Burgundy & Champagne Barge Cruise 2026

Welcome to C’est La Vie!

You will be met at 3:00 pm in Paris. For charter groups, pick-up will be in the lobby of one hotel mutually agreed upon by the group. Guests on individual cabin sailings will be picked up and returned to the Hotel Madison, 143 Boulevard St Germain, 75006 Paris, Tel: +33 (0)1 40 51 60 00.

After the traditional champagne welcome, there is time to unpack and take a stroll around town before enjoying the first of many gourmet dinners on board.

Sightseeing: The 1st Gothic Cathedral in Sens

Cruise to St Mammas.

After a breakfast of locally baked bread and pastries, take a drive to Sens to visit one of the first great Gothic Cathedrals of France. Built in 1140 and named after Saint-Etienne, the cathedral held court over other significant churches such as Auxerre and Notre Dame in Paris.

Stroll through the walking streets with medieval houses, enjoy a coffee in the square in front of the Cathedral, and soak in the atmosphere.

Return to the C’est La Vie for lunch, followed by an afternoon cruise on the Yonne and Seine Rivers to St Mammas. Take a walk around this riverside town before dinner aboard the C’est La Vie.

Sightseeing: Barbizon

Cruise to Evry.

Begin the day with a cruise on the Seine River, passing commercial boats transporting goods across France and Europe.

In the afternoon, visit Barbizon, a picturesque village near the Forest of Fontainebleau, where the Barbizon school of painters emerged in the 19th century. This art movement contributed to Realism and included artists such as Monet, Renoir, and Sisley.

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

Sightseeing: Château of Vaux-le-Vicomte

Cruise to Lagny Sur Marne.

As we approach Paris, catch a glimpse of the Eiffel Tower in the distance before taking a turn onto the River Marne. Moor in the town of Lagny Sur Marne, where the scenery is stunning.

After lunch on the front deck (weather permitting), take a drive to the Château of Vaux-le-Vicomte. This privately-owned estate with grand gardens has an intriguing history. Built by Nicholas Fouquet, finance minister to Louis XIV, the château drew the king’s envy, leading to Fouquet’s imprisonment for life and the creation of Versailles in retaliation.

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

Sightseeing: WWI War Museum in Meaux

Cruise to St Jean les Deux Jumeaux.

Continue cruising the River Marne to St Jean les Deux Jumeaux. Enjoy a buffet-style lunch aboard before visiting the town of Meaux and its WWI Museum, home to over 70,000 artifacts from the Great War. The exhibits cover all aspects of the conflict, providing a comprehensive look at its history.

Before returning to the boat, explore the town of Meaux with its beautiful church and cheese shops selling the locally made Brie du Meaux.

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

Sightseeing: Belleau-Wood, WWI Monument, and Cemetery

Cruise to Château Thierry.

Our final cruise brings us to Château Thierry, an ancient town associated with Frankish King Charles Martel and Joan of Arc.

After lunch, drive to the American Monument on Hill 204, overlooking the town and commemorating the actions of U.S. divisions in 1918. Follow the defensive positions of the U.S. 2nd Division during the German Spring Offensive before arriving at Belleau-Wood. Here, the U.S. Marines fought their first offensive engagement of the conflict. Pay respects at the beautifully maintained cemetery and chapel.

Return to the C’est La Vie for the Captain’s Dinner, marking the end of your cruise in style.

Return to Paris

After breakfast, you will be chauffeured back to Paris by midday. We hope to see you again on the C’est La Vie!