C'est La Vie  barge cruise

C'est La Vie

Luxury barge cruises

Cruising in the Loire Valley & the Champagne region

Cruise highlights

8 passengers
★★★★★ 5 star rating

Loire Valley

  • Visit and tastings in the Sancerre vineyards
  • Explore the history of pottery at the Faiencene in Gien
  • Chateau of St Fargeau
  • Chateau de la Bussière
  • Canal bridge of Briare
  • Amsterdam: A vast choice of visits!

Champagne

  • Visit the WW1 battlefield and cemetery of Belleau-Wood
  • Boizel Champagne house in Epernay
  • Haultevilliers - village of monk Dom Perignon
  • 2nd Champagne visit to a small, family-run winery
  • Reims and its Gothic Cathedral
  • Visit and tasting at La Chocolatier "Thibaut" in Pierry
  • Dine at les Crayeres in Reims (2 Michelin Stars)

C'est La Vie offers 2 cruise routes & itineraries

Montargis & Sancerre
Loire Valley, Central Canal

C'est La Vie cruise file

Prices

  • From 6995 USD per person
  • Charters from 47,400 USD

Boat size

  • Length 126′4″ ft (38.50 metres)
  • Width 16′7″ ft (5.05 metres)

Specifications

  • Crew members : 6
  • Up to 8 guests
  • Suites : 4

Also

  • Central heating
  • Air-conditioning
  • Bicycles : 8

About C'est La Vie barge cruises

Luxury barge C'est La Vie

Welcome to a wine lovers' paradise!

The C'est la Vie has an extraordinary wine cellar, probably the largest of any hotel barge. Each season, the most excellent wines are served on board only when they are at their best. Details are available upon request. C'est la Vie is a delightful and amazingly spacious barge decorated and maintained to the highest standards. Olivier and Deborah are charming and equally enthusiastic about their barge and guests.

Every effort is made to ensure that guests are completely comfortable. Transfers can be arranged from airports, hotels or stations within a 4-hour radius (e.g. Paris, Lyon or Geneva). C'est la Vie has been designed as a floating home, offering space, natural light and comfort. The barge is centrally heated and fully air-conditioned, with individual cabin controls.

The cabins are exceptionally spacious, from 220 to 230 sq. ft, with double aspect windows, a choice of king or twin beds, ample storage space and luxurious en-suite bathrooms with complimentary bathrobes.

The boat's design is such that all cabins are full width, with no corridor passing the door, thus ensuring peace and privacy for every guest.

The public areas are designed for socializing and include a welcoming saloon, adjoining dining room and bar, and an excellent sun deck with a retractable awning for shade or protection, whatever the season.

C'est La Vie deck and cabin plans

C'est La Vie deck plan

C'est La Vie photo gallery

Click any photo to zoom

C'est La Vie cruise routes & itineraries

Montargis & Sancerre

Loire Valley Central Canal

Rates

Sunday: Paris to Les Fouchards

Welcome aboard!
Your party will be met in Paris at 3 pm 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: Les Fouchards to Bealieu
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, where you will have a private wine tasting of this famous Sauvignon Blanc.
This medieval hilltop site gives you panoramic views over the Loire river and of the neighbouring vineyards of Pouilly Fume.
We return to the "C'est la Vie" for dinner.

Tuesday: Bealieu to Ouzouer sur Trezee
This morning's cruise takes us to the town of Ouzouer sur Trezee, 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 Chateau of St 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.
Back on board, it's time for cocktails and dinner.

Wednesday: Ouzouer sur Trezee to Rogny-les-Sept-Ecluses
From Ouzouer sur Trezee we drive to the town of Gien, the world-famous centre for French tableware.
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 seven remarkable old locks, (hence its name Sept Ecluses) dating back to the reign of Henry IV, it was a significant feat of engineering for its time.
Tonight we dine ashore at a local restaurant.

Thursday: Rogny-les-Sept-Ecluses 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 we will visit the 12th-century medieval fortress, Chateau of La Bussiere, open since 1962, this houses an extensive collection of fine art based on fishing, the leading passion of the Count Henri de Chasseval.
The grounds include an 18th-century vegetable garden and a pond with a Lebanon cedar tree which is more than 300 years old.
We head back to the C'est La Vie with time to relax before dinner.

Friday: Montbouy 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 and discover the feudal castle, the half-timbered buildings, shops and cafes, perhaps buying some Pralines, for which Montargis is famous.
The C'est La Vie awaits your return for the Captain's dinner, which ends your cruise in style.

Saturday: Return to Paris
After breakfast, you will be chauffeured back to Paris at the end of the morning. We look forward to your company again aboard the C'est la Vie!

Montargis & Sancerre rates

Accommodation 2023 Value Regular 5-night charter
Whole boat charter for 8 56, 280 USD 61, 320 USD 53, 320 USD
Whole boat charter for 7 52, 920 USD 58, 100 USD 51, 100 USD
Whole boat charter for 6 47, 700 USD 54, 000 USD 48, 000 USD
Suite per person, based on double occupancy 7, 500 USD 8, 000 USD
Single supplement 4, 000 USD 5, 000 USD

Departure dates 2023:
Value dates: April 9  - April 30; October 22 & 29
Regular dates: May 7 & 14; August 13 - October 15


Chateau Thierry to Sillery

Champagne

Rates

Sunday: Paris to Chateau Thierry

Welcome aboard!

You’ll be greeted at 3:00 pm in the lobby of your Paris hotel and chauffeured directly to the barge C’est La Vie at her moorings.

On board and after a welcome from the Captain and crew, there is time to unpack and take a stroll on the river banks, before enjoying cocktails and your first gourmet dinner on board.

Monday: Charly-sur-Marne to Joulogne 

WW1 battlefield and cemetery of Belleau-wood and the American monument

Start your day with the breakfast buffet, including freshly baked pastries just warm from the oven of the local boulangerie.
The barge will begin cruising on the River Marne heading towards the village of Joulgonne, through the densely-wooded countryside. 
Enjoy the scenery whilst relaxing on the deck as you meander downstream through quaint villages.

After lunch we’ll visit the French-American Friendship monument, built in 1929 it overlooks Chateau Thierry and the Marne valley, then a short drive to the World War One battlefield and cemetery of Belleau-wood, this was the scene of the second Battle of the Marne in spring 1918, this fierce fight ended the last German offensive of the war. The heavy price was 8,000 American troops killed, missing or wounded.
We will then pay our respects at the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery.

Return to the C’est La Vie for dinner aboard

Tuesday: Joulogne to Damery

Epernay, Moet & Chandon, Haultvilliers

After another delicious breakfast, cruise to Damery, a town on the banks of the Marne River, through a gorgeous landscape of villages, vineyards, pastures, and forests. After lunch take a short drive to visit the famed champagne producer Boizel in Epernay. Founded in 1834 by Auguste Boizel and Julie Martin, a young married couple, they joined forces to create their own Champagne House. Originally pastry chefs, born and bred in the Côte des Blancs, they shared the same strong entrepreneurial spirit. Julie’s ancestors were winegrowers in Ay and Mareuil-sur-Ay.

They chose Epernay as the home for their new venture, and both lent their names to the House: ‘Boizel-Martin, After a tasting and visit to their cellars we will take a short drive to Haultevillers, a pretty champagne village perched high over the vineyards. Tour the unassuming church of monk Dom Perignon, credited with inventing the champagne-producing process.

Your gourmet dinner is served aboard the barge.

Wednesday: Damery to Mareuil sur Ay

Sightseeing, Chocolaterie “Thibaut”

After breakfast, we take a short drive to the town of Pierry, where we will learn the art of Chocolate making and have the chance to make your own to take away with you.

Returning to the C’est La Vie for lunch and a relaxing afternoon cruise to Mareuil sur Ay, through scenery that could have been painted by the Impressionists, we will leave the river Marne for the canal Lateral a la Marne, the perfect time to put your working shoes on or ride a bicycle along the towpath and catch the C’est la Vie at the next lock.

This evening dinner is a shore and hosted in the 2-star Michelin restaurant Les Crayeres.

Thursday: Mareuil sur Ay to Vaudemange

Sightseeing, family Champagne domain

Another opportunity before lunch to put on your walking shoes or ride a bicycle along the towpath and catch the C’est la Vie at the next lock. We leave one canal the Lateral a la Marne, to join another the canal Marne a la Aine. After lunch, driving through vineyards as far as the eye can see, we will pay a visit to a small family-run vineyard, for the 2nd of your champagne-tasting experiences.

Back on board the C’est La Vie drinks and dinner.

Friday: Vaudemange to Sillery

Sightseeing, the city of Reims and her Cathedral

Cruise this morning to Reims. There is time to walk or bicycle on the towpath as C’est La Vie winds its way along the canal passing through a tunnel, after lunch, we drive to Reims, an important city from Roman times onwards. Visit the great Reims Cathedral, which is even larger than Notre Dame in Paris and where many of the French kings were crowned. Visit the Archbishop's place which has been turned into a museum which takes you back through history.

Walk along the pedestrian streets in this vibrant city, or take a coffee in many of the sidewalk cafes and watch the world go by.

Back on board the barge C’est La Vie for The Captain’s Dinner which ends your cruise in style!

Saturday: Return to Paris

A sad farewell
After breakfast, you will be chauffeured back to Paris for the end of the morning.
The estimated arrival time in Paris is approximately noon.
We hope to see you again on the "C'est la Vie".

Chateau Thierry to Sillery rates

Accommodation 2023 Regular Value 5-night charter
Whole boat charter for 8 61, 320 USD 56, 280 USD 53, 320 USD
Whole boat charter for 7 58, 100 USD 52, 920 USD 51, 100 USD
Whole boat charter for 6 54, 000 USD 47, 700 USD 48, 000 USD
Suite per person, based on double occupancy 8000 USD 7500 USD NA NA
Single supplement 5000 USD 4000 USD

2023:
Regular season: Departures from May 28 to July 30


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