L'Art de Vivre Canal Barge - Baye to Clamecy & Burgundy, France: 7 Days Cruise Tour

The 8 passenger L'Art de Vivre started life as a Scottish munitions carrier and survived long enough to be transformed by a team of skilled crafts-men into a floating celebration of the Burgundian "good life". Your crew of four comprises Captain, Tour guide, Master Chef and Hostess, all with a love for the Nivernais canal, and all secure in the knowledge that their vessel represents L'Art de Vivre itself.

The region simply oozes charm and the cruise is a journey back in time along a magical waterway. The Upper Nivernais remains an undiscovered region, well off the beaten track on the edge of the Morvan hills. The sleepy hamlets, white grazing Charolais cattle, woods and forrests are typical of the scenery we cruise through.

During the summer months, You'll visit the Valley of Sardy, a canal section with smaller locks, where time seems to have stood still for over two hundred years. The hand-swung bridges are a delight as you pass old logging sites which are now almost a forgotten memory for the local people.

This is the original home of luxury hotel barging. Today, a barge is a rarity welcomed by all, and every journey is a great event.

Inclusions

  • Gourmet cuisine including 6 breakfasts, 5 lunches, and 6 dinners
  • All-inclusive open bar including free wines
  • Entry fees to excursions

Highlights

  • Medieval town of Clamecy and 13th century cathedral
  • 16 Lock flight at Valley of Sardy
  • Foie Gras tasting, with a noble Chablis
  • Visit the 16th Century home of Marechal Vauban
  • Tour the hill-top basilica of Vezelay
  • Wine tasting at Precy le Moult
  • Optional Hot Air Ballooning

Special Notes

  • Travel April through November from $2690.00. Please call for rates and availability.



Itinerary

Day 1 - Paris to Baye
Guests will be met at the pick up hotel in Paris at 1:30PM. After a coach transfer from Paris arrive on the Art de Vivre, moored in the lakeside village of Baye. Champagne Welcome followed by dinner on board.

Day 2 - Baye to Sardy
This morning we make our way through the three tunnels of La Collancelle set in a deep cutting, from the lake at Baye at the summit level of the Nivernais Canal. This afternoon we descend the flight of 16 locks, which are sometimes less than 200 yards from each other! Alongside each lock is a waterfall maintaining the level of the canal. Many consider this stretch of canal to be one of the most beautiful in France and some of the lock houses are now craft shops which guests can visit as we descend. Finally we moor at the charming port of Sardy situated at the foot of the locks. Dinner on board.

Day 3 - Sardy to Chitry Les Mines
After a gentle morning cruise we moor in Chitry for lunch before disembarking for our afternoon visit to the Chateau de Bazoches. This 12th Century Chateau, whose illustrious visitors included Richard the Lionheart, later became the home of Marechal Vauban, the famous defence engineer, in whose family it has remained until this day. Dinner on board.

Day 4 - Chitry Les Mines to Monceau Le Comte
After a morning cruise to Tannay, pass through Dirol with its two hand-operated lift bridges and moor in the old logging port. This afternoon we visit a wine producer in Tannay where we are taken on a tour of the cellars. A fascinating explanation is given of the wine making process before tasting some of the region's finest Chardonnays as well as the unusual Melon and Pinot Noir wines. Dinner ashore in a local auberge.

Day 5 - Monceau Le Comte to Anois
Morning visit to one of Burgundy's most picturesque settings,Vezelay with stunning views of the rolling Morvan countryside. Here you will see the treasured Romanesque Basilica of St. Mary Magdalene and enjoy shopping for local crafts before returning to the barge for lunch and an afternoon cruise to Villiers sur Yonne. As we leave Tannay we pass through the impressive double lock and briefly stop in Anois to visit "Le Bouc qui Fume" (the smoking billy goat) an antique/curiosity shop in an old chapel. Villiers is a charming port next to the river Yonne with a view of the church spire. Perhaps enjoy a traditional game of boules before diner. Dinner on board.

Day 6 - Anois to Chevroches
Morning departure from Anois to Chevroches a charming hillside village commanding a stunning view over the foothills of the Morvan forest. After lunch we continue cruising to Clamecy where we tour the Cathedral and the Logging and Barging Museum. There is time to wander the narrow streets lined with historic buildings and take the opportunity to do some shopping before returning to the barge for a pre-dinner stroll. Captain's dinner aboard.

Day 7 - Clamecy to Paris
After breakfast, return to the Paris pick-up hotel by coach for 1PM.

Travel Dates & Rates, Ask Agent

  • Note: From pricing is per person based on double occupancy and does not include airfare. Itinerary operates in reverse on alternate weeks. Itineraries are subject to change due to canal/river conditions and are at the sole discretion of the captain.

Prices subject to change without notice until time of deposit. All dollar values not denoted as US or CA are in US Dollars.