Special events 2022

If you aren’t tied to a particular travel date why not think about timing your cruise to coincide with a special event here in Champagne this summer?

Joan of Arc Festival

The last weekend of May, the city of Reims celebrates the French heroine who triumphantly entered the city at the head of Charles VII coronation parade in 1429.  The Middle Ages are recreated as the area around the cathedral is transformed with a medieval market, period musicians, falconry show, jousting, street performances and the grand coronation parade.   

Matching cruise dates:  25th May (charter or cabins available)

Féte de la Musique

Towns throughout France celebrate the midsummer solstice, or longest day, with music.  These tend to be small scale, local events like street parties giving you the opportunity to experience real French culture.

Matching cruise dates:  15th June (charter or cabins available)

Féte Nationale aka Bastille Day

On July 14 France marks the storming of the Bastille prison – a turning point in the French Revolution.   The night you arrive we’ll be able to watch the fireworks from the deck of the boat.  

Matching cruise dates:  13th July (charter or cabins available)

Tour de France Femmes

Back for 2022 after a 13 year hiatus, the third stage of the Women’s Tour de France race will be coming straight through our cruise route.  It might not be as big of a circus as the men’s event but if you’re a cycling fan it’s a chance to witness tough competition between some of the sports stars.  There’s the option to either watch at the start or finish line or in one of the vineyard villages they’ll be riding through. 

Matching cruise dates:  20th July (charter or cabins available) and  27th July (charter or cabins available),

Champagne harvest

Nature can be hard to predict, but if you’re cruising with us at the beginning of September there’s a good chance you’ll be here when the grapes are harvested.  With everything harvested by hand and the need to get the grapes presses as soon as possible after picking, the whole area becomes a buzzing hive of activity.  In addition to our usual excursions you’ll get to visit a presshouse and taste the juice straight from a traditional wooden press. 

Matching cruise dates:  31st August (2 cabins available) and  7th September (charter or cabins available)

Other events you could combine with a cruise

Throughout the summer France hosts some world class events in the fields of sports and arts, so why not combine one of these with a cruise.

French Open Tennis

Held at the Roland Garros complex in the leafy western suburbs of Paris, tickets for the outer courts are very affordable and the clay surface creates slower, longer rallies and endurance matches, giving this tournament it’s reputation as the toughest to win.

Matching cruise dates:  1st June (charter or cabins available) and 8th June (1 cabin available).

Le Mans 24 hour race

This event is unique in the motor racing world and as Le Mans is in the Loire you could round out your trip with a day or two exploring the spectacular nearby chateaus. 

Matching cruise dates:  1st June (charter or cabins available) and 15th June (charter or cabins available)

La Traviata opera in a spectacular setting

Enjoy a fantastic opera in a fantastic location – open air at either the Chateau Vincelles or the Hôtel des Invalides, perfect as part of a few days in Paris after your cruise. 

Matching cruise dates:  29th June (charter or cabins available),  and 31st August (2 cabins available)

Start planning ahead for 2023 Rugby World Cup

With matches being played in 8 host cities across the country the nation will be pulling out all the stops for this festival of ‘le rugby’.  The opening match is France vs. New Zealand on 8th September 2023 – we can’t wait!

Matching cruise dates:  6th September 2023 (charter or cabins available),  13th September 2023 (charter or cabins available),  20th September 2023 (charter or cabins available),  27th September 2023 (charter or cabins available) and 4th October 2023 (charter or cabins available)

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