We will use our unique
in-depth experience
to find you your
perfect barge cruise
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Summary
Guided by decades of river cruise ship experience, Raymonde is one of CroisiEurope’s fleet of up-to-the-minute hotel barges. She has eleven double cabins, each bookable on an individual basis with an outside view, air conditioning, TV, radio and safe, and an ensuite shower-room.
Raymonde cruises a scenic seven-day route between Paris and Épernay, along the Marne canal. The cruise will include a tour and tasting at a celebrated champagne house in Épernay, delicious sampling of the famous authentic Brie cheese at Meaux and the incomparable sights of Paris. Raymonde also offers other routes from time to time.
Key Features
- Smart class (3*)
- Cruising between Paris and Épernay, in the Champagne region
- Charter and cabin bookings, 6 nights, 7 days
- The Great War: Battlefields cruise available for charter parties only
- 22 guests / 11 cabins with en-suite bathrooms. 1 for reduced mobility on the main deck
- Individually controlled air conditioning and heating throughout
- Full board, on-board dining
- Sun deck with Jacuzzi
The Classic Cruise — Raymonde
Classic Cruise Itinerary
Route | Between Paris and Epernay along the Canal and Marne river |
Pick-up | Paris at 4pm |
Dining | All inclusive | 6 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 5 dinners on board. 1 dinner in local restaurant |
Cruise Highlights
- Paris – visits to the more unusual sights
- Reims and its spectacular gothic Cathedral
- Falconry show at Château-Thierry
- Champagne’s birthplace, Hautvillers, and the Champagne route
- Meaux, the origin of delicious Brie cheese
- The Great War: Battlefields cruise available (for charter parties only)
Alternative routes
The Oise Valley: Paris to Paris via Bougival, Pontoise, Auvers, Saint Leu d’Esserent, Pont Sainte Maxence, Compeigne and Pont l’Eveque
Paris and St Martin: the canal Saint Martin, the famous sites and the Saint-Germain-des-Prés district
Please enquire.
Day 1 — Tuesday
Arrival in Paris
Transfer from Paris by coach to join Raymonde, moored in Épernay for boarding at 18:00. After comfortably settling into your cabins, introduction to the crew and a welcome cocktail before dinner.
Day 2 — Wednesday
Cruise to Dormans | Excursion to Reims
We’ll set off by coach for our excursion to Reims today. We’ll have a guided tour of the historic center and its cathedral. We’ll return on board. The afternoon will be spent sailing to Dormans, reaching it in the evening.
Day 3 — Thursday
Cruise to Château-Thierry | Excursion to Hautvillers
Join us for an excursion along the famous Champagne route. We’ll set out on a discovery tour of the village of Hautvillers, birthplace of Champagne. We’ll visit a major Champagne house followed by a champagne tasting. We’ll return on board and cruise to Château-Thierry, through the beautiful Marne canal landscapes, arriving at our destination early evening.
Day 4 — Friday
Cruise to Saint Jean-les-deux-Jumeaux | Excursion to Château-Thierry
Today we’ll enjoy a walking tour of Château Thierry and then a stunning falconry show with live demonstrations (or if inclement, the wonderful Hotel-Dieu). Then, we’ll cruise to Saint-Jean-Les-Deux-Jumeaux, reaching it during the evening.
Day 5 — Saturday
Cruise to Meaux and Lagny sur Marne | Excursion to Meaux
The cruise to Meaux takes us further along the peaceful waterways with views of the vineyards to enjoy as you sip you fresh coffee on deck. We’ll take lunch on board and then go on a guided tour of the charming town of Meaux, followed by a tasting of the famous Brie de Meaux cheese. We return on board Raymonde for aperitifs, now moored in Lagny-sur-Marne.
Day 6 — Sunday
Cruise to Paris | Walking tour of Paris
Early this morning, we’ll start cruising towards Paris, arriving in early afternoon. After lunch, we’ll set out for an exciting excursion taking in the major sites of the capital. Join us for a stroll along the prettiest covered walkways in Paris, allowing you to travel back through time, absorbing the history around the Palais Royal. Tonight it’s time to celebrate the week’s joys at our gala dinner and evening on board.
Day 7 — Monday
Departure from Paris
Enjoy one last buffet breakfast on board before disembarking at 09:00 for your onward journey.
Please note: This cruise is subject to change without notice and runs in the reverse direction on alternate weeks.
Accommodations and Facilities
- Dimensions: 128ft x 17ft
- 11 cabins, each 110 sq ft including bathroom
- Twin beds only
- Individually heated and air conditioned
- Shower, toilet, towels and hair-dryer provided
- Dining room, bar and saloon
- Sun deck with loungers, parasols, Jacuzzi and BBQ
Other items on board
- TV and radio
- Wi-Fi
- 220v Electricity
- Telephone (for internal calls)
- Professional English and French speaking crew of 5
- 6 bikes
- Air-conditioned coach for transfers and excursions
Facilities At A Glance
Fine Wines — Fine Dining
One of the highlights of the cruise is the outstanding cuisine prepared by superb French chefs. Guests can indulge in three/four course lunches and dinners, offering a variety of French and regional dishes that complement the region in which they are travelling. Guests also enjoy a selection of wines with their meals, as well as at the bar.
CroisiEurope’s ‘all inclusive’ service provides:
– breakfast buffet, lunch and dinner
– all drinks served at meals: water, wine, beer, fruit juice, coffee
– all drinks ordered at the bar
However, champagne and the grands crus from the special wine list, or drinks on the special bar card, are not included and will be charged extra.
CroisiEurope’s chef will cook with local products from the areas visited. In the summer months when the weather is fine, guests often relax with delicious barbecues served on deck.
Balance of flavours, refinement, local touches, creativity … these mark the style throughout the CroisiEurope barge fleet.
Hotel barge Raymonde cruises through the Paris and Champagne region
Reims ©Cezar Suceveanu | Others ©FW, wikimedia, n/a
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 / 7 days accommodation
One trannsfer
All meals and wines on board
Daily excursions, tour guide and associated transport
Not included
Travel to the meeting point
Travel, medical and cancellation insurances
Personal expenses
Crew gratuities (5 – 10% suggested)
2024
Charter and cabin bookings
Tuesday to Monday
Rates and dates
Per Cabin bookings
Twin Cabins only: except for one reduced mobility suite on main deck
May 8 and 14
September 25
October 1
From 1,999 GBP per person
Single occupancy supplements apply
Charter for up to 22 guests
Please enquire.
2025
Charter and cabin bookings
Tuesday to Monday
Rates and dates
Please contact us for available dates and charter rates
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