The eight-passenger L'Art de Vivre started life as a Scottish munitions carrier and survived long enough to be transformed by a team of skilled crafts-men into a floating celebration of the Burgundian "good life".

This 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 forests are typical of the scenery L'Art de Vivre cruises through.

The Canal du Nivernais region is where time seems to have stood still for over two hundred years. The hand-swung bridges are a delight and we pass old logging sites which are now almost a forgotten memory for the local people.

This is the original home of luxury hotel barging and yet today, a barge is a rarity,welcomed by all, and every journey is a great event.

L'Art de Vivre's crew of four comprises 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.

Cruise highlights:

• All-inclusive open bar, free wines,gourmet cuisine, entry fees to excursions
• Explore enchanting Auxerre and its magnificent cathedral
• Wine tasting of fine Chablis wines in a 12th century cellar
• Visit Chateau de Bazoches, home of Maréchal Vauban
• Tour Noyers, one of the most beautiful villages in Burgundy
• Visit picturesque Vézelay and its hilltop basilica
• Explore the medieval town of Clamecy
• Excellent walking and bicycling
• Optional Hot Air Ballooning

Cuisine aboard:

Regional specialties:

• Terrine de Pêcheur Façon Maison
• Tourte Chaude d'Escargots à la Ciboulette
• Filet de Rouget au Safron
• Filet d’Agneau au Basilic

Wine cellar:

• Sancerre
• Chablis
• Pouilly Fumé
• Cote de Nuits
• Hautes Côtes de Beaune

Cheese Board:

• Brie
• Maroilles
• Pont l'Eveque
• St Marcellin