WHERE YOU WILL CRUISE ON THE CANAL DU MIDI
THE BEST SOUTHERN EUROPE WATERWAY!
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There are 3 main routes and itineraries for your cruise on the Canal du Midi waterway and the region. These are private French European barge cruises on the best waterway in the South of France.
1. Beziers to Aigues Mortes
2. Beziers to Carcassonne
3. Carcassonne towards Toulouse
We cruise these routes in alternate weeks.
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Route 1 - BEZIERS TO AIGUES MORTES
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This is a great itinerary for a European barge or river cruise, involving the area in the South of France south of Beziers down to the Mediterranean.
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Sat pm: You will join your barge moored in the port of Colombiers and enjoy champagne cocktails during a peaceful cruise to Beziers to the top of the flight of 7 locks at Fonserrannes.
Sun am: This morning we shall go down the flight of locks and across the beautiful canal bridge with its spectacular views of the Cathedral of Beziers.
Sun pm: After lunch our visit is to Pezenas, adopted home of Molière. A paradise for those interested in architecture, quaint boutiques, arts and crafts and antiques.
Mon am: We cruise to the ancient Greek town of Agde built on the river Hérault out of volcanic stone. You can visit the old historic centre of Agde or, the Platinum d’Agde and Le Grau d’Agde with its beautiful sandy beaches.
Mon pm: We go through one of only 2 round locks in Europe to bring us on to the River Herault. We shall take a lazy cruise up the river and out to the nature reserve of Bagnas, leaving fresh water behind us and entering the salt waters. A visit to Marseillan where you can visit the winery of Noilly Prat is an option.
Tues am: Our cruise this morning takes us across the Etang to Sète. We shall cruise past the famous oyster beds of Bouzigues which we serve with the delicious white wine from the vineyards of Pinet.
Tues pm: You will be taken off to visit Sète this afternoon. Home of your Captain, this is a busy, bustling town criss-crossed with canals from where it gets its name as the “Little Venice of the Midi”. You will be taken up to the Mont Saint Clair with its spectacular views and a charming little chapel with beautiful murals.
Wed am: Our cruise today takes us through the little town of Frontignan, home of the sweet Muscat wine. The canal now runs parallel with the Mediterranean Sea so any time you fancy a swim...???!!!! We shall be mooring near to Villeneuve les Mageulone.
Wed pm: This afternoon your visit in the minibus will take you up into the gorges of the river Herault to St Guilhem le Desert. This village is one of the stops on the pilgrimage of St Jacques de Compostelle and the Abbey and cloister are well worth a visit. The charming little streets are full of flowers and have earned the village the title of one of the most beautiful villages of France.
Thurs am: Aigues Mortes is our destination today. Cruising through the Camargue with its black bulls, white horses and pink flamingos, you are now in the heart of Provence.
Thurs pm: This afternoon you will be able to explore this walled city, starting point of the crusades. You can have a walk along the ramparts, visit the Tour of Constance, the old prison for wayward women, or delight in the little shops filled with fabrics, pottery, and local produce, before returning aboard for your final dinner.
Fri am: Sadly your week with us is over and after breakfast your guide will be taking you to continue your onward journey.
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Route 2 - BEZIERS TO CARCASSONNE
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Sat 5pm. You will be met by your guide who will bring you to where the barge is moored in a little port close to Béziers, ready for your European cruise on the best waterway in France!
As soon as you are settled on board and introduced to the rest of the crew we shall cruise off with a champagne reception to our first mooring point: Regismont le Haut.
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Enjoy a walk up through this beautiful domaine with its splendid views whilst the first of your gourmet dinners is prepared for you.
Sun am: After breakfast we have a short cruise to Capestang where the Sunday market will give you an insight into how the French like to shop. The 12th century Collegiate is well worth a visit or just sit and have a coffee in the square and enjoy watching the world go by.
Sun pm. Your al-fresco lunch on board will be followed by a visit to the Oppidum d'Enserune, a pre Christian settlement atop the hill with 360° views of the whole region. We shall cruise off into the vineyards and moor up in the heart of this beautiful countryside.
Mon am: This morning we shall cruise to the picturesque village of Le Somail crossing over the beautiful canal bridge of La Cesse. You can visit the olive factory of Oulibo and sample the different types of olive oil, olives and all the other by-products such as soap and hand cream and not forgetting the beautiful bowls and implements made from the wood.
Mon pm. Our cruise this afternoon takes us across the oldest canal bridge on the canal at La Repudre. We go through our first lock today before mooring up at Argens Minervois. There are beautiful walks or cycle rides through the pine woods up to the lake before dinner.
Tues am: Olonzac with its open air market full of local produce from the surrounding countryside, cheeses, olives, home made jams, pottery and colourful fabrics is our first stop. Then we head up into the hills to Minerve, a mediaeval village perched on a spectacular rocky outcrop formed by the rivers Cesse and Brian. This area is famous for its Cathar history and sweet wine.
Tues pm: After lunch we cruise through a particularly beautiful section of canal, with a series of double and single locks, lined with plane trees and surrounded by vineyards.
Wed am: Narbonne is our destination today. Once the capital of Roman Gaul in Southern Europe, their influence is still visible in the old road dating back to 118BC and the underground stores called the Horreum. It's now a bustling town with chic boutiques, street cafés and pride of place goes to the covered market which overflows with the smells and colours of all the local produce for which the Midi is renowned. Narbonne is dominated by the 12th century cathedral and Archbishop's Palace. If you fancy a swim, the sea is not far.
Wed pm: We cruise to the little village of Puicheric which overlooks the Alaric Mountains. Enjoy a walk around the lock-keeper's garden filled with rather unusual wooden sculptures and back to your barge hotel for another gastronomic treat.
Thurs am: We go off to explore the biggest and best fortified city in Europe: Carcassonne. Although dating from the time of Charlemagne, the European city of Carcassonne has been extensively restored. You can walk along the ramparts, visit the Chateau Comptal, shop in the boutiques along the cobbled streets, visit galleries and museums and get the feel of life in the middle ages.
Thurs pm: We shall cruise to Trebes this afternoon going under what is known as the Green Cathedral, thanks to the plane trees meeting in the middle of the canal. Whist you are enjoying cocktails the last of your gourmet dinners will be being prepared.
Fri am: After breakfast, we must say our farewells and you will be taken to your departure point for your onward journey. We hope you will enjoy this great Europe Barge Cruise!
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Route 3 - CARCASSONNE TO TOULOUSE
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Sat pm: Your guide will meet you at your chosen rendezvous point and bring you to where your barge hotel is moored in the port of Trébes.
Once you are settled on board we will cruise off with champagne cocktails out into the vineyards, through two locks to Leveque.
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Sun am: We go off to explore the biggest and best fortified city in Europe, Carcassonne. Although dating from the time of Charlemagne, it has been extensively restored. You can walk along the ramparts, visit the Chateau Comptal, shop in the boutiques along the cobbled streets, visit galleries and museums and get the feel of life in the middle ages.
Sun pm: Put your feet up and relax during our afternoon cruise, which takes us through four locks to Herminis. Have a stroll through the vineyards, cycle the towpath or just sit and have a glass of local wine, read your book whilst your gourmet dinner is being prepared.
Mon am: This morning your guide will take you to Limoux, home of the famous sparkling wine. Can we tempt you to a little dégustation? You will then carry on to Rennes le Chateau, which (if you have read Dan Brown's novel The Da Vinci Code) you will remember from the story of the Curé Saunier who all of a sudden had great riches. Did he find the treasure? This is a very interesting visit, through beautiful scenery, but keep your eyes out for the lost treasure!
Mon pm: After lunch we shall cruise to the typical Languedocian village of Brams. It is known as a circulade due to its resemblance to the spiral of a snail's shell.
Tues am: From Brams this morning your visit will take you through the rolling plains of the Lauraigais, fields of sunflowers in summer and views of the snow capped mountains on a clear day, to the town of Mirepoix. We shall stop off at Fanjeaux, home of St Dominic and the Dominican Convent. The views are spectacular. Mirepoix itself is renowned for its wooden columns surrounding the main market square, its colombaged houses and its cathedral.
Tues pm: After lunch your captain will gently guide you along the Canal du Midi, Europe's favourite waterway, going through a selection of lovely locks to moor up in the lovely Lauragais countryside.
Wed am: This morning we shall cruise to the town of Castelnaudary.
Wed pm: This afternoon your guide will take you to visit Castelnaudary: one of the contenders for "the original and best Cassoulet", the others being Carcassonne and Toulouse. The visit includes: the Grand Bassin, the Gothic Collegiale with its 56 meter bell tower, the 17th Century windmill, the vestiges of the Presidial, partly destroyed by Louis X11, and the Chapelle Notre Dame de la Pitié with its gold-covered wood sculptures depicting ten episodes in the life of Christ.
Thurs am: We leave Castelnaudary this morning and continue our cruise along the waterway to The Seuil de Narouze. This is the highest point on the Canal du Midi after which it descends the other side towards the Atlantic. Here the plane trees are the same age as the canal - amazing!!
Thurs pm: This afternoon's visit is the reason why the Canal du Midi waterway was possible: the Lac St Ferreol. It was the only land which had slopes both to the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. You will see the intricate irrigation system, which allows us to have the canal we love today. To think this was all discovered in the 1600's on horseback by Paul Riquet....
Return to your barge hotel for your final gala dinner lovingly prepared by your personal chef.
Fri am: Sadly you must leave us this morning, and after breakfast, your guide will be ready to escort you to your onward departure point.
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