Belmond luxury barge to cruise France's Champagne region: Travel Weekly

Belmond is expanding its Les Bateaux Belmond collection of French riverboats with the addition of Coquelicot, A Belmond Boat, Champagne.

Launching this May, the Coquelicot luxury barge will focus on France’s Champagne region, offering customizable itineraries created in partnership with Champagne producer Maison Ruinart. 

Coquelicot, which is a revamp of Belmond’s Hirondelle barge, will feature three double cabins with marble ensuite bathrooms and an indoor lounge with a champagne bar. The vessel’s top outdoor deck has been designed to serve as the social center for guests, offering two seating lounge areas, an open kitchen and a shaded dining area.

As part of the collaboration with Maison Ruinart, guests aboard the Coquelicot can disembark to access exclusive experiences like a private tasting lunch at the Champagne house and guided tours of Maison Ruinart’s vineyard in Taissy.

Back on board the barge, guests can opt for a five-course tasting lunch crafted by Maison Ruinart’s chef in residence, Valerie Radou. 

Coquelicot will be available for week-long private charters, with rates starting at approximately $80,000. Itineraries will be all-inclusive, comprising meals, beverages, planned excursions with a private guide and transfer from Paris to the barge. 

Coquelicot is the seventh vessel in the Les Bateaux Belmond portfolio, joining the Alouette, Pivoine, Napoleon, Amaryllis, Fleur De Lys and Lilas.

Both Belmond and Maison Ruinart are part of luxury goods conglomerate LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton. 

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