May 16 PARIS - EPERNAY
Tuesday
Transfer from Paris by coach to join our ship in Epernay. Boarding in the late of the afternoon in Epernay. Enjoy a presentation of the crew and welcome cocktail. Dinner on board. Overnight.
Aboard MS Raymonde
May 17 EPERNAY - HAUTVILLIERS - DORMANS
Wednesday
Full board on board. Excursion along the famous Champagne route. Discovery tour of the village of Hautvilliers, birthplace of Champagne. Visit of a major Champagne house followed by a tasting of champagne. Return on board and cruise to Dormans. Arrival in the evening. Overnight.
Aboard MS Raymonde
May 18 DORMANS - REIMS - CHÂTEAU THIERRY
Thursday
Full board on board. We’ll leave by coach from Dormans for Reims, which is known as the “City of Coronations”. The excursion to Reims begins with a guided tour of the historic center and its cathedral. Reims played a prominent role in French monarchical history as the traditional site of the crowning of the kings of France. Many notable champagne-producing houses have their headquarters in Reims. We’ll enjoy a guided tour on foot and discover the Place Royale, Place Du Forum (Roman forum) and the Place de l’Hôtel de Ville, etc. The cathedral became a UNESCO World Heritage Site, along with the former Abbey of Saint-Remi and the Palace of Tau, in 1991.
We’ll take part in a guided visit of the cathedral, which receives about one million visitors annually. Built in the 13th and 14th centuries, this work of art is unique in its unity of style, stained-glass windows of rare magnificence (including one by Marc Chagall installed in 1974), and the “Smiling Angel” statue.
At the end of our tour, we’ll return to the ship in Dormans. The afternoon is spent sailing to Château Thierry, through the beautiful Marne canal landscapes. Arrival in the early evening. Overnight.
Aboard MS Raymonde
May 19 CHÂTEAU THIERRY
Friday SAINT-JEAN-LES-DEUX-JUMEAUX
Full board on board. Visit to the Jean de la Fontaine Museum. Discovery of the town of Château Thierry passing the castle walls and the Hotel Dieu where Jean de la Fontaine also once lived. Return on board and cruise to Saint-Jean-Les-Deux-Jumeaux. Afternoon spent sailing, passing Drachy and Champigny, through the heart of the Seine-et-Marne countryside and its Champagne vines. Arrival in the evening. Overnight.
Aboard MS Raymonde
May 20 SAINT-JEAN-LES-DEUX-JUMEAUX
Saturday MEAUX - LAGNY-SUR-MARNE
Full board on board. Cruise to Meaux. Arrival in Meaux and in the afternoon, visit of this charming town, from Meaux Cathedral to the Bishops’ Palace, passing the Gallo-Roman ramparts and the magnificent Bossuet Garden, traditionally believed to be an early work of Le Nôtre. Discovery of the Brie de Meaux Exhibition Room, followed by a tasting of the cheese, hailed as the “King of Cheeses”. During this visit, the ship continues cruising to Lagny-sur-Marne where we will return on board. Overnight.
Aboard MS Raymonde
May 21 LAGNY-SUR-MARNE - PARIS
Sunday
Full board on board. Continue our cruise to Paris. In the afternoon, arrive for our excursion through the major sites of the capital: the Place de la République, the main boulevards, the Opera, the Place de la Madeleine, Place Vendôme and the Louvre. Original walk along the prettiest covered walkways in Paris. Travel back through time and history around the Palais Royal. Return on board. Gala evening. Overnight.
Aboard MS Raymonde
May 22 PARIS
Monday
Buffet breakfast on board. Disembark in the morning.
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