Savoir Vivre
Barging in Burgundy

Passengers: 8
Size: 80 feet long
Last Visited: 2009
Rating: Casual Class, A/C, Families

2010 Rates

Whole-Boat Charter: $20,000
Breakfast and lunch are on-board. Dinners are off the barge every night: A wonderful way to enjoy delicious and local French cuisine. Look at the menu, order, and then pay the restaurant directly. Your Captain will reserve your on-shore dinners and provide transportation.  Train transfers to and from the cruise route are in addition to the cruise rate.  Let us help you book and ticket 60 days before departure.

2010 dates

April 4 - 10	May 30 - June 5	July 25 - 31	September 19 - 25
April 11 - 17	June 6 - 12	August 1 - 7	Sept 26 - October 2
April 18 - 24	June 13 - 19	August 8 - 14	October 3 - 9
April 25 - May 1	June 20 - 26	August 15 - 21	October 10 - 16
May 2 - 8	June 27 - July 3	August 22 - 28	October 17 - 23
May 9 - 15	July 4 - 10	August 29 - Sept 4
May 16 - 22	July 11 - 17	September 5 - 11
May 23 - 29	July 18 - 24	September 12 - 18

We are thrilled to announce that Captain Francois Everson (assisted by his partner June) will operate SAVOIR VIVRE in 2010. Captain Everson co-owned and operated the successful barge Saint Louis in Burgundy for many years. Francois has lived on the side of the Burgundy canal since 1990. He is an expert in area history, wine, and cuisine - and loves to share that knowledge. With Francois at the helm, this brand new barge will operate with a personable, experienced and dedicated Captain. SAVOIR VIVRE is also designed to be affordable and to appeal to travelers more interested in experiences than amenities.


Savoir Vivre is the inspired creation of young entrepreneur and adventurer James Waggott. He is the son of one of the principal partners of Prosperite, a popular and Ultra-Deluxe vessel based in Burgundy. Wonderful cruises aboard Prosperite have led James to create a new experience based on his most lasting impressions. As he says: "The memories you take away are about the good times spent together, the epic scenery, the quietly cultured and proud ways of rural France, the wine, the food, and of lazily cycling beside the ship as she quietly plies along."

The shift in emphasis begins with the barge itself. It is modern, chic, and flexible-to-use. Not a square foot is wasted - although everything one needs is available. The lounge converts to a dining room in minutes, while the kitchen is "hidden" until needed! The cabins are ingenious. Although not large, they are chic - and with lots of things done right, such as excellent storage, efficient reading lights, deluxe bedding and bathrobes hanging ready-to-use. There are two decks - again, designed for flexible use with a selection of recliners, chairs and pillows - Lounging is decidedly casual but comfortable.

Savoir Vivre keeps guests in touch with all that is local, particularly as concerns cuisine. Simple breakfasts and lunches are served on board, but, oh, the dinners! Along with building the barge, James has had the delightful task of finding the best in authentic chef-patron restaurants serving simple, fresh and creative cuisine. You'll dine every night in these unassuming and charming environments that the French have evolved over centuries.

Sightseeing is extensive but emphasizes the villages, the markets, and the wine and food producers. A full day is spent in Beaune, wine-capital of the Cote d'Or. Tour the immaculately preserved Medieval hospice and enjoy a special winetasting. Lunch in Beaune is included in the cruise price.

Savoir Vivre has a unique program for 2010 - Be among the first to cruise casually but elegantly on the canals of Burgundy!

Savoir Vivre

Burgundy Barge Cruise Itinerary

Fleury-sur-Ouche to Chateauneuf-en-Auxois

On the Canal de Bourgogne

Sunday: Meet in Dijon
Welcome Aboard!
Our captain will meet your party in late afternoon in Dijon - perhaps at the Rail Station (There are frequent TGV trains from Paris) or a local hotel. From there, you'll be chauffeured to Savoir Vivre at anchor in Fleury-sur-Ouche, a classic village nestled on the Canal de Bourgogne. There will be time to unpack and explore, helping you work up an appetite for your first on-shore dinner at a local, friendly and refined restaurant - "Auberge Les Gourmands".

Monday: Fleury-sur-Ouche to Gissey-sur-Ouche
Wine, Wine, Wine!
This morning begin your cruise back in time through the unhurried and authentic Valley of the Ouche. You'll float past limestone cliffs, wooded hills and enchanting villages. After lunch on board (always freshly purchased from nearby markets and gourmet food shops), enjoy the first of many excursions. Francois, your Captain now becomes a trusted guide who will introduce you to the sights and history of Burgundy. You will be driven south to the famed Cote d'Or wine region. First visit Chateau du Clos de Vougeot where wine was produced by Cistercian monks from the 12th century on. Examnine the ancient wine presses and learn more winemaking and life in that long ago era. Then it's back to present-day pleasures at a winetasting which introduces area vintages. Return to Savoir Vivre. Later you'll be transferred to dinner at the lovely nearby restaurant of "L'Eire du Temps".

Tuesday: Gissey-sur-Ouche to La Bussiere-sur-Ouche
Market day in Dijon
After breakfast on board featuring village-baked pastries just warm from the oven, head back to Dijon to mingle with locals at the famed outdoor market. There will be time to look around the well-preserved Medieval town core and shop - think mustard! Then it's back to Savoir Vivre with lunch on board and an afternoon cruise through gorgeous scenery to La Bussiere-sur-Ouche. Relax on deck or explore by bicycle - let's meet the barge at the next lock! Explore the subtle charms of La Brussiere before preparing for dinner tonight at the restaurant highly regarded "Ferme de Rolle".

Wednesday: La Bussiere-sur-Ouche to Pont d'Ouche
All day in delightful Beaune
Take a moment to reflect this morning as we cruise to Pont d'ouche. After lunch aboard, sightseeing takes center stage as you head to enchanting Beaune - wine capital of the Cote d'Or. There's much to enjoy in Beaune; most important is the immaculately preserved Hospice de Beaune, a charity hospital built in the 15th century (and which treated patients until the early 20th century!). There will be time to explore the shops or visit a cafe in the square. Return to the barge in late afternoon, then relax until we drive you to the nearby delight of "Auberge Saint Martin", your restaurant for this evening.

Thursday: Pont d'Ouche to La Repe
Dine in a Romantic Chateau
After a peaceful start to your day we visit Ferme de Poisset, an authentic cheesemaker. Yes, you'll learn and then you'll taste! After all, you are in France! Return to Savoir Vivre and walk the towpath or bicycle into a nearby village - or just relax on deck with a good book - as Savoir Vivre continues its journey on the historic Canal de Bourgogne to La Repe. Have you pictured a romantic dinner in a chateau?!  Tonight make this fantasy come true at the 17th-century "Chateau de Sainte Sabine," built in a parkland and pictured at right.  The menu is tres gourmet!


Friday: La Repe to Escommes
Hilltop Medieval Village
After breakfast on board, we visit the lovely Medieval village and chateau of Chateauneuf-en-Auxois perched high on a hill overlooking the canal. Explore on cobblestoned streets, peek into private gardens, and then tour the haunting chateau. Return to Savoir Vivre for a drink on deck and then continue our cruise into the Valley of the Ouche. Your final on-shore dinner is in the charming "Hostellerie de l'Auxois". Now is the time to share memories of your authentic encounters with the people, cuisine, wine and sights of Burgundy.

Saturday: Escommes to Dijon
A Sad Farewell
Depart between 8 and 9 am for your chauffeured transfer back to Dijon. After your final breakfast on board, it will be hard to leave Savoir Vivre! There are mid-to-late morning TGV trains from Dijon back to Paris or perhaps you'll choose to rent a car for an onward journey. We hope to see you on Savoir Vivre again!

Please note: This cruise will be offered in the opposite direction on alternate weeks. Sightseeing and restaurant suggestions are based on availability and are subject to change. Your cruise fare does not include travel to and from Dijon, the pickup/return city. There are several TGV trains (fast, non-stop service between the two cities in under two hours) daily from Paris. Your booking agent will work with Savoir Vivre to organize your train schedule and then pre-purchase tickets before your departure to France. Your cruise fare includes daily Continental breakfast on board and all lunches (whether on-board or on-shore). Dinner each night will be on shore and at your expense. Savoir Vivre will organize restuarant choices based on authentic and convenient venues and transfer you if necessary. 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 Vivre

Guest Book

Check back in 2009 for guest feedback