Champagne Barge Cruise 2024

Welcome to C’est la Vie!

You’ll be met at 3:00pm in the lobby of your Paris hotel and chauffeured to the C’est La Vie. 

For charter groups 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, 43 Boulevard St Germain,75006 Paris, Tel; +33 (0)1 40 51 60 00    

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

Chataeu-Thierry is nestled into the champagne-producing slopes; this ancient town is associated with the Frankish king Charles Martel whose castle here was built in the 8th century and with Joan of Arc who entered through the town gates in 1421.

Sightseeing, WW1 battlefield and cemetery of Belleau-wood and the American monument

Cruise to Dormans.

Begin the day with our breakfast buffet, featuring village-baked pastries just warm from the oven! Then relax on deck while cruising on the River Marne as C’est La Vie floats toward the village of Dormans, through heavily-wooded countryside. Adorable villages hug the shore and patient fisherman wave as we pass.

After lunch (served on deck weather permitting) we’ll visit the French-American Friendship monument, built in 1929 it overlooks Chateau Thierry and the Marne valley, then we take a short drive to the WW1 battlefield and cemetery of Belleau-wood which was the scene of the second battle of the Marne in the spring of 1918, this battle ended the last German offensive of World War I. The cost was 8,000 American troops killed, missing or wounded. We will then pay our respects at the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery.

Return to the C’est La Vie for dinner aboard

Sightseeing, Epernay, Boizel, Haultvilliers

Cruise to Damery.

After another delicious breakfast, cruise to Damery, a town on the banks of the Marne River, through a gorgeous landscape of villages, vineyards, pastures, and forests. After lunch take a short drive to visit the famed champagne producer Boizel in Epernay. Founded in 1834 by Auguste Boizel and Julie Martin, a young married couple, they joined forces to create their own Champagne House. Originally pastry chefs, born and bred in the Côte des Blancs, they shared the same strong entrepreneurial spirit. Julie’s ancestors were winegrowers in Ay and Mareuil-sur-Ay.

They chose Epernay as the home for their new venture, and both lent their names to the House: ‘Boizel-Martin, After a tasting and visit to their cellars we will take a short drive to Haultevillers, a pretty champagne village perched high over the vineyards. Tour the unassuming church of monk Dom Perignon, credited with inventing the champagne-producing process.

Back on board for your gourmet dinner.

Sightseeing, Chocolaterie “Thibaut”

Cruise to Mareuil sur Ay.

Dinner at the Les Crayeres in Reims (2 Michelin stars)

After breakfast we take a short drive to the town of Pierry, where we will learn the art of Chocolate making and have the chance to make your own to take away with you.

Returning to the C’est La Vie for lunch and a relaxing afternoon cruise to Mareuil sur Ay, through scenery that could have been painted by the Impressionists, we will leave the river Marne for the canal Lateral a la Marne, perfect time to put your working shoes on or ride a bicycle along the tow path.

There’s plenty of time to prepare for your dinner shore at the 2-star Michelin restaurant Les Crayeres.

Sightseeing, Reims with the Cathedral

Cruise to Conde sur Marne.

After breakfast we cruise to Conde sur Marne. There is time to walk or bicycle on the towpath as C’est La Vie winds its way along the canal,

After lunch we drive to Reims, an important city from Roman times onwards. Visit the great Reims Cathedral, which is even larger than Notre Dame in Paris and where many of the French kings were crowned. Visit the Archbishops place which has been turned into a museum and step back in time.
Walk along the pedestrian streets in this vibrant city or take a coffee in many of the sidewalk cafes and watch the world go by.

Dinner aboard the C’est La Vie moored in Conde sur Marne.

Sightseeing, Family champagne domaine, Ployez-Jacquemart

Cruise to Chalon en Champagne.

A morning visit to the small town of Ludes where you will pay a visit to a small family run vineyard, Ployez Jacquemart, for the 2nd of your champagne tasting experiences. This family run business started in 1930 is now run by the granddaughter.

Returning to the C’est La Vie for lunch and an afternoon cruise, time to relax or put on your shoes or ride a bicycle along the tow path and catch the C’est la Vie at the next lock. We cruise on the canal the Lateral a la Marne arriving in the city of Chalon en Champagne.

There is time to take a stroll around this city and visit the centre with its 3 churches. Before the Captains dinner which ends your cruise in style!

Return to Paris

After breakfast, you will be chauffeured back to Paris.

We hope to see you again on the C’est La Vie!