Explore the reaches of the First World War on this 7-day France Canal cruise. Begin in Paris, the City of Lights, and sail for Lagny Sur Marne, Saint Jean les Deux Jumeaux, and more. As you sail, stop to explore vineyards and attend wine tastings, then visit Epernay, known for its overgrown trenches and historical part in the war. As you sail, admire the lush rolling hills and charming port cities which line the interior waterways of France.
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Board the MS Raymonde in Paris at 6 PM and settle into your cabin. Attend a welcome briefing and meet the crew before sitting down for dinner. The ship stays in Paris overnight.
Enjoy breakfast on board before leaving by coach for a walking tour of Paris - The City of Lights. Visit Les Invalides and the Musée de l'Armée, which retraces history from 1871 to 1945, including the two World Wars. The museum has over a thousand objects showing the diversity of its collections: French and foreign uniforms, including some having belonged to illustrious military leaders (Foch, Joffre, de Lattre, Leclerc) and objects used by ordinary soldiers in daily life. While in Paris, the ship will cruise to Lagny-sur-Marne. Rejoin the ship there and enjoy lunch before cruising towards Meaux. Arrive in the evening and enjoy dinner on board.
In the morning, tour the Battlefields of the Marne and the Museum of the Great War. The circuit of the Battlefields of the Marne takes you through several of the most important combat areas. Follow the events in chronological order and the direction of the troops as they advanced during the war. The Museum of the Great War houses one of the most unique collections in Europe and proposes an innovative vision of the Great War through modern techniques. Consisting of approximately 50,000 objects and documents, the collection allows visitors to appreciate the worldwide dimensions of the conflict, including 200 complete uniforms. Return to the ship for lunch and continue cruising towards Saint-Jean-Les-Deux-Jumeaux.
Day 4: Saint Jean les Deux Jumeaux / Chateau Thierry
Cruise through the morning and enjoy breakfast and lunch on board as you pass by Champigny and Drachy. In the afternoon, travel by coach for a visit to the Remembrance Museum of Belleau. Encounter the permanent exhibition presenting the American Military Cemetery and the chapel built on the site of the trenches (Belleau Wood). In another room, find temporary exhibitions about the First World War. Continue on to visit the Aisne-Marne Cemetery at the foot of the wood, where 2,289 soldiers fell fighting during the summer of 1918. Return on board for dinner and remain in port overnight.
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and lunch on board as the ship cruises towards Dormans. In the afternoon, join a tour on the famous Champagne Tourist Route. Partake in a guided tour of the village of Hautvillers, once home to the famous Dom Perignon, the legendary Benedictine monk who is frequently (but erroneously) credited with having invented sparkling champagne. Pay special attention to the unique 140 wrought iron signs hanging through the village - they tell a story about the inhabitants. Continue to a prominent champagne house and enjoy a tasting. During this time, the ship will cruise to Epernay. Rejoin the ship in the evening for dinner on board.
Take in the scenery as you cruise the Marne throughout the morning. Arrive in Chalons-en-Champagne in the early afternoon and leave by coach for a tour of Verdun. Begin the tour with a visit to Fort Douaumont, the largest and highest fort on the ring of 19 defensive forts protecting the city of Verdun up through 1915. Continue on to the Douaumont ossuary, where the bodies of 130,000 World War soldiers from each side are at rest together for eternity. Finish the visit with the "Tranchée des Baïonnettes" (bayonet trench), a monument financed by the American George Rand. In the evening, return to the ship for a gala dinner.
Day 7: Chalons en Champagne
1 Breakfast
Enjoy one last breakfast on board before disembarking the ship at 9 AM.
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$2,781
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Lower Deck
11 spacious cabins with window and private en-suite facilities. All cabins are equipped with rivate en-suite facilities (shower and WC), TV, radio, telephone (for internal calls only), safe and independent air-conditioning.
Notes
20% discount on children between 2-10 years
30% discount for 3rd person in triple cabin
Initial deposit is 25%, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 100 days prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
The trip was terrific with great planning on your part. Most of the adventures were not mainstream and somewhat off the beaten path which made it especially enjoyable!! We felt taken care of and you all were readily available to respond to questions and issues. I would highly recommend your company and friends have already expressed interest based on our pictures and excitement.
Gale Cantor
TrustScore 4.8 | 175 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 175 reviews on
7 hours ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
2 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
3 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.