Upper Loire Barge Cruise 2023

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 Captain and crew, there is time to unpack and take a stroll, before enjoying the first of many gourmet dinners on board.

Sightseeing: Chateau of La Bussiere

Cruise to Montbouy

After your first breakfast of locally baked croissants and other pastries, now is the perfect time to put on your walking shoes and stroll on the tow path alongside the C’est La Vie as we cruise to the village of Montbouy.

After lunch you will be driven to the Château of La Bussiere, it is a prime example of a medieval fortress built in the 12th Century. Open to the public since 1962, when the Count Henri de Chasseval decided to exhibit his extensive collection of material and pieces of art from around the world about fishing, but it’s not all about fishing, there are the grounds to visit with its 18th Century vegetable garden and a pond with a 300 year old Lebanon Cedar tree standing close by and much more.

Tonight’s dinner is ashore at the 1 star Michelin restaurant “Auberge les Templiers.”

Sightseeing: Montargis

Cruise to Rogny-les-Sept-Ecluses

Before we start our afternoon cruise to Rogny les Sept Ecluses, we take a short ride back to Montargis for a tour of this fine town, with its 131 bridges, you can see why its nick name is “little Venice”. With many buildings from 15th & 16th centuries, you will never be short of interesting architecture which will catch your eye. Discover the feudal castle, the half timbered buildings, shops and cafes. Perhaps buying some Pralines for which Montargis is famous.

Lunch is waiting for your return, before we cast off and start our next part of our journey.

Dinner on board.

Sightseeing: Faiencerie of Gien

Cruise to Ouzouer sur Trézée

The town of Gien, famous the world over for its splendid tableware is where we are headed this morning, after a visit to the pottery, take a walk through this market town and discover its remarkable history, built on the banks of the Loire river, there has been a settlement here since Romans times.

Returning to the C’est La Vie for lunch and an afternoons cruise, passing the 7 old locks of Rogny (hence its name Sept Ecluses) dating back to the reign of Henry IV, it was a major feat of engineering for its time, we make our way to the town of Ouzouer sur Trézée.

Dinner on board.

Sightseeing: Château of St Fargeau

Cruise to Chatillion sur Loire

This morning’s cruise takes us to the town of Chatillon sur Loire, crossing over the Loire River at Briare on the “Pont Canal”, this aqueduct designed by Gustave Eiffel, was constructed in 1890.

The Château of St Fargeau is this afternoon’s destination, dating from the 10th century; it was built by the bishop of Auxerre and has undergone many additions and restorations over the years.

Returning on board in time for cocktails and dinner.

Sightseeing: Sancerre

Cruise to “Les Fouchards”

Our final cruise takes us to the hamlet of “Les Fouchards” situated 8 miles from Sancerre and close to Cosne sur Loire.

After a buffet lunch we will take a short drive through the vineyards to visit the fortified town of Sancerre. This hill top medieval site gives you panoramic views over the Loire river and of the neighbouring vineyards of Pouilly Fumé.

The town of Chavignol (also famous for its goat’s cheese) is where you will have a private wine tasting of this famous Sauvignon Blanc

The C’est La Vie awaits your return for the Captains dinner, which ends your cruise in style.

Return to Paris

After breakfast, at 9.30 you will be chauffeured back to Paris for the end of the morning.

We look forward to your company again on the “C’est la Vie”!