Upper Loire & Burgundy Barge Cruise 2026

Welcome to C’est la Vie!

Your party will be met in Paris at your hotel at 3 pm by our driver and chauffeured to the “C’est la Vie,” which is moored in the town of Pont sur Yonne.

After the traditional champagne welcome and introduction to the crew, there is time to settle in before your first gourmet dinner aboard.

Sightseeing: The 1st Gothic Cathedral in Sens

Cruise to Cannes Eculse.

After a buffet breakfast, we take a short drive into the center of Sens to visit one of the first great Gothic Cathedrals of France. Built in 1140 and named after Saint-Etienne, the cathedral’s fascinating history includes its significant influence over other cathedrals, such as Auxerre and Notre Dame in Paris.

Take time for some shopping or enjoy a coffee in the town’s Roman-era streets and squares. Don’t miss the covered market held every Monday in a beautifully restored 19th-century building.

Return to the C’est la Vie for lunch and an afternoon cruise on the River Yonne to Cannes Eculse. Relax as the C’est la Vie glides along, passing charming villages and towns on the way to tonight’s mooring.

Cocktails and dinner aboard.

Sightseeing: Chateau of Vaux-le-Vicomte

Cruise to Moret sur Loing.

Our morning cruise takes us to Moret sur Loing, where we leave the Rivers Seine and Yonne to join the River Loing. We moor just before the first lock of the Canal du Loing.

After lunch, we take a short drive to visit the Chateau of Vaux-le-Vicomte. This grand, privately-owned property features magnificent gardens and an intriguing history. Built by Nicholas Fouquet, finance minister to Louis XIV, the chateau drew the envy of the king, who jailed Fouquet for life and built Versailles as a response.

Return to the C’est la Vie for dinner aboard.

Sightseeing: Moret sur Loing

Cruise to Nemours.

Today’s morning visit is to the medieval town of Moret sur Loing. Stroll around the town and visit the house of Alfred Sisley, a 19th-century English painter associated with the Impressionist movement. Sisley lived in Moret and painted iconic landscapes of this area of France, as well as the River Thames in England. He and his wife are buried in the local cemetery.

During the afternoon cruise to Nemours along the Canal du Loing, take advantage of the towpath for a bike ride or stroll, rejoining the C’est la Vie at the next lock.

Dinner ashore at a local restaurant.

Sightseeing: Barbizon

Cruise to Dordives.

Enjoy a lazy morning taking in the beautiful countryside, with lunch on the front deck (weather permitting). In the afternoon, visit Barbizon, a village near the Forest of Fontainebleau. The Barbizon school of painters emerged here in the 19th century, advancing the Realism movement in art. Artists like Monet, Renoir, and Sisley found inspiration in this picturesque village.

Return to the C’est la Vie for cocktails and dinner aboard.

Sightseeing: Chateau of Fontainebleau

Cruise to Montargis.

Our final cruise takes us to Montargis, the second-largest city in the Loiret region. With its numerous canals and 131 bridges, Montargis is sometimes called the “Venice of the Gâtinais.” Though modern in many ways, the city retains its medieval charm in the downtown area.

After lunch, we depart for a visit to the Chateau of Fontainebleau. Established by Francois I in the 16th century, this splendid royal palace was home to many French kings and Napoleon. The chateau reflects centuries of architectural evolution, as each monarch embellished it to suit their style.

Return to the C’est la Vie for the Captain’s Dinner.

Return to Paris

After breakfast, our driver will take you back to your hotel in Paris by midday.