Compare 3-6 Nights between Carcassonne and Beziers by France Cruises
Compare details and see what other travelers are saying.
| Trip |
5 | Excellent
|
| Duration | 7 days |
| Price From | Check price |
| Price Per Day | Check price |
| Highlights |
|
| Trip Style | Small ship cruise |
| Lodging Level | Luxury |
| Physical Level |
|
| Travel Themes |
|
| Countries Visited | |
| Cities and Attractions | N/A |
| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included |
| Activities |
|
| Meals Included | N/A |
| Description |
3-6 Nights between Carcassonne and Beziers as you drift along the magnificent Canal Du Midi you will step back into the time of Louis XIV - the "Sun King" or "Roi Soleil" - who commissioned this prodigious engineering feat; thus finally achieving the dream of linking the Mediterranean Sea with the Atlantic Ocean. Visit the Oppidum of Enserune, an ancient hill-town near the village of Nissan-lez-Enserune, France. Perched on a naturally defended rocky peninsula high above a canyon in the barren Languedoc landscape you will tour the fortified village of Minerve which is classed as one of the most beautiful villages of France. Also you will see the Palace of the Archbishop in the largely Roman influenced city of Narbonne, France. When you get to Carcassonne you will travel the narrow streets of the great medieval city. |
Day 1: An Artistic Departure From Puicheric
After the crew is introduced to you and after settling down, you are served a welcome Champagne drink while we start cruising slowly along the Canal. You pass the first double lock of L’Aiguille and you can admire the wooden and iron sculptures made by the most famous lock-keeper on the Canal. This first cruise finishes near the old bridge of Puicheric where your exclusive Chef serves the dinner and where you spend the first night.
Day 2: A “Busy” Harbor From The Old Times Of The Canal: Homps
In the morning you visit the great City of Carcassonne, the biggest medieval City in Europe. You are just fascinated by the size of the walls and the narrow streets inside. You are right there in the heart of French history! There are also many shops where you can buy typical souvenirs to bring back to friends or children.
After the lunch served onboard we cruise to the port of Homps, one of the busiest harbors in the old times of the Canal commercial era. The highlight of this cruise is the impressive old bridge of La Redorte, followed by the Outpoor of the “Argent-Double”, and then the eponymous Canal-Bridge. All these examples of the constructions engineered along the Canal are located over three hundred meters only! Dinner is served onboard and the barge is moored along the quays of Homps for the night.
Day 3: Two Typical Minervois Villages: Argens And Roubia
In the morning we cruise slowly to the first village of Argens-Minervois, dominated by the remains of a 10th century castle. Once moored in Argens we have lunch onboard and we continue cruising in the afternoon to the second village of Roubia. You pass the last lock of the cruise as we are now steering along a stretch of 54 kms down to Beziers. You will have passed a total of seven locks over two days, most of them having two basins.
We propose you to visit a wine cellar and enjoy a wine-tasting, either in Argens or in Roubia (or maybe both!).
In the afternoon once we arrive in Roubia you may chose to relax on the barge, roam around this typical village, cycle, etc. At the end of the day your Captain has the pleasure of inviting you for a dinner in a local restaurant. It's the perfect opportunity to enjoy the atmosphere of a French auberge!
Day 4: The Unbeatable Charm Of The Village Of “Le Somail”
In the morning you go to one of the best markets in the region, in the town of Olonzac. Then the guide takes you to Minerve, a fascinating site and a previously fortified village in a very special rocky environment.
During lunch served onboard we cruise slowly to Le Somail, one of the most charming villages along the Canal. You may chose to relax on the barge, roam around, cycle, etc and we also propose you to visit a wine farm or an olive mill nearby. The dinner is served onboard and you spend the night in this lovely place.
Day 5: The Landscapes Of La Croisade
In the morning you visit a beautiful town, Narbonne. Narbonne is full of Roman history and includes the "Palace of the Archbishop". You will love its Mediterranean and Gothic style. And you will be offered lunch there in a typical restaurant that serves some fish specialties.
After lunch you are driven back to the barge for the afternoon cruise. We slowly steer to the bridge of La Croisade and we moor Alegria in front of a beautiful country landscape made of hills and vineyards. The highlights of this cruise are the impressive canal-bridge (65 meters long and 20 meters high) over the river Cesse followed by the T-Junction leading to Narbonne and the Mediterranean Sea. We moor Alegria in front of a beautiful country landscape made of hills and vineyards.
Day 6: The “Meanders Day” Of Capestang
For the last day of cruising you enjoy a morning trip: a 18km (11 miles) leg that is typical with its numerous meanders. Yes the Canal actually looks like a River, but a river that flows above the level of the plains! You pass underneath the lowest bridge on the Canal: the famous bridge of Capestang.
After this four-hour cruise Alegria is moored along its “home quay” in the village of Poilhes (15kms from Beziers).
After the lunch, our guide proposes you a “multi-site” excursion: the City of Beziers, the famous “stair case” of the Nine Locks of Fonserane, the archeological (6th century BC) site of the Oppidum of Enserune, and the Malpas Tunnel, the first tunnel built in the world for a canal. And, should you still be eager with visits, more sites or museums!
You spend your last night onboard Alegria after the Farewell Dinner prepared by our Chef.
Day 7: Departure
After your breakfast, it is unfortunately time to conclude this unforgettable cruise. You are transfered back to the airport or railway station so that you can continue your adventure in Europe or wherever!!!
