Coquelicot, A Belmond boat, Champagne, sets a new standard of sophistication in slow travel in France, inviting guests on a highly personalized journey on the waterways of Champagne. An art-focused tour of Champagne…a discovery of celebrated castles and their history…epicurean visits of Europe’s most celebrated and most secret wine producers… Guests are free to design their personal journey as they revel in the region’s treasures at their own pace in a truly exceptional setting. 

Designed by the duo Humbert & Poyet – awarded the French Design 100 label – Coquelicot will boast an impressive outdoor deck, three double cabins with marble ensuite bathrooms, and an indoor lounge with champagne bar for dining and relaxing. The jewel of the vessel is a top deck with two lounges, an open kitchen and a shaded dining area, all ideal spaces for guests to unwind and recharge as the boat meanders along the region’s calm waterways.

The experience of this exquisite setting is further elevated by a partnership with Maison Ruinart, offering an immersion into the world’s oldest champagne house. Guests will have exclusive access to Ruinart’s Taissy vineyard, first referenced in the Maison’s archives in 1733. They will also have an opportunity to learn about Ruinart’s pioneering viti-forestry project in partnership with Reforest’Action, and admire the unique creation by artist Nils Udo entitled Habitats.

The multitude of exceptional activities for Coquelicot guests include an immersive lunch prepared by Ruinart Chef in Residence Valérie Radou and the Coquelicot Head Chef on the luxury barge. The five-course dining experience features seasonal dishes inspired by regional cuisine and paired with prestigious cuvées such as Dom Ruinart Blanc de Blancs and Dom Ruinart Rosé.

Set to debut in May 2023, Coquelicot, A Belmond Boat, Champagne, joins Belmond’s unrivalled collection of boats in France, which offer exceptional experiences on the Canal du Midi, in Camargue and in Burgundy.

To book or for further information, please visit Belmond.com or call +44 (0)20 7921 4000.

Initiated by Maria Grazia Chiuri, this collaboration showcases a new generation of fashion designers who conceive and make their creations in South Africa, the native country of longtime Dior ambassador Charlize Theron. The Creative Director for Dior Women’s collections wanted to deepen support for CTAOP, a foundation created in 2007 to aid youth in Southern Africa, both financially – a donation has been made on behalf of Dior – and artistically.  

This dialogue between Paris and Johannesburg debuts with Thebe Magugu, winner of the 2019 LVMH Prize for Young Fashion Designers. The first African to receive this prestigious distinction, the 28-year-old designer continues to celebrate powerful women in his creations. His clothes, he says, are “a constant ode to the powerful and independent matriarchs who raised me.” The designer’s storytelling approach is inspired by a cross-fertilization of the various disciplines he studied, spanning fashion design, photography and media. Launched in 2016, his eponymous brand recounts the stories and crafts on which it thrives, becoming a sort of encyclopedia. His clothes proudly act as reminders that future generations can look back on to better understand cultures and peoples.