Barging ( barge cruising ) France, Compiegne, Ardennes, Charleville-Mezieres

We arrive at Compiègne in time to explore this interesting town. Its famous Second Empire château has excellent formal gardens and outstanding vistas. There are good shopping opportunities and attractive buildings surround the main square. Our cruise takes us briefly up the River Oise to the confluence with the River Aisne. We take this latter river and pass through an attractive countryside of woods and small villages to arrive at Soissons, another attractive and important town with good shops, markets and reminders of its significance in the history of France through the ages. Continuing up the River Aisne we reach Berry au Bac. This area marks the scene of one of the most famous tank battles of the first world war and we visit the site and monument dedicated to this battle. Continuing up the Canal Latéral à l’Aisne we climb through widely spaced locks to Vieux-les-Asfeld, at which point we enter the Canal des Ardennes. Asfeld itself, where we moor, has an interesting baroque church in the shape of a viol (see illustration), which is of interest, as is the large German war cemetery in the village. Keeping company with the River Aisne we reach Rethel and the end of the cruise.

Leaving Rethel we continue rising through well spaced locks on the Canal des Ardennes until we reach the junction with the Vouziers arm at Rilly-sur-Aisne. The canal now leaves the Aisne valley by means of a large flight of interesting locks, 27 in number, to le Chesne and the summit level of the canal. The locks cover a short distance, 9 km., but the passage through them takes a whole day's cruising, affording a very good opportunity for walking or cycling the towpath. The scenery becomes increasingly dominated by large stretches of woodland through which the canal winds its way as it climbs to reach Pont à Bar, and the junction with the River Meuse. The cruise now continues downstream towards Charleville Mézières, in reality two towns, one, Mézières founded in the 9^th Century and the other, Charleville, a new town of the 17^th Century, which were united in 1966. Both are interesting with the Place Ducale in Charleville particularly spectacular There is time for us to visit the Place Ducale and sample the café atmosphere before returning to Merganser for our farewell dinner .

These itineraries are reversed for the cruises from Rethel to Compiègne and from Charleville- Mézières to Rethel.

Cruise barge Merganser: features, cabin plan

Cruise barge booking - small print, Cruise barge - booking details