Cruise in France on the Yonne River and the Canal de Bourgogne in Northern Burgundy aboard the Deluxe Hotel-Barge C'est la Vie

SEVEN DAYS / SIX NIGHTS

The 8-passenger C'est la Vie invites you to enjoy yourself as it cruises through the centuries-old Burgundy canal in 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. Sit back and unwind as it cruises 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. Or perhaps watch a traditional regional sport.

The window-lined salon and dining area is a place to really relax and watch the world go by. It's decorated in warm shades of blue and gold with comfortable couches and beautiful wood bar along with a computer available for passengers. The four spacious suites are paneled in ash and cherry wood and offer such amenities as individually-controlled heating and air conditioning, choice of king or twin beds, 110 and 220 volt electricity in the bedroom and bath, and ample storage as well as a writing desk.

The crew is its great strength. Captain Olivier Megret is a 25-year industry veteran (and hails from a prominent " barging family " which has crewed all over France for generations). Captain Megret is a reliable guide and companion in Burgundy, as he lives very close to the route. He is also a licensed balloon pilot and has had culinary training. He is joined by a top gourmet chef and his wife, Deborah Megret, and other experienced crew.The 2011 itinerary in Northern Burgundy developed by Captain Megret combines the best of canal and river cruising with interesting excursions and dinner at a Michelin 3-Star restaurant. C'est la Vie is an outstanding choice for those interested in chartering a deluxe hotel barge.

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Features

• Size of barge: 128 ft
  
• Number of Passengers: 8
  
• Number of Cabins (all with private bath): 4
• Crew: 5
  
• Air Conditioning and Central Heating: Yes
  
• Salon: Large windows in salon and dining area. Salon has comfortable couches, a beautiful wood bar, computer for passenger use.
• Bar: Open bar
  
• Deck: Teak sundeck with awning for shade and teak dining table for 8.
  
• Spa Tub: No
  
• Cabin Features: Spacious cabins 220-236 sq ft with choice of king bed or twins, including large ensuite bathroom with shower.
• Vehicle for Transfers/Excursions: Volkswagen air-conditioned minivan, seats 8 passengers
  
• Accessibility: Metal gangplank with handrails, one step onto the deck, one 3-inch step into the interior, 11 steps with handrail from salon to cabins.
  
• Bicycles: 8 bicycles
  

C'Est La Vie's Deck Plan

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Passenger Comments:

Spacious! After a small hotel room in Paris, it was unbelievable to have all that space on a boat. The outside area had a special sliding canopy which was great because we could sit outside when it rained and stay dry, and when it was sunny we could be either in the sun or the shade. Interior furnishings and wood were great - including fresh flowers in the room and the US electrical outlets in both the room and the bathroom. The outside area had a special sliding canopy which was great because we could sit outside when it rained and stay dry and when it was sunny we could be either in the sun or the shade. The service was exceptional, the crew accommodated all our requests. The right balance of responsiveness and relaxed attitude (informality). They adapted to our style - as we got up a bit later, they served breakfast later; as they determined what we enjoyed eating, they shifted their offerings. Delicious meals and delicious wines. The food was all of extremely high quality - including fresh ingredients from the chef's personal garden! We enjoyed hearing the backgrounds of the wines and the cheeses that were served. Excursions offered a great lesson in history and architecture! They were just what we were looking for and done extremely well.
Bill & Judy H., Michigan June 2011

C'est la Vie was welcoming, top class, comfortable, excellent food, excellent wine, wonderful conversation with a personable, knowledgeable crew. Service was friendly, attentive, top class. Our meals and wines without question were the BEST.. wonderfully matched. Our excursions were well chosen... with an incredible tour guide who spoke fluent French and had a photographic memory for detail.... again the BEST. We would do this again in a heart beat! Thank you.
Vanessa H., Vermont August 2011

C'est la Vie exceeded our initial high expectations. The quality of accommodations and food were outstanding. Olivier and all involved were professional and made us feel very comfortable. Very nice people. The cabin accommodations are fantastic and above expectations. The food was over the top good. Wines were good and a nice mix of types during the trip. We liked the barge cruise route a lot. The pace of the excursions were un hurried, we enjoyed all of them. Glenn was a very good knowledgeable guide. A nice pleasant guy. Except for a private African Safari, and it is a very close second, this was the greatest of the many vacations. Thanks for all your help Special Places Travel. We hated to leave, we threatened mutiny or the claiming of squatters rights at our final dinner!
Rich K., Colorado September 2011

This was a trip of a lifetime. The C'est la Vie facilities were first class, the food was exceptional and the crew was delightful. Their service could not have been better, everyone was exceptionally attentive to assure our every need was met. Words fail me, the food was the best we have ever had. Their chef is outstanding and we enjoyed fresh local fare from the markets at every meal as well as outstanding regional wines and cheeses at both lunch and dinner. The restaurant ashore was unexpected and a wonderful experience. The cruise route was interesting with varied scenery and villages nearby. Olivier and Deb were wonderful hosts and we wish them much success in their business. I would highly recommend this barge for a canal tour of Burgundy.
Joanne R., Florida October 2011

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C'est la Vie 2012 Season Cruise Schedule* Week Route Season Apr 1 Ravieres-St. Florentin Regular Apr 8 St. Florentin-Ravieres Regular Apr 15 Ravieres-St. Florentin Regular Apr 22 St. Florentin-Ravieres Regular Apr 29 Ravieres-St. Florentin Regular May 6 St. Florentin-Ravieres Regular May 13 Ravieres-St. Florentin Regular May 20 St. Florentin-Ravieres Regular May 27 Ravieres-St. Florentin Regular Jun 3 St. Florentin-Ravieres Regular Jun 10 Ravieres-St. Florentin Regular Jun 17 St. Florentin-Ravieres Regular Jun 24 Ravieres-St. Florentin Regular Jul 1 St. Florentin-Ravieres Regular Jul 8 Ravieres-St. Florentin Regular Jul 15 St. Florentin-Ravieres Regular

Cruise Schedule* ... continued Week Route Season Jul 22 Ravieres-St. Florentin Regular Jul 29 St. Florentin-Ravieres Regular Aug 5 Ravieres-St. Florentin Regular Aug 12 St. Florentin-Ravieres Regular Aug 19 Ravieres-St. Florentin Regular Aug 26 St. Florentin-Ravieres Regular Sep 2 Ravieres-St. Florentin Regular Sep 9 St. Florentin-Ravieres Regular Sep 16 Ravieres-St. Florentin Regular Sep 23 St. Florentin-Ravieres Regular Sep 30 Ravieres-St. Florentin Regular Oct 7 St. Florentin-Ravieres Regular Oct 14 Ravieres-St. Florentin Regular Oct 21 St. Florentin-Ravieres Regular Oct 28 Ravieres-St. Florentin Regular

C'est la Vie 2013 Season Cruise Schedule* Week Route Season Apr 14 Ravieres-St. Florentin Low Apr 21 St. Florentin-Ravieres Low Apr 28 Ravieres-St. Florentin Value May 5 St. Florentin-Ravieres Value May 12 Ravieres-St. Florentin Value May 19 St. Florentin-Ravieres Regular May 26 Ravieres-St. Florentin Regular Jun 2 St. Florentin-Ravieres Regular Jun 9 Ravieres-St. Florentin Regular Jun 16 St. Florentin-Ravieres Regular Jun 23 Ravieres-St. Florentin Regular Jun 30 St. Florentin-Ravieres Regular Jul 7 Ravieres-St. Florentin Value Jul 14 St. Florentin-Ravieres Value Jul 21 Ravieres-St. Florentin Value

Cruise Schedule* ... continued Week Route Season Jul 28 St. Florentin-Ravieres Value Aug 4 Ravieres-St. Florentin Value Aug 11 St. Florentin-Ravieres Value Aug 18 Ravieres-St. Florentin Regular Aug 25 St. Florentin-Ravieres Regular Sep 1 Ravieres-St. Florentin Regular Sep 8 St. Florentin-Ravieres Regular Sep 15 Ravieres-St. Florentin Regular Sep 22 St. Florentin-Ravieres Regular Sep 29 Ravieres-St. Florentin Regular Oct 6 St. Florentin-Ravieres Regular Oct 13 Ravieres-St. Florentin Value Oct 20 St. Florentin-Ravieres Value Oct 27 Ravieres-St. Florentin Low

The C'Est La Vie's route through Burgundy, from St Florentin to Ravieres on the Canal de Bourgogne. For a more detailed look at the cruise route, view our map of the Canal de Bourgogne.

*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.

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C'EST LA VIE 2012 SEASON PRICES in US DOLLARS
ACCOMMODATION	REGULAR Apr 1 thru Nov 3
Cabin (per person, double occupancy)	$5,750
Single Occupancy Supplement	$2,450
Charter for 6	$37,800
Charter for 7	$39,900
Charter for 8	$42,000

C'EST LA VIE 2013 SEASON PRICES in US DOLLARS
ACCOMMODATION	LOW Apr 14 thru Apr 27 Oct 27 thru Nov 2	VALUE Apr 28 thru May 18 Jul 7 thru Aug 17 Oct 13 thru Oct 26	REGULAR May 19 thru Jul 6 Aug 18 thru Oct 12
Cabin (per person, double occupancy)	$5,750	$5,850	$5,950
Single Occupancy Supplement	$2,450	$2,650	$2,850
Charter for 6	$38,000	$40,000	$42,000
Charter for 7	$39,000	$41,000	$43,000
Charter for 8	$40,000	$42,000	$44,000

Note: For open cabin weeks, C'Est La Vie requires a minimum of 2 cabins booked to guarantee departure.

What's Included
- 7 days and 6 nights on the barge in suites with private baths
- Transfers from Paris to the barge and return via private minibus
- 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 minimum 5% gratuity for the crew, to be given to the captain in equivalent euros

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: April 17, 2012

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