C'est La Vie is a fully crewed, luxury hotel barge offering barge cruises in France. Including river cruises through Burgundy, the Loire and Champagne

The Hotel Barge

The C'est La Vie is a luxury hotel barge which offers you high quality wines, food and hospitality from its experienced captain and crew. Starting life as a commercial barge in 1960 it transported goods across Holland, Belgium and France before being converted in Belgium to a very high standard in 2004.

So as one of the newest luxury hotel barges it is fully equipped with all modern amenities. On the upper deck the lounge and dining areas are air-conditioned and numerous windows give you a panoramic view of the surrounding countryside.

Burgundy & Ile-de-France Barge Cruise 2021

7 days, 6 nights. Highlights: Chateau of Vaux le Vicomte, Sens 1st Gothic Cathedral, Barbizon, Caves of Bailly Lapierre. Restaurant: La Cote St Jacques in Joigny (2 stars Michelin).

Barge Cruises in France - Burgundy Barge Cruise 2021

7 days, 6 nights. Highlights: Chablis, Château of Ancy-le Franc, Medieval town Noyers, Abbey of Fontenay, Auxerre. Restaurant : Hostellerie-des-Clos at Chablis.

Barge Cruises in France - Champagne Barge Cruise 2021

Château Thierry to Reims on the Champagne canal cruise route. 7 days, 6 nights including stops at Belleau-wood, Moet & Chandon champagne house and Haultevilliers.

Barge Cruises in France - Hauts-de-France & Upper Loire Barge Cruise 2021

7 days, 6 nights Hauts-de-France & Upper Loire Hotel Barge Cruise including vistirs to a WW1 Museum in Meaux, Chateau of Vaux le Vicomte, Medieval town of Moret sur Loing, Barbizon, Verrerie of Soisy sur Ecole and Chateau of Fontainebleau.

Barge Cruises in France - Upper Loire Barge Cruise 2021

7 days, 6 nights Upper Loire Hotel Barge Cruise including stops at a Sancerre winery, Faiencerie of Gien, Château of St Fargeau, Montargis, Château of La Bussière and Canal bridge of Briare.

Burgundy 5-night Barge Cruise

Highlights: Chablis, Château of Ancy-le Franc, Noyers and Abbey of Fontenay. Additional tours can be arranged.

Barge Cruises in France - Champagne 5-night Barge Cruise

Highlights: cemetery of Belleauwood, Haultevilliers, La Chocolatier « Thibaut » in Pierry, Champagne visit to a small family run winery and Ployez Jacquemart.

Barge Cruises in France - Upper Loire 5-night Barge Cruise

Highlights: Montargis, Faiencerie of Gien, Château of St Fargeau, Canal bridge of Briare and Sancerre winery. Additional tours can be arranged.

Champagne (i) 3-night Barge Cruise

Highlights: Moet & Chandon, champagne house in Epernay, Haultevilliers- village of monk Dom Perignon, Reims and its Gothic Cathedral.

Barge Cruises in France - Champagne (ii) 3-night Barge Cruise

Highlights: WW1 battlefield and cemetery of Belleau-wood and American monument, Epernay and Moet & Chandon, Haultevilliers- village of monk Dom Perignon.

The whole crew were top notch

We had a wonderful, relaxing time on the barge. The whole crew were top notch, friendly and professional. The food, wine & cheese were outstanding; we also enjoyed the company of our fellow travellers. This was the 2nd barge trip for us, in totally different parts of France, C’est La Vie and the Marne itinerary […]

~ M&G M, VA USA

C’est La Vie est extraordinaire

In my North Carolina French – C’est La Vie est extraordinaire. The food, wine, accommodations, service, excursions and ambience were all superb and easily exceeded our lofty expectations. Olivier, Deb, Tom, Adam, Alix & Heloise seemed to anticipate our every need or desire, for drinks, food, this & that – and all with such warmth […]

~ B&S H, WA

Laughter to remember

A wonderful week, great accommodations, special food, friends and laughter to remember until the next time, thanks to the crew for making our visit special.

~ L&G B, NC USA

We will be back

Merci, Merci, Merci! We cannot thank you enough for sharing the Marne River and its canal with us. Your gracious hospitality, friendship & efficient staff, (Heloise, Alix) Adam’s culinary skills & talent, Tom’s cruising skill & pride in caring for the C’est La Vie! Deb & Olivier you both are wonderful hosts and it’s obvious […]