Deluxe

La Reine Pedauque

France, Champagne
Cruise Along the Canal Lateral a la Marne and the River Marne

Check-in Time / Location 3:00 PM in Paris

Capacity
8 Guests
Crew Members
6
Booking Type
Charter Only

All hail the Queen! Barge Lady Cruises is royally delighted to present the Deluxe-class, 8-guest La Reine Pédauque.

Inspired by a powerful female figure from French folklore, La Reine Pédauque takes her name from a legendary queen with webbed feet, once revered as patroness of hardworking winemakers. Today, her namesake vessel glides through Champagne’s restored canals and petite rivers, offering indulgent holidays steeped in luxury and sparkling good taste.

Originally built in 1922, La Reine Pédauque has been artfully refurbished, blending timeless charm with modern comfort. Below deck, the two-story barge features four grand staterooms, each 200 square feet or larger. Topside, the sunlit foredeck sets the scene for daily cruising, ideally with a flute of local bubbly in hand. Guests gather for aperitifs at the vintage bar, savor gourmet meals in the formal dining room, and enjoy cooking demonstrations in a state-of-the-art Chef’s kitchen.

On La Reine Pédauque, life unfolds at a leisurely pace, aligning Champagne’s effervescent highlights with curated adventure ashore. Private tours and tastings at family-owned Champagne houses showcase tradition and passion in every glass. In Reims, military history comes alive at the Museum of Surrender, home to Eisenhower’s WWII War Rooms. And because no visit to Champagne is complete without chocolate, guests delight in a hands-on workshop with a master confectioner.

Here’s to La Reine Pédauque and her glorious reign in Champagne!

Accommodations & Amenities View Deck Plan

Accommodations
  • 126 ft long with 6’3 – 6’5 ceiling height throughout
  • Commodore Suite – 200 sq ft, 6’3 ceiling height
  • Royal Suite 1 – 220 sq ft, 6’3 ceiling height
  • Royal Suite 2 – 220 sq ft, 6’3 ceiling height
  • Imperial suite – 290 sq ft, 6’3 ceiling height
  • Choice of one King bed or two twin beds
  • Ensuite bathrooms with shower
  • Ample storage space
Public Areas
  • Spacious salon
  • Formal dining room
  • Ship’s bar and gathering space
  • Outdoor seating and dining space
Amenities
Chauffeured Guided Sightseeing
Chauffeured Guided Sightseeing
Daily Housekeeping
Daily Housekeeping
WiFi (service fluctuates)
WiFi (service fluctuates)
Private Chef
Private Chef
Open Bar
Open Bar
Bicycles and Helmets
Bicycles and Helmets
Air Conditioning/Heating
Air Conditioning/Heating
Hair Dryer and Toiletries
Hair Dryer and Toiletries
Bathrobe
Bathrobe
Safe
Safe
Iron and Ironing Board (on request)
Iron and Ironing Board (on request)
Sound System
Sound System
220 volt outlets
220 volt outlets

Itineraries

Travel from Pogny to Cumieres on the Canal lateral a la Marne and River Marne

Bicycling Opportunities:
Adequate 
 (Bicycling is completely optional.)
Sunday
Welcome Aboardsunday image
Welcome Aboard
Travel: Arrival in Pogny
Meals: Dinner onboard

In the afternoon, you will be met a crew member from La Reine Pedauque at the designated meeting point. From here, relax as you are chauffeured to the barge, moored in the petite ville of Pogny, surrounded by glorious countryside views. A traditional welcome featuring a champagne toast and introduction to the crew awaits you, and there is time to get settled in your spacious accommodations before the first of many gourmet dinners aboard.

Monday
Tour and Taste at Two Family-Owned Champagne Housesmonday image
Tour and Taste at Two Family-Owned Champagne Houses
Travel: Pogny to Chalons-en-Champagne
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner onboard

Cruise this morning along the charming Canal Lateral a la Marne. Admire passing scenery from the sun deck, take a stroll along the towpath, or explore by bicycle...the choice is always yours. This afternoon, your Tour Guide introduces two elite family-owned champagne houses. At Champagne Balincourt, thousands of bottles are stored in centuries-old Gallo-Roman chalk pits, while at Carbot Museum and Champagne Tasting, the history of the region's pampered grapes is on full display. Explore gardens, parks, and timber framed houses in your delightful mooring city before Chef presents tonight's dinner party onboard.

Tuesday
World War I: The Lives They Livedtuesday image
World War I: The Lives They Lived
Travel: Chalons-en-Champagne to Conde-sur-Marne
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner onboard

Cruise this morning while Champagne's vineyards and villages float by. This afternoon, your Tour Guide accompanies you to the Suippes Interpretation Centre. At this newly opened museum, discover lives of soldiers and local populations during WW I. An interactive and original presentation allows visitors to choose a character of the time and follow their experiences and reactions throughout the war. Tonight, review this fascinating immersion into France's history over drinks and dinner onboard.

Wednesday
Spirit Tasting Deep in the Heart of Champagnewednesday image
Spirit Tasting Deep in the Heart of Champagne
Travel: Conde-sur-Marne to Mareuil-sur-Ay
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner onboard

Bonjour! Enjoy coffee and croissants during this morning's leisurely cruise into the heart of Champagne country. Then, encounter a unique collection of spirits, malts, and gin at Guillon Distillery. Thierry Guillon, a trained French oenologist, creates his original products with regionally grown fruit and locally sourced ingredients. Discover these unusual French libations at a tour and tasting. Return to La Reine Pedauque for aperitifs and appetizers as Chef puts the final touches on tonight's delicious dinner.

Thursday
Full Day in Enticing Reimsthursday image
Full Day in Enticing Reims
Travel: Moored in Mareuil-sur-Ay
Meals: Breakfast & dinner onboard, lunch ashore

This morning, your Tour Guide chauffeurs you to Reims, a small city full of astonishing history and lively ambiance. Begin your explorations at the Museum of the Surrender, where Germany’s first act of surrender on May 7, 1945, ended WW II in Europe. After luncheon ashore at a charming bistro, discover the wonderous Reims Cathedral, one of the greatest examples of Gothic architecture in France. Twenty five French kings were crowned here between 1225 and 1825! Afterwards, stroll through the shopping arcades or enjoy a coffee in the town square. Back onboard, canapes and cocktails precede tonight’s sumptuous multi-course dinner.

Friday
Taste Chocolate and Sip Champagne!friday image
Taste Chocolate and Sip Champagne!
Travel: Mareuil-sur-Ay to Cumieres
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner onboard

Enjoy a final cruise this morning as La Reine Pedauque slips onto the pretty waterway of the River Marne. This afternoon, discover the elegant city of Epernay, the unofficial capital of Champagne's sparkling wines. Your Tour Guide will present one of the smaller and family-owned houses, Champagne Charles Mignon, for a tour and tasting. Then, go loco for cocoa at Chocolaterie Thibaut, where handmade confections include the famous (and delicious) chocolate champagne corks. Craft your own chocolate bon-bons while you make the sweetest of memories! Tonight, the Farewell Feast onboard culminates your cruise in royal style.

Saturday
A Sad Farewellsaturday image
A Sad Farewell
Travel: Departure from Cumieres
Meals: Breakfast onboard

After breakfast, you will be chauffeured to the designated drop off point.

Please note: This is a sample itinerary which may be subject to change depending on local conditions

Gourmet Dining

Lunch
  • Gougères Stuffed with Tomato Confit, Basil, and Lemon Oil
  • Whole Baked Atlantic Salmon with Creme Fraiche Sauce
  • Cheeses: Chaource and Brie de Meaux with Fig Mustard, Fresh Fruit, and Walnut Bread
  • Chocolate Bouchon au Marc de Champagne and Biscuits Rose de Reims
  • Selection of fine Coffees, Teas, and Biscuits
Dinner
  • Foie Gras Torchon with Fig Chutney and Toasted Brioche
  • Confit Quail on Aubergine Caviar with Orange-Saffron Reduction
  • Charolais Beef Filet in Rosemary Green Pepper Crust, Rossini-style
  • Cheeses: Tomme de Savoie and Saint-Félicien with Truffle Honey
  • Pistachio and Grand Marnier Soufflé with Candied Citrus
Wine
  • Chassagne-Montrachet Cuvée Prestige 2021 – Domaine Capuano Ferreri
  • Montagny 1er Cru 2008 – Domaine Montuchot
  • Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru 2017 – Domaine Méo-Camuzet
  • Beaune 1er Cru “Les Chouacheux” 2008 – Domaine Chantal Lescure
  • A selection of local Champagnes and regional spirits

Rates & Dates

Accommodation
Value Season
Regular Season
Private Cruise for 8 guests$67,200$74,400
Private Cruise for 7 guests$65,800$70,000
Private Cruise for up to 6 guests$61,800$66,000

Dates

2026 Regular Season Departures

May 17-23, 24-30, 31-6
June 7-13, 14-20, 21-27, 28-4
July 5-11
August 23-29, 30-5
September 6-12, 13-19, 20-26, 27-3
October 4-10, 11-17, 18-24

2026 Value Season Departures

July 12-18, 19-25, 26-1
August 2-8, 9-15, 16-22
October 25-31

Additional Details

Included in the rate
  • 6 nights/7 days in a cabin with a private bath
  • Round trip chauffeured transfers to and from Paris
  • A dedicated onboard crew consisting of a Chef, Pilot, Deckhand, Tour Guide and Two Hostesses
  • All meals onboard and ashore from dinner the first evening to breakfast the final morning
  • All wines served with lunches and dinners both onboard and ashore
  • Open bar with alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages
  • Daily escorted excursions including admittance fees
  • Unlimited use of onboard amenities such as bicycles
  • 1 Lunch Ashore Inclusive of the Cruise Rate
Not included in the rate
  • International airfare
  • Cancellation insurance – A Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) policy is recommended
  • Suggested crew gratuity of 5-10% of the cruise price

*All rates are quoted in U.S. Dollars unless otherwise noted