Hotel Barge Panache
Panache is a hotel barge that has been fitted out in traditional yacht style with brass and mahogany fittings in the spacious public areas and very comfortable cabin accommodation. In the saloon the panoramic windows let in plenty of natural light, and the tempting cocktail bar and comfortable leather sofas are enhanced by polished hardwood flooring. The separate roomy dining area provides a congenial setting for up to 12 guests to enjoy the gourmet meals and fine wines served on board.
The cabin accommodation comprises six generously-sized junior suites which can be in twin or double-bedded configuration. All the en suite bathrooms have twin hand-basins and oversized showers.
Outside, the spacious sun deck is the perfect place to unwind and admire the passing scenery in one of the comfortable chairs, or to enjoy being served a long, lazy alfresco lunch at the outside dining table. The heated spa pool and plentiful number of bicycles for you to explore the towpath complete the picture.
Panache cruises in Champagne for a number of weeks in May & June. The Champagne itineraries typically include Brie cheese tastings, a tour of the Cathedral at Reim, Epernay and of course, tastings at renowned Champagne houses.
In the Summer and Autumn, Panache cruises the beautiful and varied waterways of Alsace & Lorraine, a region of France offering a unique mix of French and German cultures, history and local gastronomy.
Panache’s voyage through Alsace & Lorraine will give you the opportunity to appreciate the very best of the region, passing storybook villages along the way, visiting places such as Strasbourg, renowned for their Baroque and Romanesque architecture and uniquely, experiencing Europe’s most famous boat elevator!
Panache Deck Plan
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Panache Deck Plan
Click image to enlarge
Cruise Highlights
- Enjoy a private winery tour and tasting at renowned champagne houses
- Visit the village of Hautvilliers where Dom Perignon discovered the Méthode Champenoise Tour the majestic cathedral in Reims, where the Kings of France were once crowned Cruise the pretty River Marne past waterside vineyards
- Visit the champagne ‘capital’ of Epernay for a cellar tour and private tasting
- Visit Château-Thierry, the scene of fierce battles in World War I, and Belleau Wood
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Cruise Route
Itinerary* & Cruise Route
Sunday, Day 1: Châlons-en-Champagne
Guests are met early afternoon in Paris** and transferred to the hotel barge moored in Châlons-en-Champagne. Enjoy a Champagne welcome while your Captain introduces you to the crew. Dinner on board.
Monday, Day 2: Châlons-en-Champagne to Tours-sur-Marne
This morning we cruise from Châlons-en-Champagne along the Canal Lateral à la Marne to our pretty mooring at Tours-sur-Marne. After lunch on board, we visit the magnificent 800-year-old Reims cathedral, a Gothic masterpiece where the Kings of France were crowned, before some free time perhaps to wander around this delightful city with its grand squares and elegant shopping arcades. Dinner on board.
Tuesday, Day 3: Tours-sur-Marne to Dizy
Today we continue our cruise along the canal, with the opportunity to explore on foot or bicycle en route, and moor at Dizy, near Epernay. After lunch, we visit the pretty hilltop village of Hautvillers. Known as the ‘cradle of Champagne’. It is here that the monk Dom Perignon discovered the ‘méthode champenoise’ and we enjoy a private tasting of champagnes and matching cheeses at a boutique in the village. Dinner ashore at a local restaurant.
Wednesday, Day 4: Dizy to Damery
After breakfast, we head into the nearby town of Epernay, home to many of the major champagne houses for a cellar tour and tasting. There is time afterwards to explore the town and to do some shopping. After lunch on board, we head west along the beautiful River Marne, passing through the champagne vineyards to our mooring at Damery. Dinner on board.
Thursday, Day 5: Damery to Dormans
Today the hotel barge continues her cruise along the meandering Marne to moor at the pretty riverside town of Dormans, the site of a château, water mill and World War One memorial. In the afternoon, there is the option to visit the elegant Chateau de Conde with its sumptuous 18th century interiors, or the WWI battlefield and monument at Château-Thierry and the American cemetery at Belleau Wood. Dinner on board.
Friday, Day 6: Dormans to Château-Thierry
This morning, we visit La Maison Pannier, a select champagne house with a labyrinth of medieval underground cellars, for a tour and a private tasting. After lunch on board, we cruise to our final mooring at Château-Thierry, an historic, strategically-situated town overlooking the river, surrounded by vineyards that produce some of the region’s famous sparkling wine. Captain’s Farewell Dinner on board.
Saturday, Day 7: Château-Thierry
After breakfast, guests are transferred by private chauffeured minibus to Paris**.
This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change. On alternate weeks the cruise is in the reverse direction.
**other locations are available for Private Charter bookings
Panache Gallery
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Sun Deck
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Saloon
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Fine Dinning
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Champagne Welcome
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Cruising
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Cabin 3
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Arriving at Arzviller boat elevator
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Riding up Arzviller boat elevator
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En-Suite
Services
About EB
(800) 822-7855
