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  • 'ESPERANCE'

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  • Canal du Midi cruise route map
    (Click to enlarge)

    Cruising in the South of France
    The Canal du Midi (between Beziers and Carcassonne)
    Provence and Camargue (between Avignon and Montpellier)
    Provence and Camargue cruise route map
    (Click to enlarge)
    The Esperance Barge, cruising out of Aigues Morte
    • 98 FEET LONG (30 METRES)
    • 4-6 GUESTS
    • 2-3 CREW
    • 1 HUGE HONEYMOON SUITE (WITH KING SIZE DOUBLE BED), 1 LARGE DOUBLE CABIN (EACH WITH PRIVATE EN SUITE BATHROOM) PLUS ANOTHER DOUBLE CABIN ON SPECIAL REQUEST
    • 4 GOOD QUALITY ADULT TOURING BICYCLES
    • AIR CONDITIONING (INDIVIDUALLY CONTROLLED IN ALL ROOMS)
    • CENTRAL HEATING, ON-DECK SPA POOL
    • AIR-CONDITIONED PRIVATE MINIBUS (MERCEDES) FOR EXCURSIONS
    • CD PLAYER, STEREO, TV, DVD, LIBRARY, GAMES, FISHING EQUIPMENT
    This beautiful barge has been converted to a luxury private vessel that will accommodate up to four guests in totally stylish comfort. The barge has a lovely large wheelhouse with windows and skylight allowing a panorama of the beautiful countryside and you are welcome to sit there and watch the Captain maneouvre this graceful vessel if you wish to take a break from the decadence of relaxing on the spacious sundeck area (which is partly covered - ideal for romantic ‘al fresco’ dining—or simply taking it easy).
    Inside, while sitting at the curvaceous open bar, you can enjoy an aperitif or cocktail whilst watching the chef in action, or catch up with co-cruisers’ adventures whilst watching the world float by through the huge picture windows. The saloon area seats eight comfortably and is the perfect place to sip a drink and anticipate the evening’s gourmet extravanganza.
    The huge master suite (perfect for honeymooners) is extra large with a private en suite oversized shower room plus a separate private en suite bathroom with WC, bidet and wash basin. Inside the suite there is a private sitting area with sofa, cushions and coffee table — you even have a claw-footed bathtub and dressing table which can be curtained off for extra privacy. The second large cabin is the epitome of elegance and can be arranged either as a double with king-sized bed, or as a twin cabin with two single beds. The room has ample storage space, a desk with chair and in its own en suite bathroom you will find a shower, wash basin and WC. Each cabin, as well as the saloon, has its own separately controlled air-conditioning. Esperance can also accommodate groups of 6 guests (on special request) as she has another, very ‘boaty-feel’ double cabin that can be used to accommodate the two extra guests in true boating style.

    2012 PRICES (USD) FULL BOARD HALF BOARD 'BARE BOAT'
    Charter for 6 guests $28,350 $25,650 $12,000
    Charter for 4 guests $21,000 $19,000 $12,000
    Charter for 2 guests $15,500 $13,500 $12,000
    On Full Board Cruises 4 course gourmet evening meals are served aboard the Esperance.

    On Half Board Cruises only breakfast and lunch is served on board the barge. The owner Captain of the Esperance will personally recommend local restaurants to you for your evening meals, and will drive you there and back in the luxury barge minivan.

    'Bare Boat' Cruises include all breakfasts, plus your first evening meal, and accomodation only.

    Canal du Midi Cruise highlights may include:

    Tour the fortified city of Carcassonne—the most intact medieval fortified city in the world
    The ancient Roman city of Narbonne
    Hilltop town of Minerve and its 12th century perched fort The superb 11th Century Cistercian Abbey of Fontfroide


    Provence/Camargue Cruise highlights may include:

    The Palais des Papes (ancient Pope’s Palace) in Avignon
    Arles—once the home of Van Gogh
    Les Baux de Provence—a beautiful Provence hillside village
    The ancient Roman aqueduct—the Pont du Gard
    Wine-tasting with wines from Chateauneuf du Pape, Lirac, Tavel and more…
    A visit to an open-air market in St Gilles, Aigues Mortes or Grau du Roi
    Abbey of St Gilles
    Fortified town of Aigues Mortes
    The Maguelone cathedral
    Frontignan Muscat wine

    PICK-UP: 4pm locally, by arrangement- In Avignon or Montpellier for Provence cruises and in Beziers or Carcassonne for Canal du Midi cruises.
    DROP-OFF: locally, after breakfast on the morning of the day of departure.

    CRUISES START ON A SUNDAY AND END THE FOLLOWING SATURDAY (THOUGH THIS IS FLEXIBLE DEPENDING ON BOOKING COMMITMENTS)

    TO CONTACT US
    Phone: +33 563 02 87 04, Fax: +33 563 02 24 11
    Phone (Toll-Free from USA + Canada): 1-800-688-0245
    Email: info@bargecompany.com
    Web: www.bargecompany.com

    The Barge Cruise Company Ltd, 501 Chemin Lacoste, 82170 Grisolles, FRANCE