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Coquelicot - Prestigious floating villa in the heart of Champagne
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Ruinart
Coquelicot
Coquelicot
France

Coquelicot - Prestigious floating villa in the heart of Champagne (Tour code: 14931)

Starts and Ends
Jaulgonne to
Chalons en Champagne
Travel Periods
12 Apr 26 - 25 Oct 26
Experience
Travel Style
Cruise
Step aboard Coquelicot, a floating sanctuary, and explore Champagne’s essence with Ruinart, panoramic views, luxurious cabins and exquisite dining experiences.

Highlights

Discover where Dom Pérignon’s accidental breakthrough led to the first champagne, then enjoy an intimate tasting at a boutique local producer

Savour a five-course dining experience at Maison Ruinart, where animated projections bring the champagne house’s legacy to life

Explore Veuve Clicquot’s vast chalk cellars and uncover the story of the widow who shaped a global icon, followed by an exclusive tasting

7 days
From
AUD 133,450
per charter
Travelling with kids? Read more 
All services are subject to availability.

Overview

Embark on a journey with Coquelicot, a luxurious floating retreat through the Champagne region. In partnership with Ruinart, the world’s oldest champagne house, this elegant barge offers a truly immersive experience. Relax in the spacious upper lounge with panoramic views, enjoy gourmet cuisine in the open kitchen and unwind in three beautifully designed cabins with en-suite marble bathrooms. As evening falls, sip fine Ruinart Champagne in the salon and bar. Sail from Jaulgonne to Châlons-en-Champagne, indulging in exquisite meals and France’s finest wines on this unforgettable river cruise. 

Kindly note: The Coquelicot is exclusively available for private charter for up to 6 guests & available in the reverse direction. 

Inclusions

6 nights onboard the Coquelicot in your own private sanctuary - with a capacity to welcome up to six guests
Table d’hote meals and complimentary beverages, daily breakfast and French fine dining experience served onboard
All excursions including exclusive use of the onboard bicycles alongside the river
Dedicated Host service
A dedicated tour guide and an itinerary tailored to your preferences
Roundtrip transfers to/from the luxury barge within France & Geneva

Facilities onboard Coquelicot

Welcome onboard!

The crown jewel of Coquelicot, venture to the top deck at dawn to catch a golden sunrise with your morning coffee and pastries. Get closer to your chef and crew as you lunch alfresco, admiring the backdrop of passing vineyards and watercolour chateaux. At night, gather your loved ones for a sparkling evening beneath an open canopy of stars.

Designed with tranquility in mind, this luxury floating villa ensures a supremely relaxing cruise. On the upper deck, unwind, connect and indulge: the spacious lounge is perfect for social relaxation, allowing you to soak up the panoramic views of Champagne behind the oversized picture window. Sit back under oak-panelled ceilings on plush furnishings, pen the day’s highlights from your writing desk, or engage with your chef as they prepare seasonal cuisine with local ingredients, from the comfort of the open kitchen. 

Below deck, three spacious cabins – and their ensuite marble bathrooms – adjoin an indoor dining area, ideal for intimate moments with your loved ones. As the evening unfolds, make your way to the salon and Champagne bar, and savour fine Champagne by Ruinart under the stars.

Coquelicot
Deck plans

Day 1 & 2 Jaulgonne Vandières

In Jaulgonne, prepare to see the Champagne region from a fresh perspective. Your effervescent cruise begins with a champagne reception, a chance to meet your dedicated captain and crew. As you unpack and explore Coquelicot, your elegant sanctuary, the chef onboard prepares your first gourmet dinner of the week.

Your first morning begins with a leisurely cruise towards Vandières in the heart of the beautiful Marne Valley. After a delicious lunch, it’s time for a delightful visit to Hautvillers Abbey, where Dom Pérignon accidentally discovered how to make champagne through the process of secondary fermentation. Enjoy a private tasting at a small local producer on the way back to the barge. Unwind over an aperitif before a delicious dinner on board.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Jaulgonne → Vandières
Veuve Clicquot

Day 3 & 4 Damery Mareuil-sur-Ay

Today, cruise towards Damery, your evening mooring. After lunch on board, your guide will take you to 4 Rue des Crayères in Reims, the historical headquarters of Maison Ruinart, founded in 1729. As the oldest established champagne house, Ruinart embodies the French spirit of savoir-faire and art de vivre. Enjoy an exclusive tour of the atmospheric underground cellars.

The experience turns into an immersive gastronomic adventure, simply called Petit R. Kanako Kuno's drawings, animated through 3D video mapping and anamorphic projections, bring your dining table magically to life. Telling the story of Ruinart, the unique five-course dinner is paired with some of the Maison’s finest champagnes. The evening concludes with an exclusive tasting to the “Secret Cellar” in the Nicolas Ruinart Pavilion, designed by renowned architect Sou Fujimoto.

On day 4, a short drive will take you to Vertus to see the colourful market. Choose some ingredients that catch your eye and watch being transformed into a feast back on board. Continue meandering along the River Marne, before alighting to exploring Épernay, the jewel of Champagne. Enjoy a private tasting at Leclerc Briant, a local winery renowned for its pioneering biodynamic champagnes. Return to the barge for dinner and perhaps a digestif beneath the stars before you retire for the night

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Damery → Mareuil-sur-Ay
Epernay

Day 5 Vraux

Linger over breakfast as Coquelicot heads for Vraux, a quiet mooring at the junction between the Marne’s Lateral Canal and the Marne-to-Aisne Canal. Relax into the rhythm of the water and perhaps alight to walk or cycle along the towpath. In the afternoon, head to Reims, a famous centre of champagne production and renowned for its spectacular Gothic cathedral. Dinner tonight is served at a beautiful local restaurant.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Vraux
Reims

Day 6 Châlons-en-Champagne

Enjoy a relaxed morning cruise, with ample time to absorb the tranquil scenery from on deck. After lunch, alight for a thrilling visit to Veuve Clicquot, one of the most celebrated champagne houses in the world. It was named after the widow (“veuve”) who took over her husband’s wine business at the tender age of 27 and rescued it from the brink of failure. Plunge into the atmospheric underground cellars that stretch deep into the crayères, or chalk pits, for over 24km and glean fascinating facts about one of the world's most recognisable labels. Explore Châlons-en-Champagne and its rich heritage while the chef prepares a fantastic farewell dinner onboard.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Châlons-en-Champagne
Veuve Clicquot

Day 7 Disembark in Châlons-en-Champagne

Your check-out time is scheduled for 09:00am. After breakfast, your crew bids you farewell as you disembark for your onward travel arrangements. 

Breakfast

Additional information

Official language
French
Local currency
EUR
  • This itinerary may be subject to change. On alternate weeks, the cruise will be in the reverse direction.

Supplier Booking Conditions Apply

Due to the boutique nature and limited capacity of this travel experience, under our Bookings Conditions this package classifies as “Booking Type 2 – Travel Experience where we act as agent only”. Your contract for the delivery of travel arrangements will be with the principal supplier and will be subject to their Booking Conditions. We will advise you prior to confirming your booking the full details and Booking Conditions of the principal supplier. Our responsibility to you where we sell travel arrangements as agent for the supplier is specified in the ‘Responsibility’ section of our Booking Conditions.

Excluded

  • International airfares and taxes
  • Domestic airfares and taxes, unless otherwise specified in our holiday package
  • Visa expenses, processing and issuance fees
  • Meals other than as specified in our holiday package
  • Drinks from the premium list, or drinks ordered during excursions
  • Travel Insurance or expenses of a personal nature (mini-bar, phone call, laundry, etc.)
  • Tips or gratuities to guides, drivers, porters, hotel, restaurant or boat staff, etc.
  • Or any other travel expense that has not been included in our holiday package

FAQs

Who are Entire Travel Group?

Welcome to Entire Travel Group. We offer exceptional travel experiences across our extensive range of Entire Holiday Packages, Entire Group Journeys, Entire Rail Journeys, and Entire Cruise Journeys. With our industry-leading Peace of Mind Booking Plan, you can Book Now with flexibility and confidence.

Entire Travel Group is celebrating over 50 years of passionately delivering unique and memorable travel experiences. We are an Australian, family-owned, award-winning business with a friendly team ready to match your expectations to the perfect holiday experience.

Entire Travel Group used to be known by the individual brands shown in the footer of the website. The company has not changed, but we have amalgamated under one brand - Entire Travel Group.

For more details please visit - About Us | Entire Travel Group

Is Entire Travel Group Australian owned and operated?

Entire Travel Group is proudly Australian family owned and operated and as it stands today represents 50 years of experience, progress, and evolution. We proudly support the community with our long-term commitment to many important charity organisations. We were awarded the best operator in our class at the most recent National Travel Industry Awards.

Is Entire Travel Group industry accredited?

Entire Travel Group is both ATAS and CATO Accredited. ATAS is actively administered by the Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA). The Council of Australian Tour Operators (CATO) is the trade association representing the land supply sector of the Australian Travel Industry.

Does Entire Travel Group have industry awards?

Entire Travel Group was honoured at the 2023 National Travel Industry Awards with Most Oustanding Wholesaler - Product / Service.

As our team works tirelessly to deliver exceptional holiday experiences, it was exciting to have this acknowledged with the highest recognition. The award is also a testament to the quality of our partners around the globe, and we take this opportunity to thank them for their tremendous support of our customers.

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In some cases, we are the sole representative in Australia for the overseas travel operator. In other circumstances the product developed has been exclusively built for Entire Travel Group and can’t be found elsewhere.

What’s unique about Entire Travel Group Holiday Packages?

  • They are not group tours with set departures - they are pre-designed, purpose built, independent holiday packages full of unique and memorable experiences.
  • Our holiday packages have been exclusively built for us in collaboration with our handpicked suppliers, who also offer full on-ground support for the clients.
  • We are offering unique travel experiences which cannot be found elsewhere.
  • Many packages include our “Freedom of Choice” options which allow you to tailor the holiday experience. Like a sommelier matching wine to a meal, we have used our experience to carefully select and offer the right experiences in each location.
  • They include our Peace of Mind Booking Plan.
  • A wide selection of our packages are compliant with the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) Covid Safe Travels.

Our motto for Independent Holiday Packages is start your holiday when and with who you want!

Our Independent Holiday Packages are NOT group tours with set departure dates. Group Tours have specific set departure dates, and of course, you are travelling with unknown passengers in a coach. These tours are great for certain travellers and there are many reputable tour operators providing a wide range of options around the world.

At Entire Travel Group, our focus is Independent Holiday Packages. Available daily, they are pre-designed, purpose built, packaged itineraries full of memorable experiences delivered by our hand-picked local partners.

Our holidays suit every demographic, from couples to singles, to retirees to families and everyone else in between.

Why travel with Entire Travel Group?

Of Entire Travel Group's attributes, we have settled on "When Experience Matters" as the quality we believe adds the most value to our customers. We have the experience to ensure your itinerary makes the dream holiday possible. Our continually enhanced technology allows our team to provide a quality customer service experience, and our partnerships with outstanding operators ensure we are confident of the on-ground experience for our customers.

For more details please visit - About Us | Entire Travel Group

How does the Peace of Mind Booking Plan work?

Our Peace of Mind Booking Plan allows you to book with confidence in the new international travel environment. With low deposits, a cooling off period and a flexibility period where you can cancel and rebook later, we really do have you covered.

For more details please visit - Peace of Mind Booking Plan | Entire Travel Group

Is there a cooling-off period?

Look for packages with our Peace of Mind Booking Plan logo on the website.

  • We understand that occasionally plans may change, so we give you the confidence to proceed with a cooling off period.
  • You may cancel for any reason within 7 days, where you will receive a 100% refund of your $100 per person deposit.

For more details please visit - Peace of Mind Booking Plan | Entire Travel Group

What is Freedom of Choice?

At Entire Travel Group we understand that our customers have their own personal tastes and interests - so throughout our packages look for “Freedom of Choice” which gives you the ability to tailor your holiday from the various experiences offered on selected days. Like a sommelier matching wine to a meal, we have used our experience to carefully select and offer the right experiences in each location.

The Freedom of Choice options are included in the package price, and the price remains the same regardless of the choice you make on each day.

Our Freedom of Choice program offers flexibility, by allowing you to choose from different options on pre-selected days in the itinerary.

  • Our per person price includes one tour on each Freedom of Choice day in the itinerary.
  • The price of the package remains the same regardless of the choice you make on each day.

For more details please visit - Freedom of Choice | Entire Travel Group

What is Book Now?

Book Now offers you the ability to make a reservation on our website for Holiday Packages that include our Peace of Mind Booking Plan. But it’s not just a static offer – you have complete flexibility from travel dates, passenger numbers, single supplements, room upgrades, optional extras, flexible booking terms and more.

  • Our team will contact our overseas suppliers and confirm all arrangements.
  • A Confirmation from our reservation system will be sent in the coming days.
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What forms of payment can be used at Entire Travel Group?

  • To confirm a booking using our on-line Book Now process, a credit card must be used to pay the refundable deposit.
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  • For further details please visit our Payments page.

How secure is the Entire Travel Group's on-line payment portal?

  • Entire Travel Group have partnered with TravelPay to ensure secure on-line credit card payments.
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For more details please visit - Security and Compliance - TravelPay

Can you book my international airfares?

On some Islands Holiday Packages (e.g. Fiji), it is practical to include flights, so where we have done this it is indicated by the plane icon.

However, on the majority of our Holiday Packages, we do not include international flights.

We found that many customers may prefer to:

  • Travel on a specific airline of their choice
  • Have the flexibility to book flights with Frequent Flyer points
  • Select flight dates that may be different to our Holiday Package start/end dates
  • Use a Travel Credit already held with the airline
  • Use their travel agent for this service

We are able to assist with flights on any Holiday Package, so please just notify us during the Book Now process or contact our team.

Should I take travel insurance?

Travel insurance is strongly recommended. During the Book Now process please confirm you require assistance, and our team will be in contact with you.

What should I do before travelling?

Before you travel it is your responsibility to ensure you have the appropriate documentation including visas. If you are travelling on a passport other than Australian or New Zealand, you will require a permit to re-enter Australia. It is your responsibility as the traveller and/or travel booker to meet all government entry requirements.

For more information please visit - Before you travel | Entire Travel Group

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Please visit the Entire Travel Group's Agent Portal. We are here to support our industry partners with a range of informative updates, marketing collateral for campaigns and a reward & recognition program.

How do I start a Booking?

  • On any page that has Book Now simply follow the booking process.
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  • To confirm a booking only the refundable deposit is required.
  • An agency credit card must be used for this initial payment.

How do I contact Entire Travel Group?

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