A Belmond Boat · Champagne
Coquelicot
6 guests · 3 cabins · whole-boat charter
Coquelicot is the poppy, and she is the only Belmond boat working Champagne. Six guests in three cabins, each with a marble en-suite, below a glass skylight and beside an open kitchen — the smallest guest list in the fleet after Alouette, and the one where the region does the most work.
The route runs between Jaulgonne and Châlons-en-Champagne in both directions, through Vandières, Damery, Épernay, Vraux and Mareuil-sur-Ay. Those are the names on the labels, which is the point: the cellars are a short drive from wherever the boat has tied up, and the excursions are built around them.
One piece of provenance worth knowing. Coquelicot is the rebuilt former Hirondelle, relaunched under the new name — so if you find both offered for sale, one of those listings is out of date. Belmond does not publish the hull's original build year, and neither do we.
The cruises
Jaulgonne to Châlons-en-Champagne
6 nights
Through Vandières, Damery, Épernay and Vraux. Charter basis for up to six guests.
Châlons-en-Champagne to Jaulgonne
6 nights
The reverse, taking in Vraux, Mareuil-sur-Ay and Vandières. These two are the only Coquelicot itineraries Belmond publishes.
The cabins
Double cabin
Three of them, each with a marble en-suite bathroom. Belmond publishes no individual cabin names or sizes for this boat.
On board
The skylight saloon
A glass skylight over the living space, which on a barge is the difference between a cabin below deck and somewhere you want to sit.
The open kitchen
The chef cooks in front of you rather than behind a door — one of the things that separates a barge from a small ship.
Booking this boat
Coquelicot is whole-boat charter only, for up to six guests — Belmond's per-cabin Open Sailing option applies to Napoléon alone. Six berths makes her the natural choice for a single family or three couples travelling together. Belmond publishes no cruising season, so we confirm the calendar before holding a week; the harvest weeks in September are the ones that go first in this region.
Questions, answered
Is Coquelicot the same boat as Hirondelle?
Yes. Coquelicot is the rebuilt Hirondelle, relaunched under a new name — Hirondelle is not a separate boat still sailing. Broker sites that list both are showing one listing that has not been updated. Belmond does not publish the hull's original build year.
How many guests does Coquelicot take?
Up to six, in three double cabins with marble en-suite bathrooms. She is the only Belmond boat cruising Champagne, and the second-smallest in the fleet after the four-guest Alouette.
Where does she cruise?
Between Jaulgonne and Châlons-en-Champagne in both directions, calling at Vandières, Damery, Épernay, Vraux and Mareuil-sur-Ay. Belmond publishes these two six-night journeys and no others for this boat.
Enquire
Hold a week aboard Coquelicot
Tell us the party and roughly when, and we will confirm the current itinerary and hold the week with Belmond.
Start Planning