Cruise to Champagne
Dates: July 17th-23rd (Epernay to Paris) -OR- July 24th-30th (Paris to Epernay) *
(7 Day/ 6 Night, All-Inclusive)
*There will be two back to back trips hosted by SommSchool. Both weeks will be identical.
"The Retreat was Marvelous!!"
- Suzanne G.
Float away to Champagne on this 7 day/6 night all-inclusive, private river cruise. From the moment we pick you up at the airport and bring you aboard our private river barge, you will relax into “la vie douce” as we drift along the Marne river.
Discover an unseen side of the City of Light as we cruise through the heart of Paris aboard our home for the week as well as the homeland of Champagne when we arrive in Reims. On the way, we will discover the world famous vineyards of Champagne all while having a beautiful glass of wine in hand. Come “taste the stars” on this trip of a lifetime.
"Wow, where do I start? From the moment I was picked up at the airport, I wasn't disappointed for a week. The venue and our hosts were top notch. The food, omg the food! Every dish was just as delicious as the next. I enjoyed seeing both wineries and our little city tours with our expert guide. Then there was meeting all the new people...
Just when I thought it couldn’t get any better it did."
-Sheryl H.
Our Itinerary
Day 1: Paris*
You will be picked up from the Charles de Gaulle airport at a specified time and welcomed aboard our home for the week. After comfortably settling into your cabin, we'll introduce your crew at a welcome cocktail before a classic French dinner.
Day 2: Paris- Lagny- Sur-Marne
We'll set out on an 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. Join us on an original walk along the prettiest covered arcades in Paris, allowing you to travel back through time and history around the Palais Royal. We'll return on board and start cruising towards Lagny-sur-Marne.
Day 3: Lagny-Sur-Marne - Isles-Les-Meledeuses- Saint- Jean-Lesdeux- Jumeaux
This morning will be spent cruising to Isles-les-Meldeuses.
This afternoon, join us on a tour of the charming town of Meaux, from the 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. We'll discover and taste the Brie de Meaux cheese, hailed as "the King of Cheeses”. During this visit, the ship continues cruising to Saint-Jean-Les-Deux-Jumeaux where we will return on board and enjoy a Champagne class before dinner.
Day 4: Saint-Jean-Les- Deux-Jumeaux-Chateau-Theirry
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 set off for an excursion with a falconry show as well as a tour and tasting at a Champagne house. We'll get the chance to discover an art that has been classified as Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. Afterwards, we'll return on board.
Day 5: Chateau-Thierry - Dormans
We'll start sailing towards Dormans. This afternoon, join us on an excursion along the famous Champagne route. We'll start off with a guided tour of the village of Hautvillers. This picturesque village is located in the Montagne de Reims Regional Natural Park and is best explored on foot. We'll continue our visit to a prominent champagne house with a wine tasting. We will have another Champagne wine class when we return aboard the Deborah.
Day 6: Dormans - Epernay
This morning will be spent sailing towards Epernay. This afternoon, we'll set off by coach for our excursion to Reims, known as the "City of Coronations”. We'll take part in a guided tour of the historic center as well as a guided visit of the cathedral as well as a tour and tasting at a Champagne house. We'll return on board. Tonight is our gala dinner and evening.
Day 7: Epernay - Paris
Enjoy one last delicious breakfast aboard before disembarking at 9:00 a.m. Our enchanted week together will come to an end as you are driven by coach to the Charles de Gaulle airport with the rest of our group.
*Please note:
The cruise starting July 17th will go from Epernay to Paris, while the cruise beginning July 24th will cruise from Paris to Epernay. Both itineraries are identical - just in reverse of each other.
"I loved all of it! So much thought and planning went into making it a seamless week for participants. The location was beautiful and peaceful. Both the wine classes and scheduled tastings were fantastic. Best of all was the other people on the trip- it was so much fun getting to know everyone and come home with some new friends!"
- Amber W.
"It was fun, informative, heartwarming at times and exactly the experience I hoped for with my grown daughter.
The week was fantastic and ended too soon!"
- Suzanne G.
Our Accommodations
Our home for the week is the MS Deborah, a superb Premium Canal barge. It accommodates 22 passengers with 10 guest cabins and all the comforts you will need during your stay.
On board, everything has been taken care of down to the smallest detail with 6 crew members in addition to SommSchool to guarantee a personalized service. Located on the upper deck are the restaurant which offers classic French cuisine in a refined setting, the lounge bar, and a relaxation area and terrace with a jacuzzi. Comfortable sun loungers are provided on the sun deck, the ideal place to relax and admire the surrounding landscapes.
Amenties include: TV, Private Bathrooms with Shower & Toilet, Safe, Independent Air Conditioning, Electricity 220V, and Wi-Fi
"From the selection of the villa, to the classes and programming, to the selection of visits, to the food, every aspect of the trip was well-planned and well-executed and served only to enhance what had already been an amazing vacation. It's no exaggeration to say we formed life-long friendships with some lovely people on this trip, and that wouldn't have been possible without the environment fostered by you...
We can't wait to join you again!"
- Steve C.
"Loved that all the details were thoughtfully planned, allowing for a very relaxing vacation.
I felt truly pampered!"
- Christy H.
"I've been asked what my favorite thing was by friends and family, and I tell them EVERYTHING. It was relaxing, gorgeous and the best group of people I could have asked for to spend a week with!
I loved the beautiful villa and warm staff, the amazing food, and the well thought out daily schedule board that wasn't "too full."
I loved the delicious wines that Kellie picked for our on-premise wine tastings and her teaching style.
I loved not having to make one decision for the entire week...
I loved the wonderful people in our group and the genuine new friendships I made.
So to wrap it up, my favorite part of the retreat was EVERYTHING."
- Amy V.
