Meeting Point

Meet the barge moored in Carcassonne or Beziers, depending on cruise direction, at 4pm or after.
You will be met at the train station if TGV tickets have been pre-booked at £220 per person.

THE 4 PASSENGER ALOUETTE ....
The Alouette, owned and operated by Afloat in France, accommodates four passengers in well-appointed cabins located above the water line. Her sun-deck provides the perfect place to relax and enjoy the passing scenery while cruising through Bordeaux, the Canal du Midi and Provence.

The Canal du Midi was built in the 17th century and was an engineering marvel of its time. Highlights of this area include Carcassonne, the most complete medieval, fortified city still in existence.

Alouette is a Luxemotor type of barge and is 30,48 metres in length and 4,85 metres beam.

Wining and dining is a highlight of any cruise, the table d’hôte menus on board the barge are of the very highest quality and include many regional specialities and fine wines.

Each week’s menu includes some of the chef’s original recipes as well as regional specialities and seasonal delicacies unique to the particular area of the country in which you are cruising.

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ITINERARY

ITINERARY - BEZIERS TO CARCASSONE

Sunday – Béziers
You can be met at 4pm in Beziers, Carcassonne or Montpellier and transferred to Alouette moored in Beziers port. A Champagne reception introduces you to the crew. Later that evening, enjoy your first dining experience on board.

Monday – Beziers to Capestang
The first morning’s cruise is along the beautiful Canal du Midi to Capestang where we will moor for the night. In the afternoon, visit Oppidum d’Enserune, a pre-Roman hill-top settlement and one of the most important archaeological sites in the region. The top of the hill affords a panoramic view of the pond of Montady drained in 1247 and transformed into a curious pattern of cultivation. Dinner aboard.

Tuesday – Capestang to Le Somail
Take in the grandeur and beauty of the Canal du Midi, with its fine locks, buildings and aqueducts, scarcely changed from their completion over 300 years ago. After lunch, visit l’Abbaye de Fontfroide, a Cistercian monastery founded in the 11th century. Now privately owned, the abbey has been lovingly restored with a well-kept garden and peaceful cloister. On the way back to the boat, stop at Château Auris for a wine tasting. Dinner aboard.

Wednesday – Le Somail to Homps.
This morning, experience the wonderful covered market in Narbonne, a lively Mediterranean city playing an important role as a wine-producing centre. The municipal, military and religious architecture, the river banks of the Robine and its shaded boulevards, all contribute to its charm. Enjoy a lunch at a bistro just in front of the market and then return to the barge for an afternoon’s cruise. Dinner aboard.

Thursday – Homps to Trebes
After breakfast, visit Minerve, an old village on a limestone cliff, which dominates the vineyards below. Its now ruined castle was once a Cathar stronghold besieged and captured by Simon de Montfort. On the way back to the boat, stop at Peyriac-Minervois for wine tasting. Return to the barge for lunch and an afternoon cruise to Trebes. Dinner aboard.

Friday – Trebes to Carcassonne
Finish the week with a tour of Europe’s largest medieval fortress – La Cité of Carcassonne. Explore the intricate fortifications of the two castellated walls, one inside the other, about a mile in circumference. The views from the battlements towards the Pyrenées are stunning. Visit the cathedral, remarkable for its stained glass rose windows, fine statues, elegant Romanesque nave and Gothic transepts. Back on board the chef is preparing a memorable feast for your farewell dinner.

Saturday – Carcassonne
Disembark the barge after breakfast and transfer to Carcassonne TGV station, which is a 2 minutes walk from the barge, Carcassonne Airport or to Montpellier.

The day to day itinerary described above is a typical cruise. However, on any one cruise, the moorings may change and the places visited may vary depending on the season.