Hotel Barge cruises on the Canal du Midi, southern France

                     Sunday, Day 1 Beziers

Guests are Pick up from agreed location upon time in Béziers or Narbonne and transferred by minibus to the barge at her mooring. The crew welcomes you on board with a glass of champagne and canapés. After settling in the barge, there’s time perhaps for a short cruise or a short walk in local village before your first dinner on board.

                               Monday, Day 2 Colombier to Capestang

After a French breakfast enjoy your first morning cruise on towards the evening’s mooring at Capestang. Relax on the sundeck, enjoy scenery or alight at one of the locks perhaps and cycle or walk along tow-path of the Canal du Midi. After lunch on board, enjoy an excursion to a local winery for a private wine-tasting and then view point at the Oppidum d’Enserune One of the most important pre-Roman sites in Europe From the high point of the site you have a panoramic view of the Montady Etang. Return to Clair de Lune for aperitifs and dinner on board.

Tuesday, Day 3 Capestang to La Croisade

After breakfast, continue your leisurely cruise along the winding Canal du Midi to La Croisade, the mooring for this evening. Enjoy lunch on board and then go for a visit vibrant Pezenas and discover its rich heritage. This lively village used to be a prestigious royal town known for its big fairs and for being the Languedoc State Capital, Through the centuries, the medieval atmosphere of Pezenas has been maintained. Here you will learn about Molière’s town and how he became one of the most famous French playwrights. Dinner on board this evening.

Wednesday, Day 4 La Croisade to Le Somail

After breakfast, we drive you to the beautiful city of Narbonne, discover Roman antiquity from when Narbonne used to be capital of Narbonensis Provincia. A section of the Via Domitia, the Roman-built road that linked Italy and Spain, is exhibited in the centre of the main square. We will also visit the last remaining building from Roman times the Horreum. we visit the famous. Then have a delicious lunch in a typical French restaurant close to Les Halles. After returning to Clair de Lune, a relaxing afternoon cruise the 330-year-old Canal du Midi to Le Somail for dinner on board.

Thursday, Day 5 Le Somail to Argens-Minervois

In the morning, cruise to Argens-Minervois and after lunch on board, an excursion to the impressive village of Minerve. Amongst a spectacular natural setting, the site has been inhabited since ancient times and was once an imposing medieval Cathar city. Wander through the village enjoying the typical authentic medieval architecture, paved streets and small gardens. Go down into the Cesse canyon and see the natural bridges that the river created. On the way back we visit a producer of fine Minervois wines, for a private tasting. Dinner at a delightful local restaurant this evening.

Friday, Day 5 Argens-Minervois to Homps

This morning the last cruise is to Homps. We pass 4 locks and then lunch. Then your guide will accompany you to Carcassonne. Step back in time and explore the Cité, Basilica and the visconte castle of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city’s strategic location proved optimal throughout multiple periods of history, from Neolithic times through the Middle Ages. The city’s fortified hilltop was constructed during the Gallo-Roman times, and was expanded upon in the 13th and 14th centuries. Today, Carcassonne is the largest walled city in Europe with its massive walls spanning 3 km and 52 defensive towers overlooking the rest of the city. Last dinner on board.

Saturday, Day 7

Departure
After breakfast, guests are transferred by minibus to their choice of location in Narbonne.

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

Please note that we offers shorter cruises and half-board options. Enquire for further details.

Hotel Barge : Details and Facilities

• Dimensions: 100ft (30.5m) x 16′ 6” (5.05m)
• Cabins: All 3 Junior Suites are the same size: 135ft² (12.5m²) including ensuite bathroom. Ceiling height in all cabins – 6ft 7” (2.05m).
  All cabins can be double or twin bedded.
  Size of beds: single – 2ft 7” x 6ft 3” (0.8m x 1.9m); as doubles – 5ft 3”x 6ft 3” (1.6m x 1.9m).
• Bathrooms: wash basin, shower and WC. Supplied with washing gel, hand soap, shampoo, towels, bathrobes and hair dryer
• Professional English and French-speaking crew of 4 – captain, tour guide/deckhand, chef and housekeeper

      Other items on board:
      5 person spa pool (hot tub) on the sundeck (heated to 40 degrees)
6 Mixte bicycles, 21 gears. Helmets supplied if required
A small library of books and maps
A collection of board games
Boules
Binoculars for watching the wild bird life
Hi-Fi system with CD player.