Experience a better way to barge with the all inclusive 8 passenger Savoir Vivre.
Something we are seeing a lot more of recently is ploughing in the vineyards with ancient breeds of horses. Domaine Chandon in Savigny Lès Beaune have sold their tractors and now only use their four horses. Come and join us on the Savoir Vivre to find out more and meet these magnificent beasts.
Spring has sprung here in Burgundy and we have started the season with our first passengers!
As part of each cruise we visit the famed outdoor market in Dijon. There is time to look around the market and to explore the well-preserved Medieval old town. Plenty of opportunities to shop; think mustard! Then it's back to Savoir Vivre for lunch and an afternoon cruise through gorgeous scenery.
Wakey wakey Savoir Vivre! Our season preparations are nearing completion.
Somehow, our region’s beauty still bops us on the back of the head. Burgundy defines beauty.
"Would it be possible to tailor the trip toward a more wine focus?"
We have a wide range of burgundy wines onboard which are served throughout the week. These are served with lunch and are available at all times. Simon, our tour guide, is very experienced in the local wine industry and previously worked for winemakers both in their tour programmes and as a sommelier. He is on board during the day to help passengers explore the wines we have.
On our tours, our programme includes visits to Burgundy vineyards and wine makers. Even our tour of the goat’s cheese farm is with a family who also produce their own wine which guests enjoy during the cheese tasting.
There is also wine with dinner. Captain Richard will es**rt you to your restaurant each evening and will assist with selecting wine for your meal.
In truth, when we have had private charters with wine focussed guests, we tend to revert to our normal tour programme because even they tend to get a little ‘wined-out’!
As part of each cruise, we pay a visit to Ferme de Poisset, an authentic cheese maker. Meet the goats, learn about the local cheeses and then taste! With some lovely wines too, of course.
Question: Can all the cabins have twin beds if desired?
The Savoir Vivre is not a conversion of an older commercial barge. Instead, she was constructed as a brand new ship. Our four cabins are identical and each can be set up as either one queen bed or two twin beds. So yes, you can have all twin beds, all queen beds or any combination of the two!
Meet Annie, our friend and wine tasting partner in Chambolle Musigny. She has a wealth of knowledge about Burgundy wines and even owns vines in the region herself. A born and bred Burgundian Annie will help you understand the intricacies of this complicated and exciting wine region!
"How do the tours fit into the week?"
Each day includes an excursion in our dedicated, air-conditioned Mercedes minivan to explore hidden gems of Burgundy. Simon, your local expert and private guide, has curated a program of tours and wine tastings for the week. Some days will be cruising in the morning and then a tour in the afternoon (wine tastings, for example, are always afternoon). Others are reversed, with a tour in the morning and afternoon cruise (Dijon market, for example).
Each evening we have a second excursion as we visit a different, carefully selected restaurant for dinner!
"This barge is EVERY BIT as beautiful as pictured. What is impossible to anticipate is the breezy and casual elegance of the public spaces and how well-designed the cabins and bathrooms are. For instance, there is plenty of storage space and the right lighting! This kind of attention to detail permeates the whole program." Ellen Sack, Barge Lady Cruises
"How easy is it to get on and off the boat to walk or cycle?"
One of the lovely things about cruising on the Savoir Vivre are the frequent opportunities to hop from the boat to the tow path alongside the canal to explore the surrounding countryside and villages by foot or by bike.
When underway there are frequent locks where you can simply step on/off the ship while the boat is stationary in the lock. You can walk or cycle along the towpath and we’ll meet you at the next lock! It is a safe and unhurried process.
When tied up, you can walk or cycle and explore local villages too. our unique V-Shaped hull means that we moor directly next to the canal side. As such, our gangway is the shortest of any barge.
So when it comes to fresh air and exercise, there are lots of options - be lazy or go crazy!
It's so peaceful cruising along the Ouche Valley on the Savoir Vivre!
On the Savoir Vivre our lunches are freshly prepared and provided by a 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.
Burgundy's charm runs deep. Its unassuming beauty tickles the soul. The quaintness of the villages, the elegance of the chateaux, its gastronomic restaurants and a quietly proud and modest way of life. These are the elements that grow on you with a cruise aboard the Savoir Vivre
Another of our evening restaurants, L’Oree du Bois is a very special French creperie. These authentic crepes offer a wide range of savory and sweet treats, each made with skill and attention using local ingredients.
With its vaulted ceiling, central fireplace, mezzanine dining level and fabulous food, L’Oree du Bois is a firm favourite of the Savoir Vivre. Also, a magnificent view point is just a minute's walk away!
"Before I traveled on the Savoir Vivre I saw a photo of the night time glow and thought it was enchanting. It was even better in person!" Savoir Vivre Guest
Located in the famous, gorgeous hilltop village of Châteauneuf-en-Auxois, another of our evening restaurant has recently been acquired by Chef Guillaume. If this name sounds familiar, it’s because he was the former chef of the Michelin starred restaurant at the Abbaye de la Bussière. His horizons continue to expand with the opening of La Table de Guillaume following his successful launch of L’Auberge de Guillaume, which we also visit!
The Burgundy region of France offers a voyage of discovery encompassing culture, architecture, history and natural beauty. Enjoy vineyard tours, explore ancient châteaux, browse authentic markets. Cycle along the towpaths next to your private moving boutique hotel.
One of our six evening dine ashore restaurants, Le Spuller is located in Sombernon, a village of approximately 800 residents nestled in the countryside equidistant from Dijon, Beaune and the Cote d’Or vineyards. The magnificent views offered by its hillside location are a perfect setting to dine at while afternoon turns to evening.
The food at Le Spuller is unashamedly simple - elegantly, authentically, and tastefully so. Our guests adore it: the combination of setting, quality of cuisine, and exceptionally friendly service hits all the marks.
Burgundy's wine heritage is amongst the most important and fascinating in the world. The monks of Clos de Vougeot developed and mastered the intricate and delicate process of wine making in the 12th Century. They learnt to harness the perfect surroundings they found themselves in for producing the finest wines in the world. Today the wine produced in the region remains world leading. Burgundy and winemaking are a marriage made in heaven.
One of our evening dining excursions, "Restaurant de la Porte Guillaume" at Hotel du Nord is located in the heart of Dijon. This venue serves up classical flavors of Burgundian cuisine with local flair!
A casual ambiance awaits patrons as they linger over rustic dishes such as butter-drizzled escargot, duck with mushroom soufflé, and of course, Boeuf Bourguignon. Cheese fiends will adore the after-dinner cheese menu with a dozen of the area’s artisanal selections, including the signature Epoisse.
"One of the highlights of my day is introducing people to the wines of Burgundy. These mythical wines famous throughout the world. This tiny wine making area produces such a small amount of beautiful wine. So introducing people to these names they may have seen on a wine bottle, showing them around these wine making villages and introducing them to the winemakers that lovingly make these wines is such a pleasure." Savoir Vivre Expert Guide
Another of our evening restaurants is "Le Bistrot des Moines" at Abbaye De La Bussiere. Founded in 1131 and transformed into a luxury Relais et Chateau hotel, the Abbaye de la Bussiere occupies a beguiling canal-side location. The grounds are resplendent with sculptured gardens and lake along with historical delights including an ancient church, crypt, cloister, refectory, farmhouse, dovecote, outhouses, wine press and monastic dwellings.
In the evenings, instead of dining on board the ship we explore some of the authentic french restaurants along our route. L'Auberge Gourmand's head chef Christophe learned his craft in such venues as Guy Savoy in Paris, Hotel Negresco in Nice and Restaurant Fredy Giradet in Switzerland. So his credentials speak volumes!
Welcome to the Savoir Vivre, where our luxurious and adventurous barge cruise awaits you. Our cruises offer up to eight passengers a chic, relaxed and engaging insight into rural french life, culture, gastronomy, wine making and history. If you are looking for a barge cruising experience with a difference, our cruises are just what you need.
We stumbled upon a professional wine tasting at the Clos de Vougeot. The outcome of this tasting decides which wines receive the prestigious Tastevinage label from the Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin
Our intrepid passengers embarked on a culinary adventure last week to produce the finest Burgundy gougères. Each couple lovingly cooked this local speciality together to produce some fantastic results.
Brand new Pommard 1ère Cru Les Rugiens 2023. Pressed two days ago, in a few weeks the colour will be a deep red.
It's harvest time here in Beaune!! Things are looking great, quality and quantity are both putting smiles on everyone's faces. 2023 rocks!
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Wakey wakey Savoir Vivre! Our season preparations are nearing completion. Somehow, our region’s beauty still bops us on the back of the head. Burgundy defines beauty.
Enjoy an early morning coffee on the deck of the Savoir Vivre.
Another delightful lunch aboard the Savoir Vivre. Lunches are prepared by our local, private chef and paired with Burgundian wines.
A beautiful summer day cruising the 'Canal du Bourgogne' on the Savoir Vivre.
It's so peaceful cruising along the Ouche Valley on the Savoir Vivre!
Mist rising from the port of Escommes. Fall cruising on the Savoir Vivre.
Captain Richard eases the Savoir Vivre into another lock. Looks easy doesn't it?
Welcome to where we are!
We’ve got a break in our season for a quick trip to the dry-dock for fresh anodes and a few other bits. As they say on boats “if there’s time to stand, it’s time to sand!” #bargelife
Your first cup of coffee on the Savoir Vivre.
Getting ready for lunch aboard the Savoir Vivre.
A fun video of a Savoir Vivre barge guest 'buzzing' along the canal side path on one of our onboard bikes!
Welcome to the Savoir Vivre, where our luxurious and adventurous barge cruise awaits you. Our cruises offer up to eight passengers a chic, relaxed and engaging insight into rural french life, culture, gastronomy, wine making and history. If you are looking for a barge cruising experience with a difference, our cruises are just what you need! #luxurycruises #rivercruise #WineLover #france #dijon
The 'Savoir Vivre' makes her way through the last few locks to her winter mooring. Another spectacular season reconnecting people with life via calm waters, beautiful Burgundy and the incredible efforts of her best-in-the-business crew. We were number 1 for occupancy this year - and guest satisfaction. Join us in 2017 to sample our unique take on French luxury barge cruising! Www.boutiquebargecompany.con
Here is a video showing our barge hotel, the Savoir Vivre. It covers our magnificent vessel, beautiful cruise route, high quality dining, knock-out wines, exclusive tours, and our unique on-shore evening dining program. You'll also meet our AMAZING crew!
Crystal Groome of 'The Barge Connection is one of our top brokers and has kindly sent us some edits of a video feature she commissioned. We love them! Enjoy!! Video 2
Crystal Groome of 'The Barge Connection is one of our top brokers and has kindly sent us some edits of a video feature she commissioned. We love them! Enjoy!!
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Experience a more immersive way to barge with the all inclusive 8-Passenger Savoir Vivre. Our unique format offers a more chic, relaxed, fun, authentic and ever-so-slightly adventurous gastronomic barge cruising experience.
We cruise along one of France's most beautiful canals, the Canal du Bourgogne. When not enjoying the spectacular and charming scenery, you will explore hidden gems of French life, history and culture via air conditioned van and expert guidance of Laura, your private guide.
Each evening you will enjoy 'real France' dining experiences at different authentic local restaurants. Lunch comes by way of private chef. All meals including wine and a generous open bar are included in your cruise price.
Our crew are amongst the most experienced in barging. Captain Richard Megret has been involved in Barging his whole life and knows how to turn 'vacation' into a 'life long memory!'. His understated, relaxed, hilarious yet professional style epitomises the 'Savoir Vivre Way'.
The founder of Savoir Vivre, James Waggott, developed his unique vision of a new more chic, casual and authentic gastronomic French barge cruising experience over several years while cruising these same waterways. The essence of James' 'Savoir Vivre way' is to pluck the finest elements of Ultra-Deluxe barge cruising (such as whole boat charter exclusivity), do away with superfluous elements, and then layer in new enriching experiences (such as local restaurant dining). At the same time he is able to offer industry leading value for guests.
James' love of the cuisine and culture of France is what drives this concept. He's not shy when it comes to challenges. He is a serial adventurer encompassing extreme travel adventures, public speaking, social enterprise and, as he puts it, "getting stuck into the adventure that life is".
