'ALOUETTE'

Sunday – Béziers
You can be met at 4pm in Beziers 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 onboard 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.

PLEASE NOTE THIS IS A PROVISIONAL ITINERARY AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE. ON ALTERNATE WEEKS THE CRUISE IS IN THE REVERSE DIRECTION