C'est le Vie
Champagne Itinerary
Chateau Thierry to Reims
Haultevilliers - village of monk Dom Perignon, Champagne visit to a small family run winery, Reims and its Gothic Cathedral. La Chocolatier « Thibaut » in Pierry
Restaurant: Les Crayeres in Reims (2 Michelin Stars).
Sunday: Welcome to C’est la Vie!
You’ll be met at 3:00pm in the lobby of your Paris hotel and chauffeured to the C’est La Vie
Guests on individual cabin sailings will be picked up and returned to the Hotel Madison,
43 Boulevard St Germain,75006 Paris, Tel; +33 (0)1 40 51 60 00
After the traditional champagne welcome from the crew, there is time to unpack and take a stroll, before enjoying the first of many gourmet dinners on board.
Chataeu-Thierry is nestled into the champagne-producing slopes; this ancient town is associated with the Frankish king Charles Martel whose castle here was built in the 8th century and with Joan of Arc who entered through the town gates in 1421.
Monday: WW1 Battlefield and Cementary of Belleau-Wood and the American Monument -
Cruise to Dormans
Begin the day with our breakfast buffet, featuring village-baked pastries just warm from the oven! Then relax on deck while cruising on the River Marne as C’est La Vie floats toward the village of Dormans, through heavily-wooded countryside. Adorable villages hug the shore and patient fisherman wave as we pass.
After lunch (served on deck weather permitting) we’ll visit the French-American Friendship monument, built in 1929 it overlooks Chateau Thierry and the Marne valley, then we take a short drive to the WW1 battlefield and cemetery of Belleau-wood which was the scene of the second battle of the Marne in the spring of 1918, this battle ended the last German offensive of World War I. The cost 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: Sightseeing, Epernay, Boizel, Haultvilliers - Cruise to Damery
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.
Back on board for your gourmet dinner.
Wednesay: Sightseeing, Chocolaterie “THIBAUT"- Cruise to Mareuil sur Ay
Dinner at 2 star Michelin restaurant Les Crayeres
After breakfast we take a short drive to the town on 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 an 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, perfect time to put your walking shoes on or ride a bicycle along the tow path and catch the C’est la Vie at the next lock.
There's plenty of time to prepare for your dinner on shore at the 2-star restaurant Les Crayeres.
Thursday: Sightseeing in Reims and Cathedral - Cruise to Reims
After breakfast we cruise to Conde sur Marne. There is time to walk or bicycle on the towpath as C’est La Vie winds its way along the canal,
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 Archbishops place which has been turned into a museum and step back in time.
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.
Dinner aboard the C’est La Vie moored in Conde sur Marne.
Friday: Sightseeing - Family Champagne Domaine - Cruise to Vaudemange
A morning visit to the small town of Ludes where you will pay a visit to a small family run vineyard, Ployez Jacquemart, for the 2nd of your champagne tasting experiences. This family run business started in 1930 is now run by the granddaughter.
Returning to the C’est La Vie for lunch and an afternoon cruise, time to relax or put on your shoes or ride a bicycle along the tow path and catch the C’est la Vie at the next lock. We cruise on the canal the Lateral a la Marne arriving in the city of Chalon en Champagne.
There is time to take a stroll around this city and visit the centre with its 3 churches. Before the Captains dinner which ends your cruise in style!
Saturday: Return to Paris
Departure time is 9:30AM after breakfast. You’ll then be chauffeured back to Paris for the end of the morning.
We hope to see you again on the C’est la Vie!
Please note that the cruise itinerary alternates direction each week.
Ces't le Vie
Year 2025 Rates in US Dollars
ACCOMODATION |
VALUE | REGULAR |
Charter 8 guests wholeboat |
$61,600 |
$66,000 |
Charter 7 guests wholeboat |
$58,100 |
$62,300 |
Charter 6 guests wholeboat |
$54,000 |
$59,400 |
Per Person - double occupancy |
$7900 |
$8500 |
Single Cabin supplement |
$4000 |
$5000 |
Year 2025 Rates in US Dollars (5 night charter)
ACCOMODATION |
CHARTER |
Charter 8 guests wholeboat |
$60,400 |
Charter 7 guests wholeboat |
$57,400 |
Charter 6 guests wholeboat |
$55,200 |
DEPARTURE DATES |
RATE |
ROUTE |
April 6, 13, 20 |
Value |
Upper Loire |
Apr 27; May
4, 11, 18, 25; June 1, 8 |
Regular |
Upper Loire |
June 15; Aug 31 |
Regular |
Hauts de France and Upper Loire |
June 23, 29; July 6, 13, 20, 27; Aug 3, 10, 17, 24
|
Regular |
Champagne |
Sep 7, 14, 21, 28; Oct 5, 12
|
Regular |
Upper Loire |
Oct 19, 26 |
Value |
Upper Loire |
Cest le Vie
Cruising the Upper Loire, Burgundy and Champagne Regions of France
The C'est La Vie is a luxury hotel barge which offers you high quality wines, food and hospitality from its experienced captain and crew. Starting life as a commercial barge in 1960 it transported goods across Holland, Belgium and France before being converted in Belgium to a very high standard in 2004.
So as one of the newest luxury hotel barges it is fully equipped with all modern amenities. On the upper deck the lounge and dining areas are air-conditioned and numerous windows give you a panoramic view of the surrounding countryside.
Enjoy yourself as we cruise through the centuries-old canals and history-rich waterways of rural France, mooring at picturesque medieval villages and meandering through miles of magnificent countryside spotted with wineries and chateaux. Enjoy, also, the superb wines, bountiful regional cheeses and sumptuous foods that are synonymous with the good life in France and beyond.
Immerse yourself in the magnificent beauty of France's countryside and enjoy the relaxed but luxurious surroundings of The Cest le Vie. Sit back and unwind as we cruise into the peace and tranquility of rural France with its ever-changing vistas. Walk or jog or bike on the various paths along the way.
Relax on the sun deck and soak up the passing vistas. Explore by bicycle on the riverbank, or roam the picturesque villages beside your route. Stroll along the towpath and meet the boat at the next lock. After dinner, amble around the nearby village. Maybe watch a traditional regional sport.
Details & Dimensions
Barge length; 38.77 m (128ft) | 4 Staterooms |
Barge width; 5.O5 m (16ft) | King size or twin beds |
Internal headroom | 2 bed side tables with reading lamps |
Upper deck 1.97m (6.6ft) | large double wardrobe with full length mirror |
Lower deck 2.05m (6.9ft) | single wardrobe with shelves |
Passengers capacity 8 | chest of drawers |
Crew 6 : | writing desk/chair |
Captain | arm chair |
Tour guide | under bed storage |
Chef | safes and luggage racks in all cabins |
2 Hostesses | air conditioning unit/heater |
1 deckhand | 220v & 110v sockets |
Lounge | Bluetooth sound system |
2 two seater sofas | En suite bathroom |
4 arm chairs | Large corner shower with 4 jets |
3 coffee tables | marbled topped vanity unit with round sink |
shelves with books and games | toilet |
iPod docking station | large mirror |
CD player | bathrobes |
Internet facilities | hair dryer |
Dining Room | heated towel rails |
Table with 8 chairs | 220v & 110v sockets. |
fully stocked bar | Sun Deck |
cupboards | Teak table |
bookshelves | 8 chairs |
Lounger | |
side table | |
sliding sun canopy | |
8 bicycles with 21 gears (helmets are provided) |
Cabin 1 | Cabin 2 | Bathroom 1
|
Bathroom 2 | Dining Table | Dinner |
Salmon Dinner | Guinea Fowl Dinner | Raspberry Desert |
Goat Cheese | Fresh Strawberries | Wine |
Sundeck | Covered Table on sundeck | Covered Sundeck |
Briar Canal | Martargis | Chateau Chaumont |
SAMPLE MENU 1 | SAMPLE MENU 2 |
Roasted Jerusalem Artichoke velouté, With a poached Egg and a sprinkling of Goats Cheese |
Veal fillet, Sautéed Onions, Pine Nuts and Curly kale Vin blanc Vin rouge |
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