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Canal du Midi (between Beziers and Carcassonne)
Saturday, Day 1
At around 4pm you will be met at a pre-arranged pick-up point. You
will then be transferred directly to La Tortue, which will be moored at
Colombiers, a pretty French village just outside Beziers.
After a Champagne
reception, we cruise off through the Malpas Tunnel, the oldest canal
tunnel in the owrld, to the tranquil mooring of Regismont haut with
pretty bridge, historic buildings and an array of British warship
cannons. Take a stroll before aperitifs and your first gastronomic
experience on board.
Sunday, Day 2
An early morning cruise, (or perhaps you’d like to cycle along the
otwpath), to capestang, the largest village on the canal, in time to
visit the colourful street market, with stalls selling aiwde variety of
local pr duce, clothes and flowers. Back to La Tortue for s sumptuous
lunch, and then off in the minibus to visit the Oppidum D’Enserune, a
pre-Roman hillside site occupied from 600 BC to 100 AD. There is a
wonderful view at the top of the hill, that looks down onto the Montady
Etang, a lake that was drained in the 13th century. A cruise late
afternoon meanders through the vineyards to Pigasse where we’ll moor up
for the night and you can have wine-tasting in a recently converted
posting house.
Monday, Day 3
Our morning starts
with a short cruise to Le Somail, with its fascinating antique bookshop
and loacl potters and artists. A visit to the Amphoralis in the
afternoon takes you to the largest excavation of Roman pottery in
Europe, or maybe you would prefer to see the Olive factory at L’Oulibo’?
Another afternoon cruise takes us to Paraza, the former home of Peter
and sally, and a picturesque hillside village overlooking the canal,
commended by a magnificent 13th century château. While the sun sets in
the west, enjoy your evening meal on deck with the view of the Pyrenees.
Tuesday, Day 4
Tuesday morning takes us to Olonzac market, where the streets are line
dwith sellers of material, clothes and local produce. And then on to
Minerve, and ancient village that stands on a rocky outcrop formed by
the valleys of two rivers: the Cesse and the Briane. It was once a
Cathar stronghold, overthrown by Simon de Montfort and the Crusaders.
The local museums do a fine job of explaining the history of the region
and its geological features, and you can also visit the church where the
altar dates back to 456AD. Return to La Tortue for an afternoon cruise
which takes us through four locks to Homps. You’ll have time to visit
the church, a replica of the basilica at Lourdes, before dining out at a
local restaurant.
Wednesday, Day 5
Peter, your Chef and Captain, takes you to Narbonne, the ancient capital
of Roman Gaul, and will guide you through the outstanding covered food
market. Choose freshly caught fish for dinner. Afterwards, visit the
amazing gothic cathedral with one of the highest naves in France, walk
along the Via Domitia (a recently uncovered Roman Road), or just do some
shopping in the chic boutiques on the charming pedestrianised streets.
After lunch the afternoon cruise takes us through three locks—the
distance is about 3 miles, so perfect for a bike ride or a walk if you
like. We moor for the might at the top of the third lock, Aguille, the
hoem of an enthusiastic and friendly lock-keeper who makes amusing
sculptures from tree branches and trunks. Watch out for the crocodile!
Thursday, Day 6
A morning visit by minibus to Carcassonne, the finest example of a
medieval walled city in the whole of Europe. For those who have already
visited Carcassonne, or who are staying there after the barge trip, we
suggest instead a visit to Lagrasse. In the afternoon, a peaceful
cruise through one of the most magnificent tree-lined stretches of the
Canal du Midi, where linked overhanging branches form a superb green
canopy, known as the ‘green cathedral’. Our last mooring is at the
peaceful setting of Millepetit, where you can relax and listen to the
scops owls and the cigales, while Peter serves you a festive meal under
the stars.
Friday, Day 7
After breakfast we cruise to the triple lock at Trebes with its
beautiful views over the Alaric mountains. From here we say our
goodbyes between 9 and 10am and you will then be taken to Narbonne,
Carcassonne or Beziers for your onward journey.
PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS A SAMPLE ITINERARY AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE. ON
ALTERNATE WEEKS CRUISES WILL BE IN REVERSE DIRECTION. |
