Farm to Batteau

Step aboard a hand-built James River batteau and experience Virginia's past like never before. At James River Batteau Company, we craft unforgettable evenings that blend the region's rich, often-forgotten history with the pleasures of local food, live music, and the serene beauty of the James River.

Our flagship experience, Farm to Batteau, features:

-Live acoustic music on the water

-Historical storytelling from the batteau era

-A multi-course, open-fire dinner prepared on board by acclaimed local chef Sarah Rennie

-Seasonal ingredients sourced from nearby farms

All of it unfolds as you drift down the river aboard one of our authentic, flat-bottomed batteaux-boats once essential to Virginia's economy and culture.

What's a batteau, anyway?

There may be no vessel more distinctly Virginian. First built in 1775 to carry goods like tobacco and flour from the Piedmont to Richmond, batteaux were the lifeblood of river commerce. By 1830, nearly 500 of them plied the James, crewed by around 1,500 skilled boatmen whose legacy still echoes along these waters.

More than a dinner cruise.

At James River Batteau Company, we believe history is best told through the senses-through flavor, story, and the rhythm of the river. Our work has been featured in The Washington Post, Smithsonian Magazine, Richmond Times-Dispatch, Frommer's, and more. Join us and discover why.