Our Cruises are All-Inclusive:

• 6 Nights accommodation on board in an air-conditioned, en-suite cabin.
• The services of an experienced Captain / Host, Chef, Housekeeper(s), Driver/Tour Guide.
• Breakfast, lunch and dinner aboard. A local lunch ashore, once per week on most barges.
• An excellent selection of fine regional and international wines and spirits, plus an all day open bar, tea and coffee.
• Daily excursions by chauffeured minibus and inclusive entry fees to castles, vineyards, markets and other local places of interest.
• Use of barge facilities such as bicycles, boules, barge library and on certain vessels, a spa pool.
• Return transfers to and from local meeting/drop off point.

Cruise Highlights

• Tour Carcassonne, the most complete medieval fortified city in existence
• Cruise though the beautiful reed covered marshes of the Camargue, home of wild horses, black bull and pink flamingos
• Explore the 12th century hill-top fort of Minerve
• Private tastings of Corbières wine at Domaine de Guery
• See the Pyrenees mountains across the vineyards and discover Cathar history
• Experience Narbonne's colourful indoor market
• Visit Béziers and 600 B.C. L'Oppium D'Enserune
  

Cuisine Aboard

• Regional Specialities
  Noisette d'Agneau en Croûte de Sel avec Sauce Romarin, Ragout de Calamars "Provençàle"
  
• Wine Cellar
  Domain de Guéry, Château de Nouvelles, La Clape, Château la Condamine Bertrand
  
• Cheese Board
  Le Saint-Remois, Fromage de Chévre au Poivre at au Thyme, Tomme de Valdeblore

ITINERARY

ENCHANTE - CANAL DU MIDI ITINERARY / Puichéric to Sallèles d'Aude

Sunday, Day 1 Narbonne to Puichéric
Passengers are met at the Narbonne TGV station, or Chateau l'Hospitalet Hotel in Narbonne if you have stayed here pre cruise, at 4pm and escorted by minibus to Enchante, moored at Aiguille lock near Puichéric. Champagne welcome followed by dinner on board.

Monday, Day 2 Puichéric to La Redorte
Fascinating morning tour of Carcassonne. Dating back to the Gallo-Roman era, this is the most complete mediaeval fortified city in existence today with its 52 watchtowers, portcullis and extraordinary repertoire of defenses, which resisted the many armies that tried to storm this glorious Camelot setting. Afternoon cruise along the 330 year old Midi canal descending its trademark locks and past “l’Epanchoir”, one of the canal bridges invented by Pierre Riquet for the Canal du Midi. Upon arrival explore the village of La Redorte famous in the 11th century for its basket weaving. Dinner aboard.

Tuesday, Day 3 La Redorte to Homps
Morning cruise under the shade of the plane trees which line the canal, we gently circle the contours of the land to reach the port of Homps once an important commandery for the Knights Hospitaller. Afternoon excursion to Minerve, the ancient capital of the Minervois, which boasts a 12th century Cathar fort surrounded by deep limestone gorges. Besieged by Simon de Montfort in 1215, its hilltop location affords spectacular views. We continue cruising to a picturesque mooring under the trees, a perfect opportunity to try your hand at pétanque the local sport of boules followed by an alfresco dinner aboard.

Wednesday, Day 4 Homps to Roubia
This morning we take the minibus to a Benedictine Abbey founded in the 8th century. Nestled in the village of Lagrasse, awarded the title of “Plus beaux villages de France” (most beautiful villages of France), now home to many artisan who have set up workshops in the medieval center, the restored Abbey was once one of the most prosperous thanks to Charlemagne’s chart. A chance to sample some local cuisine with lunch ashore in a spectacular setting overlooking the Corbières. Afternoon cruise reaching Roubia situated on the “grand bief” another engineering prowess unique to the Canal du Midi. Dinner aboard.

Thursday, Day 5 Roubia to Le Somail
Morning cruise through vineyards and pine trees to the charming and historical village of the Le Somail, purpose built for the Canal du Midi. Take some time to explore the old bookstore of Le Somail. Afternoon excursion to a wine tasting in the Saint Chinian, the first village of the region to receive the much envied French mark of approval for wines known as A.O.C. (Appellation d’Origine Controlée), teamed with an excursion to “Oulibo”, Occitan for olive. This cooperative olive oil press is a great opportunity to sample the famous Lucques olive. Dinner aboard.

Friday, Day 6 Le Somail to Sallèles d’Aude
This morning’s excursion is to Narbonne, a Roman Mediterranean capital where the Visigoth monarchs once lived. Enjoy a visit to the Archbishop's Palace and the indoor market at the hub of this bustling canal side town, where you will have time to shop or simply absorb the relaxed atmosphere. Afternoon cruise through the series of locks and narrow bridges of the Robine Canal, built after the Canal du Midi to link Narbonne and the Mediterranean. Cycle ahead and explore the village of Sallèles d’Aude, our final mooring. Farewell Dinner aboard.

Saturday, Day 7 Sallèles d’Aude to Narbonne
After breakfast depart Sallèles d’Aude and return to Narbonne by 11am.

NOTE: On alternate weeks the cruise will be in the reverse direction. This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change.

ENCHANTE - PROVENCE ITINERARY - AVIGNON TO MARSEILLAN

Sunday, Day 1 Montpellier to Avignon
Guests are met at 4pm at the TGV station in Montpellier, or Pullman Antigone Hotel in Montpellier if you have stayed there pre cruise, and escorted by minibus to Enchanté in Avignon for a Champagne Welcome. Spend your first night and enjoy dinner aboard.

Monday, Day 2 Avignon to Arles
This morning we cruise to Colombiers via the world’s oldest canal tunnel at Malpas, an engineering feat made possible by the draining of the Etang de Montady nearby. In the afternoon we cruise down the mighty Rhone River to Arles, passing the immense citadel of King René at Tarascon, and the foothills of the Alpilles. Dinner aboard.

Tuesday, Day 3 Arles to Aigues Mortes
This morning we explore Arles, the Roman Arena, St. Trophime’s Basilica and the Museum of Provencal life. We visit some of Vincent Van Gogh's haunts on foot through the pedestrianized heart of this old capital of the Camargue. Then cruise down the Petit Rhone and on to the Canal de Rhone à Sete, passing several herds of wild Black bulls. We moor at Aigues Mortes. Dinner aboard.

Wednesday, Day 4 Aigues Mortes to Frontignan
Stroll from our mooring outside the town walls to visit the Tour de Constance, built in 1248 as a lighthouse and since used as a prison. Then in the afternoon we cruise the Canal du Rhone à Sete through the Camargue National Park with its wild horses, black bulls and pink flamingoes, to the hamlet of Les Aresquiers where we are 200 yards from the Mediterranean. Dinner aboard.

Thursday, Day 5 Frontignan to Marseillan
An early start to pass under the lifting Bridge at Frontignan, then we sail out onto the Thau Basin, a large, inland, salt water lake. Mid-morning we stop briefly at Bouzigues to visit the museum of the lake with its exhibition on oyster culture, which is the main activity of the many local fishermen. After lunch on board, we have a short minibus ride to the 12thC Abbaye de Valmagne with its vast Cistercian church and beautiful cloister. Our tour ends with a chance to taste its award-winning range of wines. Returning to the barge, we have an afternoon cruise on the lake to the port of Marseillan. Dinner aboard.

Friday, Day 6 Marseillan
Before the hotel barge embarks we have an opportunity to tour the cellars and distillery of the world famous aperitif, Noilly Prat, followed by a tasting. Then an afternoon cruise on the Canal du Midi, through the renowned round lock and finishing our voyage on the River Herault. Captain’s Farewell Dinner aboard.

Saturday, Day 7 Marseillan to Montpellier
After breakfast, disembark the barge and transfer by minibus to Montpellier by midday.

NOTE: On alternate weeks the cruise will be in the reverse direction. This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change.