Belmond Reimagines Slow Travel With The Launch Of coquelicot, A Belmond Boat, Champagne To Debut In May 2023
Top-deck lifestyle, bespoke itineraries and an exclusive partnership with Maison
Ruinart take travellers deeper into the effervescence of Champagne
Belmond is delighted to announce the launch of a new luxury vessel, part of its unmatched collection of barges in France: Coquelicot, A Belmond Boat, Champagne. From May 2023, Coquelicot will take guests on a cinematic and highly personalised journey of Champagne, as the barge glides along the region’s canals, unveiling exquisite views from a unique vantage point.
Featuring three glamorous cabins with ensuite facilities, an indoor salon with an exceptional champagne bar designed in collaboration with Maison Ruinart, and an extensive outdoor deck for relaxing pursuits, sensational dining, and sparkling conversations, Coquelicot will set a new standard of sophistication for slow-paced sailing in France.
EVOCATIVE DESIGN AND TOP DECK TREASURES
Designed to complement the ever-changing views and create an intimate sanctuary on the water, Coquelicot will boast an impressive outdoor deck, three double cabins with marble ensuite bathrooms, and an indoor lounge for dining and recharging.
Conceived by successful French duo, Humbert & Poyet, the barge’s interiors and exteriors will capture the essence of Champagne, with nods to the region’s hues and character.
The vessel’s top deck will be the jewel in the crown: two seating lounges, an open kitchen and a shaded dining area will offer a choice of spaces for guests to unwind and laze around as they meander the scenic canals. Framed by potted herbs and wildflowers that root the space in the locality, the deck will invite guests to craft their own carefree bliss and take it to new heights. From tranquil morning moments to cinematic al fresco lunches and celebratory evenings under the stars, Coquelicot will be the perfect respite for epicures eager to dive into a world of ageless French refinement, at their own leisurely pace.
Local fabrics in earthy tones and raw materials will honour Champagne’s agricultural heritage, while fluted walls, decadent interiors and pieces of art will pay homage to the land’s glorious present. Coquelicot’s namesake, the red poppy, will be found in subtle references such as the hand-cut red marble side tables and the tone-on-tone hand-painted petals that line the hallway, while the lounge’s sensational skylight is a celebration of Champagne’s water mapping legacy.
MAISON RUINART’S EXCLUSIVE ‘BEHIND THE SCENES’ EXPERIENCE IN TAISSY
Notably referred to as France’s liquid gold, Champagne takes a central role in the guests’ experience on and off board. To elevate the guest journey, Belmond will partner with Maison Ruinart - the world’s oldest champagne house, founded in Reims in 1729.
Coquelicot’s guests will enjoy unrivalled access to Maison Ruinart’s historic Taissy vineyard, referenced as early as 1733 in the Maison’s archives. Here, they will learn about Maison Ruinart’s pioneering viti-forestry project, studied in partnership with Reforest’Action and the University of Reims. This ambitious initiative is aimed at fostering biodiversity in the vineyard, while regenerating the soil, the surrounding forests and the wild ecosystems through the plantation of nearly 20,000 trees and shrubs over 4.5 km of hedges and 20sqm of wooded islands by 2023.
Following the tour, guests will head back to Coquelicot where Maison Ruinart’s Chef, Valérie Radou, and Coquelicot’s Head Chef will treat them to an exceptional al fresco lunch on the barge’s outdoor deck. Framed by the idyllic Champagne’s landscape, guests will savour a seasonal tasting menu with carefully selected champagne pairings as they delve deeper into the region’s famed art de vivre, in the comfort and privacy of their own luxury boat.
A FRESH PERSPECTIVE ON CHAMPAGNE
With the help of their very own Guest Experience Executive, guests of Coquelicot will have access to famous and lesser known wine producers in Champagne and meander the tapestry of vineyards that flourish on the chalky soils as they most please. Flightenthusiasts can admire the landscape from up high during a hot air-balloon ride above chateaux-clad hilltops, while active travellers immerse themselves in the natural surroundings as they cycle or ride horses.
Days of discoveries are followed by marvellous nights aboard the new barge. After a refreshing aperitivo at the boat’s Champagne bar – stocked by Coquelicot’s crew only with the guests’ preferred labels – the private Chef will prepare a sophisticated dinner, using only the finest seasonal ingredients from trusted local suppliers. Bon-vivants are invited to immerse in the conviviality which permeates the locale, and alternate an al fresco soirée on the deck with an off board Michelin-starred restaurant experience or a less inhibited dinner in one of the quaint surrounding villages. Guides to their own unfolding, guests will be able to tailor every moment of the journey to their wants and whims.
Coquelicot, A Belmond Boat, Champagne is part of Les Bateaux Belmond, the brand’s unrivalled collection of boats in France. The fleet includes: Alouette, A Belmond Boat, Canal Du Midi; Pivoine, A Belmond Boat, Camargue; Napoléon, A Belmond Boat, Provence; Amaryllis, A Belmond Boat, Burgundy; Fleur De Lys, A Belmond Boat, Burgundy; Lilas, A Belmond Boat, Burgundy.
Prices for Coquelicot, A Belmond Boat start from €82,000 (approximately £73,021). Helicopter transfers from Paris are also available upon request. To book or for further information, please visit Belmond.com or call +44 (0)20 7921 4000.
About Belmond
Belmond has been a pioneer of exceptional luxury travel for over 46 years, building a passion for authentic escapes into a portfolio of one-of-a-kind experiences in some of the world’s most inspiring destinations.
Since the acquisition of the iconic Hotel Cipriani in Venice in 1976, Belmond has continued to perpetuate the legendary art of travel, taking discerning global travellers on breathtaking journeys. Its portfolio extends across 24 countries with 50 remarkable properties that include the illustrious Venice Simplon-Orient-Express train, remote beach retreats like Cap Juluca in Anguilla, Italian hideaways such as Splendido in Portofino, or unrivalled gateways to world natural wonders such as Hotel das Cataratas inside Brazil’s Iguassu National Park. From trains to river barges, safari lodges to hotels, each unique property offers an incomparable experience with its own story to tell. The essence of the Belmond brand is built upon its heritage, craftsmanship and genuine, authentic service. Belmond sees its role as custodians of timeless heritage, dedicated to preserving its assets through sensitive ongoing restoration plans. Belmond is part of the world’s leading luxury group LVMH Moët
Hennessy Louis Vuitton. www.belmond.com
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