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LUXURY HOTEL BARGE "O"
THE BARGE, THE CREW, AND THE ACCOMMODATION
FOR YOUR FABULOUS CRUISE ON THE CANAL DU MIDI
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Welcome aboard this French Hotel Barge for an exclusive vacation cruise on the Canal du Midi, South of France.
Imagine yourselves, cruising the tranquil waterways of France aboard this beautiful, modern and unique péniche hôtel, pampered by your crew...
And just imagine watching the world go by, while sipping a martini in the pool on deck.
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Click on photo to see more
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| SUMMARY INFORMATION ABOUT THIS BEAUTIFUL CANAL BARGE |
LOCATION : Canal du Midi, South of France
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Passengers: 4
Crew: 4 |
Cabins: 2 doubles or twins, each with ensuite bathroom |
| Barge Size: |
100 ft x 16 ft (30m x 5m) |
| On-Board Pool: |
Heated, 13 ft x 7 ft (4m x 2m) |
Cabin Sizes: |
Approx 190 and 220 sq ft (18 and 20 sq m) |
| Cabin Facilities: |
King size beds (180 cm wide) or 2 twins on request. Mini fridge filled with complimentary drinks, tea and coffee tray, air conditioning, central heating, heated towel rails, hair drier, bath robes. |
Living & Dining Room Size: |
Approx 17 ft x 15 ft (5.2 x 4.6 m) |
| Living Room Facilities: |
DVD player, CD player, books, games, Internet access with a hotspot Wifi. "Barge laptop" also free for use. |
| 2 Decks: |
15ft x 13ft and 36ft x 13ft (4.6m x 4m and 11m x 4m) |
| Other facilities: |
4 bicycles on board, 220V electrical supply. |
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GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE BARGE ITSELF
Built in 1937 as a trading and load-carrying barge, in 1999 she was converted to a houseboat and shortened to 29.4 meters (100 feet).
Her present length now allows passage through the smaller locks of the famous Canal du Midi.
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Her home port is near Poilhes, a charming village on the Canal du Midi, 12 km from Beziers, 20 km from the Mediterranean Sea and close to Narbonne. Her secondary port is Puicheric, closer to Carcassonne.
You will either embark or disembark from her home port of Poilhes which contains many remains from the Roman times.
Do not hesitate to enjoy the (heated) pool on a warm afternoon... or just relax while enjoying some pre-dinner drinks.
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THE BARGE'S INTERIOR
The large lounge / dining room has two big portholes offering direct views of the Canal.
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A home theatre with a wide choice of DVDs and CDs will give you some added pleasure, as well as a choice of books and parlour games. Internet access is offered through a Wifi connection based on the cellular network (2G or 3G).
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The bar is well stocked with many of your favorite drinks, all of them offered to you within the overall cost of the cruise. There is also a specific bar fridge and a coffee/tea making machine for your own use.
The kitchen is either open onto the lounge or closed, depending on whether the chef will allow you to watch him prepare his secret dishes. But don't worry, if you're interested in learning French cuisine he will sometimes does share his secrets with you!
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For your important documents or anything of value, there is a safe.
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YOUR CABINS
Two large guest rooms with en-suite bathrooms, totalling 18 and 20 sq m ( 190 to 210 sq ft) each, are located on the sides of the boat.
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These cabins each have two entrances: one leading directly outside to the front of the barge near the pool and another one opening inside to the lounge. This allows both intimacy and independence.
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The rooms have large portholes which offer panoramic views of the Canal du Midi.
The cabins are fitted with king size beds that can be separated into single beds upon request. You will be supplied with bath robes, bath amenities (from the famous product line "L’Occitane en Provence") and a hair drier. In your room, you'll also find a mini-fridge full of cool drinks and of course a tea & coffee tray.
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Both cabins have air conditioning. In the event of a cool night at the end of the season, the cabins are equipped with central heating, as are the bathrooms which are also fitted with heated towel rails.
Daily housekeeping is provided and a payable laundry service is available upon request.
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YOUR HOST
The barge has a crew of 4, either French or other nationalities, including the Captain.
The owner of the barge is a French native. He has been passionate about rivers, canals and river boats for thirty years. In the 1980’s he owned two house-boats moored in Paris and had a great time cruising with friends through the French capital for several years.
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In 1989, driven by his passion, the Captain left his secure job as a corporate banker and launched two luxurious river-boats in Paris. These were focused on the market of corporate and incentive events.
The Captain then spent fifteen years in Cape Town, managing his own tour-operating company. Late 2007 he came back to France to fulfil his passion and launch a cruising hotel-barge on the Canal du Midi.
Having a real French native as your Captain is definitely a big plus for your cruise.
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YOUR OTHER STAFF
You have your own exclusive CHEF on board. The Chef will provide some outstanding gastronomic meals through typical and sophisticated French cuisine... The wines are carefully chosen and will perfectly match your dishes and you will enjoy up to three different French wines with every meal.
Your hostess is English and French speaking. She is an important part of your daily life on board for serving the meals, preparing your rooms and being available to help you to find your way on the barge and around the Canal.
The Tour Guide is also French and English speaking. His knowledge of the region and its history will ensure you some great visits around the region, and will allow you to deepen your knowledge of the French culture.
The maintainance of the barge and the assistance with moorings are provided by a matelot.
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