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Cest La Vie Barge

C'est le Vie

Champagne Itinerary

Chateau Thierry to Reims

River Marne and Marne Canal

Highlights: WW1 battlefield and cemetery of Belleau-wood and American monument, Boizel champagne house in Epernay

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)

 

Cabin1 Cabin 2 Bathroom 1
Cabin 1 Cabin 2 Bathroom 1
     
Bathroom 2 Dining Table Dinner
Bathroom 2 Dining Table Dinner
Salmon Guinea Fowl dinner Raspberry Dessert
Salmon Dinner Guinea Fowl Dinner Raspberry Desert
Goat cheese Strawberries Wine
Goat Cheese Fresh Strawberries Wine
Deck chairs Covered outdoor table Covered Sundeck
Sundeck Covered Table on sundeck Covered Sundeck
Briar Canal Martigis Chateau Cahumont
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

Pan roasted breast of Guinea Fowl, Forest Mushrooms, Sweet Corn purée and Braised Lettuce

Cheese Platter
St Nectaire, Chabichou, Ossau Iraty


Poached fresh local Plums,
With a dark chocolate sauce & homemade vanilla ice cream


Vin blanc
Pernand-Vergelesses 1er Cru 2013
Domaine Dubreuil-Fontaine Père & Fils


Vin rouge
Savigny-les-Beaune les Vergelesses 1er cru 2015
Domaine Maratray-Dubreuil

Veal fillet, Sautéed Onions, Pine Nuts and Curly kale

Fillet of Wild Turbot, Cauliflower Florets, with a Mussels sauce


Cheese Platter
Camembert, Abondance, Valencay


Local Strawberries, Caramelized Almonds with an Almond & Polenta Cake

Vin blanc
Sancerre La Bourgeoise 2014
Domaine Henri Bourgeois

Vin rouge
Vougeot 1er Cru Les Cras 2013
Domaine Patrice Rion


Cest le Vie DP