Discover the Charm of Champagne on a Luxury Barge Cruise

A Hotel Barge Cruise through Champagne

The Classic Champagne Cruise aboard hotel barge Kir Royale, takes up to eight guests on a fascinating ‘journey of the grape’ along the pretty River Marne and through the heart of the historic Champagne region. The production of this sublime sparkling drink covers over 34,000 hectares (85,000 acres), encompassing 316 villages and nearly 280,000 vineyard plots!

The cruise, in which vineyards come down to the water’s edge, also includes the village of Hautvillers, known as the ‘cradle of Champagne’. It is here that almost 350 years ago, the monk Dom Perignon discovered the ‘Méthode Champenoise,’ (champagne method) a special – and many consider the best – way of getting the ‘sparkle’ into the wine.

What Makes Champagne Unique

The ‘Champagne Method’ requires 2 fermentations. After the second fermentation phase, the bottles are stored in the winery’s cellars, where they are left undisturbed for a long period of time to mature. Before being released, all authentic champagnes have to age for at least 15 months in the winemaker’s cellars. This period is longer in Champagne than in other regions: two to three years for non-vintage and four to ten years for vintage champagne.

Let’s add in that the Champagne vineyards enjoy a dual climate that is influenced by a meeting of maritime and continental weather. This characteristic is specific to Champagne and not present in any other area of France that produces wine. This creates a truly unique area for the vineyard grapes that make up this sparkling treat.

La Maison Ayala

With European Waterways you’ll enjoy a private winery tour and tasting at La Maison Ayala, a renowned champagne house situated in Aÿ, one of the 17 rare villages classified as grand cru in the Champagne region. This family-owned, independent champagne house was founded in 1860 by Edmond Ayala. We take a tour of the historic cellars to learn about the house’s history and understand the philosophy behind Champagne Ayala before a private tasting.

Ayala champagne is unique in pioneering low-dosage sparkling wine. After champagne goes through its  second fermentation it is bone dry in flavour. A small ‘dosage’ of sweet wine is added. How much is based on whether the winery wishes it to be dry or lean towards sweeter. A low dosage means that almost no sugar is added to the champagne making it naturally very dry.

La Maison Boizel

La Maison Boizel is a prestigious champagne house situated on the iconic Avenue de Champagne. We explore the underground cellars, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which includes the ’family treasure’ featuring bottles dating back to 1834. We delve into the history and know-how that has been passed down through six generations to when the house was built in 1834.

In the 1870s the family became famous for choosing to make champagnes with less ‘dosage’. In a time when champagnes were generally sweeter than what we know today, this was a bold move and resulted famously in the first brut champagnes.

Frerejean Frères

We’ll partake in a private champagne tour, tasting and lunch at the boutique grand cru winery of Frerejean Frères. Located in the Côtes des Blancs village of Avize, in the middle of the champagne countryside, it is famous for its craftsmanship.

The Côtes des Blancs region is unique in its terroir, the particular combination of soil, climate and sun that plays a part in giving the grapes their distinctive flavour. Because this terroir is so special, Frerejean Frères produces only premier cru and grand cru.

Château-Thierry

The stunning and historic town of Château-Thierry is also on the itinerary. We’ll take a guided visit to its 42-acre battlefield and monument as well as the American cemetery at Belleau Wood, where US forces fought one of the bloodiest battles of World War One.

Located  on a commanding hilltop that was captured by American and French forces, the monument at Chateau-Thierry honours the wars that took place in the area and celebrates the Franco-American alliance.

The (Unofficial) Capital of Champagne

We mustn’t forget the city of Reims, considered the ‘Capital of Champagne’. It’s most famous for its champagne houses. There are 16 in fact, and between them have 250km (150 miles) of cellars. Most of the renowned brands can be found here, from Taittinger to Veuve-Cliquot, Lanson to Mumm, and even Pommery!

But the city also boasts impressive architecture and a beautiful 800-year-old Gothic cathedral you will visit, where 25 Kings of France were crowned! It sits majestically amongst this delightful city with its grand squares and elegant shopping arcades. Time to shop or simply wander is a must!

Champagne beyond Champagne

It’s not all champagne on our cruises through this region. This is the land of stunning landscapes that inspired impressionist artists such as Pierre-Auguste Renoir. He in fact lived in the Aube department of Champagne from 1896-1907.

Your hotel barge meanders along through the inspiring countryside, offering dappled hillsides, forested mountain tops, quaint towns and rolling vineyards. The Marne Valley is unspoilt with many magnificent views. Most notably…

Champagne Cruises with Kir Royale

Today Champagne continues to draw visitors and wine aficionados from around the world who wish to sample the famous product that sets the gold standard for sparkling wines. Join the Kir Royale as she cruises through the region and discover for yourself the magnificence that is Champagne.

You can explore Champagne throughout the hotel barge cruising season aboard European Waterways’ newest hotel barge, the Ultra Deluxe Kir Royale, accommodating just eight passengers. With a full crew, including a dedicated Captain, Chef, Tour Guide, and hosts – guests can fully enjoy their spacious surroundings and magnificent views of the Champagne countryside on a luxury all-inclusive cruise.

Order a complimentary copy of our brochure, or talk to a member of our Cruise Team to secure your Champagne voyage.