The Village of Hautvillers where Dom Perignon Discovered the Méthode Champenoise

During our cruise in Champagne we visit the pretty hilltop village of Hautvillers. Known as the ‘cradle of Champagne’, it is here that the monk Dom Perignon discovered the ‘méthode champenoise’.
Champagne might have remained unsung and unvisited, had it not been for an accident of history. Close to Reims cathedral in the Abbaye d'Hautvilliers, a near-blind Benedictine monk named Dom Pierre Pérignon was given the job of being its chief treasurer and cellar master. When he first took over in 1688, the wine being produced by the abbey was adequate but pale. Pérignon feared that the deep red wine from the neighboring region of Burgundy was gaining favor with the King. The lighter red of the wine produced in Champagne was becoming a problem but was unavoidable due to the cooler climate of the region. Dom Pérignon's legacy to the world was the invention of a procedure
for the production of Champagne. 'I am drinking the stars,' he is said to have murmured as he took the first sip of champagne the world had ever known.
What is hotel barging?
Despite the growing popularity of cruising, especiallly on large river vessels, hotel barging is still a little known niche concept. Most hotel barges started life as cargo vessels but have since been painstakingly converted to offer luxury boutique accommodation for small groups of up to 20 passengers.
This is cruising, but in a very different style to ships plying the big rivers or oceans. The pace is slow, with a 6 day cruise covering maybe just 50 miles along a rural canal. Passengers can walk or bike the towpaths as their floating hotel glides gently along. Guests enjoy an intimate atmosphere, high levels of personal service and immersion into the culture, history and gastronomy of regions of Europe such as Burgundy, the Midi, or the Italian Veneto.
Every day there is an excursion, perhaps to a chateau, a vineyard for a wine tasting, or some other ‘off the beaten track’ location. About half of European Waterways’ bookings are for whole boat charters, ideal for families. Otherwise, clients book a cabin to join other like-minded people. A ‘slow boat’ European Waterways barge cruise offers the ultimate in experiential travel. A truly unique experience!
European Waterways offer luxury hotel barge cruises on the beautiful canals and rivers of Europe, such as through Burgundy, the Midi, Alsace, the Po Valley, Holland and the Scottish Highlands.
The exclusive collection of hotel barges accommodate up to 20 passengers who may charter a whole barge with family or friends, or join a small group of like-minded travellers on an individual cabin basis.
Each barge is fully crewed with a Captain, chef, hostesses, deck-hand and tour guide. The 6-night cruises include gourmet meals, fine wines, open bar, excursions and the use of facilities such as bicycles and spa pools.
www.europeanwaterways.com/