We are excited to share a special cruise from Bruges to Paris on the deluxe six passenger Meanderer this spring. Family or frineds can charter this lovely barge and explore the wonders of Belgium and France. This cruise starts April 7th in Bruges and ends April 18 in Paris. Normally our barges only offer six nights, but now you can cruise for eleven nights and see two countries.
Meanderer: Five Star
- Cruise Dates: April 7-18
- Cruise Route: Bruges to Paris
- Cruise Length: 11 Nights & 12 Days
- Capacity: 6
- Cabins: Queen or Twins
- Crew: 5
- Charter Price: $55,000
- SPECIAL RATE: $42,900 (for this departure)
Includes: 11 night accommodations, all meals, all beverges, use of bicycles, guided excursions, all entrance fees and trnasfers to and from the barge (pick up in Bruges and drop off in Paris)
The Meanderer is also offering a special end of the season cruise for 9 days from Auxerre to Rogny le Sept Eclues. Two extra days added to the normal six night cruise at no extra charge! Now that is a nice bonus.
Meanderer: Five Star
- Cruise Dates: October 20-28
- Cruise Route: Auxerre to Rogny le Sept Ecluses
- Cruise Length: 8 Nights & 9 Days
- Capacity: 6
- Cabins: Queen or Twins
- Crew: 5
- 4 Pass Charter: $27,900
- 5 Pass Charter: $28,400
- 6 Pass Charter: $28,900
Includes: 8 night accommodations, all meals, all beverges, use of bicycles, guided excursions, all entrance fees and trnasfers to and from the Paris
Bruges to Paris on Barge MEANDERER - April 2013
Sunday, Day 1 Bruges
You are met at the designated meeting point and transferred to the barge moored in moored in the beautiful little town of Bruges, known as the “Venice of the North”. After a wonderful Champagne Welcome, we will take you into Bruges for a city tour on one of the little canal boats. Upon return to Meanderer you will have time to relax and get ready for your first of many gourmet meals on board.
Monday, Day 2 Bruges to Ghent
This morning you can join a guided walking tour of Bruges with a local guide. Return to the barge for lunch. After lunch, you will have some free time in Bruges. Late afternoon cruise to Ghent.
Tuesday, Day 3 Ghent to Oudenaarde
After breakfast, your guide will take you into Ghent. Visit the cathedral with fabulous painting "The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb” painted by the van Eyck brothers. Return to the barge for a cruise up the River Schelde to the town of Oudenaarde where we will moor for the night.
Wednesday, Day 4 Oudenaarde to Tournay
A morning cruise further up the River Schelde will take us to the ancient town of Tournay with its famous "Pont des Trous" (Bridge with Holes) used to collect tolls on the rivers in the old times. This afternoon you can stroll around Tournay or take an optional drive to Waterloo.
Thursday, Day 5 Tournay to Arleux
We continue along the Schelde through the town of Valenciennes to the junction of the Canal du Nord at the little French village of Arleux. We will drive to Valenciennes along the way to visit the museum of Fine Arts.
Friday, Day 6 Arleux to Peronne
We begin our climb over the Vermandois Hills of Picardie through the many locks and several tunnels of the Canal du Nord. The scenery is spectacular rural France at its best. There is a great towpath for the barge along the canal that allows you to have a leisurely walk if you wish. After lunch, there will be a trip to Amiens to visit what must be one of the greatest of all Gothic cathedrals with its powerful towering spires and columns.
Saturday, Day 7 Peronne to The Canal du Nord
After breakfast you can visit the war museum in Peronne. Upon return, we will continue on the Canal du Nord. There will be plenty of opportunities to walk or bike while the barge travels from lock to lock. The cruise now continues along the Canal du Nord as it drops down into the valley of the Somme River before climbing over another watershed.
Sunday, Day 8 The Canal du Nord to Compiegne
Today we will cruise down to the Oise River valley to moor in the riverside town of Compiegne. There are many places to visit, including the train where the World War I armistice was signed, as well as the Royal Palace.
Monday, Day 9 Compiegne to Auvers sur Oise
We are now cruising down the Oise River valley where we stop at the village of Auvers sur Oise. This charming village is a van Gogh scene. Here is where he lived and painted most of his last,and most important paintings where he stayed in a small room above a local café. We will have an afternoon walk around the town and visit the cemetery where Vincent and his brother are buried.
Tuesday, Day 10 Avers sur Oise to Conflans
We take a full picnic lunch with deck chairs and tables and go on a day excursion to Giverny to visit the home and gardens of Claude Monet, probably the most famous of all the Impressionist painters. The gardens will be at their most beautiful at this time of year where we will see the famous lily pond and the Japanese bridge that inspired so many of his paintings. We will moor for the night in Conflans, which is the junction of the Oise and Seine Rivers.
Wednesday, Day 11 Conflans to Paris
In the morning we will cruise to Bougival and visit Malmaison, the home of Napoleon. We will see its many lavishly decorated rooms furnished by Josephine. We will rejoin La Nouvelle Etoile for an evening cruise up the floodlit River Seine past the Eiffel Tower and into the "Port d'Arsenal" adjacent to the Bastille for a farewell dinner on board.
Thursday Day 12 Paris
After your last elegant breakfast on board you will be driven to the designated drop off point.
Axerre to Rogny le Sept Ecluses on the Barge Meanderer - October 2013
Sunday – Paris to Auxerre
After being picked-up by our driver at the designated meeting point you will be taken to Meanderer moored in the heart of Auxerre, one of the most beautiful of all the river towns where we will have a champagne welcome. Auxerre, punctuated by church spires and its streets lined with timbered 16th century houses. Your first dinner on board.
Monday – Auxerre to Joigny
This morning we will be on the Yonne River for a cruise to the beautiful riverside town of Joigny, a quaint little town with its winding cobbled streets which lead up to churches perched on the top of the hillside. After lunch we will drive to Chablis. Here we will select one of the small family operations of the nearby Chablis vineyards for an intimate tour of the vineyards and cellar.
Tuesday – Joigny to Sens
Continuing our cruise down the Yonne River we will reach the peaceful countryside town of Sens. In Sens you will stroll around the town and visit the Thomas Becket museum and Cathedral St. Etienne, one of the first great gothic cathedrals, a magnificent building that dominates the main square.
Wednsday – Sens to Montereau
Set off after breakfast for a leisure cruise down the lower part of the Yonne. After another delicious lunch, we drive out to the medieval town of Provins, listed on the Unesco’s World Heritage List and also known as the “City of Roses”. We will watch the magnificent show of the birds of prey and enjoy this wonderful French town. Moor for the night in a peaceful country setting.
Thursday – Montereau to Moret sur Loing
After breakfast Meanderer will take a morning cruise to Moret sur Loing. This afternoon we will visit the famous Chateau of Fontainebleau. Here we will walk through the history of France. Every royal family has added its own architectural signature. On the way stop in the charming village of Moret, where the impressionist Sisley painted.
Friday – Moret sur Loing to Nemours
This morning’s cruise takes us to a picturesque mooring at the village of Nemours. From there, after lunch, we visit the hilltop town of Chateau Landon. Many options are available, including horse-drawn carriage visit of the town (additional fee) or a very interesting guided walking tour. The cruise itself, takes us through an industrial section of the canal followed by a contrasting quiet, rural and picturesque section before arriving at Nemours. We’ll be moored in the center of town and watch the locals play “boulles” while sipping cocktails on deck.
Saturday – Nemours to Neronville
The daily excursion program continues with a visit to the village of Grez sur Loing….. An optional excursion to Barbizon is available as visitng a most charming town of Ferrieres-en-Gatinais. That afternoon we shall cruise to another beautiful, secluded mooring in the village of Neronville.
Sunday – Neronville to Montargis
In the morning our cruise will continue to our final overnight mooring at the region capital, Montargis. For those interested in wine tasting, we offer a trip to the Sancerre wine region including tasting and winery visit. An optional trip to visit the beautiful Chateau de la Bussiere with its 18th century garden or Chateau de St. Fargeau with its unique history and present role in the life of local community. We can, time allowing, include a stopover and a walk over the Briare’s Pont Canal – the famous 700 yards aqueduct over the Loire River built in 1896 by Gustav Eiffel. For the early risers a visit with the chef to the farmer’s market in Ferrieres en Gatinais is an option.
Monday – Montargis
This morning after breakfast we return you to you hotel in Paris.