Barge Cruise: Savoir Vivre
About Le Savoir Vivre
A Barge Cruise: Seven Days/ Six Nights
Introduced in 2009, the up to 8-passenger Savoir Vivre offers a truly unique French dining experience by dining around town at local, authentic restaurants each and every evening. In selecting the restaurants for your cruise, the crew aims to provide you with authentic locations that offer typical French cuisine and relaxed, charming environments. Lunches aboard the barge are catered daily by top local Chefs with many years of experience in barge cruising. There is a complimentary " open refrigerator " for guests to enjoy 24 hours a day that includes soft drinks, wine, beer, spirits and snacks. This innovative way of operating means that cruises aboard the Savoir Vivre combine a rich, historical and cultural dining experience at a great value since everything is included in one price.
A Journey of Discovery
THE OFFER
We paid $12,000 for the one week for an all in hosted trip for two people; but unfortunately COVID hit the world and we had to postpone the trip till this year for the 2nd of October 2022.
Then sadly (recently) my touring partner fell awfully sick and is unable to partake in the trip, thus we are offering this amazing wonderful week vacation, which is a; ‘chic, relaxed, fun, authentic and an ever-so-slightly adventurous gastronomic cruise experience’ for two people, for the price of $10,000.
If you are interested in purchasing this unique experience at a discounted price, then please contact me as soon as possible to have the tickets transferred to you.
Thank You Yvonne
One of the many wonderful evenings: Le Château Sainte Sabine, amazing dinning between Dijon and Beaune, on the banks of the Burgundy Canal
ITINERARY
Breakfast and Lunch on Board
Breakfasts are enjoyed in a traditional French manner, casual and relaxed. Often, we will already be underway when you rise and enjoy a continental breakfast as we glide through the calm waters. A fresh coffee or orange juice on the foredeck on a balmy morning is really 'up there' in terms of a relaxed and pleasant start to the day.
Lunches are freshly prepared and provided by private chef who meets us along our route. We take advantage of the fact that, while we are a ship, we are not at sea. Our guests love this high-quality, personal style of lunch. It perfectly complements the setting with uncompromising quality.
Sunday - We'll Meet You in Dijon - Welcome Aboard!
Our captain will meet your party in late afternoon in central Dijon. This is either at the Rail Station (there are frequent and fast TGV trains from Paris) or local hotel. From there, you'll be chauffeured to Savoir Vivre at moored in Fleury-sur-Ouche, a classic village nestled on the Canal de Bourgogne. There will be time to unpack and explore, helping you work up an appetite for your first on-shore dinner at the local, friendly and refined restaurant "L'Auberge Gourmande."
Monday - Fleurey-sur-Ouche to Gissey - 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. The Savoir Vivre ties up in Gissey where you can stroll into this ancient and charming village. After lunch on board, (prepared by our private chef and delivered to the ship), you will be driven south to the famed Cote d'Or wine region. Your first visit today is to Chateau du Clos de Vougeot where wine was produced by Cistercian monks from the 12th century. Examine the ancient wine presses and learn more about winemaking and life in that long ago era. Then it's back to present- day pleasures at a wine-tasting which introduces this area's vintages. Return to Savoir Vivre. In the evening, we visit Restaurant De La Porte Guillaume, located in the heart of Dijon. The rich, comforting flavors of Burgundian cuisine are at the forefront of this bistro's regionally-inspired menu.
Tuesday - Gissey to La Bussiere - Magnificent Markets
After breakfast on board featuring village-baked pastries still warm from the oven, we head to Dijon to mingle with locals at the famed outdoor market. There will be time to look around the well-preserved Medieval old town and shop - think mustard! Then it's back to Savoir Vivre for lunch and an afternoon cruise through gorgeous scenery to La Bussiere-sur-Ouche. Relax on board or explore by bicycle - let's meet up with our barge at the next lock! Later, explore the exquisite Abbaye De La Bussiere and then enjoy dinner within this fabulous setting at their excellent 'Le Bistrot des Moines'.
Wednesday - La Bussière-sur-Ouche to Pont d'Ouche - Beautiful Beaune
Take a moment to reflect this morning as we cruise to Pont d'Ouche. After lunch aboard, sightseeing takes center stage as you head to 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!). And there will be time to explore the shops or visit a cafe in the square. Return to the barge in late afternoon, then relax until we drive you to the nearby delight of "Le Spuller", your restaurant for this evening.
Thursday - Pont d'Ouche to Vandenesse-en-Auxois - Charming Cheese!
You've tasted wine, now it's time to taste cheese. After a peaceful start to your day we visit Ferme de Poisset, an authentic cheese maker and her beautiful goats. Yes, you'll learn and then you'll taste! With wine of course. After all, you are in France. Return to Savoir Vivre and walk the towpath or bicycle into a nearby village - or just relax on board with a good book - as Savoir Vivre continues its journey on the historic Canal de Bourgogne to Vandenesse-en-Auxois. Tonight you will dine at "L'Oree du Bois", an authentic creperie (which is a French dining institution) located in the heart of Chateauneuf en Auxois. Before dinner enjoy a glass of wine at the stunning lookout point.
Friday - La Repe to Escommes - Hilltop Medieval Village
After breakfast, we return to the lovely medieval village and chateau of Chateauneuf-en-Auxois perched high on a hill overlooking the canal. Explore on cobblestoned streets, peek into private gardens, and then tour the haunting chateau. Back to Savoir Vivre for lunch as we continue our cruise into the Valley of the Ouche. Dinner is at ‘Le Lassey' at Chateau de Sainte Sabine, an elegant mansion, built in an old monastery. The Michelin-starred chef-driven cuisine focuses on the region's abundance of fresh local produce, products, and ingredients.
Saturday - Escommes 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 for an onward journey. We hope to see you on Savoir Vivre again!
Note: This itinerary is a guide only and is subject to changes to accommodate public holidays, closures and guest preferences! It cruises in the reverse direction on alternate weeks.
Fabulous! Exceeded our expectations. The meals and wines were Excellent. Really enjoyed having dinners off the barge at first class restaurants. We love the barge route. The countryside was pastoral, peaceful and beautiful. It was great to walk the towpath as the barge moved slowly along the canal through numerous locks. High points were the countryside, the excursions, the restaurants, the food and wine...everything.!
F&C P
We had a lovely time on the Savoir Vivre. We really enjoyed the many excursions and meals off the boat each night. The breakfasts and lunches on the boat were really good too. In fact there was an abundance of wonderful food and wine. The crew of 3, being Richard (skipper) and Marie (assistant) and Laura (travel guide) were a lot of fun and really made our stay very enjoyable.
K.M. Australia
Absolutely one, if not the best, vacations I ever had. Barge was very nice. The crew was fantastic. The service was fantastic! The crew is what made the trip so fantastic. Loved being able to get off and either walk or ride along the canal and visit any villages along the way. high points were Chateauneuf and it's village. The trip to the goat farm and cheese manufacturer. Loved meeting the artist Paul Day's wife and seeing his artwork and art studio. Loved touring Dijon and Beaune. Fantastic experience on a great barge with the best crew in one of the most scenic parts of France, enjoying the best food and wine there is. It doesn't get any better than that.