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Welcome to our October 2008 ‘Barge of the Month’ feature. Back in April as the 2008 cruise season dawned, Mark, Felix and I spent a decadent morning aboard the supremely elegant—yet modern and great fun—'Esperance' barge. Moored on the Canal du Midi in the centre of the buzzing cosmopolitan city of Toulouse in the south of France (easily accessible by TGV high speed train from Paris), she was nestled under an impressive, natural cathedral of gently swaying plain trees. It was fantastic weather and a glorious day to be out looking at such a unique barge... |
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Her exterior livery is a mix of classic black and vibrant ‘Occitane’ tones of daffodil yellow and turquoise blue - a
stunning combination and a memorable signature on the water! Taking only 4 guests in elegant luxury
(although 6 can be accommodated easily in a ‘secret’ extra double cabin) the ‘Esperance’ is possibly the most
exclusive hotel-barge to cruise in France. Understated elegance and gentility are her trademark, and guests
are very much invited to see and experience the finer things in life whilst aboard her.
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The ‘jewel in the crown’ of the
‘Esperance’ has to be her gorgeously
spacious ‘honeymoon
suite’ which accommodates two
guests in the most superb style.
With imposing king-size bed, private
porthole windows, private
sitting area with sofa and throw
cushions, claw-footed bath and
dressing table, she also has her
own two private bathrooms - one
with over-sized power shower
and hand made Occitane-look
tiles, and the other with bidet,
WC and washbasin (see below
right). There’s no excuse for a
lack of romance here...Whether
it’s your first honeymoon, your
fifth, or your chosen location to
propose to your loved one, your
week in this cabin will surely be
unforgettable. Mark and I have slept here in the past so I can speak from experience!
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Essentially it is still a very beautiful
room to sleep and spend time in.
There’s a very refined table and a
gentil padded seat which can be used
for writing letters in tranquillity, as
well as tasteful paintings on the walls
and ample room for storing many
clothes and shoes. Our son Felix
(then 18 months old, below) was very
impressed with the cupboard space
and was instantly at home in this
cabin!).
The en suite bathroom is also of a
very high quality with power shower,
large washbasin and WC. The tiles
are again hand made ’Occitane-look’
in a white and turquoise formation.
Everything is designed to ensure that
guests on the 'Esperance' are made
totally at ease and ‘at home’ in as little
time as possible. Add to that, the
fact that Mathias—your charismatic
Captain and the owner of the barge in
one—is such a fun, knowledgeable
person with an immense local knowledge
(he is French and of the south
of France) and you absolutely cannot go wrong. |
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When you’re not
relaxing at the curvaceous
bar, or
chilling out in the
over-sized lounge
area (see pics to
left, right and below),
you may be
relaxing on deck at
the large marble
table, or even lying
back in the heavenly
spa pool
(below right). |
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