We will use our unique
in-depth experience
to find you your
perfect barge cruise
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Summary
Johanna is a beautifully converted hotel barge for six guests cruising through the northern regions of Belgium and France. Available for charter bookings for 4, 5 or 6 guests she offers a range of delightful routes.
Bright and freshly furnished in contemporary style, she has three spacious cabins with en-suite bathrooms. The salon and dining area, with open galley, has large picture windows providing a light, airy interior with superb views of the countryside and passing towns and villages. The sun deck also has a dining area for fine-dining in the open air.
Charter barge Johanna is owned and run by Kris and Patsie Rotsaert. Kris trained as a ship’s radio officer and engineer, also achieving a helmsman’s licence. He later become a computer systems specialist but returned to inland waters to captain Johanna. Patsie is a former Olympic level gymnast and dancer with a Master’s Degree in physical education. She has turned her love of cooking into her second profession. They speak fluent Dutch, French and English, and a little German. Johanna also has a (charming and out of sight) dog on board and so does not welcome other pets.
Key Features
- Premier class (3*)
- Rivers Marne, Seine and Loing, Canal de la Marne au Rhin, Canal de Briare; Paris, Champagne and Upper Loire regions
- Charter bookings, 6 nights, 7 days, March to October
- Flexible cruise lengths from 4 to 14 days and mid-week sailings
- 6 guests / 3 cabins with en-suite bathrooms
- Air conditioning and heating throughout
- Sun deck dining area, hydraulic canopy and loungers
The Classic Cruise — Johanna
Classic Cruise Itinerary
Route | Between Reims and Chateau-Thierry, Champagne |
Pick-up | Paris vicinity, or Reims at 4pm |
Dining | All inclusive: 6 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 6 dinners. 2 meals are taken off board. |
Classic Cruising Highlights
- Explore pretty villages and local markets
- Cruise into Reims, Epernay and Château-Thierry
- Visit famous champagne houses and small wine growers for delicious tastings
- See the Art-Nouveau Villa Demoiselle in Reims
- Stroll trough Hautvillers, the birthplace of champagne
- Admire Reims cathedral or the American WW1 memorial of Belleau Wood
- Walk and cycle the excellent tow-paths
Alternative Cruises
Johanna winters in Bruges, Belgium so cruises are available at the beginning and end of the season as she journeys to and from France. Sometimes she’ll cruise into the Loire valley.
- Shoulder cruise: Bruges to Paris, first cruise of the season
- Upper Seine and Loire – between Evry and Montargis
- Shoulder cruise: Upper Loire, between Montargis and Châtillon-sur-Loire
Please enquire.
Day 1 — Sunday
Arrival in Reims
Pick-up at a pre-arranged meeting point for private chauffeured transfer to the mooring in Reims. Welcome on board and an evening visit to the historic illuminated cathedral.of Reims after dinner on board. Many of the French Kings were crowned in Reims: since 1027, all kings of the house of Capet, except 4, have been crowned in the cathedral where they received their power of divine right after King Clovis I was baptised in Reims by archbishop Remigius in 496/499.
Day 2 — Monday
Cruise to Billy-le-Grand | Excursion to Verzy
After breakfast, cruise through the ancient tunnel of Billy-le-Grand and after lunch on board take a beautiful afternoon drive through the Reims hillsides for a guided tour of the Lighthouse at Verzenay, a museum about the history of wine-making in the region. Admire the stunning views over landscapes and later see the rare dwarf beech trees of Verzy.
After aperitifs back on board just relax before dinner.
Day 3 — Tuesday
Cruise to Condé-sur-Marne | Excursion to Chalons-en-Champagne
This morning your cruise drops into the Marne valley, descending the eight locks down to Condé-sur-Marne. Plenty of time to walk or cycle beside Johanna this morning. After lunch on board, there’s a lovely excursion to Chalons-en-Champagne, the capital of the Marne region, for a tour of this ancient city, its 12 century churches, half-timbered buildings and beautiful gardens.
Day 4 — Wednesday
Cruise to Epernay | Excursion to Dom Perignon's Hauvillers and a tasting
Today we cruise to Epernay, the wine capital of the Champagne region, where you can literally soak up the secrets of cultivation and the ‘degustation’. After lunch on board, there’s a wonderful excursion to Hautvillers, where Dom Perignon is claimed to have invented Champagne, and a private tasting in a family-run vineyard environment, where you’ll taste some unknown but very special wines. Back on board, there’ll be a perfectly matched Champagne to accompany your dinner.
Day 5 — Thursday
Cruise to Dormans | Excursion to snail farm and tasting
Today your cruise joins the river Marne and cruise through the vineyard slopes. At the foot of the statue of Pope Urbanus II, who called for the first crusade, there’s a wonderful view over the river Marne with the Reims mountains behind. At Dormans, we visit the Dom Caudron winery in Passy-Grigny for a delicious “trio of chocolate and champagne”. A real must for champagne lovers!
Day 6 — Friday
Cruise to Château-Thierry | Excursion to Belleau Wood or Conde-en-Brie
This morning’s cruise takes us into the Picardy region, full of memories for some but beauty for everyone, as we follow the meandering Marne to Château-Thierry. After lunch a choice of visits for your party:either the American WWI Monument and the poignant Belleau Wood memorial site, or choose an excursion to Conde-en-Brie with its historic castle, market and church. Dinner on board.
Day 7 — Saturday
Departure from Château-Thierry
Depart after breakfast at around 9am for transfer to the drop-off point in Reims, or Paris.
Please note: This itinerary is subject to change and runs on the reverse direction on alternate weeks.
“The barge cruise was amazing!
The Champange tours & tastings were excellent & even better than Moët & Chandon. The highlight was definitely Chef Patsie’s food! The cruise was very relaxing….just the right amount of sailing & sight-seeing. Patsie also did a Pilates class with us! We also had the opportunity for several 2-3 mile walks as we went through the locks. We ate 2 nights at village restaurants – the food was very good, but paled in comparison to Patsie’s.
I would do this cruise again with Kris, Patsie, & William (our driver/tour guide)
J A, USA, May 2023
“Our trip aboard Johanna was wonderful. Kris and Patsy did everything they could to make it special, and it was. The boat is very well designed and comfortable. Patsy truly is a gourmet cook. Everyone in our group raved about her meals. Our driver, Willem, was a fount of information. The tours were interesting and paced just right for our group.”
Steve B party, N Carolina – May 2022
Accommodations and Facilities
- Dimensions: 32m x 5.1m
- All the suites measure 118 sq ft (10.5m²) including the bathrooms
- All beds are queen size or twin beds
- One window and two opening portholes
- Bathrooms: shower, wash basin and toilet
- All cabins have individually controlled heating and air conditioning
Other items on board
- Expert and professional English-speaking crew of 3: Kris (captain), Patsie (superb chef), matelot and tour guide
- Friendly cat and an adorable border Collie dog
- Three spacious double or twin cabins with en-suite bathrooms
- Cooking demonstrations
- CD/iPod sound system
- Internet connection (maybe restricted in some areas)
- Air conditioning and heating
- 6 x 21 geared bicycles
- Air-conditioned minibus for transfers and excursions
Johanna also accommodates Jazz, a delightful and well-behaved border collie dog.
Facilities At A Glance
Fine Wines — Fine Dining
You will be amazed by the high standards of cuisine aboard Johanna, professionally prepared by chef Patsie. All meals are served on board, except for two inclusive dinners, which guests take off board at a local restaurant. This gives guests the flexibility to taste delicious local cuisine within the authentic local atmosphere.
On board, all meals are prepared with fresh local produce, sourced from trusted suppliers along the route. Menus are carefully and thoughtfully planned and can be adapted to accommodate particular dietary requirements given 8 weeks notice.
Johanna’s galley is open, so you can watch and learn. Lessons are available, too – Patsie’s lettuce soup and scallop salad are unsurpassed.
Charter barge Johanna cruises in the Champagne region
Classic cruise rates and dates
All rates and prices will be confirmed at time of booking. Special Offers are available from time to time – contact us
What’s included
6 nights accommodation
Return transfers from the meeting point
All meals and drinks on board
Standard excursions, fees and associated transport.
What’s not included
Travel to the meeting point
Travel, medical and cancellation insurance
Crew gratuities (5 – 10% suggested)
Personal expenses
2024
Charter bookings only
Flexible start days - no scheduled weeks
Rates and dates
Johanna is cruising in the Champagne and Loire regions
Full Board – 6 nights/7 days
5 May – 24 May and 1 – 20 October | Belgium and France
4 June – 21 September | Champagne region
1 – 4 guests charter: 18,144 USD
5 guests charter: 21,924 USD
6 guests charter: 25,704 USD
14-Day Battlefield Cruise
1 – 4 guests charter: 32,880 USD
5 guests charter: 40,200 USD
6 guests charter: 46,800 USD
2025
Charter bookings only
Flexible start days - no scheduled weeks
Rates and dates
Johanna is cruising in the Champagne and Loire regions
Full Board – 6 nights/7 days
5 May – 24 May and 1 – 20 October | Belgium and France
4 June – 21 September | Champagne region
1 – 4 guests charter: 18,144 USD
5 guests charter: 21,924 USD
6 guests charter: 25,704 USD
14-Day Battlefield Cruise
1 – 4 guests charter: 32,880 USD
5 guests charter: 40,200 USD
6 guests charter: 46,800 USD
Booking
Booking a luxury barge vacation isn’t the kind of thing one does with just a mouse-click or two. It takes a little research, thought and understanding, and we hope that our pages have provided you with all the information and inspiration you need to take this next step.
Why should you book with us? Because…
We’ve explored the waterways of France on our own boat since 2003 and know each of the barges and their routes.
We’re independent, impartial and enthusiastic – and we are the only France cruising specialist that can offer you the benefits of our own in-depth cruising knowledge and experience.
We love France, we love the rivers and canals of France, we love hotel barging – and we love talking about all three!
There’s nothing like speaking to a friendly expert to help you see the wood for the trees and to make the best possible decision about the vacation cruise of a lifetime. Get in touch – we’re here to help.
We will use our unique
in-depth experience
to find you your
perfect barge cruise