C'est La Vie

Sunday: Paris to Montargis 

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 town of Montargis.
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 the barge.

Dinner is served on board the barge

Monday: Cruise to Montbouy

Sightseeing Château la Bussiere

The barge begins to cruise along the canal leaving Montargis and heading towards Montbouy, this is a perfect time to stroll along the tow-path or cycle on ahead.
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 Count Henri de Chasseval. The grounds include an 18th-century vegetable garden and a pond with a Lebanon cedar tree over 300 years old.

Dinner ashore at the Michelin-starred restaurant “Auberge Les Templiers”

Tuesday: Cruise to Rogny-les-Sept-Ecluses

Sightseeing Montargis

Before today's cruise, we take a short ride back to Montargis to explore the feudal castle, the half-timbered buildings dating from the 15th century, shops and cafes, and perhaps buy some Pralines for which Montargis is famous. With its 131 bridges, you can see why Montargis has the nickname of Little Venice.

Back on board for lunch and an afternoon cruise to the village of Rogny-les-Sept-Ecluses, 

Dinner is served on board the barge

Wednesday: Cruise to Ouzouer sur Trézée

Sightseeing Gien

We drive to the historic town of Gien on the River Loire's banks, the world-famous French tableware centre.
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 Roman times.

In the afternoon, we continue our cruise and climb over the hill there you will see seven remarkable old stair-case of locks, (hence its name Sept Ecluses) dating back to the reign of Henry IV, it was a significant feat of engineering for its time.

Dinner is served on board the barge

Thursday: Cruise to Chatillon-sur-Loire

Sightseeing Chateau of Saint Fargeau

This morning we cruise to the village of Chatillon-sur-Loire. The barge will be crossing over the Loire River at Briare on the aqueduct called "Pont Canal" to join the Canal Lateral à la Loire, the aqueduct designed by Gustave Eiffel. The construction of this unique and spectacular 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.

Dinner is served on board the barge

Friday: Cruise to Léré below Sancerre

Sightseeing Sancerre

In the morning the barge cruises to the village of Léré, set below the hills of Sancerre.

After lunch, we take a short drive through the vineyards to visit the fortified town of Sancerre, this medieval site gives you panoramic views over the Loire River and the neighbouring vineyards of Pouilly Fume. From there we make our way to the private wine tasting in the small village of Chavignol, famous for the Sauvignon Blanc, and you can also try the goat's cheese from the village.

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!

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".