L’ART DE VIVRE FAMILY ITINERARY

AUXERRE TO CLAMECY

Sunday, Day 1 Auxerre

Guests are met at Laroche Migennes Train Station at 16:45 or Hotel Maxime in Auxerre at 17:15 and transferred to the elegant L’Art de Vivre in Auxerre, Burgundy. Following a Champagne Welcome, you are free to explore the medieval town of Auxerre by bicycle or foot or take a stroll along the banks of the River Yonne before returning for dinner aboard.

Monday, Day 2 Auxerre to Vincelles

There is a choice this morning or either ice-skating, swimming and perhaps if there is time a game of 10 pin bowling as well. An alternative tour is St Bris with its extraordinary network of medieval passages beneath the town. A wine tasting introduces you to the outstanding Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines produced in Monsieur Bersan’s 12th century cellars. Dinner aboard.

Tuesday, Day 3 Vincelles to Accolay

This mornings choice of excursions depends on the children ages but you can choose quad biking (12+) Paint Balling (16+), potholing (10+) or Pony riding (3+). Alternatively visit Auxerre and discover the medieval town centre. Originally the capital of Lower Burgundy, Auxerre prides itself on its fine churches. Lunch ashore at a local auberge. In the afternoon we cruise through rich pasturelands and past grazing Charolais cattle to Accolay. Dinner aboard.

Wednesday, Day 4 Accolay to Mailly la Ville

Visit the caves this morning of Arcy sur Cure. The site of Arcy sur Cure, a major one for the medium and late palaeolithic age in northern France, is located between Auxerre and Avallon. It includes a set of caves dug out by the Cure River into a coral massif that emerged at the end of the secondary era. Alternatively this morning, we visit the charming mediaeval village of Noyers, one of the most beautiful villages in France, on an excursion through delightful countryside. We then return to the barge for a cruise southwards through the Yonne valley past dramatic steep cliffs to the market town of Mailly. Dinner aboard.

Thursday, Day 5 Mailly la Ville to Lucy sur Yonne

In the morning we cruise past the Saussois cliffs where an international climbing centre creates a spectacular setting, mooring at Lucy sur Yonne. All ages will love a canoeing trip or rafting on the River Cure near Vezelay. The canoeing really is a fantastic excursion, which we feel, should not be missed. For those a little less adventurous we can visit the Chateau of Bazoches, whose illustrious visitors included Richard the Lionheart and which was later remodelled by Maréchal Vauban. Dinner aboard.

Friday, Day 6 Lucy sur Yonne to Clamecy

This morning our cruise takes us through beautiful countryside to Clamecy. Take a short walk into Clamecy to visit the town, the Cathedral and also the Logging and Barging Museum. The narrow streets lined with ancient buildings also present an opportunity for shopping. After lunch we visit Chateau Guedelon, a team of fifty people have taken on an extraordinary feat to build a castle using the very same techniques and materials used in the Middle Ages. Work on the site began in 1997 and is scheduled to take 25 years to complete. Guédelon offers a unique opportunity to witness the different stages of a castle's construction with each phase being of interest in its own right. Let yourself be transported from the present day, back to the sights and sounds of a 13th century construction site. Alternatively we can visit Cardoland where the sculptor, Cardo, has created this wonderful prehistoric world of life size dinosaurs. It has a museum, caves, exhibition and prehistoric play area. Captain’s Farewell Dinner aboard.

Saturday, Day 7 Clamecy

Disembark after breakfast and arrive at Laroche Migennes train station by 10am

On alternative weeks the cruise is in reverse direction. This itinerary is subject to change

RECOMMENDED TRAINS TO BOOK IN ADVANCE: Start of Cruise: Paris Bercy to Laroche Migennes Train TER #91019 departs Paris Bercy at 15.20hrs arriving in Laroche Migennes at 16:38hrs. End of cruise Laroche Migennes to Paris Bercy Train TER #91156 Saturday depart 10:24hrs arrive Paris Bercy at 11:44hrs

In addition we will be running a treasure hunt and scavenger hunt, plus various other fun competition and games throughout the week.

GROUPS OR INDIVIDUAL CABIN BOOKINGS: Most of our family cruises are for whole boat charter groups but occasionally we are able to offer special Family Cruises for individuals to book on a cabin basis. Please contact our reservations department for further information.

BICYCLES: There are adult bikes on board. Children's bikes for all ages and/or child seats for adult bikes can be supplied usually at no charge if requested to our Reservation Department at least 6 weeks prior to departure.

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES: Optional activities, for example hot air ballooning, pony trekking, quad biking, bowling, fishing etc may be available on your cruise and can be arranged at an additional supplement. Optional activities usually require advanced booking so please advise our Reservation Department at least 6 weeks prior to departure.

BABY/CHILD EQUIPMENT: We are pleased to supply travel cots, high chairs, car seat, bottle warmer, toys, stroller etc at no charge but we must be notified at least 6 weeks prior to departure as to your requirements.

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more about our France luxury barge cruise vacation on L'Art de Vivre....

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