Enchanté - Canal du Midi Cruise (Tour code: 9871)
Highlights
Private winery tour and tasting of fine Minervois wines
Tour Narbonne’s Archbishop’s Palace and experience the colourful market
Visit an olive oil press to sample the famous Lucques olives
Visit beautiful Lagrasse and its 8th century abbey, with lunch in a stunning location
Tour of the medieval city of Carcassonne
Excellent opportunities for walking and biking
Overview
The beautiful, two-decker Enchante offers luxurious accommodation to its passengers with four, spacious suites with en-suite facilities. She also features a saloon, dining area and sun deck with spa pool and a demonstration kitchen. You can enjoy al fresco dining on board or bike along the canal's scenic towpath.
The hotel barge is tastefully furnished in a contemporary style, creating a bright, art deco atmosphere. She has a large saloon with outstanding attention to detail, including an open-plan demonstration galley where guests can see their skilled chef at work. On the lower deck, there is also a computer with internet connection for guests’ use, as well as the requisite Wi-Fi onboard.
Inclusions
Itinerary
Day 1 Narbonne Sallèles d’Aude
You are met in Narbonne** and transferred by private chauffeured minibus to Enchanté. A champagne welcome and an introduction to the Captain and crew, followed by dinner on board.
Overnight stay onboard Hotel Barge Enchante in a Suite.
Selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages included.
Day 2 Sallèles d’Aude Roubia
Morning cruise along the Grand Bief, a technological achievement unique to the Canal du Midi to link Narbonne to the Mediterranean, to the charming historical village of Roubia. Afternoon excursion to “L’Oulibo”, a local co-operative olive oil press where we will sample the famous Lucques olives. We continue on to Minerve, the ancient capital of the Minervois, which boasts a 12th century Cathar fort surrounded by deep limestone gorges. Besieged by Simon de Montfort in 1210, its hilltop location affords spectacular views. Dinner on board.
Overnight stay onboard Hotel Barge Enchante in a Suite.
Selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages included.
Day 3 Roubia Homps
After breakfast, your excursion is to Narbonne, a Roman Mediterranean capital where the Visigoth monarchs once lived. Enjoy a visit to the Archbishop’s Palace, Roman Horreum and the indoor market at the hub of this bustling canalside town, where you will have time to shop or simply absorb the vibrant atmosphere. Afternoon cruise past vineyards and pine trees to Homps. This picturesque mooring in the heart of a French village presents a perfect opportunity to try your hand at a game of boules, followed by an alfresco dinner on board.
Overnight stay onboard Hotel Barge Enchante in a Suite.
Selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages included.
Day 4 Homps Puichéric
This morning we visit a Benedictine Abbey founded in the 8th century. Nestled in Lagrasse, a village awarded the title of “Plus beaux villages de France” and home to many artisans who have set up workshops in the medieval centre, the restored Abbey was once one of the most prosperous thanks to Charlemagne’s charter. Then we sample some local cuisine with lunch ashore in a spectacular setting overlooking the Corbieres vineyards, before returning to the barge to cruise to Puicheric, past “l’Epanchoir”, one of the bridges invented by Pierre Paul Riquet for the Canal du Midi. Dinner on board.
Overnight stay onboard Hotel Barge Enchante in a Suite.
Selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages included.
Day 5 Puichéric Marseillette
Today we cruise along the 330-year-old canal ascending its trademark locks as the relief becomes steeper. This is a great opportunity to walk or cycle from one lock to the next as Enchanté cruises on, navigating the triple locking system. The afternoon excursion is a wine tour and tasting at Château Saint Jacques d’Albas in Minervois, one of the few regions to receive the much-envied French mark of approval for wines known as A.O.C. (Appellation d’Origine Controlée). This informative tour offers an opportunity to sample wine in situ and find out more about the Languedoc’s long-standing and continuing wine trade. Dinner on board.
Overnight stay onboard Hotel Barge Enchante in a Suite.
Selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages included.
Day 6 Marseillette Trèbes
Fascinating morning tour of Carcassonne. Dating back to the Gallo-Roman era, this is the most complete medieval fortified city in existence today with its 52 watchtowers, portcullis and extraordinary repertoire of defences, which resisted the many armies that tried to storm this glorious Camelot setting. This afternoon we squeeze through tight bridges and glide past picturesque vineyards and hamlets to Trèbes. Once a major ally to Carcassonne, this medieval town still retains unique paintings within its 13th century church. Farewell Dinner on board.
Overnight stay onboard Hotel Barge Enchante in a Suite.
Selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages included.
Day 7 Trèbes Narbonne
After breakfast, you are transferred by private chauffeured minibus to your choice of location in Narbonne.
Additional information
Departure Dates and Pricing:
2024 Cruise Rates | ||
Rates are for 6 nights either: per person based on double occupancy per cabin or on a whole barge charter basis. Prices below are in Euros. | ||
Accommodation | Value | Regular |
Suite | € 6,450 | € 7,390 |
Single Supplement | € 2,400 | € 2,800 |
Charter (Whole Barge) | ||
Charter 6 passengers | € 44,600 | € 51,500 |
Charter 7 passengers | € 46,300 | € 53,500 |
Charter 8 passengers | € 48,000 | € 55,500 |
Departure Dates (Sunday) | Rates | Cruise Region |
Mar 24, 31; Apr 7, 14, 21 | Val | France - Canal du Midi |
Apr 28; May 5, 12, 19, 26; Jun 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; Jul 7, 14 | Reg | France - Canal du Midi |
Jul 21, 28; Aug 4, 11, 18 | Val | France - Canal du Midi |
Aug 25; Sep 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; Oct 6 | Reg | France - Canal du Midi |
Oct 13, 20,27 |
- This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change. On alternate weeks, the cruise will be in the reverse direction.
- This barge is available for charter bookings and theme cruises. Contact us for more details.
Pick-up Point
- Cabin bookings - Narbonne TGV train station at 3.30 pm or Ile du Gua Suites (previously Clarion Suites) Narbonne 3:45 pm
- Charter bookings - Guests' choice of one location in Narbonne, Beziers, Carcassonne, Montpellier, Nimes, Perpignan or Toulouse between 3:30 pm & 4:00 pm
Drop-off Point
- Cabin bookings - Guests' choice of location in Narbonne centre by 10:30 am
- Charter bookings - Guests' choice of one location in Narbonne, Beziers, Carcassonne, Montpellier, Nimes, Perpignan or Toulouse by 10:30 am
Booking / Payment Process
- On our website the Barge Cruise prices are show in Euros
- All payments will be made to us in Australian Dollars
- The current exchange rate will be used at the time of deposit and balance
- Our invoice will make this clear and our team is here to assist you
Supplier Booking Conditions Apply
Due to the boutique nature and limited capacity of this travel experience, under our Bookings Conditions this package classifies as “Booking Type 2 – Travel Experience where we act as agent only”. Your contract for the delivery of travel arrangements will be with the principal supplier and will be subject to their Booking Conditions. We will advise you prior to confirming your booking the full details and Booking Conditions of the principal supplier. Our responsibility to you where we sell travel arrangements as agent for the supplier is specified in the ‘Responsibility’ section of our Booking Conditions.
Blackout dates may apply during festive season.
Excluded
- International airfares and taxes
- Domestic airfares and taxes, unless otherwise specified in our holiday package
- Visa expenses, processing and issuance fees
- Meals other than as specified in our holiday package
- Travel Insurance or expenses of a personal nature (mini-bar, phone call, laundry, etc.),
- Tips or gratuities to guides, drivers, porters, hotel, restaurant or boat staff, etc.
- Or any other travel expense that has not been included in our holiday package
FAQs
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The Freedom of Choice options are included in the package price, and the price remains the same regardless of the choice you make on each day.
Our Freedom of Choice program offers flexibility, by allowing you to choose from different options on pre-selected days in the itinerary.
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On some Islands Holiday Packages (e.g. Fiji), it is practical to include flights, so where we have done this it is indicated by the plane icon.
However, on the majority of our Holiday Packages, we do not include international flights.
We found that many customers may prefer to:
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