We will use our unique
in-depth experience
to find you your
perfect barge cruise
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Summary
C’est la Vie offers a fabulous chance to float serenely through the French countryside and escape the demands of everyday life. Drift past infinite landscapes, famous vineyards, historic towns and pretty villages and reflect on times past and present. With four routes to choose from you can return again to savour the fine wines of famous vineyards of a different region.
Olivier and Deborah Megret own and operate C’est la Vie to exceptionally high standards. Oliver is a trained chef as well as captain, and grew up in Burgundy where his parents owned a restaurant (other members of the Megret family also combine cuisine with boating hospitality). Deborah brings her own professional experience to the mix, providing the highly successful combination that makes C’est la Vie one of the top hotel barges in France.
Key Features
- Grand Luxe (5*)
- Routes in Burgundy, Loire, Gatinais and Champagne throughout the season
- Charter and cabin bookings, 6 nights, 7 days, April to October
- 8 guests / 4 suites
- Full board, on board dining
- Individually controlled air conditioning and heating
- Sun deck with loungers
The Classic Cruise — C’est la Vie
Classic Cruise Itinerary
Route | Château-Thierry, Marne river, to Reims, Canal l’Aisne à la Marne |
Pick-up | Central Paris hotel |
Dining | All inclusive | 6 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 5 dinners on board. 1 dinner at 2* Michelin Les Crayères in Reims |
Champagne Cruise Classic Itinerary
- Visit the poignant battle fields of WW1
- Tastings at the Champagne House of Boizel in Epernay
- See a chocolatier at work
- Learn from a local winemaker at his own domaine
- Indulge in a royal history tour of Reims and its cathedral
Alternative routes in Burgundy and Loire
Enquire for itineraries in Burgundy; Burgundy – Ile de France; and Hauts de France and Upper Loire.
Charter parties are picked-up from their choice of hotel in Paris early afternoon. A minimum booking is for 2-4 guests, collected from the Hotel Madison, Boulevard St Germain.
C’est la Vie also offers 5 night cruises. Please enquire for dates and pricing.
Please enquire.
Day 1 — Sunday
Arrival at Charly Lock
Meet in Paris at 2:45 pm at your Paris hotel for private chauffeured transfer to C’est La Vie moored in Château-Thierry. This ancient town nestling amidst the vineyards is associated with the 8th century Frankish king Charles Martel and the martyred Joan of Arc in 1421. After the traditional champagne welcome from the Captain and crew, settle in and take a stroll before dinner on board.
Day 2 — Monday
Cruise to Joulgonne | Excursion to Belleau-wood
Relax on deck after a buffet breakfast and enjoy the cruise through the woods to Joulgonne, After lunch we’ll visit the French-American Friendship monument and then take a short drive to the WW1 battlefield and cemetery of Belleau-wood. Here, the second battle of the Marne in the spring of 1918 ended the last German offensive of World War I. 8,000 American troops were killed, missing or wounded and we pay our respects at the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery.
Day 3 — Tuesday
Cruise to Damery | Excursions to Boizel Champagne House and Hautvillers
Cruise this morning through a gorgeous landscape of villages, vineyards, pastures and forests to Damery. After lunch take a short drive to the Champage house of Boizel in Epernay for a tour and taste. Created in 1834, Champagne Boizel is still family owned and welcomes guests to try their range of uncompromising bubblies. Auguste Boizel and Julie Martin, a young married couple, were originally pastry chefs, born and bred in the Côte des Blancs. Julie’s ancestors were winegrowers in Ay and Mareuil-sur-Ay and they chose Epernay as the home for their new venture and both lent their names it, ‘Boizel-Martin’.
From there, we visit Hautevillers, a pretty champagne village perched high over the vineyards. Tour the church of the famed monk, Dom Perignon, credited with inventing the champagne-making process.
Day 4 — Wednesday
Cruise to Mareuil sur Ay | Excursion to Pierry chocolatier | Dinner at restaurant Les Crayères
After breakfast we take a short drive to Chocolaterie Thibaud at Pierry to discover the art of chocolate making. Return for lunch on board and then a relaxing afternoon cruise to Mareuil sur Ay through delightful Impressionistic scenery.
We leave the Marne river for the canal Lateral à la Marne with opportunities to walk or cycle along the tow path and catch up with C’est la Vie at the next lock. Relax on board until dinner ashore this evening at the 2 star Michelin restaurant Les Crayères.
Day 5 — Thursday
Cruise to Vaudemange | Excursion to family run domaine
Another morning cruise today leaving Canal the Lateral à la Marne to join the Canal l’Aisne à la Marne heading north towards Reims. After lunch on board, driving through vineyards as far as the eye can see, we’ll pay a visit to a small family-run vineyard for your second champagne-tasting experience. Delicious! Back to C’est La Vie moored in Vaudemange for aperitifs and dinner.
Day 6 — Friday
Cruise to Reims | Explore Reims and Cathedral tour
Cruise to Sillery, a village close to the city of Reims, , this morning, with time for exercise if you’d like, alongside the barge on the towpath. After lunch on board it’s just a short drive into Reims to explore this important Roman city. Visit the great Reims Cathedral where many of the French kings were crowned, and the Archbishop’s palace, now a fascinating museum. Meander the pedestrian streets, take a coffee in a side-walk café and shop for keep-sakes before heading back to C’est La Vie for the Captain’s Dinner tonight which ends your cruise in style.
Day 7 — Saturday
Departure from Sillery
Depart after breakfast by 9am for chauffeured transfer back to Paris by lunchtime.
This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change. The cruise runs in the reverse direction on alternate weeks.
C’est la Vie cruises in Burgundy at the start of the season, moving through Champagne and into the Loire valley for the Fall. Enquire for further itineraries.
“We were totally pleased with the barge trip and the crew. They were incredibly patient and accommodating about everything. The food and wine pairings were superb. It’s hard to pick a highlight, but I guess just based on all of the attention to detail, I would say the dinner at the Michelin 2-star restaurant was very impressive. We also enjoyed the cathedral and visiting the champagne wineries. It was all quite lovely.”
S.D, USA, June 2022
“Nothing but superlatives to say about our cruise with Deb, Olivier and the lovely crew. Weather, barge, food, wine, service, day trips, scenery, did I mention the food and wine?”
Accommodations and Facilities
- Dimensions: 38.77 m (128ft) x 5.05 m (16ft)
- 4 staterooms each over 220 sq ft with king size double or twin beds
- 2 bedside tables with reading lamps, large double wardrobe, full length mirror, single wardrobe with shelves, chest of drawers, writing desk and chair, armchair, under bed storage and luggage rack
- Safe
- Air conditioning unit/heater
- 220v & 110v sockets
- Bathrooms: large corner shower with 4 jets, marble-topped vanity unit with round basin and large mirror, toilet and heated towel rail, bathrobes and hair dryer
Other items on board
- Professional English-speaking crew of 6 : captain, tour guide, chef, two hostesses, deckhand
- Books and games
- iPod docking station
- CD player
- Internet facilities
- 8 bicycles with 21 gears (helmets provided)
- Mercedes executive Sprinter minibus
Facilities At A Glance
Fine Wines — Fine Dining
Your cruise aboard C’est la Vie includes all meals from Sunday dinner to Saturday breakfast, and all wines and other beverages (alcoholic and soft drinks). All meals are created from the freshest local produce on board by C’est la Vie’s own chef, and served in style with a full explanation of the origins of the regional dishes and their ingredients.
Breakfast
Buffet of cereals, breads and pastries, cold meats, cheese, fresh fruit, yogurts, tea, coffee and juices.
Lunch
Buffet of a variety of salads, a hot dish and a selection of cheeses, fruit, coffee and biscuits.
Dinner
A four course meal: an entrée, main course, a selection of cheeses and then dessert and coffee.
Both lunch and dinner are served with white and red wines from the best wine producing regions of France.
C’est la Vie’s Wine cellar
An impressive collection of selected years and crus from the finest French vineyards served with exquisite dishes are part of the perfect mix in discovering the regions of Burgundy and the Upper Loire.
C’est la Vie serves wines and champagne only when they are at their very best and from its private cellar – offering the finest choice of any barge cruising on the French canals and rivers. Selected and exclusive Crus accompany your dishes and meals throughout the week. Here are some of them:
White wines
- Rully 1er cru 2013 (Burgundy)
- Puligny Montrachet 1er cru 2014 (Burgundy)
- Corton Charlemagne Grand cru 2013 (Burgundy)
- Nuits St Goerge 1er cru 2014 (Burgundy)
- Pernand Vergelesses 1er cru 2013 (Burgundy)
- Chablis Grand cru Grenouille 2014 (Burgundy)
- Pouilly Fuissé 2015 (Burgundy)
- St Véran 2016 (Burgundy)
- Château Marguerite rosé 2017 (Provence)
- Sancerre rosé 2017 (Loire valley)
- Sancerre, la Bourgeoise 2014 (Loire valley)
- Château Princé 2015 (Loire valley)
Red wines
- Beaune 1er cru 2012 (Burgundy)
- Corton Bressande Grand cru 2013 (Burgundy)
- Nuits st George 1er cru 2013 (Burgundy)
- Mercurey 1er cru Prestige 2012 (Burgundy)
- Chambolls Musigny 1er cru 2013 (Burgundy)
- Pernand ile des Vergelesses 1er cru 2012 (Burgundy)
- Vougeot 1er cru les Cras 2013 (Burgundy)
- Irancy Palotte 2011 (Burgundy)
- Chinon 2014 (Loire valley)
- Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2015 (Rhône valley)
- Clos Moleons 2014 Prestiges, Graves (Bordeaux)
- Château Dauzac, Margaux, Grand cru classé 2011, (Bordeaux)
C'est la Vie cruises through the Burgundy, Champagne and Loire regions
Reims ©Cezar Suceveanu | Others ©FW, wikimedia, n/a
Classic cruise rates and dates
All rates and prices will be confirmed at time of booking. Special Offers are available from time to time – contact us
What’s included
6 nights accommodation
Transfers to and from Paris
All meals and drinks on board
Excursions, fees and associated transport
What’s not included
Flights and travel to the pick-up
Travel, medical and cancellation insurance
Crew gratuities (5-10% suggested)
Personal expenses
2024
Charter and Cabin bookings
Sunday to Saturday
Rates and dates
Value rate weeks:
April 7, 14, 21, 28 (Loire)
October 20, 27 (Loire)
6 guest charter: 54,000 USD
7 guest charter: 58,100 USD
8 guest charter: 61,600 USD
Per Cabin bookings
Double Cabin: 7,900 USD per person
Single Occupancy Supplement: 4,000 USD
Regular rate weeks:
May 5, 12, 19, 26 (Loire)
June 2 (Loire to Champagne)
June 9, 16, 23, 30 (Champagne)
July 7, 14, 21, 28 (Champagne)
August 4, 11 (Champagne)
Aug 18 (Champagne to Loire)
Aug 25 (Loire)
September 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 (Loire)
October 6, 13 (Loire)
6 guest charter: 59,400 USD
7 guest charter: 62,300 USD
8 guest charter: 66,000 USD
Per Cabin bookings
Double Cabin: 8,500 USD per person
Single Occupancy Supplement: 5,000 USD
All rates and prices will be confirmed at time of booking. Special Offers are available from time to time – contact us
2025
Charter and Cabin bookings
Sunday to Saturday
Rates and dates
Value rate weeks:
April 6, 13, 20, 27 (Loire)
October 19, 26 (Loire)
6 guest charter: 54,000 USD
7 guest charter: 58,100 USD
8 guest charter: 61,600 USD
Per Cabin bookings
Double Cabin: 7,900 USD per person
Single Occupancy Supplement: 4,000 USD
Regular rate weeks:
May 4, 11, 18, 25 (Loire)
June 1 (Loire to Champagne)
June 8, 15, 22, 29 (Champagne)
July 6, 13, 20, 27 (Champagne)
August 3, 10 (Champagne)
Aug 17 (Champagne to Loire)
Aug 24, 31 (Loire)
September 7, 14, 21, 28 (Loire)
October 5, 12 (Loire)
6 guest charter: 59,400 USD
7 guest charter: 62,300 USD
8 guest charter: 66,000 USD
Per Cabin bookings
Double Cabin: 8,500 USD per person
Single Occupancy Supplement: 5,000 USD
All rates and prices will be confirmed at time of booking. Special Offers are available from time to time – contact us
Booking
Booking a luxury barge vacation isn’t the kind of thing one does with just a mouse-click or two. It takes a little research, thought and understanding, and we hope that our pages have provided you with all the information and inspiration you need to take this next step.
Why should you book with us? Because…
We’ve explored the waterways of France on our own boat since 2003 and know each of the barges and their routes.
We’re independent, impartial and enthusiastic – and we are the only France cruising specialist that can offer you the benefits of our own in-depth cruising knowledge and experience.
We love France, we love the rivers and canals of France, we love hotel barging – and we love talking about all three!
There’s nothing like speaking to a friendly expert to help you see the wood for the trees and to make the best possible decision about the vacation cruise of a lifetime. Get in touch – we’re here to help.
We will use our unique
in-depth experience
to find you your
perfect barge cruise