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". 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 we 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 and we pass old logging sites which are now almost forgotten memory for the local people.

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

I T I N E R A R Y
SUNDAY, Day 1
Paris to Chevroches You will be met at Hotel Ampere in Paris at 1.30pm. After coach transfer from Paris arrive on the Art de Vivre. Champagne Welcome onboard. Time to wander the nearby streets of Clamecy, the logging capital of the Nivernais canal before dinner aboard.

MONDAY, Day 2
Chevroches to Anois After cruising through some picturesque hamlets in the morning, after lunch we take a visit to Clamecy for a tour of Clamecy Cathedral and also the Logging and Barging Museum. There is also time to wander through the narrow streets lined with ancient buildings and an opportunity for shopping before returning to the barge for a pre-dinner stroll and browse in the shops. Return to the barge to continue our first days cruise to the charming hamlet of Anois. Dinner on board.

TUESDAY, Day 3
Anois to Monceaux le Compte Today we start our cruise in the morning, after a brief stop to visit "Le Bouc qui Fume" or the "Smoking Billy Goat" an Antique/Curiosity shop in an old chapel, (this is rarely open, and always a disappointment) we continue our way to up the canal. After passing through the impressive double lock at Tannay we will moor up in the old logging port after lunch and visit one of Burgundy's most picturesque settings-Vezelay. Here you'll see the treasured Roman Basilica of St. Mary Magdalene, craft shops and stunning view overlooking the countryside. After the visit return to Tannay. Dinner ashore in a local auberge.

WEDNESDAY, Day 4
Monceaux le Compte to Chateaux la Chaise Today’s cruise is a long and winding meander through the very heart of the Burgundy countryside, passing many farms with their fortified medieval buildings, and numerous hand operated lifting bridges. Along the way we shall stop off at the small wine town of Tannay, and visit the local wine making operation which takes place in 16th Century cellars, to taste some of the regions finest Chardonnay and the famed wine made from the "Melon" grape. Dinner on board.

THURSDAY, Day 5
Chateaux la Chaise to Sardy We begin cruising after breakfast, past the more remote farms that remain, and into the beautiful wilderness of the Morvin forest. Mid morning visit to a local snail farm before lunch on board. After lunch we drive into the Morvin National Park to visit the Château of Bazoches, home of Marechal Vauban, and whose illustrious visitors include Richard the Lionheart.

FRIDAY, Day 6
Sardy to Baye Today we do not leave the barge to visit, as the cruise is a visit in itself. We begin our day by making our way through the last 16 locks leading to the summit of the Nivernais canal. These locks are sometimes less than 200 yards from each other! And along side 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. Some of the locks have crafts shops to visit. Moor for lunch at the last lock before our final cruise through the three tunnels set in the deep cut to Baye. Final mooring at Baye separated from the lake of Baye by a dyke. Captain’s dinner on board.

SATURDAY, Day 7
Baye to Paris After breakfast return to Paris by coach by about 1pm.

On alternate weeks the itinerary is reversed and the meeting point changed. 

From $3,490* per person based on double occupancy

From $4,790* per person based on single occupancy

Whole boat charters are available, please inquire for prices.

Accommodation with private bath or shower All meals with selected regional wines All sightseeing tours and admittance fees as stipulated Use of vessels’ bicycles and other facilities Roundtrip transfers from specified meeting point

*Prices are per person, based on double occupancy.  Seasonal supplements and blackout dates may apply.