Belmond Cruises takes you along the Champagne region with Coquelicot, its new luxury boat. On the programme for this slow immersion in the region : a guided stopover in the vineyards of Maison Ruinart…
Discovering champagne… on the water ! This is the paradox to which the prestigious new ship that the Bateaux Belmond fleet (owned by the Lvmh group) has just been given invites you. Inaugurated in May 2023, Coquelicot – as it is called – will take its lucky passengers on a week-long private cruise along the banks of the Champagne region, from Sillery to Epernay.
A rare pleasure for the six passengers -maximum- who will be able to put their luggage down in one of the three spacious double cabins, each with a bathroom, fitted out in the renovated boat.
Luxury for the eyes first of all in this floating house, both elegant and contemporary, but with a vintage flavour. The Art Nouveau interior design by the duo Emil Humbert and Christophe Poyet is a nod to the Belle Epoque, when Champagne was often on the menu.
The colors chosen to decorate these rooms – earthy and cream with a touch of pink and green-blue – are an ode to the palette of the region.
A real gem
To admire the birthplace of the world’s most desirable drink, passengers can enjoy the chocolate teak upper deck, a true jewel also decorated with white marble and natural rattan. Depending on the time of day and the weather, they will be able to enjoy one of the two lounges, the open kitchen or the shaded dining area. Iconic or vintage furniture and numerous potted flowers and herbs complete the welcoming character of the place.
Prestigious vintages
Champagne is the star of the show on board Le Coquelicot. A bar offers a selection of the passengers’ favourite vintages. But to be consumed in moderation, in order to take advantage of one of the highlights of the cruise. A guided tour is planned in Taissy, to discover the vineyard of Maison Ruinard, the oldest Champagne house, and to taste its legendary vintages... Another demonstration of the eminently sustainable nature of the bubbly drink: the discovery of the viti-forestry project, carried out in partnership with Reforest’Action.
A highlight of the meals concocted by Valérie Radou, chef in residence at Ruinart and Le Coquelicot: a menu where five dishes inspired by regional cuisine will be combined with prestigious cuvées such as the Dom Ruinart Blanc de Blancs…
An overview among other activities to choose from (visits to castles, vineyards,…) to compose a tailor-made programme, which will allow you to immerse yourself in the historical and gastronomic heritage of the region.
With Coquelicot, Belmond Cruises is inventing a new way of tasting Champagne and its terroir. An initiative in line with its previous itineraries in Burgundy, on the Canal du Midi or in the Camargue…
Read also > Dom Ruinart Blanc de Blancs 2010 elected best champagne in the world
Featured photo : © Belmond
