Savoir Faire
Barging in Burgundy

Passengers: 12
Size: 128 feet long
Last Visited: 2008
Rating: Deluxe, A/C, Families

2011 rates

Whole-Boat Charter for 10 or less: $39,000
Whole-Boat Charter for 11: $42,000
Whole Boat Charter for 12: $49,000
Individuals: $4,000per person double occupancy
Single Supplement: $1,700

2011 Dates

May 29 - June 4	July 10 - 16	August 21 - 27	September 18 - 24
June 5 - 11	July 17 - 23	August 28 - Sept 3	September 25 - Oct 1
June 12 - 18	July 24 - 30	September 4 - 10	October 2 - 8
June 19 - 25	July 31 - Aug 6	September 11 - 17	October 9 - 15
June 26 - July 2	August 7 - 13
July 3 - 9	August 14 - 20

Savoir Faire has announced a new itinerary for the 2011 season , cruising along a wonderful route in Burgundy. This itinerary, from Ancy-le-Franc to Auxerre, lies south of Paris - but might as well in another world all together! Highlights in Northern Burgundy include wine tasting in Chablis, Chateau Ancy-le-Franc, and the Abbey of Pontigny, one of France's most historic Cistercian monasteries. Bicycle and walk on the towpaths or just sit on the deck, sip Champagne and glide through untouched countryside. Captain Chris Bennett has owned and operated Savoir Fair for many years. He runs elegant and personalized cruises, attended to by top crew. Especially recommended for whole-boat charters!
Please go to the Itinerary section for a full reading of this wonderful route.

Barge Lady’s Kelly Weiss and her husband Tim cruised on Savoir Faire May 18-24, 2008
"We boarded Savoir Faire, moored in Paris at Bassin de L’Arsenal near the Bastille. As we stepped on board for a champagne welcome and hors d’oeuvres with Captain Chris Bennett, we were wowed by Savoir Faire’s public spaces. The pictures I had seen were nothing compared to the real thing. A gorgeous spacious salon complete with piano, an elegant dining room and our favorite - the back of the barge bar – where we enjoyed cocktail hours and after dinner cards nightly!

After settling into our cabin we went up to the top deck to enjoy a pre-dinner cruise and take in Paris. Our first dinner onboard set the bar high with delicious Wild Norwegian Salmon served with a Hollandaise and fresh asparagus. (Chef Carsten’s subsequent cuisine continued to impress and draw rave reviews from all onboard! We especially loved the lunches we were able to enjoy on deck, taking in the beautiful French countryside as we dined.) After dinner we cruised a little more to get the full effect of Paris by night – it was breathtaking – the perfect kick-off to our wonderful cruise.

Savoir Faire’s diverse and fascinating sightseeing program rounded out our perfect cruise week. Highlight’s for us were Fountainebleau and Chateaux-Vaux-le Vicomte as well as exploring villages along the route and bicycling as Savoir Faire cruised. However, our absolute favorite was the tour and winetasting at Domaine Laroche, followed by a very special wine and cheese picnic overlooking the Chablis Vineyards…incredible.

On our last full day we enjoyed a final delicious lunch on deck. We relaxed, sipping a smooth Beaujolais as Savoir Faire floated to her last mooring in Auxerre. We had plenty of time to wander the picturesque town, with winding streets and squares below belfries, half-timbered houses, shops galore and the magnificent gothic Cathédrale St-Étienne. Later, it was time for the Captain’s dinner, but not before one last aperitif in the back-of-the-barge-bar. Our final dinner was our favorite of the week, capped off with a wonderful Chateauneuf du Pape and Crepes Suzette.

Saturday morning was bittersweet, enjoying our last breakfast of fresh squeezed orange juice, croissants and Carsten’s savory omelets, knowing the week had come to an end. We left with new friends and wonderful memories of our fabulous first barge cruise in France."

Savoir Faire

Burgundy Itinerary

Ancy-le Franc to Auxerre
On the Canal de Bourgogne

Sunday: Paris to Ancy-le-Franc
Champagne Welcome!
Your chauffeur collects you from your Paris hotel at 2.00pm for the drive to the "Savoir Faire", moored at Ancy-le-Franc on the Burgundy Canal. Captain Chris Bennett, welcomes you aboard with a Champagne Reception and an introduction to your crew. Before dinner, your tour guide is at hand to introduce you to the local area and tell you about the cruise week ahead. After an aperitif on deck, enjoy the first of many splendid dinners aboard, prepared by a master chef.

Monday: Ancy-le-Franc to Tanlay
16th Century Chateau
Fresh ground coffee and fluffy croissants and pastries straight from the local baker - a delicious breakfast sets us up for our gentle cruise past the beautiful 16th century Renaissance palace and gardens of Chateau d'Ancy le Franc, towards the picturesque village of Tanlay where we moor overnight. Today, as with every day of your cruise, there's plenty of opportunity to wander or cycle ahead as the vessel descends through a series of quaint hand operated locks.

After a leisurely lunch, stroll over to the 16th century Renaissance-style Chateau de Tanlay, pictured at left, nestling serenely within this picturesque village. The interior is luxuriously furnished and decorated by some astonishing frescoes. Afterwards enjoy a promenade along the canal bank, a cool refreshing drink on the upper deck or a leisurely wander into the village before dinner.

Tuesday: Tanlay to Tonnerre
Chateau Ancy-le-Franc
Today we have a real delight in store! After a hearty breakfast we take a short ride back to the Chateau of Ancy-le-Franc. This Renaissance jewel, set in the centre of a large park on the banks of the canal, houses the biggest collection of Renaissance murals in France making Ancy-le-Franc a direct contender of Fontainebleau Palace. The rich decor is attributed to some of the most celebrated Italian, Flemish and Burgundy artists of the 16th and 17th century.

Our cruise today takes us to Tonnerre, one of the few places along the canal where you will find vineyards. This town is the centre of a small wine growing area producing excellent reds and roses under the name "Bourgogne Epineuil". Of particular interest is La Fosse Dionne. Situated in the centre of the old town this natural spring, has long mystified people and is well worth a visit. In 1758 it was converted into a "Lavoire". The most beautiful reminder of Tonnerre's past is the old hospital, built in 1293 by Margueritte of Burgundy. The chapel has a magnificent entombment, a masterpiece of 15th century Burgundian art.

Wednesday: Tonnerre to St Florentin
Visit a Cistercian Monastery
Yet another great breakfast! Why not pop along to the Wednesday morning market before rejoining your cruise along the Burgundy Canal. This is barging at it's best. Relaxed, gentle on the soul, every bend offering something new. Hop on, hop off - we're going nowhere fast! Feeling left out - why not help us with the locks. Great exercise and the photos will be the envy of your friends.

Today we visit one of the great Cistercian monasteries of France. The Abbey of Pontigny was founded in 1114. More recently Pontigny Abbey has also played an important role in French culture - from 1922 to 1939 there was an annual get together of the great European intellectuals of the time at the abbey, including TS Eliot, Thomas Mann and Jean Paul Sartre. Let's not forget the Cistercian monks of Pontigny Abbey. who first planted vines in the Chablis region.!

Thursday: St Florentin to Gurgy
Winetasting in Chablis!
We begin our cruise along the final stretch of the Burgundy Canal before we join the river Yonne, which winds it's way upstream to the riverside town of Auxerre. Birdsong abounds within the trees that line the riverbanks. Locks with sloping walls and electric gates make for stark contrast to those quaint hand operated gates on the Burgundy Canal.

Before tour the world famous town of Chablis where you'll visit the ancient press and cellars of Domaine Laroche, followed by a winetasting of their various fine vintages. After seeing Chablis we drive to a beautiful secluded spot, pictured at left, where you can enjoy a panoramic vista of the Grand Cru vineyards and the surrounding countryside. Your chef has prepared a surprise picnic. Great wine, great food and the companionship of friends and loved ones make for the perfect setting. Fully replenished we return to the "Savoir Faire" to continue our cruise to the sleepy riverside hamlet of Gurgy, our overnight mooring.

Friday: Gurgy to Auxerre
Explore Auxerre
Our cruise this morning takes us to our final destination and what is undoubtedly one of the prettiest towns in France. Auxerre, pictured at right, the capital of lower Burgundy, is situated in the heart of a wine growing region most famous for its Chablis wine. The success of this thriving town is celebrated by architectural jewels such as the ornately painted 15th century Clock Tower, the soaring Gothic cathedrals of Saint Germain and Saint Stephen and an abundance of ornate Renaissance houses bordering tree lined squares. Every street offers a golden opportunity for the aspiring photographer. After lunch your tour guide is at hand to show you around this delightful town.

Relax before dinner with a drink from the bar and enjoy the best view in town from the panoramic deck of the "Savoir Faire". Tonight your chef adorns your table with a special Farewell Dinner. Candlelit crystal and gleaming silverware add to the romantic ambiance. Laughter, great times and the warmth of friendship contribute to those "Golden Memories" that last a lifetime.

Saturday: Auxerre to Paris
A Sad Farewell
Finally time to say farewell to the Savoir Faire and her Captain and crew, but not before a rather special breakfast. After all, we wouldn't want you leave hungry! Bags are loaded by 9.30am and off we drive to your designated destination in Paris. Estimated arrival time is noon. We hope to see you again on Savoir Faire!

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Please note: this is a sample itinerary which may be subject to change depending on local conditions. The route will run in reverse on alternate weeks. Contact The Barge Lady for reservations and more information about Barging in Burgundy on the canals and waterways of France. Or call us toll free at (800) 880-0071.

Savoir Faire

Guestbook

"Our first barge trip on the Savoir Faire through the Burgundy and Upper Loire Valley of France was unique and lovely!  The crew was greatly responsible for our delightful creativity and humor.  And, the food, wine and cheese for lunches and dinners on board were quite delicious and well-presented (even a sushi-making lesson one day!)  Day excursions to Vaux-de-Vicomte, Fountainbleu, Sens and Provins were great for history, architecture, culture and shopping.  A real highlight was a picnic in the Chablis region with a gorgeous vista of vineyards.  Bicycling countryside with its sunflowers, cornfields, churches and manor homes also was quite memorable.  We enjoyed the barge journey itself through locks, canals and rivers with lush scenery and pretty country surrounding route to read, converse, write postcards or in travel diaries and the like in the cozy parlor room.  The barge certainly was compact but well-designed within cabins and with front, back and topdecks, sitting and dining rooms and bar.  In all, August 2009 will be well-remembered for the most distinctive voyage!  Merci beaucoup!"
- Dara Hensley and Jack  Smith, 2009

"One of the nicest cruises we have had - with wonderful staff!"
-Carl and Karen Brasee, 2009

"Dean's history lessons were superb - loved his commentary on the towns, cathedrals and chateaux.  The cuisine and crew were excellent - plus.  The entire experience was splendid - the Captain and entire crew bent over backward to give us the time of our lives!"
-Robert and Eve Eckhardt,  2008

"The first barge trip we have ever taken but it certainly won't be our last.  We are already thinking of next year on the Savoir Faire."
-Dr. and Mrs. James Brawner, 2008

"For a family of 23 people, our double charter proved to be an exceptional trip.  There were activities for guests age 14 to 83 to enjoy!  The Captains and crew did so much to make the cruise memorable.  The 4th of July celebration was spectacular!  Thanks so much!"
-Doug and Kitty Quarles, Jr.
 Marjorie II - Savoir Faire
 Double Charter, 2008

"Ellen, thank you for all the help with the trip.  Everyone loved it.  Chris and his entire crew were perfect.  I told Chris that his service was better than the Hotel Plaza Athenee!  They went out of their way to make us feel at home."
-Very Satisfied 2008 Guest

"Our trip went off without a hitch.  The captains and crews on the Savior Faire and Marjorie II were terrific...very friendly and seemed to go out of their way to make the side trips worthwhile."
-Bob Doolittle
 Marjorie II - Savior Faire
 Double Charter, 2008

Savoir Faire Floor Plan

128 Feet long
-Bow cabin 142 square feet , Five cabins 116 square feet - all with twin or queen beds
-Individual DVD player in each cabin, large selection of movies
(Snuggle up with hot cocoa and your favorite film!)
-Wifi connection available
-Elegant barge with mahogany paneling
-Piano and large salon/dining room with large windows
-Separate bar at stern
-Two sun decks