Life in Pink on La Vie en Rose — Welcome Aboard This Burgundian Bouquet of Floating French Style
LIFE IN PINK ABOARD LA VIE EN ROSE
Named for the iconic Édith Piaf song, the Charming class, 6-guest La Vie en Rose is a floating celebration of classic French style and Burgundian joie de vivre; indeed, “Life in Pink” describes that deliciously rosy state of mind in which every meal tastes better, every view appears lovelier, and every moment feels touched by happiness.
After years of living and working in Burgundy, La Vie en Rose’s owner-operators, Captain Simon and Tour Guide Laura Aplin, bring deep local knowledge, trusted community contacts, and seasoned hospitality to French barge cruising.
“This isn’t simply a cruise through Burgundy; it’s an invitation into the life we’ve built here,” says Captain Simon. “From seasonal festivals to secret dining venues to family-owned domaines, we open doors to experiences few visitors ever see, connecting our guests to what makes the region so special to us.”
Their intimate cruises pair Southern Burgundy‘s celebrated sights with private introductions, serendipitous moments, and spontaneous pleasures shaped by the people and places they know personally.
SOUTHERN BURGUNDY BEYOND THE OBVIOUS
“Our first impression set the tone for everything that followed,” recalls the guest. “Tour Guide Laura arrived right on time to collect us, and the crew greeted us with warm smiles and waving hands. It was the perfect beginning to an unforgettable week.”
Having already explored many of Burgundy’s typical wine destinations and cultural attractions, the couple arrived to La Vie en Rose wanting to delve deeper into the region’s rhythms and nuances.
Drawing upon their local knowledge, community relationships, and flexible approach, Simon and Laura shaped the week around the guests’ curiosity, revealing a Burgundy rich in village traditions, contemporary craftsmanship, family histories, and personal connections.
Eager to reveal Burgundy’s brilliance, Simon and Laura accompanied the couple to an annual village fête. There, in the lively town square, local craftsmen displayed their artisanal wares, and the guests chose two especially meaningful souvenirs: handmade glass earrings and a beautifully crafted pen turned by a Burgundian woodworker. More than mementos, these personal finds reflected the hyperlocal encounters and privileged access that distinguished their week aboard La Vie en Rose.
The couple also arrived aboard La Vie en Rose with one especially exciting wish: a hot air balloon flight over the Burgundian countryside. Simon and Laura made it happen. As the balloon rose into the sky at sunrise, the landscape opened beneath them in a magnificent patchwork of greenery, scenery, farmlands, and villages. “Drifting above the treetops, watching the vineyards unfold beneath us, was nothing short of magical,” the guests said.
BURGUNDY BEAUTIFULLY SERVED
Dining aboard La Vie en Rose was another highlight of the week. “And then there was the food,” says the guest. “Our Chef, Ana, outdid herself meal after meal, every dish beautifully presented and full of flavor.” Inspired by market-fresh produce and seasonal specialties, Ana’s menus celebrated French cuisine while accommodating the guest’s pescatarian preferences with ease and imagination.
The exquisite culinary experience extended ashore as well. One of the week’s most memorable evenings began when Laura accompanied the couple to the wine town of Beaune for a private dinner inside a centuries-old chapel.
Laura personally brought the meal, arranged the table, and illuminated the ancient space with candlelight. As exceptional wines were poured and dinner was served, she shared the chapel’s fascinating story. Here, surrounded by flickering candles and centuries of history, the couple enjoyed a unique evening that could never have been replicated on a larger cruise or in a conventional restaurant.
THE IMAGINATION AND PASSION BEHIND LA VIE EN ROSE
Simon and Laura’s lively approach is supported by decades of experience in hospitality, wine, and luxury hotel barging.
Simon’s wide-ranging career has included managing a ski lodge, serving as head sommelier at a Puligny-Montrachet winery, and working as Cruise Director aboard several hotel barges.
Laura, familiar to many returning Barge Lady guests from her years aboard Savoir Vivre, is a seasoned Tour Guide and accomplished wine expert. A member of the prestigious Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin, she also serves as a juror for its distinguished Tastevinage wine competition.
Originally from England and long settled in France, the couple offers the best of both worlds: effortless conversation and warm companionship combined with an insider’s understanding of French culture and Burgundian life.
“We would wholeheartedly recommend La Vie en Rose to future Barge Lady clients,” the guest concluded. “Their deep experience with barges, wine, and the Burgundian countryside made for an extraordinary trip from start to finish.”
A toast to Captain Simon, Tour Guide Laura, and life in pink aboard La Vie en Rose!