ELISABETH, a 6-passenger first class barge, cruises in Upper Loire, France

Share this cruise:

View Food and Wine

ELISABETH Cruise Stops

ELISABETH, a classic barge, is lovingly owned and operated by Peter and Sheena Jenner, longtime barging enthusiasts. For good food, good wine and good friends, it's a floating house party in comfort. The canal winds through beautiful countryside and small villages with plenty of opportunity for walking and biking. In 2016, Elisabeth will be cruising the Upper Loire region of France, where Peter and Sheena first ​cruised years ago. They are very familiar with the region ​that will enhance your cruise experiences. The daily excursions to some of ​Upper Loire's famous sights highlight each day.

This cruise is ideal for families with children who would like to introduce their children to French culture and have fun with French adventures. Sheena is an entertaining tour guide with a wealth of knowledge to share with adults and children alike. ​Click on the Itinerary tab for more information.

Cruise Highlights

  • Visit the hilltop village of Sancerre for a tour and wine tasting
  • Walk around Guedelon Castle, where a Medieval Castle is being built using building techniques and materials only of the 13th century
  • Cross the Loire River on the Pont Canal (canal bridge) designed by Gustav Eiffel
  • Visit and shop at the world famous Gien Pottery Factory
  • Marvel at the seven step locks built in 1887 at Rogny-les-Sept Ecluses
  • Walk the town of Montargis, with its many canals and flower-laden bridges

Cruise Features

Elisabeth owners/operators Peter and Sheena Jenner
Owners Captain Peter and Sheena Jenner
Owner Operated: Yes - Peter and Sheena Jenner
Number of Passengers:
6
Category: First Class
Cabin Bookings: ​Charter only
Charter Bookings: Yes
Cruising Region: ​Upper Loire, France
Length of Cruise: 6 nights - Sunday to Saturday
Cruising Season: ​June - October
Theme Cruises: Family, Custom upon request
Meeting Location: A designated meeting point in Paris

 

 

Floorplan

ELISABETH Floorplan

Cruise Rates 2016 - last year of cruising for ​Elisabeth

Sunday to Saturday (6 nights)

All Season Departures
June ​​5, 12, 19, 26
July ​3, 10, 17, 24, 31
August ​​7, 14, 21, 28
September ​​4, 11, 18, 25
October ​2, 9

Charter Rates  
4 passengers
$26,000
5 passengers
$28,000
6 passengers

$30,000

Included in Cruise Price

  • Transportation between client's hotel in Paris and the barge
  • Six nights accommodation in private stateroom with ensuite bath
  • All meals, wine and drinks on board
  • Open bar
  • Daily escorted excursions by air-conditioned van
  • All barge amenities including bicycles, music system, library, etc.

Not Included in Cruise Price

  • Air or other transportation to the meeting location
  • Trip cancellation or medical insurance (available when booking)
  • Personal expenses
  • A discretionary gratuity for the crew suggested at 5% of the cruise price

ELISABETH Features

Passengers: 6
Category: First Class
Crew: 4
Barge Size: 100 ft long
Cabins: 3
Cabin Size: 103 sq ft including bathroom
Accommodations: 3 staterooms with queen or twin beds
Heat & Air: Individually controlled heat and air conditioning

Amenities

  • Hairdryers
  • Bathrobes
  • Toiletries
  • Library
  • Bicycles
  • Sundeck with comfy chairs
  • Minivan with A/C
  • Email Access: WiFi and laptop in salon
  • TV/DVD/CD: CD Sound System
  • Electricity: 220V

Theme Cruises

Family

Elisabeth double cabin
Elisabeth twin cabin
Elisabeth ensuite bathrooms










 





Cruising on ELISABETH

Canals Lateral a la Loire and de Briare, ​Upper Loire
Sancerre (Herry) to Montbouy (or reverse)

See ELISABETH'S Family Cruise Itinerary for all AGES

Sunday - Transfer from Paris to Barge
A member of Elisabeth crew will meet your party at 2:00 pm at one Paris pickup hotel of your choice and chauffeur you to Elisabeth, moored deep in the countryside at the village of Herry on the Canal Lateral a la Loire. This canal was completed in 1838. Estimated driving time is two and a half to three hours. Warm welcome on board by your hosts Peter and Sheena Jenner and their crew! Enjoy the traditional champagne welcome reception and then the first of many gourmet dinners on board.

Monday - Herry to Menetreol-Sous -Sancerre
Morning cruise on the canal takes ​you through untouched countryside to the petite village of Menetreol-sous-Sancerre. And when we say “petite,” we mean “petite!” This port with 378 inhabitants lies between the ancient Sancerre vineyards and the River Loire and was founded by winemaking monks in the 11th century. Wine is still made in the village, while the port is popular with boaters. After lunch in this delightful location, drive the short distance into the wine town of Sancerre, dramatically perched high on a hill and overlooking vineyards on all sides. Of course, we’ll arrange a tasting of Sancerre vintages, after which there will be a tour and tasting at a nearby goat cheese farm. Relive this lovely day at dinner on board.

Tuesday - Menetreol-sous-Sancerre to Beaulieu-sur-Loire

Cruise this morning northward to Beaulieu-sur-Loire. ​Time to relax on deck or take the bicycles out to explore the towpath and passing villages. The choice is always yours! Or you can pass the time of day with Captain Peter in his wheelhouse. After lunch on board, the guide will take you to Guedelon Castle, where 32 tradesman are constructing a Medieval Castle using building techniques and materials of the 13th century. Then​, back to Elisabeth for dinner on board.

Wednesday - Beaulieu-Sur-Loire to Briare
This morning you’ll experience one of the wonders of the French canal system: The Pont Canal, a real “canal bridge”, crosses high above the River Loire. It was built between 1890 and 1896 and features designs by Gustav Eiffel of Tower fame. We will play the stirring 1812 Overture and serve champagne as we make this crossing! Then it is a cruise to the next mooring at Briare, a nautical town situated at the crossroads of the Canal Lateral a la Loire and Canal de Briare. From there it is but a short drive to your afternoon excursion at Gien, a delightful and larger town dominated by the hilltop Chateau de Gien, once a hunting lodge for French royalty. Here you’ll visit the Gien Pottery Factory, founded in the 19th century and whose tablewear designs are still sold worldwide today. Of course, there will be time to shop for that special souvenir for yourself! Then it is back to Briare for cocktails on deck  dinner.

Thursday - Briare to Rogny-les-Sept Ecluses
​Today, we slip onto the oldest canal in France, the Canal de Briare, completed in 1692 to connect the River Loire to the River Seine (and thus Paris) for commercial traffic. We reach the charming town of Rogny-les-Sept Ecluses, named for the nearby staircase of seven locks that was built as part of the Canal du Briare and later bypassed for more modern locks in 1887. Thus is a true bit of canal history, easily reached by a walk from town and floodlit at night for maximum drama. This afternoon, experience one of the highlights of the cruise, a visit to Chateau de la Bussiere, an enchanting castle surrounded by water and formal gardens created by Andre Le Notre who designed garden at Versailles and Fontainebleau. As well, explore in the 18th century produce garden where heritage fruits and vegetables grow. Sheena Jenner hopes to introduce you to the owner when she is in residence. Then it is back to Elisabeth for another gourmet dinner.

Friday - Rogny-Les-Sept-Ecluses to Montbouy

​Our final cruise for the week ​is through beautiful countryside to Montbouy. After lunch comes the fun of choosing your excursion for today! Sheena can take you to Montargis, a town crisscrossed by canals and flower-laden bridges, to stroll and shop and taste the chocolate pralines for which this town is famous. Sheena knows Montargis very well and will take to you to undiscovered streets and sights. For castle lovers, you can head to the Chateau-de-Sully-sur Loire, home of the Duke who initiated the construction of the Canal de Briare. This is a fairy tale chateau with a large moat and lots of towers, as well as an historical association with French King Henri the 4th. After one or the other of these adventures, return to Elisabeth and a festive dinner which will end your cruise in style.

Saturday​ - Transfer to Paris
Depart this morning at 9:00am for your chauffeured transfer back to Paris. Estimated driving time is two hours, and you will be taken to one location of the groups’ choice in either central Paris or Charles de Gaulle Airport. Please make all onward travel plans on the basis of this timing, remember, if you want to fly out of Charles de Gaulle today, it is a minimum two hour check in. We hope you enjoyed your cruise on Elisabeth and we also hope to see you again on the French canals.

This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change. The itinerary is in reverse direction on alternate weeks.

 

Family Cruise on ELISABETH

Canals Lateral a la Loire and de Briare, ​Upper Loire
Sancerre (Herry) to Montbouy (or reverse)

Sunday - Transfer from Paris to Barge
Chauffeured Transfer Begins Your Cruise in Style!
A member of Elisabeth crew will meet your party at 2:00 pm at one Paris pickup hotel of your choice and chauffeur you to Elisabeth, moored deep in the countryside at the village of Herry on the Canal Lateral a la Loire. This canal was completed in 1838. Estimated driving time is two and a half to three hours. Warm welcome on board by your hosts Peter and Sheena Jenner and their crew! Enjoy the traditional champagne welcome reception and then the first of many gourmet dinners on board.

Monday - Herry to Menetreol-Sous -Sancerre
Land your Broomstick at a Museum of Witches!
Morning cruise on the canal takes Elisabeth through untouched countryside to the petite village of Menetreol-sous-Sancerre. And when we say “petite,” we mean “petite!” This port with 378 inhabitants lies between the ancient Sancerre vineyards and the River Loire and was founded by winemaking monks in the 11th century. Wine is still made in the village, while the port is popular with boaters. After lunch in this delightful location, get on your broomstick, AKA the barge minivan, and drive over to the Musee de la Sorcellerie. Witches, sorcery, and faeries from pre-history to the Middle Ages to the 19th century are on display, presenting the history of witches and witchcraft. Return to the barge for dinner on board and maybe a special witches brew drink?

Tuesday - Menetreol-sous-Sancerre to Beaulieu-sur-Loire

A Medieval Castle Building Site!
Cruise this morning northward to Beaulieu-sur-Loire. Now is the time to relax on deck or take the bicycles out to explore the towpath and passing villages. The choice is always yours! Or you can pass the time of day with Captain Peter in his wheelhouse. After lunch on board, the guide will take you to Guedelon Castle, where 32 tradesmen are constructing a Medieval Castle using building techniques and materials of the 13th century. Then it is back to Elisabeth for dinner on board.

Wednesday - Beaulieu-Sur-Loire to Briare
Cross the River Loire on a Bridge Deigned by Eiffel, Then Go Zip Lining!
This morning you’ll experience one of the wonders of the French canal system: The Pont Canal, pictured above, a real “canal bridge” which crosses high above the River Loire. It was built between 1890 and 1896 and features designs by Gustav Eiffel of Tower fame. We will play the stirring 1812 Overture and serve champagne as we make this crossing! Then it is a cruise to the next mooring at Briare, a nautical town situated at the crossroads of the Canal Lateral a la Loire and Canal de Briare. After lunch, we’ll take the entire family to a nearby zip lining course, where you’ll climb, swing and sail over, under, around and through the trees: Very active and fun for everyone! Then return to Elisabeth to review this awesome day.

Thursday - Briare to Rogny-les-Sept Ecluses
​Pick Produce for Dinner at a Chateau Garden
This morning we slip onto the oldest canal in France, the Canal de Briare completed in 1692 to connect the River Loire to the River Seine (and thus Paris) for commercial traffic. We reach the charming town of Rogny-les-Sept Ecluses, named for the nearby staircase of seven locks that was built as part of the Canal du Briare and later bypassed for more modern locks in 1887. Thus is a true bit of canal history, easily reached by a walk from town and floodlit at night for maximum drama. This afternoon, experience one of the highlights of the cruise, a visit to Chateau de la Bussiere, an enchanting castle surrounded by water and formal gardens created by Andre Le Notre who designed garden at Versailles and Fontainebleau. As well, explore in the 18th century produce garden where heritage fruits and vegetables grow, and we encourage the children to pick their own produce for dinner. Sheena Jenner hopes to introduce you to the owner when she is in residence. Then it is back to Elisabeth for another gourmet dinner.

Friday - Rogny-Les-Sept-Ecluses to Montbouy

​Chocolate Tasting or Kayaking: The Choice is Yours
Today take your last cruise through beautiful countryside to Montbouy. After lunch comes the fun of choosing your excursion for today! Sheena can take you to Montargis, a town crisscrossed by canals and flower-laden bridges, to stroll and shop and taste the chocolate pralines for which this town is famous. Sheena knows Montargis very well and will take to you to undiscovered streets and cute shops. OR, take the opportunity for one last adventure: Kayaking! Fun for the whole family, and an exciting way to get into the countryside. After one or the other of these activities, return to Elisabeth and a festive dinner which will end your cruise in style.

Saturday​ - Transfer to Paris
A Sad Farewell
Depart this morning at 9:00 am for your chauffeured transfer back to Paris. Estimated driving time is two hours, and you will be taken to one location of the groups’ choice in either central Paris or Charles de Gaulle Airport. Please make all onward travel plans on the basis of this timing, remember, if you want to fly out of Charles de Gaulle today, it is a minimum two hour check in. We hope you enjoyed your cruise on Elisabeth and we also hope to see you again o the French canals.

This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change. The itinerary is in reverse direction on alternate weeks.

 

Barge Cruise Reviews for ​Elisabeth

"If we all were to use one word to describe our trip, it would be "spectacular".  Every bit of it thanks to you. If you like, I can share some photos including Joel driving the Elisabeth through one of the locks--without touching either side of the boat!  Sheena, Peter and their crew, Giles the 5 star chef and Max, were wonderful as was our Normandy guide, Maggie. All in all, unforgettable. Again, many many thanks for your efforts. It was worth every penny." Howard S and family 2014

"This is what barging's all about! Sheena and Peter were great hosts and the crew superb, very accommodating and so knowledgeable. The excursions were a nice variety and just a short drive away. We want to go back next year for the Wine and Chocolate cruise. We had a GREAT time." Linda & Larry D.

Back to The Barges »

Search Barges






Book your Cruise Today!