Built in 1930 in Holland, La Vie en Rose was used for ferrying grain, stone, wood and other dry cargo in Europe. The barge was laid up in the centre of Paris for 17 years, where she was owned and lived by the famous American actor Sterling Ayden.
With a capacity of 6 passengers, La Vie en Rose has three well-appointed en-suite air conditioned cabins and two fabulous outside decks to take full advantage of the magnificent French scenery slowly drift by. The boat is equipped as well with a central heating and 2 generators, in addition a freshwater reserve of 8 cubic meters allow the boat to be fully autonomous.
Cabin
- Bed size: Choice of King or two oversized twin beds
Public area
- Lounge with large windows
- Side-drawer cupboards
- Stereo surround-sound system
- Selection of books and board games
- WiFi & Computer with internet access
- Dining room
- Sun deck with canopied area and a hot tub on deck
- Size: 30.48m x 4.75m
La Vie en Rose offers a planned cruise (with 4 stops) from Saint Julien sur Dheune to Seurre: Saint Julien sur Dheune – Saint Léger sur Dheune – Santenay – Chagny – Fragnes – Seurre.
This cruise will show you the wonders of the “Côte Chalonnaise” and the “Côte de Beaune”. For each stop, the crew will recommend you the most suitable visit and activity: -Castle visit : Couches, La Rochepot, Sully – Wine grower visit and tasting (Maranges, Santenay, Meursault, Mercurey, Rully, Givry) – Market day: Beaune, Chagny, Chalon sur Saone - Air Balloon flight -Restaurant, local auberge.
The cruise starts from Saint Julien-sur-Dheune to Seurre with various stops, and vice versa. The navigation takes place on the Canal du Centre from Saint Julien-sur-Dheune to Chalon-sur-Saône and then on the Saône river to Seurre.
To take advantage of the full day, the breakfast will be taken between 08:00 and 09:00, the navigations mainly take place at the morning in order to start at the opening time of the locks (09:00). The barge mooring (for each stop) are booked in advance at the beginning of the season, so it means that the cruise is scheduled and, as far as possible, needs to be respected.
Sunday
Saint-Julien-sur-Dheune
Guests are met at Le Creusot TGV railway station in the afternoon and taken by mini bus to La Vie en Rose, which is moored on the tranquil Canal du Centre in the pretty village of Saint-Julien-sur-Dheune. Champagne Welcome and dinner in the evening gives us the opportunity to chat about the coming weeks itinerary, while you gently unwind from your journey
Monday
Saint-Julien-sur-Dheune –> Saint-Léger-sur-Dheune
The day begins with a cruise to the village of Saint-Léger-sur-Dheune wich will be our mooring for the evening. After a lunch aboard La Vie en Rose, we visit by mini bus the famous « Château de Couches » known as the « Château de Marguerite de Bourgogne ». It is a magnificent XIIe Century fortress classified to the « Monument Historique » which presents all the differents phases of its building from end XIe up to XIXe. On the way back to La Vie en Rose, we will go through the charming 3 villages of « Maranges » and of course, a tasting ! We will finish this first day in a local auberge to discover the regional cooking (not included).
Tuesday
Saint-Léger-sur-Dheune –> Santenay
We depart Saint-Léger-sur-Dheune for a leisurely cruise to the village of Santenay, which nestles amongst the famous vineyards and preserved landscape of the Southern Côte de Beaune. This morning we will take the « Route des Grands Crus » from Santenay up to the Village of Pommard . Today for lunch, you will discover « Le Cellier Volnaysien » (not included) a restaurant very appreciated by local people, then we depart for the visit of the wonderful Château de Sully. « The most beautiful Renaissance Courtyard in France » (located 30 min west of Beaune) according to Bussy Rabutin, a French soldier and courtier exiled from Louis XVI’s court for writing stories about the King’s mistresses. We return to La Vie en Rose for a restful evening and dinner on board.
Wednesday
Santenay –> Chagny
We start the day with a short cruise to the town of Chagny where we will moor for the evening. After a relaxing breakfast we depart for the historic town of Beaune, the wine capital of Burgundy. Today is the market day and our visit will include the historic (with a private guide) « Hospices de Beaune » and the Hotel Dieu, built in the XVe century. For lunch we propose the restaurant « Le Conty » (not included) a wonderful dining place with a pleasant cellar atmosphere. We will dedicate the afternoon for a wine tasting at the famous « Patriarche Cellars ». These cellars are the longest in Burgundy, and the history of the wine merchant’s is one of the oldest. We return to La Vie en Rose through the vineyards for a restful evening and dinner on board.
Thursday
Chagny –> Fragnes
This morning we continue with our cruise towards Fragnes, ideally situated to discover the « Côte Chalonnaise », where we will moor for the evening. In the south of the Côte de Beaune, the Côte Chalonnaise propose ruby-coloured red wine and delicate white wine of great renown coming from Pinot Noir, Chardonnay or Aligoté. After lunch taken on board, we have arranged a private tasting at « The Château de Chamirey » in Mercurey. The Devillard family owner of the Château, old acquaintance of the Captain family will give you a warm welcome. After the tasting you might also wish to enjoy a short drive to discover the magnificent views offered by this region. To continue this wonderful evening you will enjoy a dinner taken ashore (not included) in a local auberge or, if you wish a « Gatronomic Experience », you might appreciate the restaurant « Lameloise » the only Michelin 3 stars *** restaurant in Burgundy, icon of the French cuisine.
Friday
Fragnes –> Seurre
This morning we take a short car ride to the town of « Chalon-sur-Saône » (the birthplace of the photography). Chalon has a Cathedral with a lovely square surrounded by medieval buildings. A is it market day today, the square filled with fruit and vegetables stalls and the other streets littered with all sorts of market traders selling a plethora of goods. A real insight into french life. We return to La Vie en Rose for lunch and a leisurely cruise to the village of Seurre. This evening your farewell meal starts with cocktails and canapés on the deck overlooking the Saône river.
Saturday
Seurre
After a last breakfast, guests are taken by our private chauffeur to Le Creusot TGV railway station in good time to catch their train.
Nb : The cruise program has been set-up in order to optimize the mini-bus transit time but the visits during the week can be tailored to the Guest’s wishes.
Rates 2019
Private charter – Full board: from € 6,250
INCLUDED IN THE RATE
- 6 nights/7 days in a cabin with a private bath
- Continental breakfast
- Bed linen, towel
- daily escorted excursions and use of on-board bicycles
- Crew for the navigation (2 persons)
Options
- On request: 7 seater mini-bus with driver for all your excursions during the week including guest transit to and from the nearest train station (Dijon/ Chalon sur Saone/Le Creusot)
