Taste and Tour in France’s Wine Country: Uncorking the Journey on La Reine Pédauque
Aboard La Reine Pédauque, France’s wine country reveals itself quietly and generously: in placid canals, vineyard-lined horizons, historic towns, family cellars, and, of course, the robust wines that have made this region famous throughout the world.
Here, days gently unfold between guided excursions, cultural discoveries, and peaceful moments on deck, while evenings are devoted to multi-course gourmet dinners, sommelier-selected wine pairings, and the contemporary conviviality that defines the very best of barge cruising.
But as every Barge Lady guest knows, the magic of a barge cruise is found not only in where you go, but in how you are welcomed along the way. Below, follow one family’s recent journey aboard La Reine Pédauque, where daily excursions, onboard enjoyment, and one extraordinary crew transformed a week on a beautiful barge into a treasured family memory.
THE CREW WAS THE HEART AND SOUL OF LA REINE PÉDAUQUE
“While France itself provided the magnificent setting, it was the crew of La Reine Pédauque who became the heart and soul of our cruise,” says Kathy S., who recently cruised with her husband, daughter, and son-in-law. “Tour Guide Claire in particular was knowledgeable about the local history and the wine. When she realized we would like to do some additional things, she did some research and easily added them to the itinerary.
One such moment was a stop at an artisanal honey ‘dispensary’ for a tasting. It was not a fancy venue, but it was memorable and authentic, and that made it all the more appreciated.”
This is the magic of a cruise aboard La Reine Pédauque: attentive crew members such as Claire ensure Barge Lady guests are personally invited into France’s unique cadence, traversing easily between caves and kitchens, villages and vineyards, history and hospitality, all tailored to the party’s wishes and wants.
UNIQUE EXPERIENCES ASHORE AWAITED
On La Reine Pédauque, France’s exceptional elixirs, both iconic and emerging, are introduced through exclusive experiences curated with care. At one vineyard visit, the Domaine’s owner personally guided Kathy and her family through the caves, where they discovered “a fascinating history from Romans excavating the cave to Nazi occupation.” At an independent producer of distinctive French whiskies and bourbons, the hosted spirit sampling was “very interesting…and very tasty!”
Hands-on activities added another layer of regional flavor. A chocolate-making lesson with a master chocolatier brought France’s artisanal traditions to delicious, decadent life.
The pleasures continued onboard. One evening, Kathy and her family returned to La Reine Pédauque to find a French chanteuse and guitarist waiting in the salon for a private onboard concert. Paired with mixed drinks and handmade canapés, the cocktail hour performance was intimate, joyful, and perfectly in tune with a luxury French barge cruise defined by personal touches.
HOSTESS LEAH AND CHEF NICHOLAS’ ATTENTIVE HOSPITALITY
And then there were Hostess Leah and Chef Nicholas, who worked together onboard with seamless grace. Leah brought exceptional hospitality to the salon and dining room. Educated, multilingual, and experienced in the nuances of barge cruising, her studies in cheese and wine added depth to the week’s pairings, while her ease behind La Reine Pédauque’s vintage bar made cocktail hour feel wonderfully personal.
Chef Nicholas planned the menus, provisioned from regional purveyors, and paired his sumptuous French fare with select wines from Burgundy’s boutique appellations. When he asked if anyone had a special culinary request, one of the guests mentioned profiteroles. By Friday morning, he had turned the request into a step-by-step pastry lesson, gathering the family into his professional-grade galley to share the secrets as to how the classic French dessert comes together.
“Chef Nicholas invited my son-in-law into the galley to prep, plate, and even serve!” Kathy said. “For our family’s aspiring sous-chef, it was a dream come true and a special memory on La Reine Pédauque we will always cherish.”
Those are the moments that linger: Hostess Leah pampering her passengers with a perfectly mixed drink, Chef Nicholas giving cooking lessons in the galley, and a meal becoming a delicious memory. After the cruise, Nicholas sent the week’s recipes so Kathy and her family could bring a little of La Reine Pédauque home with them.
CHIN-CHIN TO BARGING WITH LA REINE PEDAUQUE
Kathy concluded, “It was such a special week on La Reine Pédauque. We loved the hosted tastings, the visit to the distillery, the honey, the chocolate, the music — all of it. But in the end, what we’ll remember most is the barge’s wonderful crew. They made everything feel easy, thoughtful, and so, so special.”
For this family, their cruise aboard La Reine Pédauque was a reminder that the finest travel experiences are not simply defined by where you go, but by the people who welcome you there. Chin-chin to barge cruising with the queen, La Reine Pédauque!
Take a seat at La Reine Pédauque’s gorgeous vintage bar here. Slip into the barge’s exceptionally spacious staterooms here. Book your own wonderful week on La Reine Pédauque here.