La Vie en Rose barge cruise

La Vie en Rose luxury barge cruises

Add to my favourites

Cruise highlights

6 passengers
★★★★ 4 star rating

  • Visit the XII-century 'Chateau de Couches' classified as a "monument historique"
  • Visit the XII-century Chateau de Rully with its owner
  • Explore the Route de Grand Cru
  • Visit Beaune, including the XV-century Hospice de Beaune
  • Wine tastings at the Patriarche cellars and the Chateau de Chamirey in Mercurey
  • Market day in Chalon-sur-Saone

Cruise route & itinerary

Saint Julien-sur-Dheune to Seurre
Saône Valley, Central Canal

La Vie en Rose cruise file

Prices

  • Charters from 21, 000 USD

Boat size

  • Length 103′3″ ft (31.46 metres)
  • Width 15′9″ ft (4.79 metres)

Specifications

  • Crew members : 4
  • Up to 6 guests
  • Double cabins : 1
  • Twin cabins : 2

Also

  • Central heating
  • Air-conditioning
  • Demonstration galley
  • WiFi access: 4G onboard (subject to 4G coverage)
  • Bicycles : 6

Guests have awarded ★★★★★ stars


Best vacation ever
(September 2023) Lewis ★★★★★
It was fantastic
(June 2023) ADAMS ★★★★★
You were right, we had a phenomenal week with Alex, Arnot and Audrée this week on La Vie en Rose! Attention to detail but not stuffy, just like long-lost friends! The restaurants and activities he organized were top-notch and so much fun! Goats, cheese, wine tasting and pétanque, that is Burgundy at its best! I am so grateful to have found your website…serendipity!  Our friends, my sister and we thank you for making the arrangements, especially the Zoom, as it put us all at ease. We could not have asked for a better vacation! Kind regards, Darlene and Michel P
(November 2022) Darle...
We will not soon forget the week we spent on La Vie en Rose. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Merci encore!!!  Laurie and gang.
(October 2022) Lauri...
We have very much enjoyed our week of canal and river cruising on "La Vie en Rose". We had some fabulous food, cheese and wine and learnt a lot about the wine of the area and some history of Bourgogne! The rest of the time we relaxed soothed by the slow smooth feeling of the barge travelling along. Fantastique ! Merci Alex, Nicole and Carls!
(November 2019) Marya...

About La Vie en Rose barge cruises

Luxury barge La Vie en Rose

The barge, La Vie en Rose,  has a rich history. She was built in 1930 as a working barge to carry cargo throughout Europe, La Vie en Rose was once owned by the famous actor Sterling Hayden, who lived aboard while the barge was in Paris for 17 years. She was then lovingly converted in 2004 to a hotel barge, named Who Knows.

Her current owners spent many months refitting the barge, and she has a delightful, fresh feel reflected in her new name.

As you step aboard La Vie en Rose,  directly into the sitting room, you will be enchanted.
With eight windows providing plenty of light, the light grey, bespoke modern furnishings combined with brass fittings invite you to settle down to relax. The references to Edith Piaf, Sterling Hayden and Josephine Baker combine to create a pleasant ambience.
From this sitting room, you can watch the world go by during the day, or curl up with a book, or perhaps enjoy a nightcap, whatever makes your cruise ideal.

A few steps down from the sitting room takes you into the heart of the barge, where light floods the spacious saloon where a comfortable dining table overlooks the demonstration galley.   
Share a glass of wine with the experienced chef Carlene while she creates mouth-watering dishes throughout the week, using fresh local ingredients.
The well-stocked bar is conveniently situated close by, and the iPod dock is on hand to create just the right atmosphere every day as you dine or relax.

Of course, one of the joys of cruising is being in the beautiful Burgundy countryside.
The top forward deck is exceptionally spacious and well-furnished for alfresco dining but also for relaxing on teak loungers. In contrast, the wheelhouse deck has a permanent sunshade from which to share the Captain's view.
Additional air-conditioning units installed in 2020 guarantee the perfect temperature throughout the barge.

After a day exploring Burgundy with your friendly crew, and a fabulous dinner, you will be ready to retire for the night.
La Vie en Rose has three cabins, one of which is a double, the others in a twin configuration. The crisp white linens, air-conditioning/heating units and opening windows guarantee a comfortable night, whatever time of year you choose to cruise.

Each cabin has a wardrobe complete with hanging space and shelving. In the ensuite bathroom, there are shelves and alcoves with make-up/shaving mirrors above tiled washbasins, and fully-tiled shower cubicles with easy-glide doors and variable-flow showerheads. Superior 'Biological Green tea & Citrus' toiletries produced in Italy, a hair-dryer, slippers and luxuriously soft towels complete the picture.

Step aboard La Vie en Rose this season: Alex and his crew are looking forward to sharing their love of the area, food and wine with you.

La Vie en Rose deck and cabin plans

La Vie en Rose deck plan

La Vie en Rose cruise route & itinerary

Saint Julien-sur-Dheune to Seurre cruise map

Saint Julien-sur-Dheune to Seurre

Saône Valley, Central Canal

Rates

Saint Julien-sur-Dheune

Sunday

Guests are met at either the central train station at Le Creusot or a local hotel in the afternoon and driven in the air-conditioned bus to join La Vie en Rose, moored in the peaceful, pretty village of St Julien-sur Dheune on the Canal du Centre.

A "Champagne Welcome" is the perfect moment to relax while the crew welcomes you. This evening we will chat about the coming week while enjoying dinner on board.

Saint Julien-sur-Dheune to Saint Leger-sur-Dheune

Monday

After a hearty breakfast, the adventure begins with a cruise to the village of Saint Leger-sur-Dheune. Admire the views from the deck, or perhaps walk or cycle along to build up an appetite for lunch on board.

In the afternoon, we will take our first step back in time as we visit the famous Chateau de Couches. This "monument historique" dates from the 12th century and is known as the Chateau de Marguerite de Bourgogne, who was the Queen of France and married Louis X. 

The architecture of the chateau varies as the building was constructed between the end of the 11th century, with all work finally completed in the 19th century.
Our return journey takes us to the "Mountain of 3 Crosses" where the splendid panorama will take your breath away and through the villages of Marange.
This evening, you will dine in a local auberge serving regional dishes (not included in the cruise price).

Saint Leger-sur-Dheune to Santenay

Tuesday

Today begins with a leisurely cruise towards the village of Santenay, which will be our evening mooring.   This wine-producing village is part of the prestigious world-famous Southern Cote de Beaune.   Our excursion today takes us to Chamirey, a hamlet of Mercurey) for a meeting with a local winegrower Agnes, in the Domaine of Meix-Foulot, or with Laurent in the Domaine Michel Juillot, both old friends of the Captain and his wife so we are guaranteed a warm welcome!  A picnic awaits us in Mercurey, with a surprise!

After a delicious lunch, we will visit Chamirey with its XII-century church, walk through the vineyards in our discovery of the Cote, and visit an authentic goat farm to enjoy a cheese tasting.

We return to La Vie en Rose, our minds full of sights from the day to a restful evening and dinner aboard.

Santenay to Chagny

Wednesday

We will then take the Route de Grands Cru and the direction of Beaune.  Known as the wine capital of Burgundy,  the ancient town is a perfect setting for lunch.   After lunch, we will explore the fascinating 15th-century Hospice de Beaune.  In addition to the beautiful tiled roof, you will see the old hospital wards with 'tiny' beds by our modern standards, the relatively humble chapel, a pharmacy complete with medicines and the kitchens too, all of which are a testament to the hard lives lived within the walls of this charitable hospital. Lunch out (not included in the cruise price).

Beaune has many boutiques, so free time for shopping will be possible before we return to the barge La Vie en Rose.

We will then return driving amid the vineyards of the Burgundy vineyards. Enjoy a peaceful aperitif on the deck before dinner is served on board.

Chagny to Fragnes

Thursday

After our morning cruise to Fragnes, we take lunch on board before our outing.  A private tour of the Chateau de Rully, set in the heart of the vineyards, awaits us, concluding with a wine tasting in the kitchen of the Chateau itself.

After the tasting, we may take a short drive to discover the magnificent views here: Cameras at the ready. To round off this fabulous day, the Captain recommends you enjoy a gastronomic dinner at Lameloise, the only 3* rated restaurant in Burgundy. (not included in the cruise price)

Fragnes - Seurre

Friday

For our last full day together, we begin with an excursion to nearby Chalon-sur-Saone, an elegant market town dating from Roman times.  Birthplace of photography,  Chalon is a lively town, and today it's market day, with a variety of stalls selling local produce as well as a vast range of goods. Take time to watch how the French do their shopping, admire the colours, the scents, and the sing-song of the French language around you, so see French life at its best.

After lunch ashore, we return to La Vie en Rose (not included in the price), followed by a change as we leave the quiet Canal behind us to join the majestic River Saone for our final cruise to Seurre, a small town.

Our Captain's Farewell dinner begins with cocktails and canapes on the deck overlooking the river, a time to reminisce over the unforgettable week spent afloat aboard La Vie en Rose.

Seurre

Saturday

After an excellent breakfast to see you on your way, transfers to Le Creusot TGV railway station are provided in good time for your return to Paris.

Au revoir et à bientôt!

 

La Vie en Rose Saint Julien-sur-Dheune to Seurre cruise route

Saint Julien-sur-Dheune to Seurre rates

The rates shown are standard, before any applicable discounts or promotions.

2025 & 2026 USD rates, all inclusive
Whole boat charter for 6 33, 000 USD
Whole boat charter for 5 30, 000 USD
Whole boat charter for 4 28, 000 USD
Whole boat charter for 2-3 21, 000 USD

2025 Prices include: 7 days/6 nights from 16h00 on day one to 09h30 on the last day with private use of 3 cabins
Round-trip airport transfers: 1 location per charter
All meals including one dinner and one lunch ashore
Round-trip transport to restaurants where needed
All wines and open bar aboard
Escorted excursions included in the program
Use of 6 bicycles

Not included: 
Travel costs to the pick up/drop off point before and after the cruise
Travel and cancellation insurance
Tip for the crew, to be paid in local currency: We recommend a minimum of 5%.  
Travel costs to the pick-up/drop-off point before and after the cruise
Travel and cancellation insurance

2025 Departure dates
April 27 - October 12


These are sample itineraries, on alternate weeks the cruise will be in the reverse direction.

Availability for La Vie en Rose

The dates indicated as "Available" are open for private charter bookings.

La Vie en Rose enquiries and reservations

Please complete this form for a prompt reply.

A member of our team will call you at no charge using
the following number from France 0033 614 250 200
or

A cruise expert will contact you soon by email or telephone using the following number 0033 614 250 200

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google
Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.