Barge Cruises in the Champagne region of France

It’s summer, and what could possibly make your summertime European cruise dream even better? The answer: Champagne! Cold, bubbly and refreshing, champagne is named after the place where champagne grapes are grown in France. Since the time of Charlemagne, the region has been known as one of Europe’s great agricultural areas. If you decide to take a barge tour along France’s beautiful rivers, not only will you be traveling through some of the most beautiful waterways in Europe, you will also enjoy the intimate atmosphere afforded by such a small-sized vessel. River barge cruises typically accommodate between 6-12 or so passengers, so if you are traveling with a small group, family or friends, your dream vacation awaits. Champagne, France, is a region only a couple of hours east of Paris. Known in the Roman era as Campania (Land of Plains), because of it’s beautiful, endless undulating plains, Champagne is now known throughout the world for its sparkling namesake. According to French law, only fizzy wine from this region (grown in specific areas and then aged and bottled according to extremely strict standards) can don the label: champagne. Several barge companies offer approximately weeklong cruises to the region, with wine (and, of course, champagne) tasting adventures to your heart’s content. Get ready to glide comfortably on what resembles a floating hotel along the River Marne as well as the Canal Latéral à la Marne. Cruising in the Marne Valley is superbly scenic. As such, the region inspired many Impressionist painters, including Cezanne and Pissaro. Enjoy the views, the flavors and the utter tranquility. What can be more relaxing and luxurious than floating through the champagne vineyards of the region, which created the fizzy wine? Aside from getting tipsy tasting champagne, you can choose from several side excursions. Depending on the tour, expect to visit several wineries and world-renown champagne houses, enchanting agricultural towns, famous cheese-making areas, ancient World War I battlefields, Gothic churches, quaint abbeys, and simply beautiful undulating hills, vine-covered and bright colored for as far as the eye can see. In the nearly 100 km of subterranean cellars that span beneath the streets and rolling plains of Epernay, millions of bottles hibernate and age, waiting for the perfect moment to be popped open. Here, you may find yourself on a private tour of the verdant Moët & Chandon vineyard and its cellars. In Epernay, you can truly explore the roots of champagne by visiting the abbey where Benedictine monk Dom Pérignon is said to have created the liquid gold. Reims, one of the most prestigious places of the Champagne Region, attracts visitors with its medieval cathedral, the Notre-Dame de Reims (Our Lady of Rheims). This is where the kings of France were once crowned, including Charles VII as made possible by Joan of Arc. Barging through the Champagne Region also offers some scrumptious cheese tasting opportunities. You will surly visit Meaux or Coulommiers to sample several divinely creamy varieties of Brie cheese. If history is your thing, the Marne Valley has been a historical battleground, from the times of Julius Caesar to World War I. Barge passengers cruising through the Champagne Region can tour major World War I battlefields as well as the American Monument, built in 1929 to commemorate American losses. Along the way, you will also have opportunities to stroll or bike along towpaths hugging the canal, while enjoying the many small villages that make up the champagne route. Aside from some of the larger champagne houses (maisons), you will likely visit smaller family-run wine producing facilities (vignerons) as well. If you want to experience a cruise with fine food, delicious wine, abundant champagne, medieval cathedrals and European history in a green tranquil countryside atmosphere, this vacation beckons you.