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". Your crew of four comprises Captain, Tour guide, Master Chef and Hostess, all with a love for the Nivernais canal, and all secure in the 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 forests 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.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1, Sunday: Guests are met at the hotel at 1.30 pm and transferred to L’Art de Vivre. After a Champagne Welcome, there is time for a cycle ride into the logging capital and raison d’être of the Nivernais canal, enjoying the 13th century cathedral, old winding streets and views of the River Yonne. Dinner aboard
Day 2, Monday: This morning we transfer to a wonderful natural adventure park where adults and children alike can enjoy kayaking, tree climbing and other outdoor activities. Return to the barge to continue our first day’s cruise to the charming hamlet of Villiers sur Yonne. Time for a game of boules on the canal path before dinner aboard.
Day 3, Tuesday: This morning we visit Cardoland, which is a vast wooded park about 7km from Vezelay. The sculptor, Cardo, created this wonderful prehistoric world of life size dinosaurs. It has a museum, caves, exhibition and prehistoric play area. Cardoland is a wonderful visit for families with younger children but there is also an option to visit the Château of Bazoches instead, home of Marechal Vauban, whose illustrious visitors included Richard the Lionheart. Cruise this afternoon towards Tannay passing the impressive double lock at Tannay before mooring in the old logging port. During the cruise there is an opportunity for the children to join the Chef in the galley for hand on cooking time. Dinner ashore tonight at a local auberge
Day 4, Wednesday: The family can choose this morning’s visit. All ages will love a canoeing trip on the River Cure near Vezelay. The canoeing really is a fantastic excursion, which we feel, should not be missed but for those families who prefer something a little less adventurous we can visit one of Burgundy’s most picturesque hilltop settings – Vezelay instead. Discover the treasured Roman Basilica of St. Mary Magdalene, lace and craft shops and superb views over the surrounding countryside. Return to the barge and cruise to Chitry, passing through Dirol and its two Van Gogh style hand-operated lift bridges. Dinner aboard
Day 5, Thursday: After breakfast we again have a choice of a morning of sailing at the local natural adventure park or a morning stroll around the village of Chitry. In Chitry we visit Elise Villiers, a wine maker from Precy le Moult and sample some of the regions finest Chardonnay and the famed wine made from the Melongrape. In the afternoon we cruise through beautiful countryside to Sardy. There is also an opportunity for indoor swimming at the pool at Chatillon en Bazois. Dinner aboard
Day 6, Friday: Today we begin the day making our voyage through the 16-lock flight leading to the summit of the Nivernais canal. These locks are sometimes less than 200 yards apart! Alongside each lock is a pretty waterfall, maintaining the level of the canal, and some of the lock houses are now craft shops, which can be visited. Many consider this canal reach to be one of the most beautiful in France. During the cruise the Captain has arranged a fabulous treasure hunt to entertain children and adults alike and also plenty of time for the children to have fun in the jacuzzi and also play Magnetic Fishing either in the Canal for the older children or in the jacuzzi for the younger children. We moor for lunch at the last lock before our final cruise through the three tunnels of La Collancelle, set in the deep cut, to Baye before the lake, which marks the summit. Captain’s Farewell Dinner aboard
Day 7, Saturday: After breakfast return to Paris to the meeting point, Hotel Ampère, for an arrival time of 1 pm.
In addition we will be running a treasure hunt and scavenger hunt, plus various other fun competition and games throughout the week.
Groups or Individual Cabin Bookings: Most of our family cruises are for whole boat charter groups but occasionally we are able to offer special Family Cruises for individuals to book on a cabin basis. Please contact our reservations department for further information.
Bicycles: There are adult bikes on board. Children's bikes for all ages and/or child seats for adult bikes can be supplied usually at no charge if requested to our Reservation Department at least 6 weeks prior to departure.
Optional Activities: Optional activities, for example hot air ballooning, pony trekking, quad biking, bowling, fishing etc may be available on your cruise and can be arranged at an additional supplement. Optional activities usually require advanced booking so please advise our Reservation Department at least 6 weeks prior to departure.
Baby/Child Equipment: We are pleased to supply travel cots, high chairs, car seat, bottle warmer, toys, stroller etc at no charge but we must be notified at least 6 weeks prior to departure as to your requirements.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- Open bar
- Free wines
- Gourmet cuisine
- Entry fees to excursions
Stateroom per person $3,990
Single supplement $1,500
Charter 6 passengers whole boat $27,100
Charter 7 passengers whole boat $28,300
Charter 8 passengers whole boat $29,500
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
France
Boating and Sailing
Cultural Journey
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