station where trains depart for Paris.