Overview
Discover the gorgeous highlights of Burgundy on a week-long scenic cruise with ample chance to disembark for exciting shore excursions and wine tastings. Set along the fascinating Canal du Nivernais, your cruise is a magical journey back in time with the lush rolling hills, pastoral scenery, vineyards, grand chateaux and medieval villages creating a backdrop for your holiday.
L’Art de Vivre is a first class, 8-passenger hotel barge boasting orginal wood and brass design. The barge whisks you through the heart of rural France in comfort with its inviting interior, modern en suite facilities, charming saloon, sun deck, and spa pool. This holiday offers a Biking Plus option for guests who want to do more than just cycling along nearby towpaths. With this option, you will follow an interesting, but not too challenging route and explore the surrounding countryside and villages. Hot air ballooning is also a great add-on. The 1-hour balloon ride takes place in the early hours just after dawn or before sunset, when the air is still and the light is perfect for you to gaze down at the stunning countryside.
Itinerary
Deck Hotel Barge L’Art de Vivre
First Class | 8 Passengers | 5 Crew
- 100 Feet Long
- 4 Twin/Double Staterooms (100sq ft incl. en suite)
- Spa Pool
- Air-Conditioned / Centrally Heated
Day 1 Paris Auxerre
You will be met at the meeting point in Paris** and transferred by private chauffeured minibus to the pretty L’Art de Vivre. Following a champagne welcome, you are free to explore the medieval town of Auxerre, or take a stroll along the banks of the River Yonne before returning for dinner on board.
Overnight stay onboard Hotel Barge L'Art de Vivre in a Stateroom.
Selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages included.
Day 2 Auxerre Vincelles
Your morning cruise starts early and takes us through some delightful locks and past vineyard-clad hillsides to our rural mooring at Vincelles. Following lunch on board, we head to the quarry of Aubigny, a subterranean wonderland of stonework which is famous for the limestone used on buildings such as the Paris Opera House, here we explore this uniquely atmospheric underground space. Afterwards, we visit the cellars of Bailly-Lapierre, also carved out of the rock, to taste some their sparkling Crémant de Bourgogne. Dinner on board.
Overnight stay onboard Hotel Barge L'Art de Vivre in a Stateroom.
Selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages included.
Day 3 Vincelles Mailly-la-Ville
Following an early breakfast, you will discover the medieval town of Auxerre. Later, tour the centre of what was originally the capital of Lower Burgundy, with its lavish Renaissance houses, fine churches and particularly its magnificent cathedral situated close to the river. Then return to the hotel barge for a cruise south wardt hrough rich pasture lands and past grazing Charolais cattle, to the sleepy village of Mailly-la-Ville. After your relaxed lunch on board, perhaps this is a good time to enjoy a walk or bicycle ride along the towpath. Dinner on board.
Overnight stay onboard Hotel Barge L'Art de Vivre in a Stateroom.
Selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages included.
Day 4 Mailly-la-Ville Le Saussois
This morning, after a leisurely breakfast, head to the celebrated wine village of Chablis. After viewing the vineyards, make a private visit to the prestigious Domaine Laroche for a wine-tasting, followed by a tour of the 1000 years old Obédiencerie; originally part of the monastery of St. Martin, this is where the monks developed the craft of winemaking in the Middle Ages and to this day it remains the location for aging the wines. Lunch will be served by a private chef in the Domaine’s dining hall. Later in the afternoon return to the barge to cruise past the cliffs at Le Saussois, a stunning natural setting with an international climbing centre. There will also be the opportunity to enjoy delightful walks or bicycle rides along the towpath. Dinner onboard.
Overnight stay onboard Hotel Barge L'Art de Vivre in a Stateroom.
Selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages included.
Day 5 Le Saussois Lucy-sur-Yonne
Your morning cruise is through the picturesque Yonne Valley to our mooring at Lucy-sur-Yonne. After lunch on board, enjoy an excursion to the pilgrimage town of Vézelay, one of Burgundy’s most famous treasures with the Romanesque Basilica of St Mary Magdalene, craft shops and fine views of the surrounding countryside. Dinner on board.
Overnight stay onboard Hotel Barge L'Art de Vivre in a Stateroom.
Selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages included.
Day 6 Lucy-sur-Yonne Chevroches
A morning cruise through beautiful countryside takes you to your final mooring at the pretty canalside village of Chevroches, where you’ll visit the elegant Château de Bazoches, built in the 12th century and whose illustrious visitors included Richard the Lionheart. The château was later remodelled by Maréchal Vauban and there are wonderful views from its elevated hillside setting.
After lunch, enjoy an afternoon at leisure – perfect for a bicycle ride, or a walk along the towpaths before the Captain’s Farewell Dinner on board.
Overnight stay onboard Hotel Barge L'Art de Vivre in a Stateroom.
Selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages included.
Day 7 Chevroches Paris
After breakfast, you are transferred to Paris.
