Vitry-le-François to Joinville: May 26^th     Joinville to Langres: June 2^nd  

Vitry-le-François was built by Francis 1^st in the 16^th Century and is now an attractive market town, largely rebuilt after wholesale destruction during the second world war. We arrive at the barge in time for a leisurely stroll before dinner on board. The following morning we set off along the valley of the River Marne on the Canal latéral à la Marne towards Saint-Dizier, mooring for the night beside a small village. Arriving in Saint-Dizier there is time to explore this important town. Of particular interest are the charming ancient wood framed churches in this area and the Lac du Der, both of which we visit. From Saint-Dizier we continue to follow the course of the Marne, passing through attractive countryside and small villages, to reach Joinville, an interesting town which there is time to explore before our final dinner aboard Merganser.

 Lentilles wood framed church interior

JOINVILLE to LANGRES

 This cruise takes us from Joinville, an interesting and historic town which you will have an opportunity to explore before we start the cruise, up the Canal de la Marne à la Saône towards Chaumont. The River Marne is now small and for the most part the canal closely follows its meanders. The scenery is attractive mixed woodland and pastoral; we are never far from small villages which lie beside the river. Chaumont is an ancient town with fine buildings grouped round the Basilica in the Old Town. There is time to visit this town before we continue the cruise to Langres, at which point we have reached the watershed which lies between the Marne and the Saône. There is time to explore this ancient town (Gallo-Roman remains from the 2^nd Century AD)before our final dinner aboard Merganser.

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