 |
Hotel
Barge Alouette
Cruise in Provence, France
Seven Days / Six Nights
Charters only available
 The
300 year old Canal du Midi skirts the sun-bathed
shores of the Mediterranean before winding
inland through ancient villages and Roman
fortications toward the famed wine region
of Bordeaux.
The
pace of life is relaxed and lulls you into
unwinding  as you cruise the meandering sun-drenched
Canal du Midi. You will discover a marvellous
blend of ancient Gallo-Roman and traditional
influences throughout this region of historic
importance.
The cuisine is a delicious
combination of both Provencal and traditional
flavours. Fresh seafood and regional specialities
with the little known but excellent Corbieres
and Minervois wines produce an unforgetable
repertoire of meals.
The 4 passenger Alouette accommodates four
passengers in well-appointed cabins located above the water line. The sun-deck
provides the perfect place to relax and
enjoy the passing scenery while cruising
through Bordeaux, Canal du Midi and Provence.
 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
|
Cruise Highlights |
|
|
Winetasting at
Chateau Auris |
|
|
Visit Abbaye de
Fontfroide, a Cistercian monastery
founded in the 11th Century. |
|
|
Experience the
famous covered market in the
charming city of Narbonne |
|
|
Visit the village
of Minerve and discover Cathar
history |
|
|
Tour Carcassonne,
a fortified city dating back to
the
Gallo-Roman era. |
|
| Culinary
Notes |
|
Regional Dishes
Noisette d'agneau en croute
de sel avec sauce romarin
Ragout de calamars 'Provencale'
Regional Wines
Chateau Auris Blanc
Muscat de Frontignan
Domaine Santorin,
Minervois Fitou
Chateau Auris Rouge
Regional Cheeses
Le Saint-Remois
Fromage de Chevre au Poivre
et au Thym
Tomme de Valdeblore
|
|
|
|
Check
availability of this cruise
France Hotel
Barge Programme
| Itinerary
Beziers to Carcassonne |
|
DAY 1
|
Sunday
BEZIERS
Passengers are met at
4.00 pm in either Beziers, Carcassonne or Montpellier
and transferred to Alouette, where you
will find her moored in Beziers port.
A champagne Reception introduces you
to the crew and later in the evening,
enjoy your first dining experience aboard. |
DAY 2
|
Monday
BEZIERS TO CAPESTANG
The first morning's cruise is along
the beautiful Canl 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. |
| DAY 3 |
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. Afer 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
Chateau Auris for a wine tasting. Dinner
aboard. |
| DAY 4 |
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. |
| DAY 5 |
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 a wine tasting.
Return to the barge for lunch and an
afternoon cruise to Trebes. Dinner aboard. |
| DAY 6 |
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 Pyrenees
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 you Farewell Dinner aboard. |
| DAY 7 |
Saturday
CARCASSONNE
Disembark after breakfast and transfer
to the local TGV station, Carcassonne Airport or to Montpellier. |
| NOTE: |
This is a sample itinerary and
is subject to change.On alternate
weeks, the cruise will be in reverse
direction.
|
| Meeting
Point |
| Sunday, 4.00
pm, Beziers or Carcassonne train
station depending on direction |
|
| Boat
Features |
|
|
98 feet long |
|
|
4 passengers |
|
|
4 crew |
|
|
2 suites, both with a choice of one double bed and 2 single beds |
|
Air-conditioned |
|
4 touring bikes (children's bikes can be arranged if required) |
|
Centrally heated |
|
|
|
