L’Art de Vivre

L'Art de Vivre - Exterior

L'Art de Vivre - Exterior

The 8 passenger L'Art de Vivre started life as a Scottish munitions carrier and survived long enough to be transformed by a team of skilled crafts-men into a floating celebration of the Burgundian "good life".

Your crew of four comprises Captain, Tour guide, Master Chef and Hostess, all with a love for the Nivernais canal, and all secure in the knowledge that their vessel represents L'Art de Vivre itself.

The region simply oozes charm and the cruise is a journey back in time along a magical waterway. The Upper Nivernais remains an undiscovered region, well off the beaten track on the edge of the Morvan hills. The sleepy hamlets, white grazing Charolais cattle, woods and forrests are typical of the scenery we cruise through.

During the summer months we visit the Valley of Sardy, a canal section with smaller locks, where time seems to have stood still for over two hundred years. The hand-swung bridges are a delight and we pass old logging sites which are now almost forgotten memory for the local people.

This is the original home of luxury hotel barging and yet today, a barge is a rarity, welcomed by all, and every journey is a great event.

Cruise Highlights

  • All-inclusive open bar, free wines,gourmet cuisine, entry fees to excursions
  • Medieval town of Clamecy and 13th century cathedral
  • 16 Lock flight at Valley of Sardy
  • Visit the 16th Century home of Marechal Vauban
  • Tour the hill-top basilica of Vézelay
  • Wine tasting at Tannay
  • Optional Hot Air Ballooning