France Gay Boutique River Cruise - From Epernay To Paris - Happy Gay Travel

France Gay Boutique River Cruise

Paris, Épernay, Reims, Dormans, Château Thierry, Saint Jean Les Deux Jumeaux, Meaux, Largny sur Marne, and more!

8 Days from/to Paris, France

August 29 – September 05, 2023

10% Off Loire Valley Castles day Trip from Paris

Paris France gay cruise Explore Paris and float along the Marne-Rhine canal on this boutique all-gay river cruise. Experience French food, wine, and culture on our Marne-Rhine canal barge cruise. Explore the City of Lights with a panoramic tour including photo stops outside the Louvre and Madeleine church. Walk along Paris’s prettiest covered walkways and we’ll journey back in time while discovering the history of the Palais Royal. Our canal cruise will coast through the sprawling Champagne region, characterized by its steep and undulating vineyards that grow the world’s most beloved sparkling wine. Beyond this remarkable region, we’ll taste authentic brie in Meaux, witness a falconry show in Château-Thierry, and stroll the storied streets of Reims. Pardon our French, but this cruise is going to be cussing amazing.

Gay Paris

From Paris to Epernay, cruise on the majestic Marne canal lined with cities full of character. You will discover charming and timeless Paris and its famous monuments, but also Reims, the City of Art and History, home to many UNESCO World Heritage Sites including the Notre-Dame Cathedral. Do not miss out on Hautvillers and its beautiful surrounding vineyards.

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Gay France river cruise

• Experience one of the most romantic cities in the world on a private tour, including photo stops outside the Louvre and Madeleine church

• Walk through the City of Light’s prettiest covered walkways and the historic Palais Royal

• Drift along the scenic Marne-Rhine canal, indulging in the region’s beloved food and wine

• Learn about the unique terroir of Champagne before sipping sparkling wine with a sommelier

• Experience the history and culture of Reims on a private walking tour

• Watch a traditional falconry show in the medieval region of Château-Thierry

• Nibble on the beloved white-mold cheese, Brie de Meaux, in the city that invented it

• Browse local and international boutiques in Paris’ many shopping districts

Paris gay river cruise

Day 1 - Paris, France
Bonjour! Welcome to “Gay Paree”.

Check-in to our centrally located hotel in the fashionable Le Marais gayborhood, and feel free to relax before our Welcome Meeting at 5PM where we’ll get acquainted and answer any of your lingering questions.

Afterwards we’ll spoil our taste buds with an included Welcome Dinner, and perhaps a cocktail or two at a nearby LGBTQ+ bar.

Hotel: Duo Hotel, Paris

Paris gay tour

Day 2 - Épernay
This morning we explore the City of Lights on an exclusive private tour.

We’ll have photo stops outside of incredible landmarks like the Louvre and Madeleine church, then we’ll stroll around Paris’s prettiest covered walkways. Take a trip back to its decadent past as we learn about the history of Palais Royal.

In the afternoon you will have free time to grab a croissant or lunch at a café before our private transfer to Épernay, the capitale du Champagne.

Beneath its streets are 110km of underground cellars housing over 200 million bottles of Champagne. Feel free to explore the town, walk its cobblestone streets and perhaps taste a glass of bubbly.

At 6:00pm we’ll board our home for the next week, the Barge Déborah. Once everyone has settled in, we’ll have a safety briefing, meet the crew, and enjoy cocktails before dinner.

Accommodation: CroisiEurope Barge Déborah

France gay cruise - Reims

Day 3 - Épernay, Reims, & Dormans
This morning we’ll enjoy a buffet breakfast onboard before driving through the Champagne region’s beautiful vineyards en route to Reims.

Together we’ll enjoy a private tour of the historic center and visit the city’s gargantuan Gothic cathedral. It’s here that 34 sovereigns began their reign over one of Europe’s richest and most powerful countries.

Tonight we’ll enjoy dinner on the barge while sailing to Dormans.

Accommodation: CroisiEurope Barge Déborah

France gay cruise - Champagne

Day 4 - Dormans & Château-Thierry
Today we head into the French countryside, enjoying beautiful views of the charming Champagne route.

In particular, we’ll visit the village of Hautvilliers, the birthplace of Champagne, where we’ll tour the vineyards and cellar of a major Champagne house and enjoy a taste of its romantic wine.

Back on board, we’ll cruise to Château-Thierry, through the beautiful Marne canal landscapes.

Accommodation: CroisiEurope Barge Déborah

France gay cruise - Chateau Thierry

Day 5 - Château-Thierry & Saint-Jean-Les-Deux-Jumeaux
After breakfast we’ll saunter into the town of Château-Thierry and witness a falconry show with live demonstrations. There will be plenty of time to explore, shop, and even practice our French.

Afterward, we’ll return to our ship and sail to Saint-Jean-Les-Deux-Jumeaux.

On arrival, a glass of French wine might just seem like a fitting happy hour selection.

Accommodation: CroisiEurope Barge Déborah

France gay cruise - Meaux

Day 6 - Saint-Jean-Les-Deux-Jumeaux, Meaux & Lagny-sur-Marne
Good morning. Today’s quaint destination is truly un-brie-leavable: Meaux!

On today’s guided tour we’ll enjoy a sample of Brie which has a lovely mellow mushroom flavour, distinct from its often confused cousin Camembert.

We’ll also tour the gorgeous city, photographing its largely intact old walls and headless statues—a gruesome reminder of the French Revolution.

Tonight we continue to glide down the canal towards Lagny-sur-Marne.

Accommodation: CroisiEurope Barge Déborah

Gay Paris tour

Day 7 - Lagny-sur-Marne & Paris
From Largny-sur-Marne we’ll sail the final stretch of canal into the heart of Paris where we’ll dock near the Eiffel Tower.

We’ll have a free afternoon to stroll the area, perhaps head via metro to the Arc de Triomphe, or the Champs-Élysées for some last minute shopping.

Reconvene on the ship for our Farewell Dinner, and perhaps even head to the Le Marais district for a final bottle of bubbles.

Accommodation: CroisiEurope Barge Déborah

Gay France travel

Day 8 - Paris, France
This morning, enjoy one last breakfast before disembarking at 9:00am.

Your trip includes a complimentary departure transfer which will be confirmed by your group leader. It can either transfer you to the airport or a local hotel.

Luggage storage is available on the ship until 5PM. Au revoir for now!

• Local Guide and Out Adventures Host from beginning to end of tour

• Arrival transfer to Out Adventures’ joining point hotel

• Departure transfer to the airport, or a local hotel

• Breakfast daily, 5 Lunches, 7 Dinners

• Wine and beer with lunch and dinner on board the barge

• Guided tours in Paris, Épernay, Reims, Château-Thierry and Meaux

• All activities and entry fees and mentioned in the itinerary

• All transportation as part of the organized itinerary in private air-conditioned vehicles with bottled water

• Gratuities for city/activity guides, drivers, and included meals

• A $50 USD Rainbow Railroad donation to help resettle LGBTQ+ refugees.

• International airfare

• Optional activities, meals, and drinks not outlined in itinerary

• Gratuities for ship crew and local guide (approximately $70 – $90 USD)

• Entry visa & Covid-19 testing fees

• Travel insurance (medical & repatriation coverage is mandatory for all travellers.

The flavours, fashions, and romance of Paris and the French countryside continue to seduce and enthrall gay travellers to this day.
It’s no wonder France has been dubbed the world’s most popular tourist destination. French culture lures and captivates with its effortless nonchalance. Chic women sip café with their croissant, and a dainty menthol dangling from their fingers. Buskers and accordionists peddle near popular attractions like the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower. In the south, locals and visitors alike bask in the sun-soaked Mediterranean from shady terraces while sipping Soixante-Quinze cocktails (aka The French 75). If we had to sum up this timeless destination, we’d describe it as an extravagantly simple delight that’s as familiar as it is unexpected. It just has that je ne sais quoi.

Visas
A visa is not required for American, Australian, British, and Canadian citizens travelling to France for fewer than 90 days. There may be exceptions, and all visas are the responsibility of the traveller.

Paris gay travel

LGBT Rights in France
France has always been intrigued by unconventional lifestyles. So when it came time to recognize LGBTQ+ people, the country was leagues ahead of its European neighbours. Paris has been a queer mecca since the ‘70s, if not earlier. And smaller scenes exist in every major city including Lyon and Marseille. Overall, the country is very LGBTQ+ welcoming and has strong anti-discrimination laws. Same-sex marriage and adoption are legal, while changing your gender doesn’t require surgery.

Gay France Travel
Paris claims to have one of the largest and most robust queer scenes throughout Europe, only matched by cities such as Madrid and London. And while we j’adore Paris’s Le Marais district, it’s not the only district in the country featuring guys who like guys, and gals who like gals. Marseille and Lyon both have excellent LGBTQ+ scenes worth indulging in. Nice—the country’s famous summer escape—has not one, not two, not three, but four popular gay beaches to choose from. With multiple annual Prides, plenty of bars and clubs, a sex-positive culture, and even a number of lesbian-centric institutions, France is one of our favourite queer destinations in the world.

Paris gay trip

Best Time to Visit
May to July, and September to October are the best times to visit France. August is also excellent, however, many smaller cafes and restaurants may be shut down while their employees enjoy a month off.

Covid-19 Vaccination Requirements:
Out Adventures requires proof of full Covid-19 vaccination from all guests, following recommendations by the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Other Vaccinations
Based on the entry requirements for France, there are no other vaccinations needed. To determine if you should take preventative measures to reduce the risk of illness, consult your doctor or a travel medical clinic. We cannot provide vaccination recommendations.

Electricity
You will need an international travel plug/adapter for type E sockets.

Time Zone:
Central European Summer Time (GMT +2)

Starting Point Hotel
Duo Hotel, Paris
Set in the lively Marais district in central Paris, this design hotel features a sauna and fitness room. It offers air-conditioned guest rooms with free Wi-Fi access and a mini-bar.

Satellite TV and a telephone are standard in each contemporary guest room. Some of the stylish rooms feature a seating area and a private courtyard. A hairdryer is included in the private bathrooms.

Cocktails are served in the bar lounge at Hotel Duo. A continental breakfast is served each morning in the bright dining room.

Hotel de Ville Metro Station is just 140 m from Duo hotel, providing direct access to the Champs Elysées. Noter Dame Cathedral is a 10-minute walk away.

Barge Deborah gay cruise

A canal barge cruise is an authentic and timeless experience. A privileged moment where you take the time to discover “la douce France” in a different way. Aboard the charming MS Déborah, enjoy this wonderful journey on the Marne-Rhine canal, a timeless region of spectacular beauty and grace.

The MS Deborah is a superb Premium canal barge, measuring 38,50 meters long and 5,07 meters wide. It can accommodate 22 passengers, in 11 cabins offering amenities and providing guests with all the comforts they need during their stay.

Deborah sundeck

On board, everything has been taken care of down to the smallest detail with 6 crew members to guarantee a personalized service. The decoration creates a particularly soft and welcoming atmosphere.

Located on the upper deck are the restaurant, which offers delicate cuisine in a refined setting, the lounge bar and a relaxation area with a jacuzzi. Comfortable sun loungers are provided on the sun deck, the ideal place to relax and admire the surrounding landscapes.

Deborah restaurant

Restaurant
Located on the main deck, the restaurant is where all meals are served during your cruise. It seats all guests at tables which vary in size with a panoramic view. The atmosphere is casual but elegant.

Deborah terrace

Terrace
Located at the front of the barge and equipped with tables and parasols, you can easily share a moment with friends or unwind while enjoying the view.

Deborah lounge bar

Lounge Bar
The lounge tastefully decorated and offers panoramic views. Cocktails and games, dancing, and other forms of entertainment all happen here.

Deborah barge lounge