Panache Christmas Market
France, Alsace-Lorraine
Cruise Along the Canal de la Marne au Rhine and the Canal du Rhone au Rhin
Celebrate holiday magic with a Christmas Markets Cruise on the barge Panache! Floating from one magical fairytale town to another, the Panache offers a marvelous introduction to this historic Christmas experience.
Experience vendors selling handcrafted gifts, painted ornaments, and colorful candles. Savor fragrant foodstuffs, sample seasonal sweets, and sip mugs of spiced wine. Gorgeously decorated trees and holiday displays light up the surrounding streets, beckoning for further exploration.
Besides mingling with locals at the Christmas markets, Panache guests enjoy many other cultural connections. Visits include a glassblowing studio where working artisans share the secrets of creating classic Christmas tree ornaments, while a tour of the Rene Lalique collection reveals 500 gorgeous Art Deco and Art Nouveau pieces. Best of all, experience a chocolate atelier at which you’ll be invited to create your personalized chocolate confection!
Food and drink showcase the culinary customs of this unique region, which reflect both French and German influences. Enjoy a meal at a traditional inn, or “bierstub,” for an evening of Alsatian recipes such as “flammekueche.” Onboard, classic French fare is presented with a contemporary twist and accompanied by boutique wines from nearby vineyards. Christmas cocktails, holiday-inspired dishes, and homemade desserts round out Panache’s dynamic dining program.