3 to 6-night all-inclusive intimate cruise on the Canal du Midi
Cruise from Carcassone to Béziers on our intimate barge with our franco-italian chef!
Excellent! 4.9/5
BOOKA CARE
- Your money is safe, we pay your host 2 days after check-in.
- 100% refund in the unlikely event the host cancels.
- Changing booking details is always free.
- Access to urgent phone line during your booking.
- Book Co2 positive, we compensate 3 times more than we emit.
River trip highlights
- Cross the 7 locks of Foncérannes and discover the canal
- Dive into the 6th century BC Oppidum of Enserune
- Visit the stunning medieval citadel of Carcassonne
- Discover the Cathar history and its hilltop villages
- Visit the Abbey of Fontfroide astonishingly conserved
- Visit the chateau at Colombiers and its wine cellars
River trip summary
EXPLORE OUR CONCEPT ON THE CANAL DU MIDI ;
- Our barge cruise aims at exploring the history of the former Cathar country, as we will go from the stunning citadel of Carcassone to the little town of Minerve, and visit the Abbey of Fontfroide! It is a new way to discover a country that we are proposing to you.
- Two chauffeured tours are included in our base price, and if you wish to have the driver available for another day, that is possible but you should let know your bookarivertrip.com agent. We also offer a shorter cruise (2 to 4 days) for those who wish to do a faster discovery of the Canal.
- Together, we will cruise for over 80km on the beautifully preserved Canal du Midi, at the heart of the Cathar former territory. That means 4 to 5 hours of daily navigation, seeing the beautiful landscapes passing by, while you relax onboard and take time to enjoy the quietness of French waterways.
- You could even decide to pilot the boat with our captain Jean François! The barge offers a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere, with gourmet food cooked by our franco Italian chef every day for you! Its a gastronomic cruise that we are therefore proposing to you, with each meal being paired with fine wines.
- The Canal is steeped in history and heritage, and you will see along with your cruise breathtaking cathedrals, beautiful Chateaux, ancient and powerful Cathar ruins, and our highlights; the citadel of Carcassone.
- The rural journey on which you will embark is peaceful and enchanting, as you will explore the variety of experiences that rural France has to offer such as fresh and locally made products, timeless towns and villages, at the crossroad of various influences; Gascony, the Mediterranean, Provence, Spain, the Pyrenees and Camargue.
- There is the possibility to arrange a tandem cruise with other local hotel barges to accommodate up to 10 people and share the experience with your family and friends.
YOUR BARGE FOR THE NEXT FEW DAYS;
- Formerly and transport barge, as most barges on the canal, she has been renovated using natural oak that gives her a warm welcoming atmosphere. The barge itself is based at Port Cassafières near the city of Agde, at the heart of the Languedoc Roussillon region, and only 1,5 kilometers from the blue and warm waters of the Mediterranean.
- We will cruise at the eastern end of the Canal (it goes all the way up to Bordeaux!), to give you a good introduction to this multicultural fascinating area, which has lots to offer in terms of activities, history and human warmth!
- The interiors are equipped with a wood-burning stove that we chose for the charm it gives to the place, comfortable and large sofas, TV, DVD player, central heating and of course air conditioning when it is required.
- There is also a fully stocked bar that you will have the freedom to access. It will be our pleasure to prepare some top cocktails to prepare you for dinner every evening! Thanks to our open galley, you can see our chef at work, and even ask him cooking advice
- On our sundeck, you will be able to relax, have meals, or just take a nap while the barge is softly cruising through local wonders. We can make bikes available if you desire to have a more sporty cruise, and you will be able to follow the boat on the parallel towing-path which are perfectly maintained and easily accessible.
WHAT WILL YOU EAT ONBOARD ;
- As I told you, food and drinks are of paramount importance to us! We will, therefore, offer you a convivial and welcoming environment without compromising on the quality of service. We offer a mix of French and Italian cuisine, and we take pride in our seasonal and fresh food menus.
- Fresh vegetables and fruits from local markets, seafood from the nearby shores, regional and local wined, and of course, a selection of french cheeses! The South of France is composed of a delicious mix of flavors, colors, and aromas that we will reproduce in our food, to bring you the ultimate taste bud experience.
- All meals will be served in the large wheelhouse which has a very good view on landscapes, bridges and surrounding architecture, or on the deck, in the early evening, with the sun setting. We will always give priority to organic and locally sourced food, and there is the possibility to cook special meals (vegetarian or/and non-allergenic)
WHAT IS INCLUDED IN OUR FORMULA;
- Your 3 to 6 nights accommodation on the barge
- Two crew members and a private chauffeur (for two excursions)
- All meals required during your stay (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
- A fully stocked bar with a special selection of soft drinks, liquors, and cocktails
- Three guided tours, with transportation and all related fees.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED IN OUR FORMULA ;
- Your remaining personal expenses during the stay
- The gratuities for the crew (we recommend between 5 and 10% of the cruise rate)
- Additional transportation, activities, and furniture that you might require onboard, and that you can discuss with the bookarivertrip.com agent or with us directly.
River trip description
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Location
How to get there
BY TRAIN AND RAIL ;
- Agde train station is in the heart of the city! Some regional high-speed trains stop there, but you might consider stopping in Montpellier if you need different time tables.
- You can reach it from French main cities (Paris, Bordeaux, Toulouse and more) and other European capitals.
BY CAR ;
- There is only one motorway that connects Agde to the rest of the roads, it is A9. By taking it, you can easily reach other regional cities and neighboring countries such as Spain and Italy.
- There is also the option of driving through the French countryside and crossing its little towns and villages. This could be a good option as it will allow you to do stops in charming places and drive through very typical and picturesque places.
- You can also easily rent a car in the numerous renting agencies in the city.
BY PLANE ;
- The local airport is the one Béziers Cap d'Agde, that you can reach from destinations such as Odense, Bristol, or Paris.
- If you want to come from other destinations, you can decide to transfer from different regional and bigger airports such as Montpellier, Perpignan or Toulouse.
TAXI AND LIMOUSINE TRANSFERS ;
- Another option to reach the barge is professional airport transfers. You can choose to trust A2A taxis which are English speaking
About the area
- Agde is not the richest city in terms of historic and sightseeing in the region, but being at the center of the Occitane region, you can reach al these sites by car or public transportation quite easily.
- Within Agde, you can meander through the historical center, its cooler, and its museum, or decide to go on the marina side and walk by the sea.
- It is a very popular destination for water and water sports lovers. You can go to the aquatic center Archipelago / The City of Waer with its swimming pool, SPA, and whirlpool, or decide to go for some watersports in one of the numerous centers by the shore.
- Grau Agde is a fishing village very close to Agde itself, at the end of the river Hérault. On its dock, you will discover many shops and restaurants and can enjoy some time there and dine on one of its terraces. You will also find a village there that is open every day.
River trip owner
Jean Francois
We cruise along the canal du midi for over 19 years.
17 Reviews - 3 to 6-night all-inclusive intimate cruise on the Canal du Midi
Excellent! 4.9/5
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