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France, Canal du Midi – Barge Wine Cruise

From $5199pp

  • duration-trip
    Duration
    7 Days
  • trip-travelstyle
    Travel Style
    iconBarge iconFood & Wine iconSmall Group iconWine Itineraries
  • Product Code
    FRTLSEWWT

summary-image

Could there be any easier or more relaxing way to enjoy a wine tour? Unpack once and let the wine come to you as you float through picture perfect countryside.

Join the luxury barge Athos for a seven day leisurely cruise along the Canal du Midi, onboard this special wine-themed departure complete with a Master of Wine who will be your host.

Visit the walled city of Carcassonne, the towns of Minerve and Narbonne, partake in wine tastings in Saint Chininan and Beziers wineries, visit vibrant markets, as well as paying a visit the famous L'Oulibo, a local olive oil producer.

All meals are prepared by your onboard chef accompanied with wines throughout, in fact the bar is open 24/7 and included in cruise.

For avid wine lovers booking as a small group (10 people), a comprehensive wine itinerary with additional winery visits, private tastings and the services of a professional wine guide can be arranged. This also includes an upgrade of the wine list to include additional premier and grand cru wines.

Arrival at Argeliers

You will be met at the designated meeting point and transferred to where the Athos awaits you at her moorings in Argeliers. A full-crew ‘welcome aboard’ follows, with Champagne and Mediterranean canapés.

Once you are settled into your cabin, you will be invited to a 4-course dinner, prepared by our on board Chef where you will meet your wine guide for the week (typically a Master of Wine).

Enjoy a glass of excellent sparkling wine from Limoux while you’re introduced to what is ahead. A fun, informative itinerary to compliment winery and vineyard visits, tastings with winemakers, as well as tastings on board the Athos and fabulous local wines with food prepared by your on board chef awaits you this week!

Carcassonne City & Languedoc Wines

Enjoy your first breakfast sitting in a comfortable chair on the upper deck of Athos.

Today’s morning visit is a drive to the famous medieval double-walled city of Carcassonne. Your knowledgeable on-board guide will accompany you. There will also be time to browse the shops!

Returning to the barge for lunch, the Captain gets ATHOS underway for an afternoon’s cruise to Pigasse, while Chef will serve up a local 3-course gourmet meal (perhaps including the famous duck confit stew, Cassoulet).

By early evening you’ll have arrived in Pigasse, where Athos’ mooring is beside the picturesque Pont du Pigasse.

There will be a guided visit to Domaine Pierre Cros escorted by your wine guide. Pierre’s range of wines reflect his character – rebellious but Languedoc to the core. Top Minervois appellation wines rub shoulders with beguiling reds made from forgotten ancient vine varieties as well as ‘incomers’ such as Nebbiolo and Pinot Noir.

Enjoy an evening tasting with your guide ‘Exploring Languedoc Wines’ from top appellations as you learn what makes Languedoc wines so special.

Dinner ‘al-fresco’ under the shade of the Plane trees.

Olive Oil & Domaine Tasting

After breakfast, this morning’s suggested visit is a tasting at the Oulibo – the local olive oil pressoir. After tasting those organic and wholesome olives (accompanied, bien sûr by a small glass of rosé!!), a short drive up the Gorge de la Cesse and into the hilltop village of Minerve is in order.

Your guide will regale you with the harrowing tale of the Cathar siege launched at Minerve during the 13th C followed by a visit to Domaine Pierre Fil. This old family domaine makes only red wine and its main focus is Mourvèdre, a sun-loving grape variety which makes haunting, spicy wines. Stroll the vineyards and find out what “terroir” is really all about before tasting Pierre’s wines in his traditional tasting room.

Return to the barge for lunch on board and then cruise to Capestang. Athos will be moored with a clear view of the flood lit St. Etienne cathedral. The village is a 5-minute walk.

Dinner on board.

Capestang Market & Domaine Tasting

After breakfast, we stroll into the village square where the morning market is being held. Taste some of the local winemakers’ fare, along with local cheeses, and the butchers’ sausage.

From the market, your guide suggests a tasting at acclaimed Saint Chinian winery, Cave Laurent Miquel. He has revolutionised his family’s wine estate and acquired prime vineyards in St Chinian, Faugeres and Corbieres.

Return to the barge for lunch on board and then cruise to Fonserannes. This section of canal offers spectacular views of the Pyrenees across the sunny, clear plains.

This evening’s mooring is the breath-taking viewpoint at the Fonserannes. You may wish to consider a game of Pétanque before dinner on board.

Narbonne Market & Domaine Visit

Visit to weekly morning market in Narbonne. Even for non-shoppers, Narbonne offers much entertainment on a Thursday morning.

Explore an excavated portion of the original Roman road, the Via Domitia, browse through the well-compiled Roman Museum, discover the beauty of St.Juste Cathedral, or simply take a moment to blend into the scene.

For wine enthusiasts who might like to purchase and ship certain bottles, Athos recommends our long-time Caviste at the Cave du Palais in Narbonne. Although shipping is costly, it can be arranged from here for those who are interested.

After lunch we begin cruising through the 17th Century feat of engineering, the “Neuf Ecluses” (or staircase locks) followed by the 18th C Canal Bridge, which will carry the Athos over the Orb River.

Today your guide takes you to visit a top vineyard Mas de Soleilla in La Clape, a rugged massif that separates Narbonne from the Mediterranean. Visit and learn how the terroir of la Clape is exceptional and is responsible for producing so many top wine estates.

The evening’s mooring will be at the small village of Portiragnes. The paved towpath and the many locks leading to this village make it an ideal place for an evening walk or cycle before dinner on board.

Oysters, Picpoul, Vermouth & Farewell Dinner

From the scenic mooring at Portiragnes, we get underway earlier than usual, cruising through the Petit Camargue where bulls stand casually in fields, Pink Flamingos grace estuaries, and African Rollers fly overhead.

A spectacular (and appropriate!) seafood lunch awaits you, as you enter the open-waters of the Etang de Thau. The Etang hosts Europe’s largest Mussel and Oyster Park and Picpoul de Pinet will be available to accompany the seafood specialities according to the local pairing.

As the barge comes to moor in the port at Marseillan, you will notice the enclosure of the Noilly Prat Vermouth distillery. End a perfect day with a private tour of the Distillery with your guide and, of course, a taste of Noilly Prat vermouth followed by an onboard tasting of a selection of local Picpoul de Pinet white wines!

Chef’s efforts are sure to make this evening worth remembering! Your Captain will join your party for your final dinner on board this evening, and your crew will have chosen particularly special wines for your final meal on board.

During the evening, the crew to make a farewell toast with you.

Farewell

After breakfast transfer to the designated drop off point.

Included
Inclusions
  • Six nights air-conditioned en-suite stateroom /suite

  • Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner aboard

    Meals are a gastronomic adventure prepared by the private chef using locally sourced ingredients

  • All-day open bar, tea & coffee

    An excellent selection of fine regional and international wines and spirits

  • All transfers, plus daily excursions by chauffeured minibus, inclusive of all entry fees

  • Captain, Chef, Housekeeper, Deck Hand & Tour Guide

  • Use of the barge facilities such as Wi-Fi, bicycles, binoculars, boules & library

departure
Departure Dates
Departure Dates

April to October every Sunday Note - Not all departures are wine-themed

Please note that prices are indicative only, subject to availability for your travel dates and the exchange rate.
money
Price
$5250

per person twin/double Low Season

$6090

per person twin/double High Season

Please note that prices are indicative only, subject to availability for your travel dates and the exchange rate.
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