France: Gay River Cruise

Bonjour! Welcome to “Gay Paree”. Check-in to our centrally located hotel in the fashionable Le Marais gayborhood, and feel free to relax before our Welcome Meeting at 5PM where we’ll get acquainted and answer any of your lingering questions. Afterwards we’ll spoil our taste buds with an included Welcome Dinner, and perhaps a cocktail or two at a nearby LGBTQ+ bar.

This morning feel free to have a leisurely morning café, or perhaps do some shopping in the boutiques of Le Marais. In the early afternoon we head off to explore the City of Lights on an exclusive private tour. We’ll have photo stops outside of incredible landmarks like the Louvre and Madeleine church, then we’ll stroll around Paris’s prettiest covered walkways. Take a trip back to its decadent past as we learn about the history of Palais Royal. At 6:00pm we’ll board our home for the next week, the Barge Déborah. Once everyone has settled in, we’ll have a safety briefing, meet the crew, and enjoy cocktails before dinner.

This morning our barge will be stationed by the Eiffel Tower, leaving plenty of time for an optional visit to the top for a birds-eye view of Paris, or for a stroll through the romantic Champ de Mars Gardens. Lunch will be served back on our barge before we set sail for Lagny-sur-Marne. Dinner will be provided on the barge later in the evening.

This morning will be spent cruising to Isles-les-Meldeuses, then in the afternoon we’ll arrive at a truly un-brie-leavable destination: Meaux! On today’s guided tour we’ll enjoy a sample of Brie which has a lovely mellow mushroom flavour, distinct from its often confused cousin Camembert. We’ll also tour the gorgeous city, photographing its largely intact old walls and headless statues—a gruesome reminder of the French Revolution. During this visit, the ship continues cruising to Saint-Jean-Les-Deux-Jumeaux where we will return on board.

This morning will be spent cruising, passing Champigny and Drachy, through the heart of the Seine-et-Marne countryside and its Champagne vines. In the afternoon, we’ll arrive in Château-Thierry and witness a falconry show with live demonstrations. There will be plenty of time to explore, shop, and even practice our French. We will spend the night in Château-Thierry.

Today we head into the French countryside, enjoying beautiful views of the charming Champagne route. In particular, we’ll visit the village of Hautvilliers, the birthplace of Champagne, where we’ll tour the vineyards and cellar of a major Champagne house and enjoy a taste of its romantic wine.

This morning we’ll enjoy a buffet breakfast onboard before driving through the Champagne region’s beautiful vineyards en route to Reims. Together we’ll enjoy a private tour of the historic center and visit the city’s gargantuan Gothic cathedral. It’s here that 34 sovereigns began their reign over one of Europe’s richest and most powerful countries. Later in the afternoon we arrive in Épernay, the capitale du Champagne. Beneath its streets are 110km of underground cellars housing over 200 million bottles of Champagne. Feel free to explore the town, walk its cobblestone streets and perhaps taste a glass of bubbly. Tonight we’ll reconvene on the ship for our Farewell Dinner before saying au revoir tomorrow.

This morning, enjoy one last breakfast before disembarking at 9:00am. 

Please note: Today a group transfer will be provided to Paris, either to the international airport or our post-tour hotel. With that in mind, we ask that you schedule your departing flight to leave no earlier than 5 PM.

Bonjour! Welcome to “Gay Paree”. Check-in to our centrally located hotel in the fashionable Le Marais gayborhood, and feel free to relax before our Welcome Meeting at 5PM where we’ll get acquainted and answer any of your lingering questions. Afterwards we’ll spoil our taste buds with an included Welcome Dinner, and perhaps a cocktail or two at a nearby LGBTQ+ bar.

This morning we explore the City of Lights on an exclusive private tour. We’ll have photo stops outside of incredible landmarks like the Louvre and Madeleine church, then we’ll stroll around Paris’s prettiest covered walkways. Take a trip back to its decadent past as we learn about the history of Palais Royal. In the afternoon you will have free time to grab a croissant or lunch at a café before our private transfer to Épernay, the capitale du Champagne. Beneath its streets are 110km of underground cellars housing over 200 million bottles of Champagne. Feel free to explore the town, walk its cobblestone streets and perhaps taste a glass of bubbly. At 6:00pm we’ll board our home for the next week, the Barge Déborah. Once everyone has settled in, we’ll have a safety briefing, meet the crew, and enjoy cocktails before dinner.

This morning we’ll enjoy a buffet breakfast onboard before driving through the Champagne region’s beautiful vineyards en route to Reims. Together we’ll enjoy a private tour of the historic center and visit the city’s gargantuan Gothic cathedral. It’s here that 34 sovereigns began their reign over one of Europe’s richest and most powerful countries. Tonight we’ll enjoy dinner on the barge while sailing to Dormans.

Today we head into the French countryside, enjoying beautiful views of the charming Champagne route. In particular, we’ll visit the village of Hautvilliers, the birthplace of Champagne, where we’ll tour the vineyards and cellar of a major Champagne house and enjoy a taste of its romantic wine. Back on board, we’ll cruise to Château-Thierry, through the beautiful Marne canal landscapes.

After breakfast we’ll saunter into the town of Château-Thierry and witness a falconry show with live demonstrations. There will be plenty of time to explore, shop, and even practice our French. Afterward, we’ll return to our ship and sail to Saint-Jean-Les-Deux-Jumeaux. On arrival, a glass of French wine might just seem like a fitting happy hour selection.

Good morning. Today’s quaint destination is truly un-brie-leavable: Meaux! On today’s guided tour we’ll enjoy a sample of Brie which has a lovely mellow mushroom flavour, distinct from its often confused cousin Camembert. We’ll also tour the gorgeous city, photographing its largely intact old walls and headless statues—a gruesome reminder of the French Revolution. Tonight we continue to glide down the canal towards Lagny-sur-Marne.

From Largny-sur-Marne we’ll sail the final stretch of canal into the heart of Paris where we’ll dock near the Eiffel Tower. We’ll have a free afternoon to stroll the area, perhaps head via metro to the Arc de Triomphe, or the Champs-Élysées for some last minute shopping. Reconvene on the ship for our Farewell Dinner, and perhaps even head to the Le Marais district for a final bottle of bubbles.

This morning, enjoy one last breakfast before disembarking at 9:00am. Your trip includes a complimentary departure transfer which will be confirmed by your group leader. It can either transfer you to the airport or a local hotel. Luggage storage is available on the ship until 5PM. Au revoir for now!