Reims to Chateau-Thierry |
  Reims
to Chateau-Thierry (Cruise
runs Saturday to Friday)
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Highlights: The Champagne Capitals of Reims and Epernay - Beautiful Hautvillers - Mont de Billy Tunnel |
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There is so much to see and do here. Reims' Notre- Dame Cathedral is spectacular with a facade containing some 2300 statues! It's 38 metre high nave has borne witness to the coronation of French Kings from Clovis in 498 AD until Charles X in 1825. It contains no less than two UNESCO world heritage monuments, the stunning 'Palais du Tau' and interior of the 'Basilique St. Remi'. I have details of a self guided 2 hour walking tour if you are interested in following it. Reims is a wonderful city to explore at your leisure and you might decide that tonight's the night to kick start your week and splash out on a meal out in one of Reims' very chic and fashionable restaurants. 'Foch' and 'Le Millenaire' are but two of Reims three fork Michelin rated establishments. I would recommend that you consider arriving a day or so earlier to fully appreciate all the city has to offer, maybe booking a hotel in town? Having consumed a hearty continental breakfast, late on Sunday morning we'll be steaming out of Reims following the 'Canal de l'Aisne a la Marne' cruising for a few hours through to the small port Sillery. There is a small cafe bar in town, or alternatively we could self cater or weather permitting break out the BBQ.
I have discovered a
lady called Nathalie who runs vineyard tours for small groups. (www.champagne-domimoreau.com)
These leave Epernay, take 3 hours and pass through local villages,
stopping to see
On Thursday we'll enjoy a full final days cruising through to Chateau-Thierry, which is a pleasant small town on the banks of the River Marne. Fierce first world war battles were fought in the countryside nearby and an imposing American memorial to Cote 204 lies ten kilometres away, above the town. Terrific views of the surrounding countryside can be gained from up here. Chateau-Thierry is best known as the birth place in 1621 of the poet, Jean de La Fontaine and a small museum in the house of his birth can be visited. The surrounding villages all have small wine makers offering tasting opportunities and the nearby village of Brasles has a museum of wine labels. The Caves de Champagne Pannier offer a one hour audiovisual presentation and tour of its cellars in a 13th century stone quarry. There are a number of restaurants in town and I suggest that tonight you choose to dine ashore. On Friday morning, you are due to depart Nilaya after breakfast. Trains from Chateau-Thierry to Paris take about 60 minutes and from Paris to Reims, likewise. |
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IMPORTANT NOTE: Unforeseen circumstances sometimes affect our cruising schedule. These can include, but are not limited to: illness, floods, weather, canal closures, canal maintenance, lack of moorings, bureaucracy, strikes, civil disturbance, acts of god, the engine, and whims and fancies of both skipper, guests and crew. All of these things might cause last minute changes to the above and cruise routes. Although rare, we reserve the right to alter any and all routes accordingly. Flexibility is the name of the game and any such changes cannot be considered grounds for cancellation of the cruise. |
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You'll
be joining Nilaya at our mooring in the fabulous City of Reims, famed
throughout the world for its involvement in the Champagne industry! It is
highly likely that you'll visit the 'odd' Champagne cave in town, possibly
even forcing yourselves to drink some of the celebrated liquid? The
champagne houses of 
On Monday we'll
leave early to enjoy a full days cruising with many locks to work through
and kilometres to cover.
During the day we pass through the two kilometre 'Mont de Billy' tunnel
before exiting the 'Canal de l'Aisne a la Marne at 'Conde-sur-Marne' to
follow the
'Canal lateral a la Marne' until it meets the Marne proper. Although it will be
late in the day before we arrive, I hope
to gain one of the limited moorings in the lovely village of Cumieres. The champagne vineyards drop right down to the river around here
and stretch as far as the eye can see. An energetic uphill walk or bike
ride will take you through those vineyards to the beautiful neighbouring
village of Hautvillers which proudly boasts being the birthplace of
champagne due to a certain previous resident having been one Dom Perignon.
It's a great place to wander around and the views over miles of vineyards
spectacular as you retrace your steps to the barge. If you want to visit a
family run estate for a premier cru tasting, why not check out the
Hautvillers champagne houses of 
In
the morning on Tuesday we have just a short cruise into Epernay. Although our moorings are not particularly
attractive here, Epernay is 'champagne central' and and the number of cave
tours and degustations you might enjoy during the day will be limited most likely by your
liver! This small town is dedicated entirely to champagne production and
all the most illustrious names in the business are represented on the
Avenue de Champagne. Over one hundred kilometres of underground tunnels
contain millions of bottles. 
On
Wednesday,
after a leisurely breakfast we cruise through rural grape filled countryside to the pretty village of Reuil
where I hope to stop for a light lunch aboard. Later in the day, high on a
hill to our right we'll pass the imposing 30 metre statue of Pope Urbain
II, erected in 1887 by the proud villagers of Chatillon-sur-Marne. We are heading for the small town of Dormans, further
downstream. Dormans has a
wonderful Chateau in whose outbuildings are contained a museum crammed
with rural farming implements. It's usually manned by staff from local
wine growers and well worth the visit. On the hill behind the Chateau is a
beautifully illuminated chapel and war memorial which is extremely moving
to visit with a torch after dark. The two fork Michelin rated restaurant
'La Table Sourdet' offers a great opportunity to dine ashore in the dining
room of a huge old house.