I may be compensated if you make a purchase using my link. The Athos barge docked every evening, and we’d wake up every day in a new place. It is a different from a European river cruise, or really any other type of small ship cruising experience. There are four crew members on board, meaning that you’ll have lots of personal care. The Canal du Midi was constructed by 12,000 workers in the 17th century to let cargo barges take a short cut from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic. He has that right – life is beautiful on France’s Canal du Midi. Canal du Midi cruise tips & insights. Cruising the Canal du Midi is all about slowly seeing the sights at your own leisure. Cruising the Canal du Midi was even more beautiful than I imagined. The book alerted us to wonderful wine shops (such as Le Ferme in Carcassonne), wine tastings and restaurants along the canal. Travel Videos The best ways to experience Canal du Midi are: You can reserve your spot today and pay when you're ready. Since the 17th century, this canal has connected the city to the Mediterranean Sea. The first and most consistent problem with the Canal du Midi is that it seems to be a repository for aging and abandoned barges and houseboats. We spent six days and nights drifting from point A to point B. In the afternoon, you’ll slowly drift on the Canal du Midi, whether you’re enjoying lunch on the deck or simply taking in the pastoral views. The pick up and drop off spot for the Athos Canal du Midi cruise is in Béziers. Canal du Midi; Burgundy: Franche Comté ... You come aboard and we show you everything you need to know during a briefing and demonstration before your canal cruise. We received the best care and comfort throughout our entire trip. While we tasted white, red, and dessert wines in the evening, lunch was made for enjoying fragrant, light pink rosés. The Canal du Midi is considered one of the 17th century’s greatest engineering triumphs; as such, it’s popular among both history buffs and sightseers. LEARN MORE. It’s a technical marvel and a work of art. Trèbes, Homps, Ventenac, Paraza, Marseillette and Capestang offer much for wine connoisseurs! Since the 17th century, this canal has connected the city to the … Most barge cruises, like this one on the Canal du Midi in France, take place aboard converted historic vessels, but the boats still have many of the same amenities as a boutique hotel. The Canal du Midi is an historic landmark and a listed UNESCO world heritage site situated between Toulouse and Sète on the Southwestern corner of France. Since the 17th century, this canal has connected the city to the … Canal du Midi in the South of France The Canal du Midi is a remarkable engineering feat by Pierre-Paul Riquet dating back to 1681. The regions of France we cruise are really beautiful and a world apart from the heavily touristed ones you see in the brochures (Canal du Midi and Burgundy canal for example). I didn’t have to plan anything for this trip. I always looked forward to my morning and afternoon cups of coffee. Our base at Bram is in an ideal spot to hire a boat on the Canal du Midi, just a few kilometres from Castelnaudary, famed for its cuisine, especially cassoulet (duck confit with beans).As you cruise towards the Mediterranean, you can easily get to Carcassonne. Water is the guiding thread of this tour, you will discover all the water circulation through the city’s network and how canals works with each other. The canal itself is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site for … Justin wasn’t able to accompany me on this trip unfortunately. Rather than transporting barrels of wine, Athos drifts past the vineyards of the Languedoc-Roussillon region of France. St. Sernin Basilica (Basilique Saint-Sernin), Toulouse-Lautrec Museum (Musée Toulouse-Lautrec), Half a day electric bike ride around Toulouse. Bicycling Opportunities: Adequate (Bicycling is completely optional.) Visit beautiful chateaux, sample … The most interesting set of locks on our journey were the Fonserannes Locks in Beziers. Although originally built to transport crops and goods between landlocked cities, European canal systems are mostly used today for tourism. There are five cabins in total on the Athos barge, each with their own en-suite bathroom. Our guide explains what to see, why it's the best choice for beginners and Canal du Midi boat hire. Sunday. We like the flexibility of 'making it up' as we go along. The Athos du Midi has five staterooms with the capacity of a maximum of 10 passengers at a time. After an afternoon on the Canal du Midi, we docked right in Capestang. My stateroom was just large enough to fit a queen bed, a small table, and shelves that wrapped around the room. Think of it as a luxurious, first class hotel that floats down the river. Hotel barge Athos cruises through the rustic landscapes of the Languedoc on the Canal du Midi. Boating holidays in France are meant to be leisurely. Media Kit Marianna has a masterful knowledge of wine and local wineries, knowing precisely which bottle to pair with each meal. It’s a 360 km network of waterways linking the Mediterranean and the Atlantic through 328 structures, including locks, bridges, and tunnels. A South of France canal cruise vacation on a European river barge can be the thrill of a lifetime for visitors from Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand, Japan, China, and other places. What's the best way to experience Canal du Midi? Cruising grand siecle day. ), it’s best to pull your chair into the sunshine, lean back, and marvel at the view. I’ve created a short video showing the Athos barge sailing through the locks. Keep your eyes peeled: the canal is lined with more than 300 historical structures including locks, tunnels, bridges, and aqueducts. The shaded towpaths are now popular with hikers and cyclists. I was in awe of the navigation skills of our captain as he entered and departed each lock with ease. Whether you’re booking through France Cruises in the USA or European Waterways in Europe, you’ll receive professional and expert services from leaders in the canal and river cruising industry. I am definitely going to look at this. Did you tip in Euros? Explore this further with your tour guide when you visit the medieval walled city of Carcassonne, the cathar stronghold of Minerve or the underground Roman market in Narbonne. What was the head room like ? The canal itself is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site for its 17th century construction works. Here’s what’s included: There are only a few things not included in the price of your barge cruise: any travel insurance, air transportation to France, train transportation to Béziers and gratuities. Many of these were singular locks. Narbonne is best known for its traditional French market, open almost every day of the year. There are moorings and facilities placed at regular intervals, often with electricity and water and sometimes even showers and a laundry. The Athos barge motors into the lock, the lock fills with water, and we continue on our way. Some of his vegan dessert creations were served to all of the passengers on board, and I doubt they were able to tell that they were vegan. Corinne, yes I brought Euros for the tip. Let me know if you decide to take the trip. I loved how he was able to adapt the regular omnivore meals to produce a vegan version. Along the way, Athos’ indulgent and well-versed crew guide visits to famous hilltop towns like Carcassonne and Minerve. There are paths on either side of the entire canal. Barge holidays in France means all-inclusive luxury. You can unpack your luggage and make yourself at home from the moment you arrive. Our base at Bram is in an ideal spot to hire a boat on the Canal du Midi, just a few kilometres from Castelnaudary, famed for its cuisine, especially cassoulet (duck confit with beans).As you cruise … Intro; Sources; Food; Wine ; Sample Menus; Photos. I see that you are Canadian, Lauren. You’d never be able to tell that this barge wasn’t always a first class floating hotel. If you love river cruising, I think you'll really enjoy this! Whether I’m embarking on a cross-country road trip or hopping from one country to the next by train, I’m usually attempting to cram in as many sights and activities into the day as possible. For the most part, we don't cruise where the big barge hotels do. One of our primary guide books on our recent cruise on the Canal du Midi was "Wine Cruising, A Guide to Wines Along the Canal du Midi in Southern France," by Kathy and Davis Folsom. I really loved how there was enough time to see everything on our trips into town. Does a luxury hotel barge cruise on the Canal du Midi appeal to you simply for the experience of travelling in an original way? There were merely inches on each side of the boat, yet he didn’t manage to bump into the concrete edges at any time. Athos was originally a commercial grain, sand, and wine barge, converted to a luxury hotel barge in 1982. The Captain's wife has embraced the European Mediterranean cuisine with enthusiasm. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a fabulous example of a medieval fortified town. Her and her husband, Julian met aboard the Athos many years ago. Spend some time browsing the websites to get an idea for the sorts of hotel barge cruises you can take. It’s a chance to relax, rest, and reflect. If you have an allergy, dietary restriction or preference, don’t hesitate to book your Canal du Midi cruise. Truly an outstanding feat of engineering when completed in 1694, the main course of the Canal du Midi runs 240 kilometres (150 miles). It’s a 360 km network of waterways linking the Mediterranean and the Atlantic through 328 structures, including locks, bridges, and tunnels. YouTube One of the attractions of barge cruising along the Canal du Midi in France is the opportunity to bike on the towpaths that line its entire 150-mile length. The next morning, we woke up to check out the Noilly Prat vermouth distillery. canal du midi ― luxury cruise on 1920's style river-yacht; the midi canal (canal du midi) cathar religion; languedoc-rousillion wines; location map; orchids of the minervois & corbiÈres regions; office and how to contact computours; photograph of the day; index of places to visit; useful links Get a thorough safety briefing and then set off to see the sights. Pedal through the St. Etienne neighborhood and see the Cathedral then ride along the Canal de Brienne, where you take in river views, and get to know some local secrets down hidden alleyways. It’s a set of six staircase locks (there used to be nine locks in total) that’s a feat of modern engineering. Buying Request Hub makes it simple, with just a few steps: post a Buying Request and when it’s approved, suppliers on our site can quote. On your Canal du Midi cruise, tour vineyards, visit wine caves and taste free samples. From the moment I arrived in Béziers, everything was included! If you look at the room configuration on this website, it might be worthwhile to book the room at the very end of the ship - it looks to be a little more spacious than the others: https://www.europeanwaterways.com/fleet/athos/, Work With Us Monday, Day 2 - Cruise to Marseillette. Quickly access bookings. Top it all off with another delectable dinner, and it will be time to call it a day. It looks amazing ! Before our day trip to Minerve, we stopped at L’Oulibo for an olive and olive oil tasting. Back on board, high … Travel: Arrival to Capestang. However, the Athos barge is a great vacation for solo travelers. I don't have the precise measurements of the room. I can’t say enough good things about our crew. Since the 17th century, this canal has connected the city to the Mediterranean Sea. Hiring your own holiday boat is an ideal way to explore and experience the pleasures and treasures that the Canal du Midi … After lunch on the barge, accompany your guide on a tour the wonderful medieval fortress of Carcassonne. And though it can be windy and a there can be a chance of rain – during the season, which only runs from April through October, you’re almost guaranteed good weather. Our cruise started in the seaside village of Marseillan, the starting point of the Canal du Midi. Since many barges work the same short stretch of canal … A complete guide on how to plan a summer cruise of the exciting Rideau and Richelieu Canals in Canada, which can include stops in Ottawa, Montreal and Quebec. While you can rent your own vessel for memorable boating holidays in France, I’d much rather leave the navigating up to the experts. Our classic Canal du Midi cruise … Its creator, Pierre-Paul Riquet, designed the Canal du Midi and it was built between 1667 and 1694. It’s strategically built up on the escarpment and has a truly fascinating history of being under siege. What charts and guides to get, fees to expect, where to stop, what cities to visit and when to go. Meander through a vast diversity of scenic landscapes and 328 locks, aqueducts, bridges and tunnels, all of which were imagined by the Romans and constructed … This trip is completely opposite to my usual jaunts, and I’m now convinced that I need to slow down when I travel. You can cruise the justly famous World Heritage Canal du Midi and its locality piloting your own self-drive hire boat, or being pampered in fine style aboard a luxury hotel barge. As the morning went on, a few tourists started to emerge as the tiny shops opened, but it never got crowded or busy. © 2021 Justin Plus Lauren | Privacy Policy| Web Stories | Bamboo on Trellis Framework by Mediavine, Vegan Restaurants in Bern: Where to Eat in Bern for the Yummiest Vegan Food, 5 Enchanting Reasons to Visit Marseillan France for an Incredible Day, Transfers to and from Beziers in an air conditioned van, All meals prepared on board by a master chef (breakfast, lunch, and dinner), All wine throughout the cruise, served with each meal, An open bar of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, including liquor and beer, All excursions and admittance fees to the places noted on the itinerary. I traveled from Toronto to Paris on a direct Air Canada flight. Travel Guide > Europe > France > Toulouse > Romantic cruise on the Canal du Midi Architecture; Romantic cruise on the Canal du Midi. Nowadays, canal holidays in France are popular, and one of the prime destinations is the Canal du Midi. We also walked through the Jewish ghetto neighborhood and learned about the history of Pézanas on the way. We’re being coddled in some of France’s best scenery, plus, aboard our self-skippered yacht, we have the adventuresome aspect of working our way through locks and sometimes cycling from lock to lock. I loved that we could ride from the barge right to the beach. She is docked near Poilhes, a charming village on the Canal du Midi, 12 km from Beziers, 20 km from the … Enchanting Cruise on the Canal du Midi Enchante Cruise Review by Kiiks. I mostly used my credit card for everything else! Posted on Published: June 24, 2019 By: Author Lauren, Categories Athos du Midi 2019, Blog, Cruise, Europe, France. Includes information on the Rideau Canal, Ottawa River, Saint Lawrence River, Richelieu River, Chambly Canal and Lake Champlain. So you can enjoy your cruise … While it was nice to hop off the barge and wander right into town, it was also lovely to explore “the middle of nowhere”. The costs vary from €2-€20 per night. Be sure to pack bug spray if visiting the canal, particularly during the summer months. The Canal du Midi, designed and built by Pierre-Paul Riquet in 1662-1681, is a remarkable work of engineer­ing, justifying its inclusion in the Unesco world heritage list in 1996, and one of the most popular cruising waterways in France. Interesting areas of France that you will be exploring on your French Hotel Barging Cruise Vacation. Her present length now allows passage through the smaller locks of the famous Canal du Midi. From Toulouse, the Canal du Midi takes you through one of France's most fascinating regions to the mediterranean coast and the Camargue. You will cruise one of the most beautiful waterways in Europe - the Canal du Midi (and the Canal de Garonne) is a UNESCO World Heritage site. After our afternoon sailings, we’d dock at various locations on the Canal du Midi. Barge holidays are fantastic for people of all ages (it’s not just for seniors!). Be sure to pack bug spray if visiting the canal, particularly during the summer months. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it traverses through the … There’s enough room to store your suitcase or backpack in the drawers that tuck beneath the bed. While he admitted that he hadn’t made an entirely plant-based menu before, he was up for the challenge. It is sort of interesting to see the ingenuity of solar and wind power options on these ramshackle dwellings until you realize the sewage from each of these boats goes into the canal. We met as strangers and left as friends. This guide covers the region from Toulouse via … The Canal du Midi is located in the Languedoc-Roussillon region in the South of France. All Barges Canal du Midi Barge Cruises The Esperance is owned and managed by the charming and artistic Mathias Gilles. Sometimes we’d be right alongside a town, and sometimes we’d seemingly be in the middle of nowhere. Athos is a traditional hotel barge with charming and elegant decor. This meant a new excursion to a nearby attraction or village. Toulouse is the starting point of one of the oldest canals in Europe, the Canal du Midi. I admired the picturesque, rolling hills and vibrant fields of poppies and wildflowers from my temporary floating home. The Canal du Midi was an engineering marvel when it was finished in 1681. There’s also a hair dryer, so there’s no need to bring your own. LE BOAT. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. A large bookshelf lines one wall if you’d like to learn more about the region (or if you forgot to bring a book from home). Canal du Midi. The river will lead you back in the city center to wander around the former St Pierre harbour and la Daurade harbour, not to forget the magnificent Pont neuf (new bridge) and the enjoyable atmosphere along the quay. Taking the canal route through rural valleys is a slow-and-steady way to acquaint yourself with the countryside. We received a short lesson about each winery before our tastings, and I was so impressed by how much she knew about each wine. Canal du Midi cruise tips & insights. Nowadays, they own the barge and work on shore to ensure that you have the best vacation ever. Services of a professional guide throughout the tour (several languages available) Accommodation in 3 to 5-star hotels . If you’re craving the concept of slow travel and you’re interested in exploring the South of France, cruising the Canal du Midi on a luxury barge is the trip for you. The Canal du Midi in the South of France is well-known as a popular destination for your first-time barging holiday, as there are route options with few to no locks en route, and you also get to enjoy the culture, … I stayed on board for the first lock or two, and then watched this incredible sight from the shore. While most people sail as couples or even within a small group aboard the Athos du Midi, I sailed by myself this time around. Plus, I was always so full from the starter course and main course (not to mention the numerous slices of fresh bread that I indulged in) that it didn’t matter to me. It’s the best of both worlds because you can learn about each spot from a local guide and have time to wander at your own pace. Romantic cruise on the Canal du Midi. It was amazing to watch the sheer amount of rushing water fill each lock to raise Athos up to the proper level to allow her to enter the next lock. Come hungry for a stop at the heritage city of Castelnaudary, as the market town is the world capital of cassoulet. You can book a room as a solo traveler or a couple, or you can even book out the entire barge as a private charter with a group. Popular Stops Along the Canal Planning to cruise the Canal du Midi in style? It’s a small group sailing and you’ll instantly have a group of friends for your travels. Find tickets & tours worldwide. Our primary guide, Mathieu, toured us around each town and attraction. Barging in France - a beginners guide. Up north you will ride along the wild the Garonne river banks and around Sesquière lake for a peaceful moment. Visit Carcassonne. We also had enough alone time where we could explore on our own or relax on deck by ourselves. The Company midi Boat ensures, throughout the year, the river animated passenger transport on the Béziers portion of the Canal du Midi, a World Heritage Site. Barge Cruising is one of the most intimate and luxurious ways to see the French countryside. Both offer a vast array of hotel barge cruises sailing all over France, whether you’re discovering the Canal du Midi, Burgundy, Provence, or other destinations. The book alerted us to wonderful wine shops (such as Le Ferme in Carcassonne), wine tastings and restaurants along the canal. Chef Lee skillfully prepared all of our meals on board, and I was so grateful that he managed to make 100% vegan meals for me! The wine on board comes from dozens of local vineyards, perfectly paired with our food. The Canal du Midi is a remarkable engineering feat by Pierre-Paul Riquet dating back to 1681. At the end of our tour, we were always allowed to have at least an hour of free time to explore on our own. Please try again on the. high-end electric bike with a guide. Then you're off enjoying your … Welcome Aboard. The Canal du Midi. Toulouse is the starting point of one of the oldest canals in Europe, the Canal du Midi. You will discover a marvellous blend of ancient Gallo-Roman and traditional influences reflected throughout this very historic region. The area boasts over 300 days of sunshine a year. From the south, starting pedaling along the canal du midi, this bike tour will then lead you through St Aubin and Matabiau neighbourhood before joining the Twin Bridge area, the very end of the canal du midi. Unwind and unplug from your daily life as you admire the scenery of the South of France. … While a trip to the market is mandatory, there are a few other intriguing areas of Narbonne. *Up to 9 days depending on the booking/product. It’s the journey of a lifetime. Canal du Midi. There’s the double fortifications, a brilliant cathedral, and a fairy tale castle. One of the delights of travelling along the canals is that you can pull over and tie up almost anywhere. The concept of a barge cruise–in which leis… A South of France canal cruise vacation on a European … It’s always nice to receive a similar meal to everyone else because I really didn’t ever feel left out. Many people gather by the side of the locks to watch the boats, and quite a crowd gathered when our barge traveled through the locks.

Pole Vault Rules, How To Get A New Life Ending In Heavy Rain, Anantara Seminyak Suite, Word For Not Caring About Others Feelings, Cornell University Financial Aid Deadline, Kelly Adams Movies And Tv Shows, Dorothy Love Coates They Won T Believe, Types Of Interpersonal Relationships,