 |
Hotel
Barge Athos
Cruise the Canal Du Midi
Seven Days / Six Nights
 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 Athos is a 103 ft hotel barge, accommodating
10 passengers in five air-conditioned cabins.
Built in 1964, she began life transporting
sand, grain and wine and her associations
with wine continue as she gracefully meanders
through France's Languedoc-Roussillon. The
spacious accommodation and public areas
create the perfect ambince for a restful
holiday.
An
English-speaking crew of 5 efficiently attends
to your
comfort and entertainment and ensures an
unforgettable experience.
|
Cruise Highlights |
|
|
Visit the mediaeval
city of Carcassonne |
|
|
Wine tasting at
Domaine de Guery |
|
|
Visit to Pezenas,
an architectural gem |
|
|
Passage through
Fonserannes locks |
|
|
Visit Roman Narbonne |
|
|
Cross the 18th
century Orb canal bridge |
|
| Culinary
Notes |
|
Regional Dishes
Noisette d'agneau en croute
de sel avec sauce romarin
Ragout de calamars 'Provencale'
Regional Wines
Domain de Guery
Chateau de Nouvelles
La Clape
Chateau la Condamine Bertrand
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 |
|
Check
availability of this cruise
France Hotel
Barge Programme
| |
DAY 1
|
Sunday
SALLELES D'AUDE
You are picked up at the designated
meeting point in Montpellier and chauffeured
to Athos where the crew welcome you
aboard with Champagne and Mediterranean
canapes. Once you are settled into your
cabin, a 4-course dinner awaits you,
prepared by our highly acclaimed onboard
chef. |
DAY 2
|
Monday
SALLELES D'AUDE TO ARGELIERS
This morning's visit is to the famous
medieval double-walled city of Carcassonne
where your on-board guide will offer
a guided tour, making sure that you
have time to browse those shops! An
afternoon's cruise brings us to our
picturesque overnight mooring by Argeliers
bridge. There should be enough time
for a brisk stroll into the village
before dinner aboard. |
| DAY 3 |
Tuesday
ARGELIERS TO CAPESTANG
This morning we visit a local olive
oil press and enjoy an olive tasting
(accompanied, of course by a small glass
of rosé!) A short drive up the
Gorge de la Cesse takes us to the hilltop
village of Minerve, scene of 13th Century
Cathar sieges. Return to Athos for a
long lunch and cruise to the charming
village of Capestang where we moor with
a clear view of the floodlit St Etienne
cathedral. Dinner aboard. |
| DAY 4 |
Wednesday
CAPESTANG TO FONSERANNES
After breakfast we visit the morning
market with time to explore the stalls
of the local cheese producer and butcher.
A pre-lunch wine tasting follows at
one of the few remaining traditional-method
19th century wineries, Domaine de Guery.
Spectacular views of the Pyrenees delight
us on our afternoon cruise, following
which we visit the old market town of
Pezena, with its interesting history,
architecture and colourful artisans'
shops. Our overnight mooring is at the
top of the Fonserannes locks. Dinner
aboard. |
| DAY 5 |
Thursday
FONSERANNES TO PORTIRAGNES
This morning we visit Narbonne, a bustling
town with Roman origins. See the excavated
portion of the original Roman road,
the Via Domitia, the Roman Museum and
cathedral. We continue through an impressive
17th century staircase of locks and
an 18th century canal bridge over the
Orb River before reaching the small
village of Portiragnes. This is an ideal
opportunity for walking or cycling.
Dinner aboard. |
| DAY 6 |
Friday
PORTIRAGNES TO MARSEILLAN
Our morning cruise takes us through
the area known as the "Petite Camargue".
Bird watchers will be delighted by the
pink flamingos, African rollers and
bee eaters. After going through the
exceptional "round lock" at
Agde, we enjoy a delicious seafood lunch
as we enter the open-waters of the Etang
de Thau, Europe's largest mussel and
oyster park. We moor in Marseillan near
the Noilly Prat Vermough distillery
and to end a perfect day we take a fascinating
tour of the distillery. Captain's
Farewell Dinner aboard. |
| DAY 7 |
Saturday
MARSEILLAN
Wave goodbye to the crew and join your
transfer to the appointed destination
in 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, Hotel Metropole, Rue du
Clos Rene 3,
34000 Montpellier |
|
| Boat
Features |
|
|
103 feet long |
|
|
10 passengers |
|
|
5 crew |
|
|
1 twin/double Suite |
|
|
4 twin/double
Staterooms |
|
|
Air-conditioned |
|
|
Sundeck |
|
8 touring bikes |
|
Air-conditioned minibus |
|
|
|
