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Special Discount for New 2009 bookings!

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L'Art de Vivre started life as a Scottish munitions carrier and survived long enough to be transformed by a team of skilled craftsmen into a floating celebration of the Burgundian “good life”. Your crew of four comprise of 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.

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

Itinerary - Nivernais Canal, Burgundy:

Sunday, Day 1 - BAYE
Guests are met at the pick up hotel at 1.30 pm and transferred to L'Art de Vivre.  After a Champagne Welcome, enjoy a stroll along the shores of Baye Lake.  Dinner aboard.

Monday, Day 2 – BAYE TO SARDY
This morning we cruise along the Nivernais canal through the three tunnels of La Collancelle to our lunch-time mooring at the top of a magnificent flight of 16 locks which will lead us to our overnight mooring at Sardy.   The locks are sometimes less than 200 yards apart!   Alongside each lock is a pretty waterfall-weir and some of the lock houses are now craft shops, which can be visited whilst you stroll alongside the barge.  Many consider this canal reach to be one of the most beautiful in France. Dinner aboard.

Tuesday, Day 3 – SARDY TO LA GRANGES
This morning we visit Corbigny and the Château of Bazoches whose illustrious visitors included Richard the Lionheart.  It later became the home of Marechal Vauban, the famous defence engineer, in whose family it has remained until this day.  Following our visit, we return to the barge for a cruise through the remote countryside and meadows of "France Profonde". Enjoy the beauty of the huge beam-levered lock gates and ivy covered lock houses.  Dinner aboard.

Wednesday, Day 4 – LA GRANGES TO MONCEAUX LE COMTE
This morning, we enjoy a cruise to Monceaux.  On the way, we have an opportunity to stroll around Chitry-les-Mines with its 16th century Château, used during world war two as an H.Q. by the local Resistance Group « Les Loups » (The Wolves).  This afternoon we visit one of Burgundy's most picturesque hill-top settings, Vezelay.  Discover the treasured Romanesque Basilica of St Mary Magdalene, lace and craft shops and superb views over the surrounding countryside. Dinner aboard.

Thursday, Day 5 – MONCEAUX LE COMTE TO VILLIERS-SUR-YONNE
Morning cruise, passing beneath Van Gogh style hand operated lifting bridges, mooring for lunch at Tannay before a brief drive to visit the local wineries, famous for the rather special Melon grape variety.  We then continue our cruise to Villiers-Sur-Yonne, in its picturesque setting under willow trees.  This evening we take dinner ashore at the Auberge du Centre serving traditional local cuisine.

Friday, Day 6 – VILLIERS-SUR-YONNE TO CLAMECY
Cruise from Villiers, passing the quaint village of Chevroches perched on the hillside, to arrive in Clamecy for lunch.    There is time to stroll around the narrow streets of Clamecy, former logging capital, and maybe visit the Logging & Barging Museum or climb the hill to view the 13th century Collegiale de St Martin.  Our excursion this afternoon is to the impressive half built fortification at Guedelon.  This is a 25 year project, set up to demonstrate the traditional building methods from the 12th to 14th centuries.  Meet the stone masons, blacksmiths and other craftsmen.  Captain's Farewell Dinner aboard.

Saturday, Day 7 BAYE TO PARIS
After breakfast return to the Paris meeting point hotel for approximately 1pm.

Rates 2010:

Note: All price are in Euro €

Features:

• Length/width: 100' x 16'6''

• Cabins : 3 twins, 1 double

• Air conditioning/central heating throughout

• 8 Mountain bikes, Library

• Private Motorcoach for excursions

• Crew: 4 members

Rates include:

• Accommodation on board the barge

• All meals, table wines and alcoholic beverages

• All sightseeing and admittance fees as stipulated

• Use of vessels' bicycles and other facilities

• Round trip transfers from the meeting point to the barge are also included in the fares

Rates do not include:

• Cancellation and holiday insurance

• On board gratuities and items of personal nature