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SAVOIR FAIRE, a beautiful 12 passenger deluxe barge, cruises from Paris to Champagne in France.
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SAVOIR FAIRE starts her barge cruise season in Holland to partake in the springtime celebration of tulips and flowers. With passengers on board for a Three Country Cruise, she then heads to France for the summer where she cruises the rivers from Paris to Burgundy to the Upper Loire to Champagne. A comfortable, spacious barge, Savoir Faire is a delight with her experienced crew and owners Chris and Fran Bennett on board as hosts extraordinaire. |
Cruise Highlights
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Typical Cuisine on Board * Braised Beef Filet in Juniper Berry and Red Wine Jus * Saddle of Lamb with Eggplant Caviar Wine Cellar *St. Emilion Grand Cru (Chateau Gaillard) * Chassagne-Montrachet les Houilleres * Pomerol (Chateau des Jacobins)

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The Champagne Cruise (itinerary below) is different from many others. It begins or ends in PARIS! and features a private and exclusive "Paris by Night" cruise aboard the SAVOIR FAIRE, where the city's floodlit monuments and the Eiffel Tower unfold from a privileged perch on the panoramic deck.
2010 SAVOIR FAIRE offers four itineraries in France, Holland and Belgium
- Springtime in Holland
Departures March 28; April 4, 11, 18, 25
- Three Country Cruise
Departures May 2, 9; Oct 17, 24 6 or 13-night cruise
- Paris to Villeneuve in Burgundy
Departures May 16, 23, 30; June 6, 13, 20, 27; July 4, 11, 18, 25; August 1, 8, 15; Sept 19, 26; October 3, 10
- Paris to Champagne (itinerary below)
Departures August 22, 29; Sept 5, 12

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Itinerary
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Champagne & Brie Cruise Epernay to Paris
SUNDAY (Cumieres) You are transferred by air-conditioned minivan from Hotel Ampere in Paris at 2pm and driven directly to the Savoir Faire, moored at Cumieres, 2km from the heart of Epernay. After an introduction to your ship, you are given time to settle in to your cabin before joining your captain and crew for our welcoming champagne reception. There will be time to stroll through the village before coming back on board where your master chef will delight you with the first of many delicious meals.
MONDAY (Cruise Cumieres to Damery) This morning, after breakfast, we visit Reims and its magnificent cathedral. We then join the "Savoir Faire" for lunch and a short cruise to the delightful little town of Damery, with its 13th century church, which was part of a former Benedictine priory. Later this afternoon we visit the Abbey of Hautvilliers where the monk Dom Perignon first made Champagne. Dinner aboard.
TUESDAY (Cruise Damery to Chateau Thierry) You are now entering the true Champagne region. Your hosts have arranged a pre-lunch visit to the world famous cellars of Moet and Chandon for a tour and tasting. We then continue to cruise to Chateau Thierry, were we shall moor for the night. This pretty town offers a promenade along the original walls of the town with views over the Marne valley. This whole area was the scene of American battles in World War I. Nearby is the American Monument. Built in 1929, at an altitude of 660 feet, the monument keeps alive the memory of the American troops who fought in WWI. Optional visit to Belleau Wood battlefield and the American cemetery. Dinner aboard.
WEDNESDAY (Cruise Chateau Thierry to La Ferte) Your cruise today will take you through picturesque landscapes so loved by both the French and visitors abroad. Today we have arranged a tour of some of our favorite places and a selection of visits to small family-run vineyards so that you can try their fine selection of champagnes. Our mooring for the night is at La Ferte, which offers beautiful, refreshing promenades along the river. Dinner aboard.
THURSDAY (Cruise La Ferte to Meaux) Today we cruise to Meaux, in the very heart of Brie, famous for its wonderful cheeses of the same name. Nearby, on the route to Soissons, stands a monument that commemorates the 5th September 1914, the extreme point of advance of the German troops and the date of the French counter-attack. We visit Coulomniers, one of the centers of Brie cheese. Your personalized visit to a master cheese maker will enable you to see the cheese-making process first hand and to sample a variety of the world famous Brie cheese, along with wines from his excellent cellar. Dinner aboard.
FRIDAY (Meaux to Paris) This morning we leave Meaux and head towards the mighty Seine which will take us into the very heart of Paris. Our cruise will take us past Coupvray, the birthplace of Louis Braille, the inventor of the alphabet for the blind. At St Maur des Fosses we pass through the tunnel, which enables us to bypass the shallow waters of the Marne Loop. Today we visit the magnificent Chateau of Vaux-le-Vicomte. The wonderfully-proportioned chateau and its exquisite gardens are the highlight of this visit. Built between 1656 and 1661 for finance minister Nicolas Fouquet.
We finish our journey with an exclusive evening cruise through Paris. As the "Savoir Faire" glides past the magnificent church of Notre Dame, the resplendent Louvre art gallery and the symbolic Eiffel Tower, you will be joined by your captain and his wife for cocktails followed by the farewell "Captains Dinner". Pass beneath the Eiffel Tower and the floodlit bridges. Our final berth for the night is in the Arsenal, a stone's throw from the lively district of the Bastille.
SATURDAY (Departure 9.30am) After a hearty breakfast, our chauffeurs will drive you to your hotel or airport in Paris.
Note: This is a sample itinerary. Itineraries are flexible and may be changed according to passenger requests and local conditions. The itinerary is in the reverse direction every other cruise week. |
Floor Plan
Savoir Faire has 6 twin or queen cabins and elegant furnishings.
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This is a barge you will love |
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SAVOIR FAIRE Deluxe, 12 passengers Sunday to Saturday - 6 nights Three Country Cruise - 13 nights |
Cruise Rates 20102010 Value Season Departures March 28; April 4, 11, 18, 25; May 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; June 6, 13, 20, 27; July 4, 11, 18, 25; August 1, 8, 15, 22; October 17, 24 |
| Per Person Double 0ccupancy |
$3,800 |
| Single Supplement |
$1,900 |
2010 Regular Season Departures August 29; Sept 5, 12, 19, 26; October 3, 10 |
| Per Person Double Occupancy |
$4,100 |
| Single Supplement |
$2,050 |
| $1,000 per person deposit, balance due 90 days prior to departure. |
| Six-night charter for 10 |
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| Value Season |
$38,000 |
| Regular Season |
$41,000 |
| Six-night charter for 12 |
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| Value Season |
$41,750 |
| Regular Season |
$45,400 |
13 night, 3 Country Cruise Per Person, Double Occupancy |
$7,600 |
| 13 night, 3 Country Cruise Single Supplement |
$3,600 |
| 13 night, 3 Country Cruise Charter up to 12 passengers |
$70,000 |
| 25% non-refundable deposit; balance due 120 days prior to departure. | | |
Included in Cruise Price |
- Transportation between designated meeting point and the barge
- Six nights accommodation in private cabin with ensuite bath
- All meals, wine and drinks on board
- Open bar
- Daily escorted excursions by air-conditioned van
- All barge amenities including bicycles
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Barge Features |
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Passengers: 12 Crew: 7 Barge Size: 132 ft x 17 ft Cabins: 6 Cabin Size: 5 @ 116 sq ft, 1 @ 142 sq ft Accommodations: 6 twin or queen with dual wardrobes, writing desk and chair Heat & Air: Central heat and air Laundry: Not available Amenities: Hairdryers, bathroom toiletries, library, 12 bicycles, 2 sundecks, separate bar lounge opening to aft deck, large lounge with piano opening to front deck, panoramic observation deck, polished mahogany interior Email Access: No TV/DVD/CD: CD Sound System Electricity: 220V, 110V for electric shavers |
Cruise Features |
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Cruising Region: France, Holland, Belgium Cruising Season: March - October Length of Cruise: 6 nights & 13 night Three Country Cruise Departure Day: Sunday Pick-up Time: Varies with Itinerary Pick-up Location: Paris for France cruises; Amsterdam for Holland cruises |
Theme Cruises Available |
| Family, Biking, Walking, Golfing, Three Country Cruise |


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