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Afloat in France Alouette
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The Alouette

On board The Alouette

Itineraries

Canal du Midi - Provence - Camargue (South of France)

The Alouette cruises the beautiful tree-lined Canal du Midi between Carcassonne and Béziers and is the ideal barge for a family holiday.

Languedoc-Roussillon is a region famous for its wines and gorgeous countryside and a rich historical texture. Fortified villages, castles and market towns provide a varied itinerary. Highlights of this area include Carcassonne, the most complete medieval, fortified city existing.

Take a look at our special Cookery Itinerary.


 

Schedule
April-October, annually

MonthsDeparture Dates

Journeys

Apr 20104
11
18
25

 Béziers - Carcassonne
Carcassonne - Béziers
Béziers - Carcassonne
Carcassonne - Béziers
May 2010

2
9
16
23
30


Béziers - Carcassonne
Carcassonne - Béziers
Béziers - Carcassonne
Carcassonne - Béziers
Béziers - Carcassonne
June 20106
13
20
27
 
Carcassonne - Béziers
Béziers - Carcassonne
Carcassonne - Béziers
Béziers - Carcassonne
July 2010

4
11
18
25


Carcassonne - Béziers
Béziers - Carcassonne
Carcassonne - Béziers
Béziers - Carcassonne
Aug 2010

1
8
15
22
29


Carcassonne - Béziers
Béziers - Carcassonne
Carcassonne - Béziers
Béziers - Carcassonne
Carcassonne - Béziers
 
Sep 2010

5
12
19
26

 
Béziers - Carcassonne
Carcassonne - Béziers
Béziers - Carcassonne
Carcassonne - Béziers
Oct 20103
10
17
24
 
Béziers - Carcassonne
Carcassonne - Béziers
Béziers - Carcassonne
Carcassonne - Béziers


Prices

6 nights20092010
4 passengers $ 29,300$ 25,000

3 passengers

 $ 26,100$ 22,875
2 passengers $ 22,900$ 20,750

First-class return TGV train tickets from Paris to local station, transfers between local station and barge. TGV rail connections are available for supplement on request

$ 280
per person 
$ 300
per person

Quoted prices are from and may vary depending on the season.

Private hire only, for up to 4 passengers.

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What’s Included

  • 6 nights accommodation on board your péniche-hôtel
  • Breakfast, lunch and candlelit dinner each day
  • Refreshments on board after excursions
  • Wine with meals, liqueurs and bar drinks on board
  • Sightseeing excursions, including entrance fees
  • Use of bicycles
  • Air-conditioned mini-van with driver for sightseeing
  • All transfers for your visits and excursions

Gratuities and Insurance are not included.


Sample a Journey
BÉZIERS TO CARCASSONNE

Sunday - Béziers
A champagne reception welcomes you on board and gives you a chance to meet the crew. Later that evening, enjoy your first dining experience on board.

Monday - Cruise to Capestang. Tour Oppidum d'Enserune
A morning cruise along the beautiful Canal du Midi to Capestang.  The Canal is one of the most beautiful in France and has over 328 locks, bridges and tunnels.  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.

Tuesday - Cruise to Le Somail. Visit Abbaye de Fontfroide
Enjoy a relaxing breakfast as you 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.

Wednesday - Visit Narbonne and the market. Cruise to Homps
This morning, experience the wonderful covered market in Narbonne with the chef and help choose what is on the menu for dinner!  Narbonne is 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 and then return to the barge for an afternoon's cruise to the port at Homps.

Thursday -Visit Minerve. Cruise 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. This village is full of history of days gone by.  On the way back to the boat stop at Peyriac-Minervois for wine tasting. Return to the barge for lunch and then enjoy the ever changing views from the comfort of the deck, or perhaps walk or cycle along the tow path.  Tonight we moor in the pretty town of Trebes.

Friday - Cruise to Carcassonne.  Visit Carcassonne
Finish the week with a tour of Europe's largest medieval fortress - 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, elegant Romanesque nave and Gothic transepts.  Meanwhile the chef is busy preparing your farewell gala dinner on board.

Saturday - Carcassonne
After breakfast disembark the boat for your onward travel arrangements.



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