| DEPARTURE
DATES - (sundays) |
RATE |
ROUTE |
| April
- 01, 08, 15, 22, 29 |
Regular |
Canal
du Midi |
| May
- 06, 13, 20, 27 |
Regular |
Canal
du Midi |
| June
- 03, 10, 17, 24 |
Regular |
Canal
du Midi |
| July
- 01, 08, 15, 22, 29 |
Regular |
Canal
du Midi |
| August
- 05, 12, 19, 26 |
Regular |
Canal
du Midi |
| September
- 02, 09, 16, 23, 30 |
Regular |
Canal
du Midi |
| October
- 07, 14, 21 |
Regular |
Canal
du Midi |
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.
-
Tour
of Carcassonne, a fortified city dating back
to the Gallo-Roman era
-
Wine
tasting at Chateau d'Auris
-
Visit
to Abbaye de Fontfroide, an 11th century Cistercian
monastery
-
Experience
the famous covered market in the charming city
of Narbonne
-
Visit
ancient Minerve and its Cathar fort
-
Excellent
walking and cycling
ITINERARY
- BEZIERS
TO CARCASSONE
Sunday,
Day 1 Paris to Béziers
You are met at your Paris hotel and transferred to
the Paris Station for your 1st Class TGV rail travel
to Beziers station where you are met by the crew. Transfer
to the barge at Beziers Port. A champagne reception
welcomes you on board and gives you a chance to meet
the crew. Later that evening you experience your first
dinner on board.
Monday,
Day 2 Béziers 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, Day 3 Capestang to Le Somail
This morning
we 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. Return
to the barge for lunch and then an afternoon cruise
along the beautiful Canal du Midi in Capestang. Dinner
aboard.
Wednesday, Day 4 Le Somail to Homps
After breakfast
enjoy a visit to 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. On the way back to the boat
we stop off at a local wine producer for a tasting.
Return to the barge for lunch followed by a relaxing
afternoon taking in grandeur and beauty of Canal du
Midi, with its fine locks, buildings and aqueducts,
scarcely changed from their completion over 300 years
ago. Dinner on board
Thursday, Day 5 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, Day 6 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 onboard the chef is
preparing a memorable feast for your farewell dinner.
Saturday, Day 7 Carcassonne to Paris
Disembark the
barge after breakfast and transfer to Carcassonne TGV
station which is a 2 minutes walk from
the barge for your return 1st Class train to Paris
Austerlitz.
On alternate weeks the cruise will be in the reverse
direction. This is a sample itinerary and is subject
to change.
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