Vitry-le-François to Dormans: May 17^th     Dormans to Vitry le François: May 24^th  

Vitry-le-François to Ligny en Barrois: May 31^st    

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 and, after passing through some interesting canalside villages, reach Châlons en Champagne. Thee is time to explore this important and attractive town. Continuing our cruise down the widely spaced locks of the canal we eventually reach the River Marne itself where we turn downstream to pass through a magnificent panorama of vine covered hills and small villages nestling in between. The locks on this cruise are widely spaced and fairly shallow as the river meanders towards Dormans, where there is time to visit the great memorial which pays tribute to those who fought in the battles of the Marne during the First World War. 

Merganser moored at Châlons en Champagne

VITRY-LE-FRANCOIS to LIGNY EN BARROIS

 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 Canal de la Marne au Rhin,  a  canal which  rises steadily through numerous locks towards  Alsace and Lorraine. The Country is remote, winding through gently rolling fields to reach  Bar le Duc, an important and interesting town. The upper town gives a good prospect of the valley of the River Ornain and is worth visiting for its well preserved old buildings. As we leave Bar le Duc the scenery changes, becoming an attractive mixture of wooded hills and small pastoral fields; we are never far from small villages which lie beside the river. Now the locks follow one another more closely as we approach our destination, Ligny en Barrois, a medium sized market town of ancient lineage. There is time to explore before our final dinner aboard Merganser.

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