A cruise on this 6-passenger barge-hotel (7 days - 6 nights) unfolds an endless panorama of soothing scenery and exciting daily adventures. It also offers sumptuous cuisine paired with delicious local wines while you gently float along the Canal du Midi, a magnificent tree-lined waterway and a UNESCO World Heritage site. A typical day consists of a daily excursion, often in the morning, followed by lunch onboard and barging during the afternoon. These excursions uncover hidden jewels of historical or natural interest along with colorful open-air markets, wine-tastings, shopping, or cultural fairs and festivals. Simple pleasures, enriching local encounters and quiet relaxation!
Typical Itinerary (actual program may vary)
Day 1: Saturday - Villeneuve-les-Beziers. Arrival at the barge around 4:30 p.m. Shortly after arrival, captain's welcome reception with drinks and hors d'oeuvres and presentation of the crew. Short cruise to our first evening mooring place.
Day 2: Sunday - Regismont-le-Haut. Morning cruise up the canal to the seven locks of Fonséranes (the "stair-step locks") in Beziers. The afternoon cruise lets you enjoy picturesque views of the tree-lined canal as well as the canal's only tunnel at Malpas. You can also enjoy the jacuzzi and sundeck or perhaps go for a walk along the towpath at your leisure. If there is enough time after mooring, we can schedule a private wine tasting at a local chateau or a visit to the Oppidum d'Enserune, a pre-Roman archaeological site located near our evening mooring at the farm of Regismont-le-Haut.
Day 3: Monday - Argeliers. Today will begin with either a visit to the Oppidum or a wine tasting, if no time was available the day before. This will be followed by cruising the canal to the village of Capestang, where you can enjoy lunch on deck with a lovely view of the 13th century church. More relaxing cruising in the afternoon, along the meandering canal to our next mooring near the village of Argeliers. A short excursion to the village of Quarante with its 1000-year-old Romanesque church is a possibility. Also possible is an on-shore gourmet dinner at the Relais du Pigasse, La Bastide de Cabezac or La Croisade.
Day 4: Tuesday - Homps. After breakfast we are off to the open-air street market in Olonzac, which offers a wide variety of foods, fresh produce and other local goods: Provencal fabrics, books, music, hardware, clothing, etc. Time permitting, you may want to visit the Oulibo olive cooperative for a quick tasting and shop in their regional products boutique or drive up to the picturesque village of Minerve perched on top of a cliff. This is the place where 150 Cathar "heretics" were burned at the stake during the Albigensian Crusade at the beginning of the 13th century. Then return to the barge for lunch, followed by cruising to the nearby village of Homps, with a stop in the picturesque hamlet of Le Somail to visit its famous used and rare bookshop and other artisan boutiques. Possible on-shore dinner at L'Arbousier in Homps.
Day 5: Wednesday - Puicheric. Morning visit to Narbonne, founded in 118 BC by the Romans. Highlights: the towering 13th-century Gothic cathedral and the 100-year-old covered market, with its wonderful selection of fresh seafood, fruit, vegetables, cheeses and many other delicacies. You can also enjoy an espresso in the central square with the chariot-rutted paving stones of the Roman road, Via Domitia. Or you can visit the impressive archaeological museum, the fine arts museum, or shop and browse the boutiques along the quaint pedestrian streets. Return to the barge for lunch, followed by cruising through several locks to the village of Puicheric, where we moor for the night.
Day 6: Thursday - Trèbes. A morning visit to the fortified medieval city of Carcassonne (a UNESCO World Heritage site) is on the schedule this morning. There is no question you will be impressed by the size of this formidable fortress city with its thick crenellated walls anchored by some 50 massive towers. You will also admire the Romanesque and Gothic Cathedral St. Nazaire with its gorgeous 13th-century rose stained-glass window and enjoy the winding cobbled streets lined with quaint boutiques. Lunch on board and cruise through the "green cathedral" of overarching trees to our next mooring near the village of Trèbes.
Day 7: Friday - After breakfast, disembarkation and transfer to the departure point for the next leg of your travels.
On alternate weeks, cruise will be in the reverse direction.
This itinerary is subject to change without notice.
Highlights:
- The fortified city of Carcassonne
- The plane-tree-shaded Canal du Midi
- The 7 locks of Fonséranes (the "stair-step locks")
- Hilltop village of Minerve
- Pre-Roman Oppidum d'Enserune
- Malpas tunnel
- Ancient city of Narbonne
- Gourmet meals and local wines
- Quaint and picturesque humpback stone bridges
Barge Features:
- 3 Cabins - twin or double beds (6 passengers)
- 4 crew members
- Size: 100 ft. x 16.6 ft.
- Headroom: 10 ft.
- Sundeck and hot tub
- Air conditioning and central heating
Departures every Saturday subject to availability (except winter)
This barge can be chartered for groups. Various themes and dates can be arranged to fit the specific interests of each group. Extra customized trips and excursions may be added before or after the cruise.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
US$4700 per person double occupancy; single supplement $2400.
Included:
- Round trip transfers to/from Montpellier or Carcassonne depending on direction of cruise
- Accommodations with private bath or shower
- All meals from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 7
- Wine with lunch and dinner
- Onboard bar drinks
- Private guide and air conditioned minibus
- Sightseeing tours and entrance fees as specified
Not Included:
- Transportation to and from beginning and end points. (Optional transfer to and from Paris is available.)
- Health and travel insurance
- Crew gratuities
- Champagne, vintage wines and fine liqueurs
- Personal expenses
- Optional activities when available
- Other items not specifically listed under "Included" above
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
France
Barging
Food & Wine
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