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Barge Cruises in Holland & France

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3-Country Barge Cruise:
Holland – Belgium – France

Holland to France between Rotterdam and Paris

14-nights in the Spring & return cruise in the Autumn

Enjoy a fabulous 2-week barge cruise abord Hotel Barge Aurora from Holland, through Belgium and into France for a trip to remember.

Pretty little bridge. Enjoy a 3-Country Barge Cruise with Hotel Barge Aurora

Sunday, Day 1 – Amsterdam to Schiedam (Rotterdam)

Your chauffeur drives you from your hotel or the airport to Aurora, docked in the charming town of Schiedam near Rotterdam. Once aboard, enjoy a champagne welcome and an introduction to your crew and Hotel Barge Aurora.

This afternoon’s visit is to Rotterdam with the most significant highlights of the city. Dinner onboard. Evening walk through old Schiedam harbor.

Monday, Day 2 – Rotterdam to Willemstad

We leave Schiedam after breakfast for an optional tour of the renowned Ketel One Distillery Ketel One Vodka. Next, we cruise through the busy port of Rotterdam onto Dordrecht.

Guests get to spend the afternoon visiting the oldest town in the Netherlands. Aurora crosses the Dutch Hollands Diep estuary to dock for the evening at the charming, historic fortress town of Willemstad. Dinner on board.

Tuesday, Day 3 – Willemstad to Antwerpen

Today, we will leave Holland, passing by the town of Tholens and an impressive Kreekrak lock. We cross the border into Belgium and cruise to the bustling port of Antwerpen. Antwerpen is the city of Rubens.

After lunch, we tour Rubens’ home and take a stroll in the old quarter of this beautiful Flemish city with the possibility to visit the Onze Lieve Vrouwenkerk cathedral, city hall, the main market square, and the medieval Steen Castle. Dinner on board.

Wednesday, Day 4 – Antwerpen to Ghent

After breakfast, we catch the flood tide up the winding Sea Schelde, which takes us to the gorgeous town of Ghent. The city of Ghent is proud of its rich past and its position at the junction of the Leie and Schelde rivers has ensured the town’s success as a trading port. Visit the magnificent Cathedral of Saint Bavo which houses “The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb”, the famous 24-panel altarpiece by the Van Eyck brothers. Or perhaps, take a walk through this wonderful town at your leisure and explore the local boutiques.

Ghent is much more than just a museum town. This lively city perfectly blends medieval architecture, stylish shops, historic working-class quarters, and cozy pubs where people dine outdoors all night. Dinner on board.

Thursday, Day 5 – Ghent to Bruges (road trip)

Today we spend the day moored in Ghent. Guests get to visit the beautiful little town of Bruges, known as the “Venice of the North”. You’ll have ample time to explore many museums, magnificent squares and perhaps buy some of the handmade lace. Maybe take a boat trip through the small canals for a unique perspective on this charming town’s beautiful Flemish architecture. Possibly visit the famous Belfry, Quay of the rosary, Hoistorium museum, Burg square or St. Boniface Bridge.

Friday, Day 6 – Ghent to Oudenaarde

This morning we have a beautiful, peaceful cruise on the Scheldt river into the Flemish Ardennes. We moor in Oudenaarde, renowned for its tapestries.

After lunch, we visit the spectacular town center with its Gothic town hall, patrician houses, the Mou Museum with its magnificent tapestry displays, and the Brouweij Liefmans beer brewery.

Saturday, Day 7 – Oudenaarde to Tournai

There’s plenty of time to relax this morning as we cruise gently up the River Schelde past sleepy hamlets and beautiful rolling landscapes. We arrive at our mooring in Tournai (also known as Doornik in Flemish), an ancient Belgian town and birthplace of Clovis I, founder of the Merovingian dynasty. You must not miss two UNESCO World Heritage sites: the Belfry of Tournai, Belgium’s oldest and best-preserved belfry, and the 12th-century Cathedral of Notre-Dame with its five solemn square towers.

Watch large ships navigate the old Watergate and don’t miss the famous Pont des Trous, a historic toll bridge. A German air raid destroyed the entire town in 1940, but restoration has been very successful. Dinner aboard.

Sunday, Day 8 – Tournai to Arleux

Today we cruise along the river and cross over the border into France. We travel through the town of Valenciennes to the junction with the Canal du Nord, and we moor in the village of Arleux. Many barges pass through this little French village on their way to the south of France.

We will visit the town of Cambrai, home to the famous confectionary, the Betise de Cambrai. They make wonderful gifts. Another possibility is to visit the modern art Matisse Museum, or the lace museum, or perhaps a brewery. Dinner on board.

Monday, Day 9 – Arleux to overnight mooring

A day of contrasts awaits. This morning your captain will pilot Aurora over the Vermandois Hills of Picardy through many deep locks and several tunnels. While Aurora works her way along on the Canal du Nord. They constructed this canal to replace the smaller Canal St. Quentin, which transported coal from Picardy’s mines. You can enjoy the spectacular scenery from the deck, or take a walk, or cycle along the well-maintained towpath through this rural landscape.

After lunch, we leave the countryside behind to visit the town of Amiens, known as “Venice of the North”. We visit the 13th-century Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Amiens, more simply known as the Amiens Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is one of the most impressive Gothic cathedrals in France, with towering spires, magnificent columns and the tallest nave in France. Other possibilities are to visit recreated prehistoric dwellings or local artefacts in the Musee de Picardie. Dinner aboard.

Tuesday, Day 10 – Overnight mooring to Péronne

After yesterday’s climb, today we will drop into the Valley of the Somme, revealing landscapes not normally seen by tourists. Again, there are great opportunities for walking and cycling.

After lunch, we will visit the war museum dedicated to First World War history and set in the medieval Château de Péronne. If the group is interested in World War I history, we can organize an extensive tour of the battlefields and landmarks. Afternoon cruise to our overnight destination. Dinner aboard.

Wednesday, Day 11 – Péronne to Compiègne

Our cruise today brings us to the Oise River valley. We will moor in the busy waterside town of Compiègne. There is much to see, including the Royal Palace, a neoclassical château and royal residence lavishly redecorated at Napoleon’s request. Other sites include a huge town square and the train carriage where the Armistice was signed to end the First World War. You may also wish to hike or bike in the gorgeous forest full of ponds and delightful hamlets. Dinner aboard.

Thursday, Day 12 – Compiègne to L’Isle Adam

After breakfast, we continue our cruise through the beautiful Oise Valley. We will moor in the charming little town L’Isle Adam. From here, we visit Auvers-sur-Oise, where Van Gogh took his inspiration to produce many of his last and most important paintings. He lived in a small room above the local café.

An afternoon walking tour will include many highlights such as the Van Gogh house, the Absinthe museum, the Atelier of Daubigny, and more. We’ll end the tour at the cemetery where Vincent Van Gogh and his brother Theo are buried. Dinner on board.

Friday, Day 13 – L’Isle Adam to Conflans

We continue our art theme today with an excursion to Giverny, to visit the home and gardens of Claude Monet, the most famous of the Impressionist painters. Stand by the Japanese bridge, gaze into the lily pond and discover Monet’s many influences in this fascinating exhibition.

Lunch is at a local auberge. We return to Aurora’s evening mooring at Conflans, a city at the junction of the River Seine and the Oise. Many bargees retire here, and you will see many house barges alongside the quays. Dinner aboard.

Saturday, Day 14 – Conflans to Paris

We slip away from Conflans at dawn to cruise along the mighty River Seine to Bouvigal, where we’ll visit the home of Napoleon at Malmaison, lavishly decorated by Josephine. We return to Aurora for lunch.

Afterwards, we continue our journey to Paris, passing by the iconic Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame Cathedral to moor in the heart of Paris. This evening, the romantic setting of Paris provides the perfect place to reflect on your time aboard Aurora.

Sunday, Day 15 – Paris

Enjoy a special hearty breakfast on the last day of your 3-Country Barge Cruise before bidding farewell to Aurora, her captain, and crew. After breakfast, guests are transferred by private chauffeured minibus to their specified drop-off point in Paris.

NOTE:

This is a sample itinerary of Barge Aurora’s 3-Country Barge Cruise that may be subject to change depending on local conditions.
The cruise runs in the reverse direction towards the end of the season in October, ending in Rotterdam.

AURORA > ITINERARIES > 3-Country Barge Cruise Holland-Belgium-France