Accommodations & Amenities

Accommodations
  • 128 ft long, with 6’5″ – 6’9″ ceiling height throughout
  • 4 Cabins ranging from 220 – 236 sq ft
  • Cabin 1, 236 sq ft, 6’9” ceiling height
  • Cabin 2, 220 sq ft, 6’9” ceiling height
  • Cabins 3 & 4, 230 sq ft, 6’9” ceiling height
  • Choice of King or two twin beds
  • Ensuite bathroom with shower in all cabins
  • Ample storage space in cabins
  • Salon and dining room
  • Deck with canopy
  • Outdoor dining space and seating
  • Wheelhouse with comfortable guest seating
Amenities
Chauffeured Guided Sightseeing
Chauffeured Guided Sightseeing
Daily Housekeeping
Daily Housekeeping
WiFi (service fluctuates)
WiFi (service fluctuates)
Private Chef
Private Chef
Open Bar
Open Bar
Bicycles and Helmets
Bicycles and Helmets
Air Conditioning/Heating
Air Conditioning/Heating
Hair Dryer and Toiletries
Hair Dryer and Toiletries
Bathrobe
Bathrobe
Safe
Safe
Iron and Ironing Board (on request)
Iron and Ironing Board (on request)
Sound System
Sound System
220 volt outlets
220 volt outlets

Itineraries

Travel from Chateau Thierry to Sillery on the Marne River the Canal Lateral a la Marne

Bicycling Opportunities:
Adequate 
 (Bicycling is completely optional.)
Sunday
Welcome Aboardsunday image
Welcome Aboard
Travel: Arrival to Chateau Thierry
Meals: Dinner onboard

In the afternoon, you will be met by a crew member of the C'est la Vie at the designated meeting point. From here, relax as you are chauffeured to the barge, moored near the town of Charly-sur-Marne. A traditional champagne welcome and introduction to the crew awaits you, before your first of many gourmet dinners onboard.

Monday
Military Monuments on the Marnemonday image
Military Monuments on the Marne
Travel: Chateau Thierry to Joulgonne
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner onboard

This morning's lazy cruise drifts through a gorgeous landscape of villages, vineyards, pastures, and forests. Enjoy a cup of coffee on deck and watch the scenery slip by. This afternoon's excursion is to the nearby Belleau Wood, the scene of the second battle of the Marne in spring 1918, which ended the last German offensive of WWI. Overlooking Chateau Thierry is the massive French-American Friendship Monument and the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery. Return to the C'est la Vie where Chef is crafting this evening's gourmet dinner.

Tuesday
Bottoms Up!tuesday image
Bottoms Up!
Travel: Joulgonne to Damery
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner onboard

A morning cruise begins the day's many epicurean adventures. Bottoms up this afternoon! Your Tour Guide escorts you to the family-owned champagne producer House of Boizel in Epernay. Enjoy a tour and tasting at this boutique champagne house. Next, visit Hautvillers, a charming village perched high over the expansive vineyards. Explore the unassuming church of monk Dom Perignon, who is credited for having "discovered" champagne. Cheers to Dom Perignon! Back onboard, cocktails and canapes are served before Chef presents tonight's delicious dinner.

Wednesday
Taste and Tour Ashorewednesday image
Taste and Tour Ashore
Travel: Damery to Mareuil sur Ay
Meals: Breakfast & lunch onboard, dinner ashore

Would you like a little sweet with your Champagne? Visit an artisan chocolate boutique this morning to both make and taste the cocoa confectioneries for which France is celebrated. This afternoon, the C'est la Vie floats off the Marne River to continue her journey on the Canal Lateral a la Marne, offering the perfect time to relax on deck with a glass of wine, or explore the towpath's flora and fauna with a gentle pedal or leisurely stroll. Tonight's gourmet dinner is enjoyed ashore at the 2-star Michelin restaurant Les Crayeres. Bon Appetit!

Thursday
Wine and Dine Your Way through Champagnethursday image
Wine and Dine Your Way through Champagne
Travel: Mareuil sur Ay to Vaudemange
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner onboard

A morning cruise sees the C'est la Vie slipping from the Canal Lateral a la Marne to the Canal Marne a la Aisne. Laze on deck, join your Captain in his wheelhouse, or explore Champagne's gorgeous towpaths with a tranquil traipse or leisurely bicycle ride. In the afternoon, your Tour Guide accompanies you to a family-owned vineyard for a private tour of the winery and a sampling of sparkling wines. Swirl, sip, and savor the tasty bubbles produced from Champagne's pampered grapes. Return to the barge for an evening of drinks and dinner.

Friday
Where French Royalty Was Crownedfriday image
Where French Royalty Was Crowned
Travel: Vaudemange to Sillery
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner onboard

Relax on deck with a cup of coffee this morning as the C'est la Vie gently makes her final cruise through the canals and tunnels of Champagne. This afternoon, your Tour Guide introduces Reims Cathedral, the magnificent church where the Kings of France were crowned. Marc Chagall designed the stained glass installed in 1974 in the axis of the apse. Afterwards, stroll the streets of the pedestrian area, or enjoy a coffee in the town square. Back onboard, aperitifs and appetizers precede the Captain's Dinner, ending your luxury barge in epicurean style.

Saturday
A Sad Farewellsaturday image
A Sad Farewell
Travel: Transfer from Sillery
Meals: Breakfast onboard

After breakfast, you will be chauffeured back to the designated drop off point.

Please note: this is a sample itinerary which may be subject to change depending on local conditions.

Gourmet Dining

Lunch
  • New Roast Potatoes in Garlic Olive Oil and Rosemary
  • Tomatoes with Feta Cheese and Olives
  • Smoked Chicken Salad with Kiwi, Blueberries, Grapefruit, Chives, Celery and Cucumber
  • Stuffed Gougeres with Sundried Tomatoes and Mozzarella
  • Cheeses: Chaource and Lou Perac
  • A Selection of Coffees, Teas, and Biscuits
Dinner
  • Roasted Jerusalem Artichoke Velouté with a Poached Egg and a Sprinkling of Goats Cheese
  • Pan Roasted Breast of Guinea Fowl, Forest Mushrooms, Sweet Corn Purée and Braised Lettuce
  • Cheeses: St Nectaire, Chabichou, Ossau Iraty
  • Poached Fresh Local Plums with a Dark Chocolate Sauce and Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream
  • A Selection of After Dinner Drinks
  • 1 Dinner Ashore Inclusive of the Cruise Rate
Wine
  • Margaux Chateau Dauzac 2011
  • Nuits St George 1er Cru 2014
  • Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2015
  • Vougeot 1er Cru 2015
  • Mecurey 1er Cru 2012
  • Chablis Grand Cru Grenouille 2014
  • Rully 1er Cru 2016
  • Sancerre Rose 2017

Rates & Dates

Accommodation
Value Season
Regular Season
Private Cruise for 8 guests$56,280$61,320
Private Cruise for 7 guests$52,920$58,100
Private Cruise for 6 guests$47,700$54,000
Double Cabin (Per Person, Double Occupancy)$7,500$8,000
Single-Occupancy Supplement$4,000$5,000

2023 Dates

Gray Bold Dates = Regular Season

Month
Days
May28-3
June4-10, 11-17, 18-24, 25-1
July2-8, 9-15, 16-22, 23-29, 30-5

Barge C’est la Vie offers additional cruise weeks in the Upper Loire.
Click here to view C’est la Vie’s Upper Loire cruise itinerary.

Additional Details

Included in the rate
  • 6 nights/7 days in a cabin with a private bath
  • Round trip chauffeured transfers to and from Paris
  • A dedicated onboard crew consisting of a Captain, Chef, Tour Guide, and Hostess
  • All meals onboard and ashore from dinner the first evening to breakfast the final morning
  • All wines served with lunches and dinners both onboard and ashore
  • Open bar with alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages
  • Daily escorted excursions including admittance fees
  • Unlimited use of onboard amenities such as bicycles
Not included in the rate
  • International airfare
  • Cancellation insurance – A Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) policy is recommended
  • Suggested crew gratuity of 5-10% of the cruise price

*All rates are quoted in U.S. Dollars unless otherwise noted

Accommodation
Value Season
Regular Season
Private Cruise for 8 guests-$61,320
Private Cruise for 7 guests-$58,100
Private Cruise for 6 guests-$54,000
Double Cabin (Per Person, Double Occupancy)-$8,000
Single-Occupancy Supplement-$5,000

2024 Dates

Gray Bold Dates = Regular Season

Month
Days
June9-15, 16-22, 23-29, 30-6
July7-13,14-20, 21-27, 28-3
August4-10, 11-17

Barge C’est la Vie offers additional cruise weeks in the Upper Loire.
Click here to view C’est la Vie’s Upper Loire cruise itinerary.

Additional Details

Included in the rate
  • 6 nights/7 days in a cabin with a private bath
  • Round trip chauffeured transfers to and from Paris
  • A dedicated onboard crew consisting of a Captain, Chef, Tour Guide, and Hostess
  • All meals onboard and ashore from dinner the first evening to breakfast the final morning
  • All wines served with lunches and dinners both onboard and ashore
  • Open bar with alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages
  • Daily escorted excursions including admittance fees
  • Unlimited use of onboard amenities such as bicycles
Not included in the rate
  • International airfare
  • Cancellation insurance – A Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) policy is recommended
  • Suggested crew gratuity of 5-10% of the cruise price

*All rates are quoted in U.S. Dollars unless otherwise noted

C’est la Vie Route

Are you ready to sample the signature wine
found only in Champagne?

Plan Your Cruise