MERGANSER
CRUISE ITINERARY FRANCE 2008
Paris to Compiègne: August 16th
Compiègne to Reims: August 23rd
Transfers between Lille and the Barge.
PARIS to COMPIEGNE
Arriving at the barge in Paris there is time to
explore the area close to the Eiffel Tower which lies near our mooring. It is
an area of great interest and character well deserving of a stroll before
dinner aboard Merganser. Local boulangeries provide croissants for breakfast
before we start our cruise downstream on the River Seine towards Rueil-Malmaison,
which lies in the Bras de Marly, opposite the island of Chatou, and the maison
Fournier, places much visited and painted by the impressionists. Whilst
there there is time to visit the charming small château where Napoleon spent his last days in
France before exile to St.Helena. Continuing downstream we reach Conflans
St.Honorine, colourful with many barges, where we join the River Oise.
Stopping to visit Pontoise, where there is an opportunity to stroll
round the well preserved old town, we reach journey’s end at Compiègne,
where we tour the pretty town to see its famous Second Empire Château,
excellent formal gardens and outstanding
vistas. Cobbled central areas boast a large number of timbered buildings, rare
in this part of France and the shopping is first class.
Compiègne - Château rose garden
Arriving at the barge in Compiegne there is
time to visit the pretty town to see its famous Second Empire Chateau,
excellent formal gardens and outstanding
vistas. Cobbled central areas boast a large number of timbered buildings, rare
in this part of France and the shopping is first class, as is to be expected of this cosmopolitan city. The next day
we cruise along the River Oise to the junction with the River Aisne,
mooring beside one of the small villages along the river. The
following day we cruise to Soissons, an attractive and historic town
with good shops and monuments where we stop for the night. The cruise
continues through an attractive landscape
of woods and small villages to the junction with the Canal latéral à l’Aisne,
and thence to the Canal de l’Aisne à la Marne at Berry au Bac,
scene of one of the most famous tank battles of the first world war. This canal
takes us to Reims in time to explore this magnificent city. Reims is the
cultural and economic capital of Champagne and boasts a long and celebrated
history. Here, amid the splendours of the Cathedral of Notre Dame and the Tau
Palace, you will find reminders of the coronation of French kings from Clovis
in 498AD to Charles X in 1825. Also, as befits a regional capital, the ambience
of the centre is appealing with excellent shops, lively bars and plenty of the
cosmopolitan chic one associates with champagne.
Barge cruising France and Belgium - home page
French and Belgian barge cruise itineraries
Cruise barge Merganser: features, cabin plan