Midi - Carcassonne II Barge Cruise

World-class barging in the south of France

Cruise across the south of France aboard a 4-passenger barge-hotel (7 days - 6 nights). Slowly wind your way along the Canal du Midi, a marvel of a waterway built during the reign of Louis XIV (and a World Heritage Site).

A river boat cruise lets you enjoy the luxury of your own floating hotel while immersing yourself in the local culture. Here's a short list of possible daily activities: visits to quaint villages and country chateaus, wine tastings where the grapes are grown, shopping at colorful local markets, walks along the canal towpath if you feel energetic or simple relaxation on the deck while watching the world glide by. Every day is a different experience!

Meanwhile the cook is busy in the barge galley, preparing gourmet meals to be served with a selection of splendid wines from the surrounding Languedoc-Roussillon region.

TYPICALBARGE CRUISE ITINERARIES
(Group charters only)

This cruise offers two different routes centered on Carcassonne:
1) upstream to Castelnaudary or 2) downstream to Beziers.

Program can be customized to fit your interests.

CARCASSONNE TO CASTELNAUDARY

Day 1 - Sunday: Carcassonne. The captain will meet you between 4 and 5 pm at the arranged meeting point and take you to the river boat moored in the quaint village of Trebes. Welcome on board with aperitifs and cruise slowly through the "heights" of Carcassonne to whet your appetite for a wonderful dinner and the fun days to come.

Day 2 - Monday: Carcassonne to Villesquelande. Tour of the Cité de Carcassonne, a World Heritage Site, where you'll step into medieval times in this fascinating and imposing walled city. In the afternoon, enjoy a relaxing cruise to Villesquelande, a charming and quiet location where you will have dinner on board the barge.

Day 3 - Tuesday: Villesquelande to Bram. Bram is an ancient village reminiscent of the troubled times of the Cathars in the 14th century. Have lunch ashore at a working chateau overlooking the vineyards. In the afternoon you'll visit the Sieur d’Arques winery in Limoux, with a guided tour of the winery and a tasting of the famous Cremants and Blanquettes of Limoux before returning to the barge.

Day 4 - Wednesday: Bram to St Martin Lalande. Today, you'll cruise through a series of canal locks. Afternoon visit to the Cathar Château de Saissac, the remains of a beautiful castle perched in the hills of the Montagne Noire - a stunning location! On the way back to the barge, visit to the Verrerie du Canal with its exhibition of stained and blown glass.

Day 5 - Thursday: St Martin Lalande to . Castelnaudary is the home of cassoulet, the famous bean and meat dish. In the afternoon we visit the medieval market town of Mirepoix with its half-timbered houses and a beautiful central square. Dinner ashore in a local gastronomic restaurant.

Day 6 - Friday: Castelnaudary to Naurouze. Located at the highest stretch of the Canal du Midi (about 600 ft. above sea level), Naurouze is the watershed between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic. Enjoy a visit to the beautiful local park and the obelisque dedicated to Pierre Paul Riquet, the builder of the Canal du Midi. Farewell dinner on board the barge.

Day 7 - Saturday: Leisurely breakfast, and transfer from the river boat between 10 and 11 am to the agreed-upon drop off point.

BEZIERS TO CARCASSONNE

Day 1 - Sunday: Beziers. The captain will meet you between 4 and 5 pm at the arranged meeting place and take you to the river boat for a warm welcome on board with aperitifs. We will then cruise slowly through the vineyards around Colombiers to whet your appetite for a wonderful dinner.

Day 2 - Monday: Colombiers to Argeliers. Morning visit to the Oppidum d'Ensérune, a pre-Roman site dating back to 800 BC, and a panoramic view of the surrounding countryside. At Malpas, you'll go through one of the oldest tunnels on the French canals. On to Capestang, a small town dominated by a huge church and a good place to enjoy a leisurely walk. The barge then cruises to Argeliers. Dinner ashore.

Day 3 - Tuesday: Argeliers to Ventenac. Today's excursion includes the bustling markets and historic sites of Narbonne, an ancient Roman city. In the afternoon we cruise to the tiny and picturesque village of Le Somail (the antique bookstore is a must-see) and then on to Ventenac with wine tasting at the quayside chateau and a game of "petanque" if the spirit moves you.

Day 4 - Wednesday: Ventenac to La Redorte. Visit to the Abbaye de Fontfroide, a beautifully restored medieval Cistercian complex in a remote and tranquil setting with a wonderful rose garden. We then cruise to Homps, another sleepy town oozing with history and a fine winery to visit. On to La Redorte, for a sensational dinner on board the barge.

Day 5 - Thursday: La Redorte to Puicheric. Morning visit to the Cathar hilltop village of Minerve, surrounded on all sides by deep gorges and accessible on foot only. Afternoon cruise to Puicheric, a great place to lounge around the deck of the barge under the shady plane trees and relax. Tonight's dinner will be at a local chateau, offering surroundings that will take you back centuries. You will have a chance to view the Cité de Carcassonne by night, a sight reminiscent of fairy tale castles.

Day 6 - Friday: Puicheric to Marseillette. Tour of the Cité de Carcassonne, a World Heritage site, to take in this fascinating and imposing walled city and step into medieval times. Afternoon cruise through Trebes to a quiet location (possibly Marseillette) for the farewell dinner on board the barge.

Day 7 - Saturday: Leisurely breakfast and transfer between 10 and 11 am from the river boat to the agreed-upon drop off point.

The above are suggested programs. All activities, excursions and visits can be modified to fit your personal preferences.

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Highlights

• Medieval walled city of Carcassonne
• Cistercian Abbaye of Fontfroide
• Hilltop village of Minerve
• The Canal du Midi, a World Heritage site
• Pre-Roman Oppidum d'Enserune
• Canal tunnel at Malpas
• Ancient city of Narbonne
• Quaint villages and picturesque stone bridges
• Local winery visits and wine tastings
• Gourmet meals and local wines
  

Included with all cruises

• Accommodations with private shower
• Bar drinks on board the barge
• Excursions and entrance fees as agreed upon

Included with Full Board

• 6 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 4 dinners on board
• 2 dinners ashore at select local restaurants
• Wine with lunch and dinner

Included with Half Board

• 6 breakfasts and 5 lunches
• Welcome Dinner on board on Day 1
• Wine with lunches and Welcome Dinner

Not Included

• Transportation to and from beginning and end points. (Optional transfers to and from Paris are available.)
• 5 dinners if "Half Board" formula is chosen
• Health and travel insurance
• Barge crew gratuities (suggested 5% of cruise price)
• Personal expenses
• Other items not specifically listed under "Included" above

Barge Features

• 2 cabins can be set up as twin or double (4 passengers)
• Size: 87 ft. x 16.4 ft.
• Crew: husband and wife plus Harry the friendly dog
  
• Sundeck with lounge chairs
• Music system, library with local guide books
• Air conditioning and central heating
• Air-conditioned minibus for excursions
  

Cruise Departures

Every Sunday subject to availability (except winter). Other departure days upon request.

This river boat is for private charters only. Various themes can be arranged to fit the specific interests of each group.

  

We have personally visited this river boat and the South of France where the cruises take place. See pictures from our trips:

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