| La Chouette |
Rating  : Deluxe
Number of Passengers: 6
Number of Cabins: 3
Size of Vessel: 100 ft in length
Number of Crew: 4
Cruise Region: Northern France
Other Regions Sailed: Northern Burgundy, Champagne
Whole Boat Charters starting at $21,000
Individual Cabin Bookings Available Upon Request
Charter Pricing for 4 & 5 Passengers Available
Call Barge TravelPOINTS Today
For More Information or to Book Your Journey
1.800.549.2575
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 La Chouette |
La Chouette is a traditional Dutch motor barge built in 1934 for carrying cargoes along the inland waterways of Europe. She has now been
lovingly and professionally converted into a luxury charter barge for only six guests in the space often devoted to twice that number.
The owners of La Chouette, Bob and Bobbie Marsland, aim to help you have a vacation to remember. While you relax on board the barge journeys along the tranquil
waters of a canal and river system steeped in history. Sleepy waterside villages will unfold their secrets to an enquiring explorer.
Majestic châteaux will enthrall you, and the warmth of welcome you will receive from the friendly local people will captivate you.
The interior is carpeted throughout and decorated in traditional style with extensive use being made of mahogany
paneling and brass fittings. This, together with the tasteful soft furnishings, creates a charming and
restful atmosphere.
The thoughtful design of La Chouette lets you be a part of or apart from the rest of the party as you choose. There are comfortable lounge, dining
and bar areas where you can relax with a book or listen to your favorite music. There is a small library on board, a TV with video and a selection
of games. Up above there is a vast sun-deck on which to laze and soak up the sun and where lunch is usually served beneath the
cooling shade of a giant parasol.
The French take their food and wine very seriously and so does the crew of La Chouette. While aboard, you'll dine royally. They will
also take you to their own selection of local restaurants as they believe that is the sure way to enjoy the French way of life.
A specialty of a cruise on La Chouette is eating out. One meal per day will be taken ashore, sometimes lunch, sometimes dinner.
Bob and Bobbie personally will accompany you to a wide variety of typical French restaurants
chosen for the quality of their food, wine and service. Many are featured in guidebooks and some are Michelin starred.
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Each spacious stateroom offers a double bed which can also be converted to twin beds if preferred. Cabins also
feature a dressing table as well as plenty of wardrobe space.
The cabins are heated and also feature localized air conditioning units. The en-suite bathrooms include a shower,
sink, and toilet.
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- A unique dining experience -
- All breakfasts taken on board the vessel
- Lunches served on board include quiches, soups, salads, and more
- Five-course dinners featuring delicious homemade cooking
- One meal (lunch or dinner) ashore daily with the owners
- Open bar and wines with meals
- Hair dryers provided in each cabin
- 220 volt outlets on board
- Central heating and air conditioning units in each cabin
- Sundeck with chairs and tables
- Touring bicycles
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Thursday -
Your captain will meet you at your Paris hotel. You will be escorted to La Chouette waiting for you at a nearby quay on the river Seine.
Soon you will be cruising through the city of Paris, sipping champagne and soaking in the wonderful atmosphere.
As La Chouette cruises out of Paris you'll pass Asnières and Argenteuil, names immortalized by the Impressionist painters like Monet
and Renoir. Your mooring for tonight is at the very place these famous artists would meet for rest and relaxation. Maison Fournaise at
Chatou was their favorite restaurant, and this is where you will enjoy your first evening meal of the cruise.
Friday -
Breakfast is a relaxed affair on board La Chouette. Waken to the aroma of fresh coffee and croissants warming. A short early morning
cruise takes you to La Grenouillère (The Froggery!) It was here that Monet and Renoir worked side by side painting the floating café.
You'll carry on as far as Bougival to see where other Impressionists set up their easels and compare the view today with the one they
painted. Some say Impressionism was born here.
You'll then take the van to visit the Marmottan Museum where over 100 of Monet's paintings are housed. Here you will also see work by
most of the other Impressionists like Renoir, Sisley and Caillebotte. There was great friendship amongst this school of artists and Monet
worked alongside many of them during his lifetime.
Lunch is at the bustling restaurant Chez Clement after which the vessel will cruise to Conflans Ste. Honorine at the confluence of the Seine
and the Oise rivers. La Chouette will moor a little outside the town at a peaceful country village where you can enjoy a barbecue on deck.
Saturday -
The cruising area today takes the barge further up the River Oise to Auvers-sur-Oise where Van Gogh lived and which he introduced to the world
through his painting "L'Eglise d'Auvers", (The Church of Auvers).
You'll take lunch in the Auberge Ravoux where Van Gogh spent his last days and visit the fascinating museum
dedicated to him. A short walk or van ride takes you to the Chateau d'Auvers where you'll take a multi-media journey back in time into the
Age of the Impressionists.
You'll then return to La Chouette and cruise down river to re-join the Seine at Conflans Ste. Honorine where La Chouette will moor for the
night. Supper is served on board.
Sunday -
You'll get an early start this morning to visit the local barges street market and stroll along the quay to see the many barges moored here,
up to seven abreast. Cruise to Limay then take the van through some stunning countryside to Le Moulin de Fourges for lunch. This afternoon you'll
drive to Giverny to see Monet's home and garden and the American Museum of Art, followed by supper on board.
Monday -
The first cruise stop today is Mantes-la-Jolie where you'll have free time to take a short walking tour of the town and visit the 12th Century
Collegiate Church "Notre Dame" which is one of the most beautiful examples of Gothic architecture. You'll then cruise to Rolleboise where you'll
have lunch on board.
This afternoon's visit is to Château de la Roche Guyon, parts of which are hidden in the depths of the cliff face. All along here the caves,
hollowed out by pre-historic man, are now used as barns and garages. You can also visit Vétheuil, another of Monet's homes. Dinner tonight
is at the restaurant of the Château de la Corniche which, as its name suggests, is poised high above the Seine with a fantastic
panoramic view.
Tuesday -
This morning's cruise is to the beautiful town of Les Andelys nestled under the impressive ruins of Château Gaillard built by Richard the
Lionheart. After lunch on board you'll journey in the van to visit the stunning village of Lyon La Fôret and Château Vascoeuil with its
marvelous sculptures. Dinner this evening is at Le Mistral.
Wednesday -
You'll depart after breakfast and on the way to Rouen rail station make one last and lasting visit to Rouen Cathédrale. No "Monet Experience"
would be complete without this.
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