La Vie en Rose

 

ornamentLa Vie en Rose has three well appointed air conditionned cabins with en-suite bath, and two fabulous outside decks to take full advantage of the magnificent French scenery as you cruise slowly by.

About La Vie en Rose

Owner of La Vie en Rose, Alexandre Arsié Built in 1930 in Holland, La Vie en Rose was used for ferrying grain, stone, wood and other dry cargo throughout Europe. The barge was moored in the center of Paris for 17 years, where she was owned by the famous American actor Sterling Hayden.

La Vie en Rose's owner, Alexandre Arsié has spent his career on the waterways of France, working at everything from diving to repair canal locks, to managing a supply chain for laying offshore pipeline. Owning and operating a luxury canal barge is a new chapter in his life, one that he is looking forward to with great anticipation. Alex comes from Lyon, known as the 'food capital of France', and has strong ties to the winemakers of the region, many of whom are his former school mates.

La Vie en Rose Specifications

Classic Luxemotor built in 1930, full refit in 2004. Dimensions:
Length: 31.46 meters | 103 ft 2 in
Beam: 4.79 meters | 15 ft 8 in
Draft: 1.10 meter | 3 ft 7 in
Air draft: 2.80 meters / 9 ft 2 in

La Vie en Rose Cruise Itinerary

Special 2021 Premier Cru Cruise for Wine lovers!

7 days / 6 nights - Cruising from Saint-Julien-sur-Dheune to Seurre.

This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change. La Vie en Rose cruises in the reverse direction on alternate weeks.

La Vie en Rose introduces passengers to a selection of Premiers Cru wines of the Côte Chalonnaise and Côte de Beaune. Only Premier Cru are served onboard , featuring Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines.

Sunday, Saint-Julien-sur-Dheune
You are met at Le Creusot railway stationat four in the afternoon and taken by minivan to La Vie en Rose, moored on the tranquil Canal du Centre in the pretty village of Saint-Julien-sur-Dheune. A Champagne toast welcomes you aboard, followed by the first gourmet meal of your voyage. A selection of Premiers Cru wines accompany your meal, and are offered from the open wine bar throughout your cruise. A relaxing evening offers an 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 where the barge will moor for the remainder of the day. After lunch, served aboard, you will board the minivan to be taken to 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. On the way back to La Vie en Rose, we pass through three charming villages, pausing for an afternoon wine tasting. We will finish this first day in a local auberge to enjoy the regional cuisine. (All restaurant meals are at guest's expense.)

Tuesday, Saint-Léger-sur-Dheune to Santenay
We depart Saint-Léger-sur-Dheune for a leisurely cruise to the village of Santenay, nestled amongst the famous vineyards and scenic landscape of the Southern Côte de Beaune. This morning we will take the Route des Grands Crus from Santenay to the Village of Pommard. You will stop for lunch at Le Cellier Volnaysien, a favorite restaurant of local residents. Following lunch, you will visit the wonderful Château de la Rochepot. This fairytale-like chateau was restored after being ransacked during the French Revolution and is now among the finest architectural examples of this period. We return to La Vie en Rose for a restful evening and dinner onboard.

Wednesday, Santenay to Chagny
After a relaxing breakfast, you will start the day with a short cruise to our next mooring at the town of Chagny. You will leave La Vie en Rose for the historic town of Beaune, wine capital of Burgundy. Today is market day in Beaune and your visit will include a guided tour of the historic Hospice de Beaune and , built in the XVe century. Next you will stop for lunch at Le Conty, a wonderful restaurant with the atmosphere of a wine cellar. Before returning to La Vie en Rose, you will visit the Patriarche Cellars for a wine tasting. These world famous cellars are among the oldest in Burgundy. A pleasant drive through the vineyards brings you back to La Vie en Rose for a restful evening and dinner onboard.

Thursday, Chagny to Fragnes
This morning you will cruise towards Fragnes, ideally situated to discover the Côte Chalonnaise, in the southern part of the Côte de Beaune. This area produces ruby-colored reds and delicate white wines from the Pinot Noir, Chardonnay or Aligoté grapes grown here. After lunch, served onboard, you are treated to a private tasting at the Château de Chamirey in Mercurey. You will receive a warm welcome from the Devillard family, owners of the Château, and old acquaintance of the Captain and his family. Magnificent views await you on the short drive to the three-starred Michelin restaurant Lameloise, an icon of French cuisine, where you will enjoy dinner before returning to the barge.

Friday, Fragnes to Seurre
This morning you set out on a short excursion to Chalon-sur-Saône, a picturesque town with a lovely square surrounded by a Cathedral and Medieval buildings. On market day, the square is lined with vendors' stalls, overflowing with the freshest local farm products. Chalon-sur-Saone is known as the birthplace of photography, with the first photographs in history taken there in 1827. We return to La Vie en Rose for lunch and a leisurely cruise to the village of Seurre. This evening features an elegant farewell meal, starting with cocktails and canapés on the deck, overlooking the Saône River.

Saturday, Day 7 St-Julien-sur-Dheune
Ater breakfast, we say farewell as our private chauffeur escorts you to Le Creusot TGV railway station for continuation of your journey.

Cuisine Aboard La Vie en Rose

The Right Wine with the Right Food

We take great pride in the authentic French cuisine and select regional wines served aboard La Vie en Rose. This is a great opportunity to share French culture, which is deeply rooted in le plaisir de la table. We use only the freshest, locally-sourced seasonal ingredients, matched with carefully selected Premiers Cru wines.

It is a great pleasure for me to share my passion for wine and food with our passengers.

Alexandre Arsi
Captain, La Vie en Rose

Sample Diner Menu

  • Amuses Bouches
    (Appetizers)
  • Tarte tatin d'aubergines aux pignons de pin
    (Eggplant tart tatin with pine nuts)
  • Filet de Charolais en croute de sel aux herbes
    (Fillet of Charolais in salt crust with herbs)
  • Trou Bourguignon
    (Apple lemon sorbet with Marc de Bourgogne : Burgundian tradition)
  • Plateau de fromages Régionaux
    (Local cheese plate)
  • Crème brulée á l'anis de Flavigny
    (Crème brulée with anise of Flavigny)

Sample Lunch Menu

  • Mesclun de salade
    (Salad mesclun)
  • Saucisson de LYON truffé á cuire et ses pommes vapeurs
    (LYON truffled sausage to cook with its steamed potatoes)
  • Salade de fraises au poivre noir et huile d'olive
    (Strawberry salad with black pear and olive oil)

Wine Served abaord La Vie en Rose
The 2024 Premier Cru Cruise for Wine lovers

La Vie en Rose introduces passengers to a selection of Premiers Cru wines of the Côte Chalonnaise and Côte de Beaune. Only Premier Cru are served onboard , featuring Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines.

Sample Wine Selections

Pommard
Domaine du Château de Meursault : 1er Cru Clos des Epenots
Nb : The most beautiful 1er Cru of Pommard

Meursault
Domaine de la Confrérie : 1er Cru Les Cras

Volnay
Domaine de la Confrérie : 1er Cru Les Santenots

Mercurey
Domaine de Suremain : 1er Cru En Sazenay
Domaine Raquillet : 1er Cru Les Vasées
Domaine Meix Foulot : 1er Cru Clos du Chateau de Montaigu
Château de Chamirey : 1er Cru Clos du Roi

Givry
Domaine Vincent Lump 1er Cru Clos du Cras Long
Domaine Deliance : 1er Cru Clos de la Servoisine
Domaine Michel Goubard 1er Cru La Grande Berge

Rully
Domaine de la Folie : 1er Cru Monopole-Clos du Chaigne
Domaine Delorme : 1er Cru Grésigny

Montagny
Les caves de Bissey : 1er Cru Les Pidances
Domaine Delorme 1er Cru Montagny

Wines are carefully selected to complement each meal served aboard La Vie en Rose, and chosen to introduce you to the best of the Côte de Beaune.

La Vie en Rose Floorplan

La Vie en Rose 2024 Rates

Half-Board 6-Night Private Charter

6 Passengers: $25,800

5 Passengers: $23,000

4 Passengers: $20,600

Up to 3 Passengers: $ 17,400

Included in the cruise:

  • Seven days and six nights on the barge with use of 3 cabins and private bathrooms.
  • Pickup time at the beginning of the cruise is 4:00 PM Sunday, with departure at 9:30 AM on the following Saturday.
  • Pick up and drop off at Le Creusot train station or at a pre-arranged hotel in or around.
  • Only one pick-up and drop off destination may chosen for the whole group.
  • All meals served onboard
  • Transportation to and from restaurants (restaurant meals are not included in the fare.)
  • All wines and open bar aboard the barge.
  • All escorted excursions included in the itinerary.
  • Use of six bicycles (helmets not provided.)

Not included:

  • Restaurant meals (2 lunches & 2 diners) taken ashore at customers expense. (A selection of restaurants is proposed, guests are free to choose)
  • Travel costs to and from the agreed meeting point before and after the cruise.
  • Travel and cancellation insurance.

A 20% non-refundable deposit is required to secure your booking, with the balance due 90 days prior to the cruise date. Clients are strongly recommended to purchase trip Insurance.