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About La Nouvelle Etoile

Region: France, Holland, and Germany
Location: Holland, Moselle, Burgundy, Champagne and Alsace 
Capacity: 8 Guests

The 8-passenger Nouvelle Etoile has blazed a shining path into the ultra-deluxe barging category. This "New Star" is owned and operated by Jan Meijer, the Leonardo da Vinci of barge design.  Born into a Dutch shipping family, Jan certainly knows more than the average barge captain about design and navigation, and this barge is his dream vessel. The graceful and elegant barge cruises a variety of regions, including Holland in the springtime for tulips, northern Burgundy and the Champagne region in summertime, Alsace in early autumn, and the enchanting Moselle in October, which takes in one of our favorite German castles, the 12th-century Burg Eltz.  Another distinctive touch to this operation is that Nouvelle Etoile accepts cabin bookings at all times (so unusual in the ultra-deluxe market). In addition to Internet access and a flat-screen monitor in each cabin, the spacious suites boast oversized showers, twin sinks, and rich interior paneling. With teak wood throughout and Cristofle silverware, a feel of dignified "old money" prevail on this strong contender in the upper-crust barge market. Also unheard of in a canal barge, Nouvelle Etoile has a proper elevator, small washer and dryer for guest use, and one cabin that can very comfortably accommodate a handicapped guest. Perfect for two people who want the best, or for four couples who want to be hosted on an owner operated European charter vessel of great style.

Meeting Point: Sundays in central Amsterdam at any one hotel for Tulip cruises; Sundays in Paris at any one central hotel for Champagne and Burgundy cruises; and Sundays at one hotel in the greater Frankfurt area for Moselle cruises beginning in Koblenz, or at Le Royal Hotel in Luxembourg City for cruises beginning near Trier. Transport provided by the barge’s own van directly to the barge’s mooring. Note that Alsace cruises require independent transport to Nancy and Strasbourg.