Barge Cruise: La Vie En Rose
Cruise In France On The Canal du Centre and Saone River In Southern Burgundy Aboard The First Class Hotel-Barge LA VIE EN ROSE
BARGE CRUISES: SEVEN DAYS/SIX NIGHTS
The 6-passenger first-class barge La Vie en Rose (formerly known as the Who Knows) is operated by Alexandre Arsie, who is the owner and captain. La Vie en Rose cruises in Southern Burgundy and offers half board charter cruises with three meals (1 lunch and 2 dinners) at a local restaurant at the guests' expense.
La Vie en Rose was built in 1930 and is one of the finest examples of a classic Dutch barge in Europe, with hardwood interior and brass finishings throughout. There are three cabins, one with a double bed and two with twin beds. The cabins have newly renovated, spacious, modern, and luxurious bathrooms. With the addition of central heating and air conditioning, the barge is extremely comfortable all year round. The newly refurbished upper salon has a cozy yet contemporary style, making it an enjoyable place to read a book or enjoy an aperitif before dinner. The lower level offers an open plan kitchen and dining area equipped with a fully stocked open bar.
Cruising is all about the outside and La Vie en Rose is the perfect barge to take in the wonderful scenery as you glide by the picturesque French countryside. Join Captain Alexandre in the wheel house under the large, permanent sun canopy and admire the art of piloting a large boat. The canopied area has transformed this outdoor area into an all-weather outside terrace, giving passengers more options for comfortable and roomy seating. Lounge under the warm lazy sun on one of the steamer deck chairs while you doze the afternoon away, or enjoy dining al fresco on the large main deck.
France is world renowned for its cuisine and grand wines. A vacation aboard La Vie en Rose will allow you to experience the very best offered in Burgundy. Every day fresh bread, croissants and other pastries are delivered to the boat or collected from local boulangeries along the route. A highlight of each day will be the dinners you will indulge in both on board and ashore, allowing you to taste the cuisine of France first hand. Both on board and ashore you will discover a broad choice of many different cheeses. France has more than a 1,000 different varieties that not only represents the country's rich heritage, but also its culture and traditions. Drawing from France's extensive and varied selection of wines, your cruise will offer you the perfect opportunity to sample, compare and enjoy the excellent wines that represent many of France's wine producing districts. We visited La Vie en Rose in August 2018 and met the owner and found the barge to be well designed and immaculate. Alexandre, your warm and gracious host shared with us a terrific bottle of Champagne as well.
Features
- Size of barge: 94 ft by 14 ft
- Number of Passengers: 6
- Number of Cabins (all with private bath): 3
- Crew: 4
- Air Conditioning and Central Heating: Yes
- Salon: Main salon on the upper level has comfortable seating and large windows. On the lower level is the dining area and bar.
- Bar: Open bar
- Deck: Large sundeck for outside dining with steamer chairs and a small deck forward of the wheelhouse. Awnings for shade.
- Spa Tub: No
- Cabin Features: One queen-bedded cabin 119 sq ft and two twin-bedded cabins 109 sq ft each, including ensuite bathroom with large shower
- Vehicle for Transfers/Excursions: Minivan seating 9
- Accessibility: 4 steps from deck to salon, 4 steps from salon to cabins, 2 steps to upper deck
- Bicycles: 6 single speed bikes
- Meal plan: Half board (one lunch and two dinners on shore at passenger's expense)
- Wi-Fi: Yes - limited in some areas
La Vie en Rose's Deck Plan
SAMPLE ITINERARY*
Burgundy: Canal du Centre & Saone River
Saint-Julien-sur-Dheune to Seurre (Half Board) 2023
Burgundy: Canal du Centre & Saone River
Saint-Julien-sur-Dheune to Seurre (Half Board) 2023
Chateau de Couches
Cote de Beaune Vineyards
Hospice de Beaune
Chalon-sur-Saone
Outdoor market
Guests are met at Le Creusot TGV railway station in the afternoon and taken by minibus to La Vie en Rose, which is moored on the tranquil Canal du Centre in the pretty village of Saint-Julien-sur-Dheune. Champagne Welcome and dinner in the evening gives us the opportunity to chat about the coming week's itinerary, while you gently unwind from your journey.
Monday - Saint-Julien-sur-Dheune to Saint-Léger-sur-Dheune
The day begins with a cruise to the village of Saint-Léger-sur-Dheune which will be our mooring for the evening. After a lunch aboard La Vie en Rose, we visit by minibus the famous Château de Couches, known as the Château de Marguerite de Bourgogne. It is a magnificent XIIe Century fortress classified as a "Monument Historique" which represents all the different phases of its building from the 11th up to the 19th century. On the way back to La Vie en Rose, we propose an excursion through the Maranges villages to the mountain of the three crosses, a magnificent panorama! We will finish this first day in a local auberge to discover their regional cooking (not included).
Tuesday - Saint-Léger-sur-Dheune to Santenay
We depart Saint-Léger-sur-Dheune for a leisurely cruise to the village of Santenay, which nestles among the famous vineyards and preserved landscape of the Southern Côte de Beaune. This morning we will go in the direction of Mercurey for a meeting with an old friend winegrower, Agnes, in the Domaine Meix-Foulot. Agnes will take us to her vineyards for an outside tasting and then return in the winery to tell us how she makes her wine. Today for lunch - maybe a picnic, surprise !! This afternoon will be an opportunity to discover the wonders of the "Côte Chalonnaise." You might enjoy the magnificent views offered by this region. On the way back we will stop at Russily, a charming typical village for an authentic goat farm visit and why not, a cheese tasting! We return to La Vie en Rose for a relaxing evening and dinner onboard.
Wednesday - Santenay to Chagny
We start the day with a short cruise to the town of Chagny where we will moor for the evening. After a relaxing breakfast we depart for the historic town of Beaune, the wine capital of Burgundy. Today is market day and for lunch we propose the restaurant "Le Conty" (not included), a wonderful dining place with a pleasant cellar atmosphere. We will dedicate this afternoon to a visit of the historic "Hospices de Beaune" and the Hotel Dieu, built in the XVe century (with a private guide). Then free time for shopping in the pedestrian zone and why not a "café" in the village square! We return to La Vie en Rose through the vineyards for a restful evening and dinner on board.
Thursday - Chagny to Fragnes
This morning we continue with our cruise towards Fragnes, ideally situated to discover the "Côte Chalonnaise", where we will moor for the evening. South of the Côte de Beaune, the Côte Chalonnaise has ruby-coloured red wine and delicate white wine of great renown coming from Pinot Noir, Chardonnay or Aligoté. After a lunch onboard depart for a visit to the wonderful Château de Rully. The Chateau de Rully is a medieval fortress built in the 12th century; since then the Chateau has been kept in the same family. The current owner will be your private guide and he will tell you the history of his ancestors. We will finish the tour by a wine tasting in the old kitchen of the Chateau. To continue this wonderful evening you will enjoy a dinner taken ashore (not included) in a local auberge or, if you wish a "Gastronomic Experience", you might appreciate the restaurant "Lameloise", the only Michelin 3 star restaurant in Burgundy, an icon of French cuisine.
Friday - Fragnes to Seurre
This morning we take a short car ride to the town of Chalon-sur-Saône (the birthplace of photography). Chalon has a Cathedral with a lovely square surrounded by medieval buildings. It is market day today, the square filled with fruit and vegetables stalls and the other streets littered with all sorts of market traders selling a plethora of goods. A real insight into French life. We return to La Vie en Rose for lunch and a leisurely cruise to the village of Seurre. This evening your farewell meal starts with cocktails and canapés on the deck overlooking the Saône river.
Saturday - Seurre
After a last breakfast, guests are taken by our private chauffeur to Le Creusot TGV railway station in good time to catch their train.
Note: The cruise program has been set-up in order to optimize the minibus transit time but the visits during the week can be tailored to the guest's wishes. Why not a visit to Dijon or Clos-de-Vougeot? This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change. It cruises in the reverse direction on alternate weeks.
Dining Aboard La Vie en Rose:
SAMPLE MENU
SAMPLE DINNER- Amuses Bouches
- Eggplant tart tatin with pine nuts
- Fillet of Charolais in salt crust with herbs
- Apple lemon sorbet with Marc de Bourgogne : Burgundian tradition
- Local cheese plate
- Crème brulée with anise of Flavigny
LA VIE EN ROSE CELLAR-2023Captain Alex selection!!
Wine List
White wines:
- Macon, Les Vignerons de Mancey, Les Cadoles 2020
- Macon, Les Vignerons de Mancey, Rosé "Givré" 2020
- Macon, Les Vignerons de Mancey, Les Essentielles 2020
- Montagny, Domaine de Montorge 1er Cru, Monopole 2019
- Saint-Véran, Domaine de La Feuillarde, V.V. Maison Rouge 2019
- Bouzeron, Domaine Michel Briday, Cuvée Axelle 2019
- Haute Côte de Beaune, Domaine AUB Labry 2019
- Auxey-Duresse, Domaine ALB Labry 2019
- Petit Chablis, Domaine Milcent 2020
- Chablis, Domaine de Vauroux 2019
- Santenay, Domaine Bachey-Legros, 1er Cru Clos des Gravières 2020
- Rully, Domaine Michel Briday, 1er Cru Gresigny 2020
- Ladoix Domaine Edmont Cornut & Fils 2020
- Chassagne-Montrachet, Domaine Bache-Legros, 1er Cru Morgeot, Les Petits Clos 2020
- Beaujolais, Domaine des Fonds, Fleurie 2020
- Givry, Domaine Chofflet, Heritage 2019
- Mercurey, Domaine Meix-Foulot, 1er Cru Les Veleys 2019
- Aloxe Corton, Domaine Edmont Cornu et Fils, Vieilles Vignes 2020
- Maranges, Domaine Bachey-Legros, Vieilles Vignes 2020
- Santenay, Domaine Bachey-Legros, Les Champs Claude, V.V. 2020
- Savigny-Les-Beaune, Domaine Lebreuil, 1er Cru Aux Clous 2019
- Saint Joseph, Côte du Rhône, Domaine Guigal, 2019
- Crozes-Hermitage, Côte du Rhône, Domaine Guigal, 2020
- Pic Saint Loup, Bergerie de CHortus, 2021
- Côtes du Roussillon, Domaine du Clos des Fées, Les Sorcières Rouges 2021
- Gevrey-Chambertin, Domaine Georges Lignier L Fils, 1er Cru Les Combottes 2017
- Vosne-Romanée, Domaine Jérôme Chezeaux, Aux Réas 2020
- Crémant de Bourgogne, Domaine Vitteaut Alberti :
Cuvée Agnes
Blanc de Blanc - Ménetou Salon, Domaine Clément
Rosé
Sauvignon blanc classique
Rouge Tradition - Côte du Rhône, Domaine Guigal:
Côte du Rhône Village
Passenger Comments from the 2022 Log Book:
It was incredible. The crew was amazing; kind, helpful, amusing entertaining. Thank you Léa, Sylvain and Nono. Alex was a gentleman and superb host. I 'll always think of him dancing at the wheel as we went through the lock clearly. The wine and food was beyond expectation. Getting to know the region, life on a barge, tasting and experiencing the business of wine. So much learned and we will be cherished. Words are inadequate to express how much this trip meant to us. Our memories are full of pleasant thoughts.
John & Nadine - Ottawa, June 2022
Dear Alex, Emma, Nono and Lea:
Many thanks for a beautiful week on La Vie en Rose, we felt as if Edith Piaf was here. But since she wasn’t, we enjoyed providing music for you and having you join in! Of course everything about our time with you was magical – the marvellous food and wine, the fascinating tours to towns, vineyards, and yes - even goats! Many thanks for the wonderful descriptions of Burgundy – this added so much to our week (and thanks for the NY Times, Nono!) We hope we will meet all of you again, sometime…somewhere!
Fondly
Philip & Carolyn – Minnesota, July 2022
Dear new family
What I would like to say cannot fit this page. You all are extraordinary and very special human beings. We leave with you our heartful gratitude for this remarkable week onboard La Vie en Rose.
With affection.
Cathie - Minnesota, July 2022
Dear Crew
After weeks of trains multiple short stays and many hectic moves, we landed amoung your family for a whole welcome week! Captain Alex, Chef Sylvain, Léa and Nono : you guys blessed us with a wonderfully diverse week of food, wine, desserts, vine, meal after meal, day after day; each meal a surprise and delight ! Thank you all so much for the magic bus tours and adventures. Day after day, treat after treat ! You all kept us laughing, shared special wine, and recipies with us, and made our visit relaxing in so many ways, everyday, from safe travel through the locks to wonderful little hand-made flowers and napkins to made-to-order eggs and other treats and Lea's and Nono's thoughtful care to meet all our needs and wants ! Merci ! Merci ! Merci ! We love you Guys !
Bob & Gini - Missouri, July 2022
Six good friends over 40 years finally got to do the barge trip of a lifetime, after COVID 19 delaying us for 3 Octobers... Worth every moment of waiting !!
The crew, food, wine, barge, and ambiance was beyond belief. Captain Alex was a pro, Sylvain an unbelievable Chef, Nono (or Oui Oui :-), an accommodating and fun driver, and Callum a steward "extraordinaire" - All lots of fun ! Interesting and unique excursions made for some special days. Soon well be back in Colorado and going on our DIETS !!
Laurie - Colorado, October 2022
LINKS to La Vie En Rose Information
This page last updated December 25, 2023