Child 12 to 17 yrs travelling with an adult €200 reduction
Child reductions applicable for all under 18 yrs on Charters

Rates, additional charges and conditions are subject to change, and to
currency fluctuation, without notice - Errors and Omissions Excepted

Meeting Point

France - Monpellier - The Metropole Sunday 4pm
End of Cruise - Montpellier Train Station, Airport or The Metropole Hotel about 11am

Cruise Includes
Local transfer to and from the barge, a luxury 6 night cruise, all meals on board catered for by the on board Master Chef, an open bar 24/7 with a large range of alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks, all wines served throughout the cruise, excursions and admittance fees as per the itinerary, the services of 4 crew and use of barge facilities, which includes bicycles.

Cruise Highlights

• Visit the medieval city of Carcassonne
• Wine tasting at Domaine de Guery
• Visit Pezenas, an architectural gem
• Passage through Fonserannes locks
• Visit Roman Narbonne
• Cross the 18th century Orb canal bridge
  Extensive towpaths perfect for walking and cycling

Cuisine Aboard

• Regional Specialities
  Magret de canard with an orange and ginger reduction, creamy celeriac puree and julienned vegetables of carrots, leeks and florets of broccoli.
  
• Wine Cellar
  Borie du Maurel Esprit d’Automne AOC Minervois, Domaine Gaujal AOC Picpoul de Pinet, Château Etang de Colombes, Rosé Classique
  
• Cheese Board
  Ecu de Combebelle, Roquefort, Etorki
  

ITINERARY FOR - Marseillan to Argelliers

Sunday, Day 1 Montpellier to Marseillan
We meet you at 4pm at Montpellier TGV station (or Pullman Antigone Hotel is you are staying there the night before your cruise) and chauffeured to where the ATHOS awaits you at her moorings in Marseillan. Crew Welcome aboard, whilst toasting with Champagne and Mediterranean canapés. Once you are settled into your cabin, we enjoy our first dinner on board.

Monday, Day 2 Marseillan to Portiragnes
After breakfast the proposed morning visit is a guided walk through the quaint fishing village of Marseillan and end the visit with a taste of famous Noilly Prat vermouth, distilled right here at Marseillan port. When you return to the barge you find that a spectacular (and appropriate!) seafood lunch awaits you. The Etang hosts Europe's largest mussel and Oyster Park. We cruise across the open waters of the Etang de Thau and onto the canal du Midi. This area of conservation land known as the “Petit Camargue” is home to unique bird species like Pink Flamingos, African Rollers and Bee Eaters. After a relaxing cruise we moor in Portiragne which is only a short 2km ride to the sandy Mediterranean beach if you fancy a quick cycle before dinner. Dinner is on board.

Tuesday, Day 3 Portiragnes to Fonserannes
A drive to the old market town of Pezenas, which was the first seat of the Languedoc court. The architecture is unique to the town because of the “Hotels Particuliers,” or Mansions belonging to the noble families who followed the Court. Pezenas is filled with an eclectic mix of artisan shops, including potters, painters, hat makers, and costume designers. In addition to learning about the history of this exceptional town, your Guide will make sure there is plenty of time for browsing. Back on the boat, Chef and the hostess begin serving up today's luxury meal while Captain Julian and his deck hand are busy getting ATHOS underway. Coming up next is the 18th C. Canal Bridge that will carry the ATHOS over the Orb River. The 17th C. feat of engineering, the "Neuf Ecluses" (or staircase locks), is sure to impress! ATHOS crew expertly tie her up in each lock and wait for the gates to close safely behind her before the water levels refill and allow her to pass from one lock into the next. We arrive early evening above the Fonserannes, the seven staircase locks at Beziers. Here you’ll have a glorious evening view of the town of Beziers and the Cathedral St. Nazaire. The crew invite you for a quick game of Petanque and a glass of Pastis before being invited to seat for another delicious 4-course dinner.

Wednesday, Day 4 Fonserannes to Regismont le Haut
After a relaxing breakfast, why not take a side trip to the weekly morning market in Narbonne? Even for non-shoppers, Narbonne offers great entertainment on a weekday morning. Explore an excavated portion of the original Roman road, the Via Domitia, browse through the well-compiled Roman Museum, discover the beauty of the St. Juste Cathedral, or simply take a moment to blend into the lively, local café scene. When you return to the boat, the appealing smells of Chef's lunchtime creations tempt you into accepting a beautifully chilled glass of cold dry rose. After an alfresco lunch on Athos’ large upper deck, Julian gets cruising underway and the shade of the canal lulls you into a happy siesta. By early evening, you have arrived in Capestang, and ATHOS will moor with a view of the floodlit and picturesque Collegiale St. Etienne. There ought to be enough time for a stroll into the village before Chef starts serving up the next delight!

Thursday, Day 5 Regismont le Haut to Capestang
This morning’s suggested visit is a tasting at the Oulibo, the local olive oil pressoir. After tasting a variety of delicious olives, accompanied by a small glass of rose, it is just a short drive up the Gorge de la Cesse and into the hilltop village of Minerve. Your Guide will delight you with the harrowing tale of the Cathar siege launched at Minerve during the 13th C. In the afternoon, you may choose to either relax after a long lunch and an afternoon of cruising, or perhaps your Guide’s invite to a sociable wine-tasting at the local Chateau will appeal to you? After the wine-tasting outing, Chef has once again prepared a stunning 4-course dinner as a finale to your day.

Friday, Day 6 Capestang to Argeliers
After breakfast we tour famous Medieval double-walled city of Carcassonne. Ample shopping opportunities! We cruise to the rustic port of Argeliers whilst Chef will serve up another local, gourmet 3-course meal (perhaps including the famous duck confit stew, Cassoulet?) By early evening, you have arrived at your final mooring. Captain Julian will join your party for a final dinner on board this evening, and he will invite the crew to join you in a farewell toast.

Saturday, Day 7 Argeliers to Montpellier
After breakfast, transfer to the appointed destination in Montpellier arriving by 10am.

This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change.
On alternate weeks, cruise will be in reverse