Description
Panache is a hotel barge that has been fitted out in traditional yacht style with brass and mahogany fittings in the spacious public areas and very comfortable cabin accommodation. In the saloon the panoramic windows let in plenty of natural light, and the tempting cocktail bar and comfortable leather sofas are enhanced by polished hardwood flooring. The separate roomy dining area provides a congenial setting for up to 12 guests to enjoy the gourmet meals and fine wines served on board.
The cabin accommodation comprises six generously-sized junior suites which can be in twin or double-bedded configuration. All the en suite bathrooms have twin hand-basins and oversized showers.
Outside, the spacious sun deck is the perfect place to unwind and admire the passing scenery in one of the comfortable chairs, or to enjoy being served a long, lazy alfresco lunch at the outside dining table. The heated spa pool and plentiful number of bicycles for you to explore the towpath complete the picture.
Panache cruises in Holland in the Spring, when the flowers are in full bloom. This is without a doubt the best time to visit this country, and our cruises in Holland are carefully planned to allow you to experience all that the country has to offer.
She then cruising in Champagne for a number of weeks in May & June. The Champagne itineraries typically include Brie cheese tastings, a tour of the Cathedral at Reim, Epernay and of course, tastings at renowned Champagne houses.
In the Summer and Autumn, Panache cruises the beautiful and varied waterways of Alsace & Lorraine, a region of France offering a unique mix of French and German cultures, history and local gastronomy.
Panache’s voyage through Alsace & Lorraine will give you the opportunity to appreciate the very best of the region, passing storybook villages along the way, visiting places such as Strasbourg, renowned for their Baroque and Romanesque architecture and uniquely, experiencing Europe’s most famous boat elevator!
Holland Highlights include:
Tour Keukenhof Gardens with the largest display of flowers in the world
Visit the Aalsmeer flower auctionTour the fascinating conservation area at Enkhuizen
Visit the Royal Delft pottery to see the world famous earthenware being hand-made and painted
Tour picturesque Haarlem and visit a museum of the Dutch painter, Franz Hals
Tour the charming city of Leiden, Rembrandt’s birthplace
Champagne Highlights include:
Enjoy a private winery tour and tasting at renowned champagne houses
Visit the village of Hautvilliers where Dom Perignon discovered the Méthode Champenoise Tour the majestic cathedral in Reims, where the Kings of France were once crowned Cruise the pretty River Marne past waterside vineyards
Visit the champagne ‘capital’ of Epernay for a cellar tour and private tasting
Visit Château-Thierry, the scene of fierce battles in World War I, and Belleau Wood
Alsace Lorriane Highlights include:
Tour the beautiful city of Strasbourg and visit its Gothic cathedral
Explore the Route des Vins d’Alsace and a private wine tasting
Visit the Meteor Brewery, founded in 1640
Experience an ascent or descent of the unique Arzviller boat elevator
Visit the spectacular René Lalique Collection
Tour of Sarrebourg including a visit to the Chagall chapel
Enjoy a candlelit meal whilst cruising through the two Arzviller tunnels
Excellent towpath for walking
General Information
Length: 128 feet
12 Passengers
6 crew
6 twin/double Jr. Suites -150 sq ft
including en-suiteFully air conditioned
Central heat
Sun Deck
Spa pool
12 tour bikes; 1 Tandem on request
WiFi
2 air conditioned mini-buses for tours
Accommodations & Pricing 2022
Junior Suite per person
$5,950. Value
$6,5990. Regular
Single Supplement per person
$2,050. Value
$2,350. Regular
Charter Max. 12 pax.
$64,400. Value
$75,200. Regular
Charter Max. 11 pax.
$63,000. Value
$73,400. Regular
Charter Max. 10 pax.
$61,000 Value
$71,600. Regular
Charter Max. 9 pax.
$60,200. Value
$69,800. Regular
Charter Max. 8 pax.
$58,400 Value
$67,600. Regular
2022 Sunday Departure Dates
Value Season
Mar 27 Holland
July 17, 24, 31 Alsace & Lorraine
August 7, 14, 21 Alsace & Lorraine
October 9, 16, 23 Alsace & Lorraine
Regular season
Apr 3, 10, 17, 24 Holland
May 1, 8 Holland
May 22, 29, France Champagne
Jun 5, 12, 19, 26 Champagne
July 10 Alsace & Lorraine
August 28 Alsace & Lorraine
September 4, 11, 18, 25 Alsace & Lorraine
Oct 2 Alsace & Lorraine
Sample Itinerary Holland
Panache Itinerary
Sunday
Alkmaar
We meet you at the *designated meeting point and transfer you to Panache moored at Alkmaar. Once aboard enjoy a champagne welcome and an introduction to your crew and hotel barge. Dinner on board.
Zaanse Schans
Monday
Alkmaar to Zaanse Schans
Perhaps visit the Alkmaar cheese museum and enjoy a cheese tasting, before our first cruise to Zaanse Schans near Amsterdam, a place renowned for its wooden windmills, barns and houses built in the traditional Dutch style. After lunch on board, we take a tour of Zaanse Schans, an open air conservation area and museum, giving you a vivid impression of the Dutch way of life in the 17th and 18th centuries. This historical area consists of authentic houses and windmills, an historic shipyard, pewter factory, a cheese and dairy farm and an age-old grocery store dating back to the 1900’s. Dinner on board.
Tuesday
Zaanse Schans to Haarlem
We enjoy an early morning cruise to the historical city of Haarlem, dating back to the 13th Century. Haarlem is home to the Frans Hals Museum founded in 1862 with its vast collection of Old Masters. Other highlights include St. Bavo's Cathedral on the main square, where both Handel and Mozart played the magnificent Muller organ or free time visiting a fine selection of boutique shops. This afternoon marks a cruise highlight, with a walk through the world famous Keukenhof Gardens. Known as the garden of Europe, with more than 100 acres filled with over 7 million flowering bulbs, we stroll through breathtaking waves of colour on this unforgettable half day excursion. Dinner ashore at a local restaurant.
Holland's Iconic Tulips
Wednesday
Haarlem to Oude Wetering
Optional very early morning tour is to Aalsmeer Flower auction, where some 17 million cut flowers from all over the world are traded here each day. Return to the hotel barge for a breakfast cruise to Oude Wetering, our mooring for tonight. Free time this afternoon to cycle along the many towpaths around the lake or visit a local cheese market, in the nearby medieval town of Gouda. The large Gothic church of Sint Janskerk in Gouda is known especially for its magnificent stain glass windows, for which it has been placed on the UNESCO list of Dutch monuments. Dinner on board.
Holland
Thursday
Oude Wetering to Leiden
After breakfast we cruise to Leiden. Home to one of the oldest universities in the country and the birthplace of Rembrandt. Leiden is an historical city full of charm and character. Perfect for those who like to cycle, or simply stroll the banks of the pretty tree lined canals. This afternoon we take a tour of the city, with your tour leader explaining the history that dates back to Roman times and includes more recent sites such as the church, St. Pieterskerk, from which the pilgrims departed for America. Free time to explore the abundance of local cafes, boutique shops, markets, and antique dealers. Dinner on board.
Friday
Leiden to Delft
Morning cruise arriving in Delft by lunchtime, our final mooring. Delft is well known for its pottery ceramic products, which were styled on the imported Chinese porcelain of the 17th century. This beautiful, unspoilt town is more than 750 years old, and began as the home port of the Dutch East India Company. Following lunch, we visit a Delft tableware factory, just 5 minutes walk from our hotel barge mooring to learn how this world-famous porcelain is made. You will have time during the afternoon to explore Delft further. Tonight enjoy the Captains Farewell Dinner on board.
Saturday
Delft
After breakfast, guests are transferred by private chauffeured minibus to their choice of location in Amsterdam**.
This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change. On alternate weeks the cruise is in the reverse direction.
**other locations available for Private Charter bookings
Your Cruise Includes:
Local transfers to and from the hotel barge, a luxury 6 night cruise, all meals on board catered for by the on board Master Chef, and off board at a local restaurant, an open bar 24/7 with a large range of alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks, all wines served throughout the cruise, excursions and admittance fees as per the itinerary, the services of 6 crew and use of barge facilities, which include bicycles and spa pool.
sample intenerary alsace lorraine
Alsace Itinerary
Sunday
Krafft
Guests are met in Strasbourg** and transferred by private chauffeured minibus to Panache for a Champagne welcome and the first opportunity to meet your crew. Perhaps there is time for a walk or cycle ride before dinner on board.
Monday
Krafft to Strasbourg
Our day starts with a morning cruise, across the Gran Ried wetlands and home to an abundance of birdlife, to arrive at the historic city of Strasbourg. Later, we enjoy a tour of the beautiful ‘capital city of Europe’ including, of course, a visit to the 12th century Gothic pink sandstone cathedral, home to an astronomical Renaissance clock and soaring spire. We visit Place Gutenberg and explore La Petite France, a pedestrian area brimming with half-timbered houses, boutique shops and cafés. Dinner on board.
Chagal Window
Tuesday
Strasbourg to Waltenhein-sur-Zorn
After breakfast, our cruise takes us past the impressive European Parliament building on the outskirts of Strasbourg and on through the Brumath Forest to our picturesque mooring at Waltenheim-sur-Zorn. This afternoon we enjoy a scenic drive into the rolling Vosges hills on the Route des Grands Vins, where the finest wines of Alsace are produced, and a private tasting of Gewürztraminer, Pinot Noir and Riesling wines at a long-established winemaker, such as Domaine Pfister. Dinner ashore this evening at a traditional Alsatian restaurant.
Wednesday
Waltenheim-sur-Zorn to Saverne
This morning, any guests who are interested can hop on a bike and cycle to the Meteor Brewery, the last privately-owned brewery in Alsace. Otherwise, Panache cruises further along the canal, with good walking and cycling opportunities, to the enchanting town of Saverne where history traces back over 2,000 years to the Gallo-Roman Times, mooring at the foot of the Château de Rohan, also known as the ‘Versailles of Alsace’. We take a walking tour of Saverne and drive up to Chateau Haut-Barr perched on the hillside and offering wonderful views. Dinner on board.
Canals of Strasbourg
Thursday
Saverne to Lutzelbourg
This morning, perhaps after a visit to Saverne’s market, we enjoy a cruise to our mooring in the pretty village of Lutzelbourg, surrounded by hills and overlooked by the ruins of the medieval castle. In the afternoon, we visit the mountaintop village of La Petite Pierre, then tour the outstanding René Lalique collection and see over 500 exceptional examples of Art Nouveau and Art Deco glassware. Nearby Wingen-sur-Moder is also the World War Two battleground where American infantry fought with distinction. Before dinner on board, time for aperitifs and perhaps some traditional Alsatian ‘Flammekueche’ prepared by your chef.
Friday
Lutzelbourg to Niderviller
For early risers, there is an optional visit to a local bakery to watch skilled patissiers preparing their delicious creations, before we cruise through beautiful Alsatian countryside, visiting a fascinating local glassworks en route. We then ascend the unique Arzviller boat elevator that carries Panache 450 feet up the mountainside in minutes and enjoy a candlelit cruise through the two Arzviller tunnels to our final mooring at Niderviller. After lunch on board, we set off on a tour of Sarrebourg, including visits to the 13th century chapel containing Marc Chagall’s remarkable stained-glass window and the impressive museum of Roman and Medieval artefacts. Captain’s Farewell Dinner on board.
Strasbourg
Saturday
Niderviller
After breakfast, guests are transferred by private chauffeured minibus to their choice of location in Strasbourg**.
This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change. On alternate weeks, the cruise is in the reverse direction.
Your Cruise Includes:
Local transfers to and from the hotel barge, a luxury 6 night cruise, all meals on board catered for by the on board Master Chef, and off board at a local restaurant, an open bar 24/7 with a large range of alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks, all wines served throughout the cruise, excursions and admittance fees as per the itinerary, the services of 6 crew and use of barge facilities, which include bicycles and spa pool.
Sample Itinerary champagne
Sunday
Châlons-en-Champagne
Guests are met early afternoon in Paris** and transferred to the hotel barge moored in Châlons-en-Champagne. Enjoy a Champagne welcome while your Captain introduces you to the crew. Dinner on board.
Champagne cellars
Monday
Châlons-en-Champagne to Tours-sur-Marne
This morning we cruise from Châlons-en-Champagne along the Canal Lateral à la Marne to our pretty mooring at Tours-sur-Marne. After lunch on board, we visit the magnificent 800-year-old Reims cathedral, a Gothic masterpiece where the Kings of France were crowned, before some free time perhaps to wander around this delightful city with its grand squares and elegant shopping arcades. Dinner on board.
Panache Cruising on the River
Itinerary
Tuesday
Tours-sur-Marne to Dizy
Today we continue our cruise along the canal, with the opportunity to explore on foot or bicycle en route, and moor at Dizy, near Epernay. After lunch, we visit the pretty hilltop village of Hautvillers. Known as the ‘cradle of Champagne’. It is here that the monk Dom Perignon discovered the ‘méthode champenoise’ and we enjoy a private tasting of champagnes and matching cheeses at a boutique in the village. Dinner ashore at a local restaurant.
La-Maison-Pannier-Champagne
Wednesday
Dizy to Damery
After breakfast, we head into the nearby town of Epernay, home to many of the major champagne houses for a cellar tour and tasting. There is time afterwards to explore the town and to do some shopping. After lunch on board, we head west along the beautiful River Marne, passing through the champagne vineyards to our mooring at Damery. Dinner on board.
Thursday
Damery to Dormans
Today the hotel barge continues her cruise along the meandering Marne to moor at the pretty riverside town of Dormans, the site of a château, water mill and World War One memorial. In the afternoon, there is the option to visit the elegant Chateau de Conde with its sumptuous 18th century interiors, or the WWI battlefield and monument at Château-Thierry and the American cemetery at Belleau Wood. Dinner on board.
Friday
Dormans to Château-ThierryThis morning, we visit La Maison Pannier, a select champagne house with a labyrinth of medieval underground cellars, for a tour and a private tasting. After lunch on board, we cruise to our final mooring at Château-Thierry, an historic, strategically-situated town overlooking the river, surrounded by vineyards that produce some of the region’s famous sparkling wine. Captain’s Farewell Dinner on board.
Saturday
Château-Thierry
After breakfast, guests are transferred by private chauffeured minibus to Paris**.
This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change. On alternate weeks the cruise is in the reverse direction.
**other locations are available for Private Charter bookings
Your Cruise Includes:
Local transfers to and from the hotel barge, a luxury 6 night cruise, all meals on board catered for by the on board Master Chef, and off board at a local restaurant, an open bar 24/7 with a large range of alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks, all wines served throughout the cruise, excursions and admittance fees as per the itinerary, the services of 6 crew and use of barge facilities, which include bicycles and spa pool.