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. 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.
Of course, any barge named for the folkloric benefactress of winemakers should boast a robust cellar; accordingly, guests enjoy appellations from the nearby Burgundian vineyards of Chassagne-Montrachet, Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru, and Beaune 1er Cru. With France’s supple reds, flinty whites, flirty roses, and sparkling sips poured generously and paired perfectly both onboard and ashore, the region’s pampered grapes are the expansive star of the oenophilic show.
On La Reine Pédauque, life unfolds at a leisurely pace, aligning Champagne’s effervescent highlights with curated excursions. Private tours and tastings at family-owned Champagne houses showcase tradition 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.