'Alouette'

Beziers to Carcassonne on the Canal du Midi, southern France

Sunday - the cruise begins!
The cruise starts at around 4pm when you board the barge for your cruise along the magical Canal du Midi. A champagne reception welcomes you on board and gives you a chance to greet the crew while your luggage is brought aboard. Dinner will be served at 8pm unless you prefer it a little earlier. The time for meals on board can be altered to suit the passenger’s wishes.

Monday - Visit Béziers. Cruise to Capestang.
After breakfast, you will tour the lovely town of Béziers, the birth place of Pierre Paul Riquet who built the Canal du Midi over 300 years ago. You will spend the morning discovering the many squares, pavement cafés, shopping and galleries Béziers has to offer. Not to be missed is the magnificent 13th century Cathedral. Tonight’s mooring is the little port of Capestang.

Tuesday - Visit Narbonne. Cruise to Le Somail.
Up bright and early to experience the wonderful under cover market in Narbonne, a lively Mediterranean city playing an important role as a wine producing centre. Its municipal, military and religious architecture, the treasures in its museums, the charm of the river banks of the Robine and its shaded boulevards all contribute to its charm. Back to the barge for another scrumptious lunch and a cruise to tonight’s mooring in Le Somail.

Wednesday - Cruise to Homps. Visit Minerve
Enjoy a leisurely cruise to Homp. Cycle or walk along the towpaths, take in the grandeur and beauty of the Canal du Midi, with its impressively fine locks, buildings and aqueducts, scarcely changed from their completion over 300 years ago. 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 our descent back to the barge, we will stop and taste some wine in the Minervois.

Thursday – Cruise to Trebes. Visit Abbey de Fontfroide.
After breakfast, relax on deck and watch the passing scenery. This afternoon’s excursion is to the superb 11th century Cistercian Abbey de Fontfroide with its noble cloister and a peaceful garden lined with cypress trees, followed by a wine tasting in the wild limestone hills of the Corbières.

Friday – Cruise to Carcassonne. Visit Carcassonne.
Finish the week with a tour of Europe’s largest medieval fortress - La Cité of Carcassonne. Admire 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, over-restored in places, but 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. Bon appetit.

Saturday – Disembark the Alouette.
After breakfast you will disembark the Alouette, though we sincerely hope to welcome you aboard again soon.

PLEASE NOTE THIS IS A PROVISIONAL ITINERARY AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE.