| DEPARTURE DATES - (sundays) |
RATE |
ROUTE |
| April
3, 10, 17, 24 |
Regular |
Burgundy |
| May
1, 8, 15 |
Regular |
Burgundy |
| May
22, 29 |
Regular |
Provence |
| June
5 |
Regular |
Provence |
| June
12, 19, 26 |
Regular |
Canal
du Midi |
| July
3, 10, 17, 24, 31 |
Regular |
Canal
du Midi |
| August
7, 14, 21, 28 |
Regular |
Canal
du Midi |
| September
4, 11, 18, 25 |
Regular |
Canal
du Midi |
| October
2, 9, 16, 23 |
Regular |
Canal
du Midi |
Meeting
Point
Meet the barge moored in Carcassonne or Beziers, depending
on cruise direction, at 4pm or after.
You will be met at the train station if TGV tickets have been pre-booked
at £220 per
person.
Alouette
Barge Information
THE 4 PASSENGER ALOUETTE ....
Alouette accommodates four passengers in well-appointed cabins located
above the water line. Her sun-deck provides the perfect place to
relax and enjoy the passing scenery while cruising through the specially
selected waterways. Facilities include air conditioning, internet
access and bikes.
Alouette is unique in our fleet because it is our only
four passenger, charter only barge. With four members of
crew on board this is an exclusive and personal cruise
where your every need is taken care of. The two large suites
have en-suite bathrooms, air conditioning and have a choice
of twin or double bed configuration.
- Tour
of Carcassonne, a fortified city dating back to the
Gallo-Roman era
- Eine
tasting at Chateau d'Auris
- Visit
to Abbaye de Fontfroide, an 11th century Cistercian
monastery
- Experience
the famous covered market in the charming city of Narbonne
- Visit
ancient Minerve and its Cathar fort
- Excellent
walking and cycling
- Regional Specialities
Noisette d'Agneau en Croûte de Sel avec Sauce Romarin,
Ragout de Calamars "Provençàle"
- Wine
Cellar
Domaine d'Auris, AOC Corbieres Chateau de la Peyrade,
Muscat de Frontignan, Domaine Santorin, AOC Miervois
- Cheese
Board
Le Saint-Remois, Fromage de Chévre au
Poivre at au Thyme, Tomme de Valdeblore
Sunday – Béziers
You can be met
at 4pm in Beziers, Carcassonne or Montpellier and transferred
to Alouette moored in Beziers port. A Champagne
reception introduces you to the crew. Later that evening,
enjoy your first dining experience on board.
Monday – Beziers to Capestang
The first morning’s cruise is along the beautiful
Canal du Midi to Capestang where we will moor for the night.
In the afternoon, visit 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. Dinner aboard.
Tuesday – Capestang to Le Somail
Take 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. After
lunch, 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. On the way back to the boat, stop
at Château Auris for a wine tasting. Dinner aboard.
Wednesday – Le Somail to Homps.
This morning,
experience the wonderful covered market in Narbonne, 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 a lunch at a bistro just in front of the market and
then return to the barge for an afternoon’s cruise.
Dinner aboard.
Thursday – Homps to Trebes
After breakfast, 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. On the way back to the boat, stop
at Peyriac-Minervois for wine tasting. Return to the barge
for lunch and an afternoon cruise to Trebes. Dinner aboard.
Friday – Trebes to Carcassonne
Finish the week
with a tour of Europe’s largest
medieval fortress – La Cité of 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, fine statues, elegant Romanesque nave
and Gothic transepts. Back on board the chef is preparing
a memorable feast for your farewell dinner.
Saturday – Carcassonne
Disembark the barge after breakfast
and transfer to Carcassonne TGV station, which is a 2 minutes
walk from the barge,
Carcassonne Airport or to Montpellier.
The day to day itinerary described above is a typical cruise.
However, on any one cruise, the moorings may change and
the places visited may vary depending on the season.
Sunday – Carcassonne
You can be met at Paris Gare de Lyon Station and issued with
your 1st Class TGV tickets to Carcassonne where you are met
by the crew and transferred to Alouette moored in Carcassonne
port. A Champagne reception gives you a chance to meet the
crew. Later that evening enjoy your first dining experience
on board. Monday –Carcassonne
to Trebes
Today, tour the wonderful medieval fortress of La Cité de
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, fine statues, elegant Romanesque nave and
Gothic transepts. Back to the barge for lunch and an afternoon
cruise to Trebes.
Tuesday – Trebes to Homps
Enjoy a relaxing morning cruise. After lunch 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. On
the way back to the boat stop at Peyriac-Minervois for wine
tasting.
Wednesday – Homps to Le Somail
This morning, experience the wonderful under-cover market in
Narbonne; 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 then return
to the barge for an afternoon cruise to Le Somail.
Thursday – Le Somail to Capestang
Discover the 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.
On the way back to the boat, stop at Château Auris
for a wine tasting. Back on board for lunch, take in the
grandeur and beauty of the Canal du Midi while you cruise
to Capestang.
Friday – Capestang to Béziers
A morning cruise to Béziers. In the afternoon, visit
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. Back on board the chef is preparing a memorable
feast for your farewell dinner.
Saturday – Béziers.
Disembark after breakfast and transfer to Beziers for your
return TGV to Paris Gare de Lyon.
This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change. On alternate
weeks the cruise is in reverse direction..
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