We will use our unique
in-depth experience
to find you your
perfect barge cruise
+1 405 445 0350 
+61 3 9005 8569 
+44 7590 287 178 
Summary
La Nouvelle Étoile is a superbly furnished and decorated hotel barge with very spacious accommodation for just eight passengers. She offers a traditional elegance with sophisticated facilities – a delightful, air conditioned and teak-lined dining area and saloon, an attractive bar with a piano, a spacious sun deck with comfortable loungers and a hot tub.
With internet access, an exercise room and bikes for everyone, she provides an exquisite experience and the ultimate in top-class cruising. Uniquely, she also has elevator access between the decks suitable for guests with impaired mobility.
La Nouvelle Etoile is owned and operated by Captain Jan Meijer and his wife, Diana. Jan and Diana were both born into Dutch shipping families and have spent all of their lives in and around navigation and river cruise boats. Since 1988 they have been bringing passengers the utmost in luxury and comfort.
Key Features
- Grand Luxe class (5*)
- Champagne and Alsace regions
- Charter and cabin bookings, 6 nights, 7 days, July and August
- 8 guests / 4 suites, each over 200 sq ft
- Ensuite bathrooms, fully tiled with double basins
- Wheelchair lift/elevator
- Individually controlled air conditioning and heating
- Full board, on-board dining
- Sun deck with loungers and Jacuzzi tub
The Classic Cruise — La Nouvelle Étoile
Classic Cruise Itinerary
| Route | Between Paris and Épernay, River Marne and Canal Lateral a la Marne |
| Pick-up | Paris, 4pm |
| Dining | All inclusive: 6 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 6 dinners on board. |
Champagne Cruise Highlights
- See the sights of Paris
- Visit to the Chateaux of Vaux-le-Vicomte
- Discover the secrets of Brie de Meaux
- Private wine-tastings, including Moet et Chandon
- Visit to WW1 and WW2 commemorative sites and battlefields
- Explore Reims, the Abbey of Hautvilliers, and Epernay, the centre of Champagne
Alternative Cruise Region
La Nouvelle Etoile also cruises in the Alsace region for part of the season.
Please enquire.
Day 1 — Sunday
Arrival in Pairs
Guests are met in Paris for a private transfer by luxury executive mini-bus to the hotel barge moored in the heart of Paris. Enjoy a delicious champagne welcome – the first of many tastings this week. Meet the crew and then there’s time to relax whilst the barge cruises past Notre Dame and the iconic Eiffel Tower towards the night’s mooring. This evening, enjoy your first gourmet dinner on board.
Day 2 — Monday
Cruises to Meaux | Excursion to Châteaux de Vaux-le-Vicomte
After a leisurely breakfast with fresh breads and croissant from the local boulangerie cruise out of Paris onto the gentle river Marne, eastwards towards the champagne region. After a delightful lunch on board, there’s a visit to the magnificent 17th century Châteaux de Vaux-le-Vicomte. Home to Nicolas Fouquet, Louis XIV’s superintendent of finances, it marked the beginning of the style that combined architecture, interior design and landscape design. Rejoin the barge in Meaux in time for a stroll and a visit to the cathedral.
Day 3 — Tuesday
Cruise to Courtaron | Tour of Meaux
After breakfast, there’s a morning visit to explore the ancient town of Meaux and learn all about the production of the world famous Brie de Meaux. Enjoy a tasting of the various Bries, along with wines from an excellent cellar.
In September 1914 German troops were stopped at the gates of Meaux which changed the course of the war. In 1932 the USA had a monument erected in the memory of the French soldiers fallen in this heroic battle – the ‘American Monument’. Later, relax on deck and cruise on up the river Marne to Courtaron for the evening’s mooring.
Day 4 — Wednesday
Cruise to Château-Thierry | Wine-tasting at Charly-sur-Marne
Cruise this morning to the ancient fortified city of Charly-sur-Marne. Stop to enjoy a tasting of wonderful local champagne at a small family vineyard – one of many delicious champagnes produced on a relatively small scale. Then, an afternoon cruise to large city of Château-Thierry, an important town since the 8th century and the scene of major battles in 1814 and 1918. Optional visit to Belleau Wood battlefield.
Day 5 — Thursday
Cruise to Damery | Excursion to Reims
Enjoy breakfast this morning as the Marne winds through leafy hills dotted with small wine villages towards the delightful little town of Damery, where Nouvelle Étoile will moor for the night. Take lunch on board before an excursion to the important city of Reims. Visit the Cathedral, where the Kings and Queens were crowned before the Revolution, and the Musée de la Reddition, where Eisenhower had his Map Room and where the ending of WW2 was signed.
Day 6 — Friday
Cruise to Cumières | Private wine tasting Moët et Chandon
After breakfast, visit the Abbey of Hautvilliers, where the monk Dom Perignon first created this famous champagne. Then, set off for a last cruise to the village of Cumières, just outside Epernay. Lunch on board before an afternoon visit to the extensive cellars of Moët et Chandon for a private wine tasting. Captain’s Farewell Dinner on board.
Day 7 — Saturday
Departure from Epernay
Disembark La Nouvelle Étoile after breakfast and transfer to the drop-off point in Paris.
This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change. Alternate weeks the cruise runs in the reverse direction.
Accommodations and Facilities
- Dimensions: 129ft x17ft (39.3m x 5.18m)
- All suites are 13ft 2” x 16ft 5” (4m x 5m) including bathroom
- All bathrooms measure 13ft 2” x 4ft (4m x 1.2m) and have double basins, shower gel, hand soap, shampoo, towels, face cloths, dressing gowns and hair dryer
- All cabins have ceiling height of 6ft 7″ and large, non-opening picture windows (no portholes), individual heating and air conditioning, touch screen computer and a safe
Other items on board:
- Professional crew of 5 – captain, tour guide/deckhand, chef, housekeeper, pilot/engineer. All speak fluent English as well as French, Dutch and German
- A small well-behaved dog, also called Captain
- Gymnasium with a treadmill, exercise bike and weights.
- Elevator between floors
- Upright piano
- Wedgewood, porcelain and Christoffle silver
- 4 person Jacuzzi hot-tub and electric sun canopy, retracts when not required
- Large pop up TV, DVD & CD player, pioneer sound system and Bose speakers
- Wi-Fi throughout (limited in remote countryside locations) and printer.
- 4 regular bikes and 4 electric bikes
- Air-conditioned minibus for transfers and excursions
Facilities At A Glance
Fine Wines — Fine Dining
All meals on board are freshly prepared by your chef and most meals are a set-menu. However, vegetarian, pescatarian and vegan dishes, and non-allergenic dishes, can be served given at least 8 weeks notice prior to your departure date.
Breakfast: wholesome and balanced variety of breakfast foods, along with fresh breads & pastries, freshly-squeezed orange juice and hot beverages.
Lunch: regional specialities, accompanied by a selection of quality wines.
Dinner: a candlelit four-course gourmet experience.
Medallions of veal with a girolles and truffle sauce, breast of duck with a passion fruit glace, crepes suzette with homemade vanilla ice cream
Wine Cellar
Domaine Henri Bourgeois, Pouilly Fumé; Château Davenay, Montagney; Domaine Laroche, Chablis Premier Cru; Domaine Bouchard Père et Fils, Santenay; Château La Rose Trintaudon, Haut Médoc
Cheese Board
Munster; Brie de Meaux; Fourme d’Ambert; Chaource; Gouda; Leyden; Brokkel Ould; Aisy Cendré; Époisses; Ami du Chambertin
Photo Gallery
La Nouvelle Etoile cruises in the Champagne and Alsace regions
– [below] In the region: Paris, Reims, Epernay, La Ferte-sous-Jouarre, Meaux, the Marne –
Reims ©Cezar Suceveanu | Others ©FW, wikimedia, n/a
Classic cruise rates and dates
All rates and prices will be confirmed at time of booking. Special Offers are available from time to time – contact us
What’s included:
6 nights accommodation
Return transfers from Paris
All meals and drinks on board
Excursion and tour guide fees and associated transport
What’s not included:
Travel to the pick-up
Travel, medical and cancellation insurance
Crew gratuities (5-10% suggested)
Personal expenses
2023
Charter and cabin bookings
Sunday to Saturday
Rates and dates
La Nouvelle Etoile cruises in Holland at the start of the season, then in
Champagne
June 4, 11, 18, 25
July 02
Alsace
July 23, 30
August 6, 13
From 27 August through September and October La Nouvelle Etoile cruises in Germany & Luxembourg
Suite per person: 9,554 USD / 8,650 EUR / 7,290 GBP
Single Supplement: 4,777 USD / 4,325 EUR / 3,645 GBP
8 guest charter: 72,000 USD / 65,000 EUR / 55,000 GBP
2024
Charter and cabin bookings
Sunday to Saturday
Rates and dates
Mar 31 – Holland
April 14 – Holland
July 21, 28 – Alsace
August 4, 11 – Alsace
August 25 – Germany & Luxembourg
September 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 – Germany & Luxembourg
Otober 6 – Germany & Luxembourg
Suite per person: 9,554 USD
Single Supplement: 4,777 USD
8 guest charter: 72,000 USD
Hotel Barge Enquiry
Booking a luxury barge vacation isn’t the kind of thing one does with just a mouse-click or two. It takes a little research, thought and understanding, and we hope that our pages have provided you with all the information and inspiration you need to take this next step.
Why should you book with us? Because…
We’ve explored the waterways of France on our own boat since 2003 and know each of the barges and their routes.
We’re independent, impartial and enthusiastic – and we are the only France cruising specialist that can offer you the benefits of our own in-depth cruising knowledge and experience.
We love France, we love the rivers and canals of France, we love hotel barging – and we love talking about all three!
There’s nothing like speaking to a friendly expert to help you see the wood for the trees and to make the best possible decision about the vacation cruise of a lifetime. Get in touch – we’re here to help.
We will use our unique
in-depth experience
to find you your
perfect barge cruise
