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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.
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Cruise Highlights |
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Visit the mediaeval city of Carcassonne |
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Wine tasting at
Domaine de Guery |
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Visit to Pezenas,
an architectural gem |
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Passage through
Fonserannes locks |
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Visit Roman Narbonne |
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Cross the 18th
century Orb canal bridge |
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| Culinary
Notes |
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Regional Dishes
Noisette d'agneau en croute
de sel avec sauce romarin
Ragout de calamars 'Provencale'
Regional Wines
Borie du Maurel, AOC Minervois
Domaine Gaujal, AOC Picpoul
de Pinet
Domaine la Colombette, Pinot
Noir
Chateau Etang d'Hortus, AOC
Corbieres
La Bergerie d'Hortus, AOC
Minervois
Domaine de L'Orthau, Chardonnay
Regional Cheeses
Le Saint-Remois
Fromage de Chevre au Poivre
et au Thym
Tomme de Valdeblore
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Check
availability of this cruise
France Hotel
Barge Programme
| Itinerary Salleles d'Aude to Marseillan |
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DAY 1
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Sunday
SALLELES D'AUDE
You will be met by the Captain and manager at 4pm
at a designated hotel in Montpellier
and transferred by private air-conditioned
Chrysler minivan to Athos. A full-crew Welcome
Aboard follows, with Champagne and Mediterranean
canapés. Once you are settled
into your cabin, a 4-course dinner awaits
you, prepared by our highly acclaimed
onboard chef. |
DAY 2
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Monday
SALLELES D'AUDE TO ARGELIERS
The proposed morning visit is a drive to the famous medieval double-walled city of Carcassonne. Your knowledgeable on-board guide will offer the historical & guided visit making sure that you have time to browse those shops! An afternoon cruise takes us to Argeliers. By early evening you have arrived in Argeliers and there should be enough time for a brisk stroll into the village before Chef starts serving up her next delight! |
| DAY 3 |
Tuesday
ARGELIERS TO CAPESTANG
This morning's suggested visit is a
tasting at the Oulibo, the local olive
oil press. After an olive tasting, a
short drive up the Gorge de la Cesse
takes us to the hilltop village of Minerve,
scene of 13th Century Cathar siege of
the 13th century. 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. The village is a 5-minute
walk. Dinner aboard. |
| DAY 4 |
Wednesday
CAPESTANG TO FONSERANNES
After breakfast, take a moment for a stroll into the village square to visit the market. Athos gets underway in time to stop for a pre-lunch wine tasting at one of the few remaining traditional-method 19th century wineries, Domaine de Guery. The cruise route today promises spectacular views of the Pyrenees across the sunny, clear plain. When you arrive at the overnight mooring at top of the Fonserannes locks, there is time to visit to the old market town of Pezenas, the first seat of the Languedoc court. The architecture is especially attractive. Dinner aboard. |
| DAY 5 |
Thursday
FONSERANNES TO PORTIRAGNES
This morning we visit Narbonne. Explore
an excavated portion of the original
Roman road, the Via Domitia, browse
through the Roman Museum, discover the
beauty of St Juste Cathedral, or simply
relax in one of the many cafés.Later
the cruise takes in the 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. Later we enter the open-waters
of the Etang de Thau, Europe's largest
mussel and oyster park and moor in Marseillan,
near the Noilly Prat Vermough distillery.
Captain's Farewell Dinner aboard. |
| DAY 7 |
Saturday
MARSEILLAN
After breakfast, we return you by private
minibus to the meeting point 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 |
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| Boat
Features |
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103 feet long |
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10 passengers |
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5 crew |
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5 twin/double
Staterooms |
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Air-conditioned |
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Sundeck |
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8/10 touring bikes |
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Air-conditioned minibus |
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