Luxury Barge Tour in Provence

Salleles d'Aude

Guests are met at the designated meeting point in Narbonne and escorted in an air-conditioned minibus to the barge mooring at Salleles d’Aude to settle into their rooms. A champagne welcome and sumptuous dinner served in the evening.

Salleles d’Aude to Ventenac.

Morning cruise along the delightful Robine canal, built after the Canal du Midi to link Narbonne and the Mediterranean, to the charming, historical village of Le Ventenac. Time to explore the chateau, which was converted into a winery, then to 'L'Oulibo', an olive oil press, where we will sample the famous Lucques olives. We continue to the village of Minerve which boasts a 12th century Cathar fort surrounded by deep limestone gorges. Besieged by Simon de Montfort in 1210, its hilltop location offers spectacular views. Dinner on board.

Ventenac to Bassanel.

After breakfast, the excursion is to Narbonne to visit the Archbishop’s palace, experience a local indoor market and take time to shop or simply absorb the bustling atmosphere. The afternoon cruise passes pine trees and vineyards along the 'grand bief', another engineering prowess unique to the Canal du Midi, to Bassanel. The picturesque mooring under the trees presents a perfect opportunity to try a game of boules followed by an alfresco dinner on board.

Bassanel to Puicheric.

Morning excursion to an 8th century Benedictine Abbey nestled in Lagrasse, a village awarded as one of the 'most beautiful villages in France' where we sample local cuisine, and lunch ashore overlooking the Corbieres vineyards. Afternoon cruise to Puicheric past 'l'Epanchoir', one of the bridges invented by Pierre Riquet for the Canal du Midi. Dinner on board.

Puicheric to Marseillette.

Today we cruise along the 330 year old canal ascending its trademark locks as the relief becomes steeper. Stay on board or take the opportunity to walk or cycle from one lock to the next as the barge navigates a triple locking system. The afternoon excursion is a wine tour and tasting at the Chateau Saint Jacques d'Albas in Minervois, one of the regions approved for the AOC wine label. Dinner on board.

Marseillette to Trebes.

Fascinating morning tour of Carcassonne, dating back to the Gallo-Roman era, 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. An afternoon cruise through the plane trees to Trebes our final mooring place. Captain’s farewell dinner on board.

Trebes

Where you will disembark after breakfast and transfer to Narbonne.

This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change. On alternate weeks this cruise is in the reverse direction.