“Olivier and Deborah Mégret are the proud owners of the C’est La Vie Barge, and thanks to their long and distinguished careers with over 25 years experience in the hotel barging industry, they now operate one of the best barges in France.”
This luxury hotel barge offers you exceptional quality wines, gourmet food and impeccable hospitality from its experienced captain and crew.
C’est La Vie is the pièce de resistance of barging and fully equipped with all modern amenities. On the upper deck the lounge and dining areas are air-conditioned and the numerous windows give you a panoramic view of the surrounding countryside. The outside sun deck with teak floor and furniture is the perfect spot to dine alfresco or relax under the sun canopy, which gives shade to all the deck or can be adjusted for those who like to bath in the warmth of the summer sun.
The 21 speed bicycles provide you the opportunity to discover the rural beauty along the tow paths or to ride into the nearby villages meeting up with the C’est La Vie at the next lock.
The Cherry wood panelled walls and ceiling edged in black Iron wood give the four spacious staterooms a feeling of warmth, with three windows on each side that allow light to filter through at all times of the day. All staterooms have en-suite bathrooms with marble topped vanity units.
The galley is well equipped for our professional chef to prepare your gourmet meals and then continues onto the wheel house, which offers passengers the chance to cruise with the captain and enjoy the spectacular scenery from a different perspective.
Cabin
- 4 Staterooms
- King size or twin beds
- Air conditioning unit/heater
- 220v & 110v sockets
- En suite bathroom
- Large corner shower with 4 jets
- Marbled topped vanity unit with round sink
- Hair dryer
- 220v & 110v sockets.
Public area
- Shelves with books and games
- iPod docking station
- CD player
- Internet facilities
Deck
- Teak table
- 8 chairs
- Sun canopy
- 8 bicycles with 21 gears
- Barge length; 38.77 m (128ft)
- Barge width; 5.05 m (16ft)
Route 1: Burgundy
Sunday: Welcome to C’est la Vie! – Paris to the “C’est la Vie” moored in Ravières
Your party will be met in Paris at 3pm by our d
river and brought to the “C’est la Vie”, which is moored in the town of Ravières. A traditional Champagne welcome and introduction to the crew awaits you, before your first gourmet dinner aboard.
Monday: Sightseeing Abbey of Fontenay – Cruise to Ancy le Franc
Morning cruise to the village of Ancy le Franc, which will allow you time to walk off breakfast of locally baked croissants and other pastries. After a gourmet buffet lunch you will be driven to the Cistercian Abbey of Fontenay founded by St Bernard. Dating back to the 12th Century it is listed on the Unesco World Heritage site. Return to the “C’est La Vie” for dinner.
Tuesday: Sightseeing Chateau of Ancy la Franc Cruise to Lézinnes
This morning you have the choice of visiting the gorgeous Renaissance chateau of Ancy le Franc., arriving by foot or by minibus. Renowned for its 16th-century wall paintings and frescos (which are said to rival Fontainebleau), Ancy-le-Franc has been extensively and sensitively renovated and is a spectacular visit.
Return to the “C’est La Vie” for lunch and an afternoon cruise to the small town of Lézinnes from where you will be driven to the village of L’Isle sur Serein for your dinner ashore at the family run restaurant of “Le Pot d’Etain”.
Wednesday: Sightseeing Noyers with its local market
Morning visit to the medieval town of Noyers, where you can walk through the cobbled streets enjoying the local market and discover the old ramparts and half timbered buildings from the 15th/16th centuries along the banks of the river Serein.
Drive back to the “C’est La Vie” through fields of wheat and grazing animals for lunch and an afternoon cruise on the Burgundy Canal to Tanlay which is now lined by poplar trees. A perfect moment to put on your walking shoes and explore the towpath and small villages along the way. Dinner aboard C’est La Vie.
Thursday: Sightseeing Chablis – Cruise to Flogny-la-Chapelle
We take a morning cruise and pass through the old town of Tonnerre. This town is famous for is rich contrast of architecture from many eras, including Roman and Medieval. Then for our afternoon visit, we head to the town of Chablis, where you can taste some of the famous white wines of this region in one of their local cellars . Enjoy a drive through vineyards which cover the hill sides for as far as the eye can see.
Friday: Sightseeing in Auxerre Cruise to St Florentin
This morning’s cruise will take us to the town of St Florentin, arriving by early afternoon. After lunch drive to the town of Auxerre. On the banks of the river Yonne this historic town, first settled by the Romans boasts a Cathedral, an Abbey and a Church. With buildings dating back to medieval times, this is
the ideal place to stroll along its narrow streets and window shops or just sit and relax with a coffee in one of its many cafés reflecting on Napoleon, Joan of Arc or Charles VII who all passed through this elegant town. Return to the “C’est La Vie” for the Captain’s Dinner, which ends your cruise in style.
Saturday: Return to Paris
After breakfast, you’ll be chauffeured back to Paris for the end of the morning. We hope to see you again on the “C’est la Vie”!
Route 2: Upper loire
Sunday: Welcome to C’est la Vie, moored on the Canal Latéral to the Loire.
Your party will be met in Paris at 3pm by our driver and driven to the C’est La Vie moored in the hamlet of “Les Fouchards” situated 6 miles from Sancerre, and close to Cosne-sur-Loire, which is just the other side of the Loire river.
With a glass of Champagne to welcome you to the C’est La Vie, and after introductions to the crew, you have time to settle into your spacious cabins before your first gourmet dinner aboard.
Monday: Sightseeing in Sancerre and cruise to Beaulieu.
On our way, this morning we cruise to the village of Beaulieu, after lunch we take a short drive through the vineyards to visit the fortified town of Sancerre, this hill top medieval site gives you panoramic views over the Loire river and of the neighbouring vineyards of Pouilly Fumé.
The town of Chavignol (also famous for its goat’s cheese) is where you will have a private wine tastingof this famous Sauvignon Blanc. Returning to the C’est la Vie for dinner.
Tuesday: Sightseeing Château de Saint-Fargeau and cruise to Ouzouer-sur-Trézée.
This morning’s cruise takes us to the town of Ouzouer-sur-Trézée, crossing over the Loire river at Briare on the “Pont Canal”, this aqueduct designed by Gustave Eiffel. The construction of this canal bridge started in 1890.
The Château de Saint-Fargeau is this afternoon’s destination, dating from the 10th century; it was built by the bishop of Auxerre and has undergone many additions and restorations over the following years.
Dinner ashore at the 1 Star Michelin restaurant “Auberge des Templiers”.
Wednesday: Sightseeing Faiencerie of Gien and cruise to Rogny-les-Sept-Ecluses.
From Ouzouer-sur-Trézée, we drive to the town of Gien, the world famous centre for French table ware after a visit to the pottery, take a walk through this market town and discover its remarkable history, on the banks of the Loire river there has been a settlement here since Romans times.
Back on-board for lunch and an afternoon cruise to the town of Rogny-les-Sept-Ecluses, there you will see 7 remarkable old locks (hence its name Sept Ecluses) dating back to the reign of Henry IV, it was a major feat of engineering for its time.
Dinner aboard the C’est la Vie.
Thursday: Sightseeing Château de la Bussière and cruise to Montbouy.
If you haven’t already put on your walking shoes, now is the perfect time as we cruise to the village of Montbouy. After lunch you will be driven to the Château de la Bussière, it is a prime example of a medieval fortress built in the 12th century. Open to the public since 1962, when the Count Henri de Chasseval decided to exhibit his extensive collection of material and pieces of art from around the world about fishing. But it’s not all about fishing, there are the grounds to visit with its 18th century vegetable garden and a pond with a 300 year old Lebanon Cedar tree and much more.
We head back to the C’est La Vie with time to relax before dinner.
Friday: Sightseeing and cruise to Montargis.
Meandering along the canal, Montargis is our last port of call, with its 131 bridges, you can see why its nickname is “little Venice”, after lunch take a stroll around and discover the feudal castle, the half timbered buildings, shops and cafés. Perhaps buying some Pralines for which Montargis is famous.
The C’est La Vie awaits your return for the Captains dinner, which ends your cruise in style.
Saturday: Return to Paris
After breakfast, you will be chauffeured back to Paris for the end of the morning. We look forward to your company again on the “C’est la Vie”!
Rates 2021
- Private charter – Full board: from €5,650 per person based on 8 passengers
- Open week – Full board – Twin/double cabin: from €5,900 per person
- Single supplement: from €3,100 per person
What is included?
- Six nights accommodation
- All gourmet meals prepared by your private chef
- All wines, bar, and refreshment drinks aboard
- Transfers to and from the barge from the designated meeting point
- Daily excursions with your tour guide in private vehicle
- Use of on-board spa pool, bicycles, library and sound system
