L'Art de Vivre

Before you wake each morning, a crew member has visited the local patisserie to collect newly baked breads, buttery croissants and a variety of fresh pastries, which will be laid out in the saloon with an array of fresh fruit and other accompaniments. Together with the aroma of fresh coffee brewing, the day has just begun and you may want to enjoy your breakfast on deck.

Luncheon may be a colourful arrangement of salads, pâtes, savoury quiches and of course, a selection of cheeses, all accompanied by an excellent choice of wines from the barge cellar. This daytime feast is often enjoyed on the sun deck, perhaps while cruising.

Dinner is the culinary highlight of each day. Served by candlelight, each course is a delicious creation, complemented by fine wines. Your chef will use the best fresh ingredients, bought from the wonderful local markets and pick fresh herbs from the small onboard herb garden to skilfully produce mouth-watering regional and national dishes that are full of flavour.

Image by Jeri Gintert.

Each hotel barge has a library, games and a CD player/iPod dock and some of them a spa pool on the sun deck, TV/DVD, or computer with internet access, often WiFi. Some even have a telescope for an after-dinner gaze into the night sky. There is also, of course, an open bar stocked with a wide range of alcoholic and soft drinks.

France is perhaps the most popular country for luxury barge cruises, due in no small part to the myriad waterways which cross not only its scenic countryside, but also some of its major cities. And while a Burgundy barge cruise may not be at the top of the list of options for holidaymakers visiting this European country, those who do choose to take a chance and go barging in Burgundy are sure not to be disappointed.

In fact, taking a Burgundy barge cruise down one of the region’s canals is a wonderful experience. Burgundy boasts some of the world’s finest wines with around 60,000 acres of sunlit vines and arguably the prettiest canals in France. The Burgundy Canal winds its way in smooth curves through the heart of renowned vineyards, medieval towns, elegant châteaux, magnificent cathedrals, picturesque villages and wonderful local markets. Barging in Burgundy guarantees our clients a wealth of sightseeing opportunities.

This is a region with a vast variety of cheeses, in all shapes, sizes and colours, strong in character or mild and fresh and all can be enjoyed with full-bodied red Burgundies, or perhaps with lighter white Chablis wines. Burgundy’s gastronomic tradition is certainly rich and diverse and a sedate Burgundy barge cruise along one of its delightful waterways will allow you to indulge in good food and wine: two of life’s essential pleasures.

• Explore enchanting Auxerre and its magnificent cathedral
• Wine tasting of Chablis and Petit Chablis in the cellars of a renowned Domaine
• Tour Noyers-sur-Serein, one of the most beautiful villages in Burgundy
• Visit the picturesque village of Vezelay and its hilltop basilica
• Visit elegant Château de Bazoches
  Optional hot air ballooning
• Excellent towpath for walking and cycling

L'Art de Vivre does not offer any dedicated Health & Fitness Facilities. However, a Sun Deck and Spa Pool are located at the rear of the barge. 8 touring bikes are also available for anyone looking to cycle through the areas visited.