6 Night Cruise sailing from Auxerre to Chevroces aboard L'Art de Vivre.

NOTE:On alternate weeks the cruise is in the reverse direction. This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change. Please check at time of enquiry/booking.

Sunday, Day 1 Auxerre
Following a champagne welcome, you are free to explore the medieval town of Auxerre, or take a stroll along the banks of the River Yonne before returning for dinner on board.

Monday, Day 2 Auxerre to Vincelles
Our morning cruise starts early and takes us through some delightful locks and past vineyard-clad hillsides to our rural mooring at Vincelles. Following lunch on board, we head to the quarry of Aubigny, a subterranean wonderland of stonework which is famous for the limestone used on buildings such as the Paris Opera House, here we explore this uniquely atmospheric underground space. Afterwards, we visit the cellars of Bailly-Lapierre, also carved out of the rock, to taste some their sparkling Crémant de Bourgogne. Dinner on board.

Tuesday, Day 3 Vincelles to Mailly-la-Ville
Following an early breakfast, we head to the medieval town of Auxerre to wander the morning produce market. Later, we tour the centre of what was originally the capital of Lower Burgundy, with its lavish Renaissance houses, fine churches and particularly its magnificent cathedral situated close to the river. We then return to the hotel barge for a cruise southward through rich pasturelands and past grazing Charolais cattle, to the sleepy village of Mailly-la-Ville. After your relaxed lunch on board, perhaps this is a good time to enjoy a walk or bicycle ride along the towpath. Dinner on board.

Wednesday, Day 4 Mailly-la-Ville to Le Saussois
This morning, after a leisurely breakfast, we head to the celebrated wine village of Chablis. After viewing the vineyards, we make a private visit to the prestigious Domaine Laroche for a wine-tasting, followed by a tour of the 1000 years old Obédiencerie; originally part of the monastery of St. Martin, this is where the monks developed the craft of winemaking in the Middle Ages and to this day it remains the location for aging the wines. Lunch will be served by a private chef in the Domaine’s dining hall. Later in the afternoon we return to the barge to cruise past the cliffs at Le Saussois, a stunning natural setting with an international climbing centre. There will also be the opportunity to enjoy delightful walks or bicycle rides along the towpath. Dinner onboard.

Thursday, Day 5 Le Saussois to Lucy-sur-Yonne
Our morning cruise is through the picturesque Yonne Valley to our mooring at Lucy-sur-Yonne. After lunch on board, we enjoy an excursion to the pilgrimage town of Vézelay, one of Burgundy’s most famous treasures with the Romanesque Basilica of St Mary Magdalene, craft shops and fine views of the surrounding countryside. Dinner on board.

Friday, Day 6 Lucy-sur-Yonne to Chevroches
A morning cruise through beautiful countryside takes us to our final mooring at the pretty canalside village of Chevroches and again this is a perfect time for a walk or a bicycle ride. In the afternoon, we visit the elegant Château de Bazoches, built in the 12th century and whose illustrious visitors included Richard the Lionheart. The château was later remodelled by Maréchal Vauban and there are wonderful views from its elevated hillside setting. Captain’s Farewell Dinner on board.

Saturday, Day 7 Chevroches

L’Art de Vivre is the oldest hotel barge in our fleet and was built in England during World War One as a supply vessel to the Allied troops battling in the Somme.

Today her life is a little less dramatic as she cruises one of France’s longest-established canals, the Canal du Nivernais.

She is very much a traditional barge in style, with original wood and brass features that emphasise her heritage and create a warm and inviting interior atmosphere. The comfortable, compact cabins all have modern en suite facilities and the delightful saloon combines contemporary leather with more traditional furnishings.

Outside, there is a sun deck to relax on with a glass of wine as you glide through the pretty Burgundy countryside and a spa pool to soak in. You can explore the ever-present towpath on foot or on one of the barge’s bicycles towpath, before rejoining the L’Art de Vivre at one of the locks up ahead.

This region of Burgundy with its charming villages and centuries-old history simply oozes charm and your cruise aboard L’Art de Vivre is a journey back in time along a magical waterway.

We have been involved in all aspects of the hotel barge and travel industry for over 35 years including designing, building, owning and operating our fleet of luxury hotel barges. We have gradually refined our barge cruise holidays into unique travel experiences, which are just waiting to be discovered.

Our fully crewed, all inclusive luxury hotel barges cruise the inland waterways of nine European countries, along canals, rivers, lakes, lagoons and lochs, giving you the opportunity to experience life there from a truly unique perspective.

Our hotel barges are ideal for people looking for either an individual cruise with other like-minded people, or for those choosing a whole barge charter for a family or group of friends.

On your all-inclusive cruise, your ‘floating boutique hotel’ glides gently along while you relax and enjoy gourmet cuisine, fine wines and the company of fellow passengers. There will be guided tours to castles, chateaux, vineyards, markets and when you return to the barge, you can be sure our dedicated, professional crew will be there to look after you once more.