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Barges In France: L'Art de Vivre
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Cruise in France on the Canal du Nivernais in Northern Burgundy aboard the First Class Hotel-Barge L'ART DE VIVRE. Newly renovated for 2009!

SEVEN DAYS / SIX NIGHTS

The 8-passenger L'Art de Vivre has been renovated for 2009 with four new reconfigured cabins. Cabins are now 100 - 110 sq ft including newly tiled ensuite bathrooms. Each cabin can be configured with two twin beds or a queen bed. The barge has a comfortable salon with dining table and a sundeck with jacuzzi and loung chairs. It 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 a 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 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.


Features

  • Size of barge: 100 ft by 16.5 ft
  • Number of Passengers: 8
  • Number of Cabins (all with private bath): 4
  • Crew: 4
  • Air Conditioning and Central Heating: Yes
  • Salon: Salon with picture windows, two sofas and a dining table seating 9.
  • Bar: Open bar
  • Deck: Deck with steamer chairs, reclining chairs, large dining table, parasols, and a jacuzzi
  • Spa Tub: Yes
  • Cabin Features: All cabins renovated for 2009, cabin 1 & 2 are 100 sq ft and cabins 3 & 4 are 110 sq ft, including newly tiled ensuite bathrooms. All with two twin beds or queen bed.
  • Vehicle for Transfers/Excursions: Air-conditioned 9-seater (including driver) long wheelbase VW Caravelle minibus
  • Accessibility: Steps to salon and cabins
  • Bicycles: 8 touring (mountain) bikes


L'Art de Vivre: Deck Plan
L'Art de Vivre's Deck Plan



Dining Aboard the L'Art de Vivre
SAMPLE MENU

    Wines:
  • Cotes du Jura
  • Chateau D'Arlay
  • Domaine Meo
  • Camuzet
  • Clos de Vougeot


  • Cheeses:
  • Aisy Cendre
  • Epoisses
  • Delice de Bourgogne


  • Evening Meals:
  • Magret de Canard
  • Coquelet Roti a l'estragon
  • Truite a la Chablisienne




Passenger Comments:

I really think the staff are excellent, and they obviously enjoy their job, which makes for a successful trip and puts travellers at their ease.
-- M.O.

Service was outstanding. The food (including the wines) was the highlight of the trip. It was fantastic! The trip was very relaxing, as contrasted with the typical ocean or large river cruise.
-- B.P., Saratoga, CA.

The cabins were perfectly laid out. Space was used efficiently but luxuriously. The bathrooms were lovely and water pressure was great. We found the beds to be very comfortable and towels and linens were of the highest quality.

We credit the crew (Martin, Dino, Rachel, and Rebecca) with making what would have been a great vacation, an extraordinary one. They were wonderful, professional, fun, and supremely accommodating.

All food and drinks were excellent - really 5 star. Rebecca is a gifted chef. Presentation, variety, quality of selections were of the highest caliber.

Barge route was breathtaking. We went as far as Auxerre. It was a fabulous combination of natural scenery, small villages, larger villages, and towns.

Barge and the cabin exceeded expectations. I knew it would be wonderful but it was so much more.

This was one of the most delightful trips we've ever had. We look forward to our next barge experience! Thank you!!
-- A.D. USA

SAMPLE ITINERARY*
Burgundy: Canal du Nivernais, Baye to Clamecy

Sunday - Paris to Baye
Guests will be met at the pick up hotel in Paris at 1:30pm. After a coach transfer from Paris arrive at L'Art de Vivre moored in the lakeside village of Baye. Champagne welcome followed by dinner on board. Free time this afternoon to enjoy a stroll along the shores of Baye Lake.

Monday - Baye to Sardy
This morning we cruise along the Nivernais canal through the three tunnels of La Collancelle to our lunchtime mooring at the top of a magnificent flight of 16 locks, which lead us to our overnight mooring in Sardy. Alongside each lock is a pretty waterfall, many consider this stretch of canal to be one of the most beautiful in France. Some of the lock houses are now craft shops, guests may visit the shops or stroll alongside the pretty canal while the barge makes its descent. Dinner on board this evening.

Tuesday - Sardy to La Granges
This morning we visit Corbigny and the Chateau of Bazoches whose illustrious visitors included Richard the Lionheart. It later became the home of Marechal Vauban, the famous defense engineer, in whose family it has remained until this day. Following our visit, we return to the barge for a cruise through the remote countryside and meadows of 'France Profonde'. Enjoy the beauty of the huge beam levered lock gates and ivy covered lock houses. Dinner aboard.

Wednesday - La Granges to Monceaux le Comte
This morning we enjoy a cruise to Monceaux. On the way we will have an opportunity to stroll around Chitry-les-Mines with its 16th century Chateau, used during World War II as a headquarters by the local Resistance Group 'Les Loups' (The Wolves). This afternoon we visit one of Burgundy's most picturesque hilltop settings, Vezelay. Discover the treasured Romanesque Basilica of St Mary Magdalene. Time to visit the lace and craft shops, and enjoy superb views of the surrounding countryside. Dinner aboard.

Thursday - Monceaux le Comte to Villiers-sur-Yonne
Our morning cruise passes beneath Van Gogh style, hand operated, lifting bridges. We moor for lunch at Tannay before a brief drive to visit the local wineries, famous for the rather special Melon grape variety. We then continue our cruise to Villiers-sur-Yonne, in its picturesque setting under willow trees. This evening we take dinner ashore at the Auberge du Centre serving traditional local cuisine.

Friday - Villiers-sur-Yonne to Clamecy
Cruise from Villiers, passing the quaint village of Chevroches perched on the hillside, to arrive in Clamecy for lunch. There is time to stroll around the narrow streets of Clamecy, former logging capital, and maybe visit the Logging & Barging Museum, or climb the hill to view the 13th century Collegiale de St Martin. Our excursion this afternoon is to the impressive half built fortification at Guedelon. This is a 25 year project, established to demonstrate the traditional building methods from the 12th to 14th centuries. Meet the stone masons, blacksmiths and other local craftsmen. Captain's Farewell Dinner aboard.

Saturday - Clamecy to Paris
After breakfast, passengers disembark for their return to the Paris pick-up hotel, arrival at approximately 1pm.

Note: This is a sample itinerary and it is subject to change.


L'Art de Vivre
2009 Season Cruise Schedule*
Week Route Season
Mar 29 Clamecy-Baye Value
Apr 5 Baye-Clamecy Value
Apr 12 Clamecy-Baye Value
Apr 19 Baye-Clamecy Value
Apr 26 Clamecy-Baye Value
May 3 Baye-Clamecy Value
May 10 Clamecy-Baye Value
May 17 Baye-Clamecy Regular
May 24 Clamecy-Baye Regular
May 31 Baye-Clamecy Regular
Jun 7 Clamecy-Baye Regular
Jun 14 Baye-Clamecy Regular
Jun 21 Clamecy-Baye Regular
Jun 28 Baye-Clamecy Regular
Jul 5 Clamecy-Baye Regular
Jul 12 Baye-Clamecy Regular
Jul 19 Clamecy-Baye Regular
Cruise Schedule* ... continued
Week Route Season
Jul 26 Baye-Clamecy Value
Aug 2 Clamecy-Baye Value
Aug 9 Baye-Clamecy Value
Aug 16 Clamecy-Baye Value
Aug 23 Baye-Clamecy Value
Aug 30 Clamecy-Baye Regular
Sep 6 Baye-Clamecy Regular
Sep 13 Clamecy-Baye Regular
Sep 20 Baye-Clamecy Regular
Sep 27 Clamecy-Baye Regular
Oct 4 Baye-Clamecy Regular
Oct 11 Clamecy-Baye Regular
Oct 18 Baye-Clamecy Value
Oct 25 Clamecy-Baye Value
Nov 1 Baye-Clamecy Value
Nov 8 Clamecy-Baye Value


L'Art de Vivre
2010 Season Cruise Schedule*
Week Route Season
Mar 28 Baye-Clamecy Value
Apr 4 Clamecy-Baye Value
Apr 11 Baye-Clamecy Value
Apr 18 Clamecy-Baye Value
Apr 25 Baye-Clamecy Value
May 2 Clamecy-Baye Value
May 9 Baye-Clamecy Value
May 16 Clamecy-Baye Regular
May 23 Baye-Clamecy Regular
May 30 Clamecy-Baye Regular
Jun 6 Baye-Clamecy Regular
Jun 13 Clamecy-Baye Regular
Jun 20 Baye-Clamecy Regular
Jun 27 Clamecy-Baye Regular
Jul 4 Baye-Clamecy Regular
Jul 11 Clamecy-Baye Regular
Jul 18 Baye-Clamecy Regular
Cruise Schedule* ... continued
Week Route Season
Jul 25 Clamecy-Baye Value
Aug 1 Baye-Clamecy Value
Aug 8 Clamecy-Baye Value
Aug 15 Baye-Clamecy Value
Aug 22 Clamecy-Baye Value
Aug 29 Baye-Clamecy Value
Sep 5 Clamecy-Baye Regular
Sep 12 Baye-Clamecy Regular
Sep 19 Clamecy-Baye Regular
Sep 26 Baye-Clamecy Regular
Oct 3 Clamecy-Baye Regular
Oct 10 Baye-Clamecy Regular
Oct 17 Clamecy-Baye Value
Oct 24 Baye-Clamecy Value
Oct 31 Clamecy-Baye Value
Nov 7 Baye-Clamecy Value


*Note: Cruise directions and sample itineraries may be in reverse and are subject to change and may depend on bookings and local navigation conditions. Alternate excursions of equal appeal are substituted when needed. For charter cruises special itineraries can be arranged.


L'ART DE VIVRE
2009 SEASON PRICES in US DOLLARS
ACCOMMODATION VALUE
Mar 29 thru May 16
Jul 26 thru Aug 29
Oct 18 thru Nov 14
REGULAR
May 17 thru Jul 25
Aug 30 thru Oct 17
Cabin (per person, double occupancy)
$3,850
$4,390
Single Occupancy Supplement
$1,450
$1,650
Charter for 6
$26,800
$30,600
Charter for 7
$27,800
$31,800
Charter for 8
$28,800
$33,000
Cycling Charter Supplement for up to 8
$3,000
$3,000
Walking Charter Supplement for 6-8
$2,500
$2,500


L'ART DE VIVRE
2010 SEASON PRICES in US DOLLARS
Same as 2009!
ACCOMMODATION VALUE
Mar 28 thru May 15
Jul 25 thru Sep 4
Oct 17 thru Nov 13
REGULAR
May 16 thru Jul 24
Sep 5 thru Oct 16
Cabin (per person, double occupancy)
$3,850
$4,390
Single Occupancy Supplement
$1,450
$1,650
Charter for 6
$26,800
$30,600
Charter for 7
$27,800
$31,800
Charter for 8
$28,800
$33,000
Cycling Charter Supplement for up to 8
$3,000
$3,000
Walking Charter Supplement for 6-8
$2,500
$2,500


What's Included

- 7 days and 6 nights on the barge in a cabin with private bath
- transfers from Paris to the barge and return
- all meals beginning with dinner on Sunday through breakfast on Saturday
- all wines with lunches and dinners
- open bar
- all escorted side-excursions (hot air ballooning, golf, etc. at additional cost)
- use of bicycles

What's Not Included

- overseas air transportation to Paris and return
- suggested 5-7% gratuity for the crew, to be paid in equivalent Euros to the Captain

Special Places Travel, LLC
"Barges in France (and the rest of Europe) ... for the experience of a lifetime!" ™

For booking information,
Phone (toll-free): 1-877-64-BARGE (1-877-642-2743)
Outside of the U.S.: 001.443.321.3614
or E-mail: info@specialplacestravel.com



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Last Update: June 17, 2009

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