Overview
Kir Royale, the most recent addition to our fleet, has a fascinating history. Originally converted to a beach landing craft in World War Two, she was sunk but later refloated and transformed into a hotel barge. Currently, she cruises the stunning region of Champagne, known for its countless vineyards that stretch across the rolling hillsides as far as the eye can see. Guests will have ample opportunities to taste the renowned sparkling wine for which the region is famous, with private tastings at well-known champagne houses.
The saloon is spacious and bright, recently refurbished with custom-made furniture, a bar, piano, and separate dining area. The four generously sized suites, each individually decorated and over 200 sq ft in size, have also been updated. They feature modern en suite bathrooms with his and hers sinks, as well as luxurious oversized rainforest showers.
On the exterior, guests can enjoy a small forward sun deck for observing the barge's progress, a large and sheltered aft sun deck with a covered dining area, sun loungers, and a heated spa pool. Additionally, there is an upper observation deck with a panoramic view. With its blend of style and elegance, Kir Royale is an excellent choice for exploring Champagne - be it cruising past the vineyards or embarking on a private tour to experience the wines, history, and culture of this renowned region.
© European Waterways
Itinerary
Day 1 Paris Châlons-en-Champagne
You 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.
Overnight stay onboard Hotel Barge Kir Royale in a Suite.
Selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages included.
**Please check out the important information of this package for more details on the Pick up and Drop off location in Paris.
Day 2 Châlons-en-Champagne 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.
Overnight stay onboard Hotel Barge Kir Royale in a Suite.
Selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages included.
Day 3 Tours-sur-Marne Dizy
This morning we visit one of the best known champagne houses in the world, Moët & Chandon, founded in 1743, where we are guided through their vast underground cellars, the largest in the region, which were carved out of the chalk to offer the maturing wine the perfect temperature and humidity. This is followed by a tasting of some of Moët’s renowned vintages in an elegant private salon, hosted by an experienced cellar master.
Later we return to the barge for lunch and continue our cruise along the canal, with the opportunity to explore on foot or bicycle en route, and moor at Dizy, near Epernay. Dinner on board.
Overnight stay onboard Hotel Barge Kir Royale in a Suite.
Selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages included.
Day 4 Dizy Damery
After a leisurely breakfast, we head off for a private champagne tasting and tour at the boutique Grand Cru winery of Frerejean Frères with a stop en route at a hillside vineyard to learn some of the key attributes of champagne grape growing.
After the tasting we enjoy a gourmet private lunch in the salon of the family domaine. Return to the barge to continue our cruise along the Marne to Damery. Dinner onboard.
Overnight stay onboard Hotel Barge Kir Royale in a Suite.
Selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages included.
Day 5 Damery 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, we visit the 42-acre World War I American cemetery at Belleau Wood, it was here that US forces fought one of their bloodiest battles during World War One. Dinner on board.
Overnight stay onboard Hotel Barge Kir Royale in a Suite.
Selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages included.
Day 6 Dormans 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.
Overnight stay onboard Hotel Barge Kir Royale in a Suite.
Selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages included.
Day 7 Château-Thierry Paris
After breakfast, guests are transferred by private chauffeured minibus to Paris.
