Savoir Faire - France cruise
Barge cruise Itinerary
Paris - Auxerre
SUNDAY (Moored in the heart of Paris at the Port Arsenal, Bastille)
Our chauffeurs collect you from Hotel Ampere in Paris at 2pm and escort
you to the Savoir Faire, moored at the Port Arsenal, Bastille in the
very heart of the city, for a Champagne Welcome. You will have an
opportunity to explore the area before we depart for our exclusive
evening cruise through Paris past the magnificent church of Notre Dame,
the resplendent Louvre art gallery and the symbolic Eiffel Tower. After
dinner we continue our cruise through Paris beneath the floodlit Eiffel
Tower and illuminated bridges to your overnight mooring. Dinner on
board.
MONDAY (Cruise from Paris to Samois)
We set off from the Arsenal bright and early to begin your cruise south
along the mighty Seine towards Burgundy. Once past the reaches of
Paris, the landscape begins to unfold revealing the tranquil beauty so
sought after by busy city folk. Your excursion today is to the
magnificent chateau of Fontainebleau. Every royal family has added
their architectural signature, resulting in an unrivalled display of
opulence. Afterwards you will be able to explore the shops and
boutiques of Fontainebleau. This evening we shall be moored beneath the
hilltop town of Samois, a favorite amongst painters and poets.
Opportunity to stroll or cycle along the shaded river bank. Dinner on
board.
TUESDAY (Cruise from Samois to Sens)
We begin the day with a peaceful cruise along the last stretch of the
Seine before joining the river Yonne that takes us south towards
Burgundy, the land of Counts and fine wines. This morning there will be
opportunities to cycle alongside the river and explore villages close
by. After lunch on board, your guide will escort you to the medieval
town of Provins where you can explore ancient ramparts, watch a
falconry show and browse around the boutiques and shops. Provins is now
listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site and is listed amongst the most
interesting towns in France. Dinner on board.
WEDNESDAY (Cruise from Sens to Joigny)
This morning we set off along the Yonne towards our overnight mooring
at the riverside town of Joigny, where cobbled streets and
timbered-framed buildings take you back to a bygone era. After a
pleasant cruise through opening landscapes we stop at
Villeneuve-sur-Yonne for lunch on board.After lunch we visit Cathedral
of St Stephen, the first of the great Gothic cathedrals of France. The
beauty of the exterior dominates the main square of Sens. Begun in 1140
AD, this magnificent building houses one of the richest treasuries in
France. In addition to this there is a tour of the museum, which is in
the 13th Century synodal palace, situated in the former archbishop's
residence. It houses a fascinating exhibition of Gallo-Roman mosaics
and works of art from the cathedral. Dinner on board.
THURSDAY (Cruise from Joigny to Gurgy)
This morning we set off on our cruise to the riverside hamlet of Gurgy.
Today is the perfect opportunity for those who wish to cycle alongside
the ship as she glides gently by. After lunch we take a short drive to
Chablis, home to some of the greatest wines in Burgundy. We have
selected the small family operation of Domaine Laroche for an intimate
tour of their cellar. A comprehensive wine tasting rounds off this
fascinating visit. Afterwards we drive through the wine village of
Irancy and on to St Bris, where we shall visit the 12th Century
underground cellars of Bersan and Fils. Dinner on board.
FRIDAY (Cruise from Gurgy to Auxerre)
Our final cruise takes us along the upper reaches of the Yonne to
Auxerre, the most beautiful of all river towns, and we arrive in time
for lunch, after which you have the option of two visits. The first
visit offered is to explore this Auxerre, with the Cathedral of
Saint-Etienne dominating the skyline. Behind its apparent simplicity
lies one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in France.
Undoubtedly one of the prettiest towns in France. The town's
magnificent monuments, which include a splendid 15th Century clock
tower, all bear witness to a remarkable historical past.
The
second visit to choose from is to the world famous hilltop town of
Vezelay, forty minutes from Auxerre. Listed as a UNESCO world heritage
site, Vezelay has been a place of worship since the Middle Ages and is
a rallying point for the pilgrimage of Saint-Jacques de Compostelle. It
is from here that the second and third crusades were launched, the
latter by Richard the Lionheart. Dominating this medieval town is the
Basilica Sainte-Madeleine, one of the most impressive churches in
France. Streets lined with 15th Century timber-framed buildings house
art galleries, boutiques and shops. Quiet parks offer panoramic views
of the surrounding countryside and underground cellars the opportunity
to taste the wines from the surrounding vineyards. Later your
chauffeurs will escort you back to the "Savoir Faire." This evening,
after pre-dinner cocktails, we present our farewell Captain's Dinner.
You are joined by your hosts for what promises to be a meal to
remember.
SATURDAY (Departure at 9.30am)
After a hearty breakfast you are driven by our chauffeurs to your hotel or airport in Paris.
Note: This is a sample itinerary. Itineraries are flexible and may be
changed according to passenger requests and local conditions. The
itinerary is in the reverse direction every other cruise week.
Savoir Faire Tulip Cruise Itinerary
Haarlem - Haarlem
Sunday
We meet at an Amsterdam hotel in the city centre at 2pm (Schiphol
Airport pickup can also be arranged) and transfer to the barge moored
in the center of Haarlem for a Champagne welcome. We will relax for the
afternoon with a cruise to Zaandam, where we will moor for the night
and you will enjoy your first gourmet dinner on board.
Monday
After
breakfast we will take a short drive to the Zaanse Schans to visit a
working windmill, a clog maker and a cheese maker. In the afternoon we
will cruise to Amsterdam, through the heart of the city where the small
canals and architecture will take you back to a previous century and
then along the Amstel River to Ouderkerk. Dinner on board.
Tuesday
An
early rise and drive to the colorful flower auction in Aalsmeer. Upon
return we will set off for a cruise on the canals to the cheese Mecca
of Gouda. After lunch, we will take a drive out to a local cheese farm.
Besides cheese, you will find beautiful buildings, excellent shopping
and the most magnificent stained glass windows in Holland. Dinner on
board.
Wednesday
A
morning cruise to Rotterdam through the center of this busy port and
then onto Delft. Visit the Delft Pottery works, where porcelain is
still handmade and painted. Spend the rest of the afternoon strolling
around this beautiful historic Dutch city. Dinner on board
Thursday
A
morning cruise through the canals past Leiden, across the Brasemmer
Lakes to Oude Wetering. Spend the afternoon at the famous Keukenhof
Gardens with the largest display of flowers in the world. Here you will
see hundreds of varieties of tulips, hyacinths, and other beautiful
bulbous plants. Dinner on board
Friday
Morning
cruise to Haarlem, a picturesque town and the home of the famous Dutch
painter Frans Hals where we will tour its museum. Farewell celebration
on board and your last elegant gourmet dinner.
Saturday This will be your last breakfast on board. You will then be driven to either the Schiphol Airport or your hotel in Amsterdam.
Note: This is a sample itinerary. Itineraries are flexible and may be changed according to passenger
Champagne & Brie Cruise: Epernay to Paris
SUNDAY (Cumieres)
You are transferred by air-conditioned minivan from Hotel Ampere in Paris at 2pm and driven directly to the Savoir Faire, moored at Cumieres, 2km from the heart of Epernay. After an introduction to your ship, you are given time to settle in to your cabin before joining your captain and crew for our welcoming champagne reception. There will be time to stroll through the village before coming back on board where your master chef will delight you with the first of many delicious meals.
MONDAY (Cruise Cumieres to Damery)
This morning, after breakfast, we visit Reims and its magnificent cathedral. We then join the "Savoir Faire" for lunch and a short cruise to the delightful little town of Damery, with its 13th century church, which was part of a former Benedictine priory. Later this afternoon we visit the Abbey of Hautvilliers where the monk Dom Perignon first made Champagne. Dinner aboard.
TUESDAY (Cruise Damery to Chateau Thierry)
You are now entering the true Champagne region. Your hosts have arranged a pre-lunch visit to the world famous cellars of Moet and Chandon for a tour and tasting. We then continue to cruise to Chateau Thierry, were we shall moor for the night. This pretty town offers a promenade along the original walls of the town with views over the Marne valley. This whole area was the scene of American battles in World War I. Nearby is the American Monument. Built in 1929, at an altitude of 660 feet, the monument keeps alive the memory of the American troops who fought in WWI. Optional visit to Belleau Wood battlefield and the American cemetery. Dinner aboard.
WEDNESDAY (Cruise Chateau Thierry to La Ferte)
Your cruise today will take you through picturesque landscapes so loved by both the French and visitors abroad. Today we have arranged a tour of some of our favorite places and a selection of visits to small family-run vineyards so that you can try their fine selection of champagnes. Our mooring for the night is at La Ferte, which offers beautiful, refreshing promenades along the river. Dinner aboard.
THURSDAY (Cruise La Ferte to Meaux)
Today we cruise to Meaux, in the very heart of Brie, famous for its wonderful cheeses of the same name. Nearby, on the route to Soissons, stands a monument that commemorates the 5th September 1914, the extreme point of advance of the German troops and the date of the French counter-attack. We visit Coulomniers, one of the centers of Brie cheese. Your personalized visit to a master cheese maker will enable you to see the cheese-making process first hand and to sample a variety of the world famous Brie cheese, along with wines from his excellent cellar. Dinner aboard.
FRIDAY (Meaux to Paris)
This morning we leave Meaux and head towards the mighty Seine which will take us into the very heart of Paris. Our cruise will take us past Coupvray, the birthplace of Louis Braille, the inventor of the alphabet for the blind. At St Maur des Fosses we pass through the tunnel, which enables us to bypass the shallow waters of the Marne Loop. Today we visit the magnificent Chateau of Vaux-le-Vicomte. The wonderfully-proportioned chateau and its exquisite gardens are the highlight of this visit. Built between 1656 and 1661 for finance minister Nicolas Fouquet.
We finish our journey with an exclusive evening cruise through Paris. As the "Savoir Faire" glides past the magnificent church of Notre Dame, the resplendent Louvre art gallery and the symbolic Eiffel Tower, you will be joined by your captain and his wife for cocktails followed by the farewell "Captains Dinner". Pass beneath the Eiffel Tower and the floodlit bridges. Our final berth for the night is in the Arsenal, a stone's throw from the lively district of the Bastille.
SATURDAY (Departure 9.30am)
After a hearty breakfast, our chauffeurs will drive you to your hotel or airport in Paris.
Contact us now to book this cruise or for more information Contact
%20copy.jpg)
