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Different cruises are possible in the regions of the South of France: we have chosen to offer you what we feel is the most magnificent itinerary, which is the Canal du Midi between BEZIERS and CARCASSONNE. Please bear in mind that Alegria –as all the barges on the Canal- will cruise at between 4 and 6 kms/hour depending on the meanders of the Canal and the traffic. Our objective is that you spend between 3 and 4 hours a day cruising. The day is balanced between cruising the canal and visits to some of the exceptional sites in the region. You can also run or cycle along the Canal: you will go faster than the barge!!While cruising… just relax, enjoy the scenery, enjoy the locks, get refreshed in the pool and enjoy the drinks offered by your hostess. When you look at the itinerary below you might be surprised that no Wine Tasting or CellarTour is planned… Do not worry! Our Languedoc region offers many treasures of great winemakers… Depending on your taste we will personalize each cruise with these visits. The day will always be long enough to allow time for this. Some wine makers have also agreed to come onboard Alegria to offer you a personalized wine-tasting.A sample itinerary will look like this one below. It can be changed according to your taste or to some unforeseeable circumstances (this itinerary is therefore not to be considered as a contractual document). The same itinerary can also be done in the other direction, Carcassonne to Béziers: |
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SATURDAY/ BEZIERS-POILHES From 4pm we have the pleasure of welcoming you at the airport or at the railway station and we drive you to Alegria. On the way we may visit quickly the City of Beziers and see the famous locks of Fonséranes. After you settle down on the barge we offer you a Champagne welcome drink while the crew is introduced to you. Alegria might even take you for a short introductory cruise, depending on the conditions of navigation. We also explain to you how the week will work and we give you the necessary instructions for your stay onboard. We serve your first dinner and spend the night in Poilhes, our “home mooring”. SUNDAY/ CAPESTANG AND LA CROISADE Sunday is “Le Jour du marché” in Capestang: your French Captain Olivier will teach you all the secrets of a French Public Market… You may even buy with us some great ingredients that will be served during the lunch along the beautiful bank of the Canal. The afternoon takes you to La Croisade through the lowest bridge on the Canal: the famous bridge of Capestang. Mind your head! We spend the night in a restful place a stone's throw away from a 17th century stone bridge. |
| MONDAY/ LE SOMAIL AND ROUBIA Should you be interested in archeology you can visit an exceptional site: the Oppidum of Ensérune, one of the largest around the Mediterranean. This takes you to the pre-Roman times in the South of France, from the 6th century BC. Later we cruise along to Le Somail, one of the most charming villages along the Canal. Should you need a book for the week you can buy from a unique book shop that has approximately 50.000 second-hand books in stock, in different languages! The evening and the night are spent along the Canal near Roubia. TUESDAY/ HOMPS In the morning we visit Minerve, a fascinating site and a previously fortified village in a very special rocky environment. Minerve was attacked in 1210 by the terrible army led by Simon de Montfort: the right time for us to tell you about the Crusade of the Albigeois in the 13th Century, one of the harshest stories of our past…After the afternoon cruise you are offered a dinner “à terre”, outside the barge. A perfect opportunity to share the atmosphere of a French restaurant! We spend the night in the beautiful area of Homps, a significant harbor on the Canal. |
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WEDNESDAY/ PULCHERIC In the morning we drive through the landscape and we visit a beautiful town, Narbonne. Narbonne is full of history from the Romans and includes the “Palace of the Archbishop”. You will love its Mediterranean and Gothic style. We offer you lunch there. After lunch we drive back to the barge for the leg of the afternoon, up to Pulcheric, our stay for the night THURSDAY/ TREBES In the morning we visit the great City of Carcassonne, the biggest medieval City in Europe. You will be fascinated by the size of the walls and the narrow streets inside. You are there in the middle of the French history! There also many shops where you can buy typical souvenirs to bring back to friends or children. After lunch we cruise for the last leg of the week from Pulcheric to the area of Trebes. We spend the last night there after the “Captain’s Farewell Dinner” FRIDAY/ DEPARTURE After your breakfast it is unfortunately time to conclude this unforgettable cruise before we transfer you back to an airport or a railway station… on the way to your next adventure in Europe or wherever!!! |
h2olidays, Port de Plaisance, 21170, Saint Jean de Losne, France