Elisabeth
Barging in Burgundy

Passengers: 4-6
Size: 100 feet long
Last Visited: 2008
Rating: First Class, A/C, Families

2009 rates

Whole Boat Charter:
$21,800 - 6 passenger charter
$19,500 - 5 passenger charter
$17,200 - 4 passenger charter
Individual Cabins:
$4,300 per person in a Twin-Cabin

(per cabin price of $8,200)

"The Chocolate and Wine Cruise" was so successful in 2008 that ELISABETH has added more in 2009.  Book a delicious six-night "Chocolate Cruise" between April 4 through June 12 and between August 29 and October 30.  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!

In summer, 2009, ELISABETH will return to the Canal du Nivernais for their "Best of Burgundy Cruise," a lovely itinerary featuring a pre-historic cave and enchanting
villages - amongst numerous high points.

We visited ELISABETH in both 2007 and 2008.

In April, 2008 we boarded Elisabeth moored in the charming town of Tanlay on the Burgundy Canal.  The barge looked fabulous.  Sheena has upgraded many details in the cabins and bathrooms.  As part of a delicious lunch, Sheena previewed the "Chocolate and Wine" cruise with not one, but two yummy desserts!  We devoured minature white chocolate mousse and chocolate fondant - and were then treated to chocolate-orange fondue, complete with fresh fruit and cake to dip.

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 Chateau de Bazoches, Grottes d'Arcy with its prehistoric cave paintings and the Basilica at Vezelay. In addition, Elisabeth continues to be a top choice for private family charters. Owners Peter and Sheena Jenner at last have a vessel worthy of their considerable talents. When you cruise with the Jenners, you truly have "friends in France!"

Elisabeth

"Best of Burgundy Cruise"

cANAL DU NIVERNAIS

 6-night cruises between the dates
June 20 - August 21, 2009

Auxerre to clamecy

ON the canal du nivernais

Saturday - Paris to Auxerre
Welcome to Elisabeth!
You’ll be met mid-afternoon in Paris and chauffeured to Elisabeth at anchor in Auxerre - the Medieval town rising dramatically behind the Quai. After the traditional champagne welcome, there will be time to unpack and take a stroll before the first of many gourmet dinners on board.

Sunday - Auxerre to Vincelles
Auxerre to the Countryside
Begin the day with a “tasting” of local Cremes, wine to which fruit-based alcohol mixes have been added. Then tour Auxerre, a lovely cobblestoned town with buildings from many eras, including the Gothic Cathedral St. Etienne. Back on board, you’ll enjoy a lunch buffet on deck during your lazy afternoon cruise to Vincelles. Bicycle or walk the towpath - or just stay on board and watch the amazing scenery float by!

Monday - Vincelles to Vermenton
Wine, Wine, Wine!
An early morning start means a long and languid cruise to the charming port of Vermenton. Then it’s on to wine tasting, first in the 11th-century cellars of the Berson family in St. Bris, followed by a second tasting in the famed wine town of Chablis. Back on board, you’ll taste wines of the area at dinner.

Tuesday - Vermenton to Mailly-le-Chateau
Prehistoric Cave
Sheena leads a fascinating visit to the Grottes d’Arcy, caves used as shelter in the Stone Age and containing numerous paintings from the Neolithic and Mesolithic periods. (Sheena is the only outside guide allowed in the cave.) Then back to Elisabeth for a cruise to Mailly le Chateau and a walk in the village before dinner.

Wednesday - Mailly-le-Chateau to Lucy-sur-Yonne
Stunning Basilica
Cruise this morning to the pretty village of Lucy sur Yonne, followed by a magical tour of the Basilica de Marie Magdelene at the top walled city of Vezelay. Walk the winding cobblestoned streets, lined with old houses and boutiques. Then it’s back to Elisabeth in time to take a bicycle ride before another gourmet dinner.

Thursday - Lucy-sur-Yonne to Clamecy
Living Chateau
Following the morning cruise to Clamecy, you’ll depart for Chateau de Bazoches, a rare example of a fully furnished, working chateau. Then it’s back to the barge to prepare for the festive Captain’s dinner which ends your cruise in high style.

Friday - Clamecy to Paris
A Sad Farewell
You’ll depart at 9:00 AM and chauffeured back to Paris; estimated time of arrival is noon. We hope to see you back again on Elisabeth!

Note:This itinerary runs in opposite directions - Clamecy to Auxerre - on alternate weeks. Contact The Barge Lady for reservations and more information about Barge cruises in Burgundy Or call us toll free at (800) 880-0071

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"chocolate and wine" cruise

 Canal de Bourgogne

 
6 night cruises between the dates
April 4  - June 12, 2009
and
August 29 - October 30, 2009

tanlay to pouillenay-On the Canal de Bourgogne

Saturday - Paris to Tanlay
Pick up in Paris at 2pm. Drive to the Elisabeth moored in the delightful chateau village of Tanlay. Settle in after a champagne reception and maybe take a stroll around the village. We start our chocolate week with tonights dessert.

Sunday - Tanlay to Ancy-le-Franc
This morning we will cruise to Ancy-le-Franc where we will visit the chateau, beautifully restored and a real delight to visit. Back on board a wine tasting of the local Tonneroise wines is in order.

Monday - Ancy-le-Franc to Ravieres
Today's cruise is to Ravierres and here we will depart for a pleasant drive through the villages to Chablis for our wine tasting and a visit to the chocolaterie to hear the history of and taste the chocolate Pillars of Chablis. Back to the barge via medieval Noyer, one of the top five prettiest villages of France.

Tuesday - Ravieres to Montbard
Today starts with a leisurely cruise to Montbard. From here we will go to Eppoisse for a cheese visit and a wine tasting. For those that are interested we can arrange a cooking demonstration today. Back to Elisabeth for dinner and our second chocolate dessert.

Wednesday - Montbard to Veneray-les-Laumes
This morning we will start to notice the climb up the valley to Veneray les Laumes. The cruising just gets prettier as we go. Our visit this afternoon is to The Abbaye de Fontenay, a Unesco World Heritage Site. This wonderful abbey is the last complete Cistercian monastery left in France. Tranquility and beauty describe it perfectly. Back at Elisabeth our chef will give a demonstration on the making of tiny chocolate petit fours.

Thursday - Venerary-les-Laumes to Pouillenay
Our last cruise takes us to Pouillenay, a climb up and fabulous views over the countryside. We finish our week with a lunch in the village of Flavigny (WHERE THE FILM CHOCOLAT was made ) and a walking tour of the village. From here we will drive the short distance to Alesia to see the site of the last great battle between the Romans and the Gauls. The Roman ruins and amphitheatre date back to 345bc. Returning to Elisabeth in time for a rest before Captains dinner and our last chocolate feast.

Friday - Pouillenay to Paris
This morning we drive you back to Paris after breakfast. We hope you have enjoyed your cruise aboard the Elisabeth.

This itinerary runs in the opposite direction - Pouillenay to Tanlay - on alternate weeks.

Elisabeth
Guest Book

"We and our friends on board had a week-long slumber party - fine food and wine in abundance, fun excursions, delightful conversations, music and song, and lots and lots of laughter!"
-Diane Wayman and Kate McQueen, 2008

"The barge trip has redefined for us the concept of "luxury".  We've decided that true luxury means eliminating the usual stresses of travel (constantly making decisions, consulting guide books, finding transportation, choosing the right restaurants, etc.)  On the ELISABETH we experienced real luxury...we were completely taken care of from the first sip of champagne to the drop off in Paris.  The menus were varied and interesting, the food superb, the wines a daily delight, the excursions fun adventures.  We had the good fortune of perfect weather for daily walking, biking, or just relaxing on deck with a book.  Peter and Sheena and the rest of the crew made us feel like family.  With the ELISABETH, they have created a magical vacation for those of us lucky enough to experience it."
-Caroline Huff and Brenda Robertson, 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

"Wine and Chocolate is a must.  A phenominal adventure!  We loved every minute.  We will return to ELISABETH for sure."
-Ed and Susie Ailor, 2008

"Peter and Sheena were charming.  We primarilly enjoyed sitting on deck watching the scenery go by and visiting the many villages. Ellen, we really appreciated your help with the hotel reservation."
-Mr. and Mrs. Calcaterra, 2008

"Our cruise aboard Elisabeth was absolutely wonderful. We also want to Thank you, Ellen, for all of your assistance in making our trip really great!"
-Phil and Doris McFall, 2007

"We had a great time and would do it again. We cannot say enough good things about Sheena and Peter."
-Jose and Honey Argenal, 2007

"Every day was so much fun. We enjoyed being in places that American tourists did not visit. The trip surpassed our expectations - in fact it was our best vacation abroad, bar none. We hope to enjoy other ELISABETH adventures with Peter and Sheena!"
-John and Jan Todd, 2007

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.
-Extensively renovated and re-decorated in 2007