Elisabeth Barging in Burgundy

Passengers: 4-6
Size: 100 feet long
Last Visited: 2009
Rating: First Class, A/C, Families

2011 rates

Whole Boat Charter for 4 - $18,200
Whole Boat Charter for 5 - $20,500
Whole Boat Charter for 6 - $23,800
Individual Cabin - $4,500 per person double occupancy
Single Supplement - $1,000

2011 dates

April 2 - 8	May 28 - June 3	July 23 - 29	September 17 - 23
April 9 - 15	June 4 - 10	July 30 - Aug 5	September 24 - 30
April 16 - 22	June 11 - 17	August 6 - 12	October 1 - 7
April 23 - 29	June 18 - 24	August 13 - 19	October 8 - 14
April 30 - May 6	June 25 - July 1	August 20 - 26	October 15 - 21
May 7 - 13	July 2 - 8	August 27 - Sept 2	October 22 - 28
May 14 - 20	July 9 - 15	September 3 - 9	October 29 - Nov 4
May 21 - 27	July 16 - 22	September 10 - 16

"The Chocolate and Wine Cruise" on the Burgundy canal was so successful in 2010 that ELISABETH will spend the entire 2011 season on that route. Creative owners Pete and Sheena Jenner will arrange chocolate tastings, dessert-making demonstrations, and a cheese tasting - as well as divinely beautiful cruising and visits to abbeys, chateaux and lovely villages. See the itinerary section for the complete story on this DELICIOUS cruise!


Visiting Elisabeth always feels like "coming home!" Maybe that's why we keep coming back: In 2007, 2008 and then the latest visit in summer, 2009. We look forward to both the warm hospitality and the chocolate desserts!

Elisabeth Guide Caroline Hurst met us at the station and drove us through divinely beautiful countryside to the barge moored in Vermenton. We never tire of Burgundy vistas. Clouds shaped like huge croissants drifted overhead - a heavenly preview of the village-baked pastries we would enjoy on Elisabeth and the other barges during our week in France! We were met by Pete, Sheena and their 2009 hostess Christie. All too soon, dinner followed. It consisted of:

In April, 2007, it was a personal thrill to be among the first visitors aboard the newly and extensively renovated ELISABETH! The renovation began with rebuilding the cabins, making each identical and offering a choice of one Queen or two Twin beds. Upgraded bathrooms, lovely color schemes, and Deluxe amenities such as truly thick and fluffy towels and bathrobes impart a luxurious feeling! The Jenners then changed the configuration of the salon and refurnished it - and then, not content to stop there - doubled the size of the deck.

The renovated ELISABETH continues to shine with warmth and personality. Sheena has always been talented. Now, most impressively she has become a top guide: sensitively informing and interpreting at such diverse sites as the gorgeous Chateau at Ancy-le-Franc; the village where the film "Chocolat" was made and Noyers, one of the most beautiful villages in France. When you cruise with the Jenners, you truly have "friends in France!"

Elisabeth Itinerary

"Chocolate and wine Cruise " 2011

TANLAY to VENERAY-LES-LAUMES
CANAL DE BOURGOGNE

Peter and Sheena Jenner say: "Our theme for the 2011 season is 'Chocolate and Wine'. From our visits to our demonstration to our tastings, we hope to surprise and delight you. Plus we'll offer gorgeous cruising, walking and bicycling; adorable villages and a romantic chateau, too!"

Saturday: Paris to Tanlay
Welcome Aboard!
We'll meet you at one pickup location in central Paris at 2:00pm and chauffeur your party to ELISABETH moored in the delightful chateau village of Tanlay. After the traditional Champagne Welcome, there is time to unpack and take a stroll around the village. The Chateau at Tanlay is romantic in nature. It is encircled by water-filled moats and entered across a stone-filled drawbridge. Tonight experience the first of many gourmet dinners on board, including a chocolate dessert, of course!

Sunday: Tanlay to Lezinnes
Chateau Ancy-le-Franc Excursion
Set an early start after breakfast featuring just-baked pastries from the village. This morning's cruise is to the village of Lezinnes. Now is the time to walk or bicycle on the towpath - or just relax on deck or in the wheelhouse, both prime spots to watch the countryside slip slowly by. This afternoon's excursion is to the Renaissance chateau Ancy-le-Franc, pictured at left, one of the week's high points. This is one of France's few chateaux built in the Italian Renaissance style - the same architect was then hired by the French King to work on Fountainebleau. Now owned by a private company dedicated to its restoration, Ancy-le-Franc is filled with gorgeous frescos and friezes, gilt and marble-set in its own romantic grounds complete with stable and a "folie" built in the middle of lake. Then it's back to ELISABETH for an on-board tasting of Tonnerroise wines and another delicious on-board dinner!

Monday: Lezinnes to Ancy-le-Franc
Taste Wine AND Chocolate!
We'll moor today right near the Chateau. Depart after lunch for a drive through glorious vineyard country to the village of Chablis. Here there is both a tasting of local vinatges and the local Chocolate, Pillars of Chablis. There will be time for a brief stop in Noyers, one of the five prettiest villages in France! Then return to the barge for dinner - and may we suggest a movie night?! We have many good films - but would suggest the movie "Chocolat," which anticipates our visit later this week to the actual village featured!

Tuesday: Ancy-le-Franc to Ravieres
30,000 year old Cave Paintings
Today begins with a leisurely cruise to Ravieres. After lunch, depart with Sheena for her tour of Grottes D'Arcy sur Cure, a pre-historic cave offering some of the oldest cave paintings in the world - with new works being uncovered all the time. Sheena is the only private guide allowed to lead tours here - and the visit is mesmerizing. Cro-Magnon man lived and worked here 30,000 years ago! Return to dinner on board, and a chocolate dessert or two!

Wednesday: Ravieres to Montbard
Gorgeous Cruising and More!
We'll cruise to Montbard this morning. The scenery just gets prettier as we go. Our afternoon visit is to Abbaye de Fontenay, pictured at left, the oldest complete Cistercian abbey in France. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, there are many beautifully preserved buildings. Save your appetite for tonight's demonstration on the making of tiny chocolate petit fours!


Thursday: Montbard to Veneray-les-Laumes
The "Chocolat" Village
Our last cruise takes us to Veneray-les-Laumes, as the canal climbs slowly upward for panoramic views over the countryside. Cruise right with Captain Peter Jenner in his comfortable and shaded wheelhouse - he and Elisabeth are warmly welcomed by local lockkeepers!
Lunch is off the barge in Flavigny, pictured at right, the village where the film "Chocolat" was filmed. If time, we'll taste some local wines before driving a short distance to Alesia, site of the last great battle between the Romans and the Gauls. The Roman ruins and ampitheatre date back to 345BC. Then it's back to ELISABETH, where the Captain's dinner ends your cruise in style!

Friday: Veneray-les-Laumes to Paris
A Sad Farewell
Depart at 9:00am for your chauffeured transfer back to either central Paris or Charles de Gaulle Airport - Your entire party must go to the same location. Estimated arrival time is noon. (An earlier departure may be arranged. Please do not book a flight out of Paris before 2:00pm on the day of departure.) We look forward to seeing you back again on ELISABETH!

This itinerary runs in the opposite direction - Veneray-les-Laumes to Tanlay - on alternate weeks. 6 night cruises begin Saturday at mid-afternoon in Paris and end the following Friday at noon in Paris. 2010 dates are from April 3 to November 5th.

Elisabeth Guest Book

"We had such a good time on the Elizabeth.  Peter and Sheena were the absolute perfect hosts.  The crew is so warm and accommodating, and we felt like family by the end!  The food and wine were both amazing."
-Alicia and Jake Jacobson, 2010

"This trip was something I had wanted to do for years, and it was better than I imagined!  It was so relaxing - such a first class pampered experience.  I was a little concerned I might get bored, but just the opposite - one week was not enough - it went by too fast.  I wasn't aware of being stressed before I left home, but the barge trip was so relaxing, so comfortable.  It certainly gave me new insights, and a new appreciation of the French countryside once you are out of the cities and large towns.  I love Paris, but please take me out the countryside again! Soon!"
-John Nisley and Leatrice Roberts, 2010

"This trip was really great.  The whole crew of the Elisabeth was delightful.  I would cruise with them again (in fact, will try to see if I can get some family members to go on a trip with them in the future).
-Henry Brown, 2010

"This was absolutely the most relaxing and stress free trip we've ever taken! It had the personal touch of staying with friends ~ friends that just happen to have a personal chef, a marvelous wine cellar, unlimited knowledge of the area, and the desire to make sure we were content at every moment. Floating lazily through the French countryside..We're already planning our next cruise on Elisabeth in Holland, 2012!"
-Andy and Monica Johnson, 2010

"Wonderful and relaxing! We were pampered with awesome food and wine pairings.
The cheeses were to die for!"
-Susan Ing, 2009

"We had a great time on the Elisabeth, and we had nearly perfect weather the entire time which added considerably to our enjoyment. We found the cabins very comfortable, the crew most willing to please, and the cuisine delicious. Sheena went out of her way to accommodate virtually all our menu requests. Peter was also ready with commentary while passing sights along the Nivernais, and we appreciated his recommendations for good bike days and routes as well. It was a perfect finale to my 5 weeks in France. All of us enjoyed our experience immensely."
-Michael and Ruby Gore, 2009

"Elisabeth is unique! A mixture of fine food, outstanding service, wonderful personalities, and exquisite countryside. We laughed and luxuriated the entire week!"
-Hedy and Harold Ertman, 2009

"Having been on a barge in the 1970s, in France before and 17 trips on The Delta Queen, I'd say that Elisabeth was right on top of enjoyable days! What I loved the most was sitting on deck, watching the serene world go by. I heard my first nightingale on this trip!"
-Meredith S.S. Smith, 2009

"Our week on Elisabeth was just delightful from start to finish. Sheena and Peter are so much fun. The food and wine were divine! Springtime is the perfect time for a visit. Flowers were in bloom everywhere. We highly recommend a barge cruise on Elisabeth."
-Pat and Bob Corless, 2009

"Our trip on the Elisabeth exceeded expectations in every way. Peter's deft handling of the boat and amusing anecdotes were priceless, and Caroline's and Kirstie's attentiveness was the height of indulgence. Sheena's exquisite cuisine was worth every ounce of the 5 lbs. I gained. Caroline was so knowledeable about the places we visited, and we had the Chateau at Ancy le Franc all to ourselves! Bring plenty of high powered sunscreen, because you will want to sit on deck for hours, watching the incomparable French countryside drift past. The ideal weather made the Wine & Chocolate cruise as close to perfect as a vacation could be."
-Bonnie Wheaton, 2009

"We ate too much good food. We drank too much. Did I mention that we ate too much?! The Jenners and crew made us feel like family."
-Bernard and Raz Tudor, 2009

"Our week aboard Elisabeth was sheer heaven. We enjoyed being with Sheena, Pete, Caroline and Chloe. All of them did so much to make our first barge cruise memorable. Ellen, if you need anyone to recommend Elisabeth, please refer them to us!"
-Beverly and Dan Arnold, 2008

"First and foremost, I would like to thank Sheena and Peter for donating this trip to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. We are forever grateful for their generosity and hospitality. Our trip through Burgundy was the most relaxing trip our family has ever taken. Between Peter's incredible competence in navigating, Sheena's ability to accommodate not one, but two difficult dietary restrictions, the gorgeous natural landscape, and the ability to spend time with family we dearly love, this trip was one we never thought we could experience. As we passed through each lock, not only did we marvel at the character of each stop, but we could see the respect and friendliness with which Peter and Sheena were welcomed and we were proud to be aboard the Elisabeth!"
-Stacey and Larry Wolin, 2008

"We just got to Paris and wanted to let you know what an incredible journey we had with Sheena and Peter - really exceeded all of our expectations and your recommendations could not have been more on the mark. Thanks a zillion - I plan to let several of my friends know of the Elisabeth and think they will be interested. If you ever need any references, we'd sing their praises - super hospitality, world class food, great wine, great biking, great tour guiding. We're looking forward to our next barge tour!"
-David Satz, 2008


"It could not have been more perfect!! Sheena and Peter were the ones who made the whole trip so wonderful. They are very personable and their knowledge of the daily wines and cheeses was extremely educational. Not to mention perfect weather and perfect timing with France's spring flowers blooming everywhere!"
-George and Jan Jury, 2008

Elisabeth Floor Plan

100 Feet long
-3 cabins, all 103 sq ft with twin beds or queen.
-Attractive barge with salon and dining area with high windows.
-Laptop on board for use of the guests.
-Extensively renovated and re-decorated in 2007