Itinerary

Sunday, Day 1 Paris to Béziers to Colombieres

You are met at your Paris hotel and transferred to the Paris Station for your 1st Class TGV rail travel to Beziers station where you are met by the crew. Transfer to the barge at Beziers Port. A champagne reception welcomes you on board and gives you a chance to meet the crew. Time permitting, enjoy your first cruising experience to the pretty village of Colombieres followed by dinner on board.

Monday, Day 2 Colombieres to Capestang

This morning 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. Return to the barge for lunch and then an afternoon cruise along the beautiful Canal du Midi to Capestang. Dinner on board.

Tuesday, Day 3 Capestang to Le Somail

After breakfast enjoy a visit to 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. On the way back to the boat we stop off at local wine producer for a tasting. Return to the barge for lunch followed by a relaxing afternoon taking 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. Dinner on board.

Wednesday, Day 4 Le Somail to Homps

This morning, experience the wonderful covered market in Narbonne with the chef and help choose what is on the menu for dinner! Narbonne is 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 lunch at a bistro just in front of the market and then return to the barge for an afternoon's cruise to our overnight mooring at Homps Dinner on board.

Thursday, Day 5 Homps to Trebes

After breakfast, we 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. This village is full of history of days gone by. On the way back to the boat, stop at Peyriac-Minervois for wine tasting. Return to the barge for lunch and then enjoy the ever changing views from the comfort of the deck, or perhaps walk or cycle along the tow path. Tonight we moor in the pretty town of Trebes. Dinner on board.

Friday, Day 6 Trebes to Carcassonne

Finish the week with a tour of Europe's largest medieval fortress - 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 Pyrenées are stunning. Visit the Cathedral remarkable for its stained glass rose windows, elegant Romanesque nave and Gothic transepts. Meanwhile the chef is busy preparing your Farewell Gala Dinner on board.

Saturday, Day 7 Carcassonne to Paris

Disembark the barge after breakfast and transfer to Carcassonne TGV station which is a 2 minutes walk from the barge for your return train to Paris Austerlitz.

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