2-Country Barge Cruise: France & Belgium
France to Belgium between Paris and Bruges followed by
Belgium to France between Bruges and Paris
Sunday, Day 1 - Bruges
You are met in Bruges or Brussels by your chauffeur and transferred to the lovely barge Aurora, moored in the beautiful little town of Bruges, known as the "Venice of the North". After a welcome reception of petits fours and champagne, you will have time for a guided walking visit of the town center, or to explore some museums, magnificent squares and maybe buy some of the handmade lace, or take a boat trip on the small canals which meander through this picturesque town for a unique view of the Flemish architecture. Possibly visit the famous Belfry, Quay of the Rosary, Historium Museum, Burg Square, or St. Boniface Bridge. Cocktails and first dinner aboard.
Monday, Day 2 - Bruges to Ghent
After breakfast, we will start our first sailing east of Bruges which takes us to the gorgeous town of Ghent. Here you get to spend some time so you can visit the magnificent cathedral which houses "The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb", the fabulous and famous painting by the Van Eyck brothers, or take a walk through this wonderful town at your leisure and explore the local boutiques. The city of Ghent is proud of its rich past. Its position at the junction of the Leie and Schelde rivers has ensured the town's success as a trading port. Ghent is much more than just a museum town. This lively city with its numerous squares and cozy pubs is an excellent mixture of medieval edifices, stylish shopping streets, splendid mansions, working-class quarters from the beginning of the 20th century, and busy little squares where people eat out until the wee hours on a sultry summer night. Delightful dinner on board
Tuesday, Day 3 - Ghent to Oudenaarde
Beautiful, peaceful sailing on the Scheldt river into the Flemish Ardennes and the lovable town of Oudenaarde, renown for its tapestries. After lunch, we get to visit the spectacular town center, full of patrician houses and the UNESCO Heritage Site Gothic town hall (one of the most beautiful in Flanders with its belfry), Cloth Hall, Mou Museum with its tapestry displays, or the Brouwerij Liefmans beer brewery.
Wednesday, Day 4 - Oudenaarde to Tournai
There's plenty of time to relax this morning as we cruise gently up the River Schelde past sleepy hamlets and beautiful rolling landscapes until our arrival at Tournai (known as Doornik in Flemish). Tournai is an ancient Belgian town and the birthplace of Clovis I (founder of the Merovingian dynasty). Not to be missed is the fascinating clock tower/belfry on the wonderful square and a magnificent Romanesque Gothic cathedral with its five solemn square towers (both UNESCO World Heritage Sites). Tournai's belfry dates from around 1188, making it the oldest belfry in Belgium. You can observe the big ships navigate through the gate of the old Watergate. Also not to be missed, is the famous "Pont des Trous" (bridge with holes) used to collect tolls on the rivers in the old times. In 1940, the entire town was destroyed in a German air raid but restoration has been very successful. Dinner aboard.
Thursday, Day 5 - Tournai to Arleux
Today we move further into France along the river through the town of Valenciennes and to the junction with the Canal du Nord. Many barges pass through the little French village of Arleux on their way to the south of France. We'll take some time out to visit the town of Cambrai, home to the famous confectionary, the Betise de Cambrai sweet. "Betise" means nonsense or mistake. Legend has it that these mint candies were accidentally invented by the son of a confectioner. They make wonderful gifts. Another possibility is to visit the modern art Matisse Museum, or the lace museum, or perhaps a brewery. Dinner on board.
Friday, Day 6 - Arleux to Péronne
A day of contrasts awaits! This morning your Captain will pilot Aurora over the Vermandois Hills of Picardy through many deep locks and several tunnels on the Canal du Nord. This canal was constructed to replace the neighboring and smaller Canal St. Quentin built to transport coal from the mines strewn around the Picardy region. This is no mean feat, and the scenery is spectacular, too! The well-maintained towpath invites you to walk or cycle through the rural landscape. After lunch, we leave the countryside behind to visit the town of Amiens "Little Venice of the North" to see one of the most impressive Gothic cathedrals in France, with towering spires, magnificent columns and the tallest nave in France. Possibility to visit recreated prehistoric dwellings or local artefacts in Musee de Picardie. Dinner aboard.
Saturday, Day 7 - Péronne to Noyon
After the climb yesterday, today we will drop down towards the Valley of the Somme, revealing landscapes not normally seen by tourists. Again, there are great opportunities for cycling. After breakfast we will visit the war museum in Peronne dedicated to the history of World War I and set on the premises of the medieval castle. Afternoon cruise to our overnight mooring. Dinner aboard.
Sunday, Day 8 - Noyon to Compiègne
Our cruise today brings us to the Oise River valley. We will moor in the busy waterside town of Compiègne. There is much to see here including the Royal Palace – a neoclassical château and a royal residence lavishly redecorated at Napoleon's request, a huge town square and the train carriage where the WWI armistice was signed to end the First World War. Possibility to hike or bike in the gorgeous forest full of ponds and sweet hamlets. Dinner aboard.
Monday, Day 9 - Compiègne to Saint-Leu-d'Esserent
This morning's cruise will continue through the peaceful and bucolic settings of the river Oise until we reach our destination for the night nestled at the foot of a beautiful church overlooking the river. During our afternoon tour we will visit Senlis, a magnificent romantic medieval town with many old cobbled streets and picturesque houses (Cathedral Notre-Dame, ancient fortification and towers dating from 13th/16th centuries, Museum of Archeology and the town's History Museum). You can admire and visit the ancient walls, one of the best preserved in France.
Tuesday, Day 10 - Saint-Leu-d'Esserent to Isle Adam
After breakfast, we continue our cruise through the beautiful Oise Valley. We will moor in Isle Adam, a favorite weekend getaway for many Parisians. Our afternoon will be spent on the premises of Château de Chantilly, one of the most magnificent French sites. You get to visit the Château and its rich collections of many famous masterpieces (only surpassed by the Louvre), the apartments of Le Grand Condé, the park & vegetable garden, and the great stables. Château de Chantilly contains one of the largest fine art collections with focus on paintings and book illuminations from 15th & 16th centuries. The town is also famous for being the capital of whipped cream. Another delicious dinner on board.
Wednesday, Day 11 - Isle Adam to Conflans-Sainte-Honorine
We get immersed in an arty theme today with an afternoon excursion to a pleasant village where many impressionist painters gathered in their day, Auvers-sur-Oise. This is where Van Gogh took his inspiration to produce many of his last and most important paintings. He stayed in a small room above the local café. An afternoon walking tour may inspire you, too. We will include all the highlights such as the Van Gogh house, the absinthe museum, the atelier of Charles Daubigny and more! We'll finish the tour at the cemetery where both Vincent Van Gogh and his brother Theo are buried. Barge Aurora will be moored at Conflans-Sainte-Honorine this evening, at the junction of the River Seine and the l'Oise. Many bargees retire here, and you will see numerous house barges alongside the quays. Dinner aboard.
Thursday, Day 12 - Conflans to Paris via Bougival
We slip away from Conflans at dawn to cruise along the mighty River Seine to Bouvigal. This morning we'll visit the home of Napoleon at Malmaison, lavishly decorated by Josephine. After unch on board, we continue our cruise to Paris, past the iconic Eiffel Tower and the Notre Dame cathedral to moor in the heart of Paris. This evening, spent in such a romantic setting provides the perfect time to look back over your time onboard Aurora.
Friday, Day 13 - Paris
Enjoy a special hearty breakfast before bidding farewell to Aurora, her Captain and the crew. Bags are loaded after breakfast to transfer you to your drop off point in Paris.
NOTE: This is a sample itinerary that may be subject to change depending on local conditions.
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