Savoir Vivre
Barging in Burgundy

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

Savoir Vivre introduces our new barge cruise format.  While breakfast and lunch are served aboard, dinners are off the barge every night at authentic local restuarants.

2009/2010 Rates

Whole Boat Charter
$24,000
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.

Cruises depart every Sunday in late afternoon in Dijon and end the following Saturday at mid-morning in Dijon.  The cruise fare does not include transfers to/from the cruise route.  These transfers must be booked separately.

We are thrilled to introduce Savoir Vivre, an entirely new and affordable cruise on the French canals. Savoir Vivre (which roughly translates as "to know how to live") is original in all aspects: From the design of the new and purpose-built barge to the emphasis on fresh and authentic dining to on-shore excursions that present villages and markets as opposed to major monuments: This is barging distilled to its most memorable essences. The program is also designed to be affordable and to appeal to travelers more interested in experiences and less in amenities.

Savoir Vivre is the inspired creation of James Waggott, son of one of the principal partners of Prosperite, a popular and Ultra-Deluxe vessel based in Burgundy. Wonderful cruises aboard Prosperite (working with her veteran captain, Spencer Hayes)  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."

Savoir Vivre may be described as "luxury barging distilled." This shift in emphasis begins with the barge itself. In its innovative, efficient and contemporary design, not a square foot is wasted. The lounge converts into a dining room in minutes, while the kitchen is "hidden" until needed. The cabins are comfortable but not huge, decor is sleek, and a laptop with 3g internet access (where available) will keep guests in touch with the outside world.

Along with this unobtrusive and energy-efficient vessel, the program 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! The owners have found the best in authentic chef-patron restaurants serving the best of simple, fresh and creative cuisine. Savoir Vivre guests dine every evening 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 trip to Beaune, wine-capital of the Cote d'Or, offers the immaculately-preserved Medieval hospice and a chance to buy wine or shop in this delightful town. Twice during your week, you'll enjoy lunch off the barge at menu restaurants, both included in the cruise fare.

An experienced crew of two, living on board full time, will be working hard to take care of the details - but you won't be robbed of the spontaneous experiences which create the best kind of memories! The route on the Canal de Bourgogne is lined with villages and towpaths, perfect for exploring by bicycle (eight are carried aboard) or walking into town for a cafe.

Savoir Vivre is a great for a private family charter (We can suggest child -friendly activities) or a group of four couples. Come with us in 2009 for a brand new view of barging and the authentic countryside of France!

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, the better to work up an appetite for your first on-shore dinner. May we suggest the canalside Restaurant de l'Ecluse?

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. 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 in the nearby town of Sombernon.

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! An informal set menu lunch at a local bistro is included. Then it's back to Savoir Vivre 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! Walk to your dinner tonight at the restaurant Ecluse de la Charme.

Wednesday: Moor at La Bussiere-sur-Ouche
 All day in delightful Beaune
Change the pace today! Sightseeing takes center stage as you head to a full day in and around 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!). At lunch, you'll dine off the set menu at an authentic auberge in or near Beaune - and there will be time to explore the shops, have a cafe in the square or purchase wines from one of the many cellars. Return to the barge in late afternoon, then relax until we drive you to nearby Bligny-sur-Ouche for dinner on shore.

Thursday: La Bussiere-sur-Ouche to Pont d'Ouche
You've  already tasted the wine - now taste the cheese
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. After lunch on board, 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 dine in the nearby village of Crugey.

Friday: Pont d'Ouche to Chateauneuf-en-Auxois
Hilltop Medieval Village
Continue to cruise into the Valley of the Ouche and past the dramatic village and chateau of Chateauneuf-en-Auxois perched high on a hill overlooking the canal. After lunch on board, visit this lovely Medieval town. 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 walk to your final on-shore dinner at 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: Chateauneuf-en-Auxois 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. 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