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Barge Cruises in France ~
Midi
- Beziers
Classic
barge cruising on the Canal du Midi
Cruise the best-known canal in France on this 6-passenger barge-hotel (7
days - 6 nights). This river boat cruise reveals 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
BARGE CRUISE ITINERARY
(actual program may vary)
Day
1 - Saturday: Villeneuve-les-Beziers.
Arrival at the river boat around 4:30 pm. Shortly after arrival, enjoy the captain's
welcome reception with champagne and hors d'oeuvres and presentation of the barge
crew. Short cruise to the first evening's mooring place. Day
2 - Sunday: Regimont-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 on the barge or perhaps go for a walk along
the canal towpath at your leisure. If there is enough time after mooring, we can
schedule a private wine tasting at a local chateau near the barge's evening mooring
at the farm of Regimont-le-Haut. Day
3 - Monday: Argeliers. Today
will begin with a visit to the Oppidum d'Enserune, a pre-Roman archeological site.
This will be followed by cruising the canal to the village of Capestang, where
you can enjoy lunch on the deck of the barge 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. You may want to take a short excursion
to the village of Quarante with its 1000-year-old Romanesque church. Day
4 - Tuesday: Homps.
After breakfast you're 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. 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 boat for lunch, followed by cruising through
several locks to the village of Puicheric, where the barge will 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. You will certainly 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
the barge and cruise through the "green cathedral" of overarching trees
to our next mooring near the village of Trèbes. Day
7 - Friday:
After breakfast, leave the barge 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.
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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
Included - Round
trip transfers to/from Beziers/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
- Barge
crew gratuities (suggested 5% of cruise price)
- Champagne
(except welcome reception), vintage wines and fine liqueurs
- Use
of onboard cell phone
- Personal
expenses
- Optional
activities when available
- Other
items not specifically listed under "Included" abov
Barge
Features - 3
cabins:
can be set up as twin or double (6 passengers)
- 4
crew members
- Size:
100 ft. x 16.6 ft.
- Headroom:
10 ft.
- Sundeck
and hot tub
- Air
conditioning and central heating
Cruise
Departures Every
Saturday subject to availability (except winter) This
barge is for private charters only. Various themes can be arranged to fit the
specific interests of each group. DEPARTURES
AND PRICES BOOK
YOUR CRUISE [top]
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