SEVEN DAYS / SIX NIGHTS
The 6-passenger Clair de Lune, built by its owner Berend Gozens, is the culmination of over 20 years' experience in catering to a discerning international clientele. The saloon has a comfy sitting area, a large dining table and a well stocked bar. Three spacious cabins may be either double or twin bedded, depending on your requirements. Each of the cabins has a large wardrobe, dressing table, and an en suite bathroom, with large shower. The cabins and the saloon all have large picture windows, and the beds face the windows, so that you can enjoy the scenery even from inside the barge.
A very large sundeck governs the exterior of the boat where you can lounge in comfort on reclining chairs. Sun-lovers can soak up the sun and splash in the Jacuzzi, while those who prefer the shade can relax under the tarpaulin awning while watching the scenery unravel. At lunch or on beautiful summer evenings you can enjoy your meals outside in the peace of the countryside. While the sundeck may be tempting, the handsome interior of the 'Clair de Lune', fitted out with Mediterranean plane tree and American cherry wood furnishings, is no less welcoming. For easy access, the boat has been built with as few stairs as possible and can be adapted for wheelchairs if necessary.
Gourmet meals are prepared with skill and imagination from fresh local produce by Clair de Lune's professionally trained chef, while the wines are meticulously selected by our qualified sommelier and represent the very best of the region. An experienced guide will accompany you on excursions chosen to suit your group's interests.
The trip was everything we had hoped for and more. The ambience was spectacular -- beautiful scenery, relaxing, great food, extremely comfortable boat and a friendly, efficient and informed crew.
-- A.B.
It was really wonderful. The staff was outstanding. The barge was lovely and comfortable. Our cabin was good size. We learned a good deal about French history and saw very interesting places. And we relaxed a lot. Every staff person did their job very well. They were attentive and knowledgeable. We also learned a great deal about wines from Sondrine and cheeses from
Jessica. Blaise's meals were outstanding, and we wouldn't have eaten better in Michelin 2 and 3 star restaurants.
-- D.M., CA, USA
Overall impression: It was one of the most comfortable and relaxing vacations we ever have taken. The meals were creative and always a surprise. The wines were hand selected from local vineyards in Languedoc and were very fine wines. Our hostess Sandrine knew the wines and really gave us an education. The excursions were historical, educational and quite interesting.
Sandrine certainly knew a lot of the history and was a terrific guide.
-- B.G., RI, USA
The most amazing vacation we have ever had! You have put together a wonderful and very professional group of people. They not only went above and beyond on our behalf, but they were the friendliest and most accommodating people we have had the pleasure of dealing with. I thoroughly enjoyed the impromtu cooking classes. It was great to not just enjoy the food, but learn something also. When we left, we felt like we were saying goodbye to friends. You should be very proud of this group of people. They always went above and beyond to make us happy.
-- D.F., ON, Canada
The trip could not have been better - everything was superb. I would be delighted to tell everyone how great a vacation it is!
--P.P., CA, USA
The barge trip was wonderful. Our tour guide, Sandrine, was extremely informed about all the stops on our trip, as well as the local wines. Our chef, Blaise, was spectacular in his cooking, and always enthusiastic. Gordon was professional and obviously experienced -- getting through the canal and all of its locks is not easy, but he did an excellent job, and the barge never ran into problems. Emily, our hostess, was very sweet, and did her best to accommodate everyone's needs. Everyone was kind, and we felt privileged to be able to take such a beautiful "voyage" to some spectacular places and learn some important history in the process.
-- R.S., CT, USA
The trip was everything we had hoped for and more. The ambience was spectacular -- beautiful scenery, relaxing, great food, extremely comfortable boat and a friendly, efficient and informed crew.
-- A.B.
Saturday
Arrival at Clair de Lune around 4:30pm will be followed by a Captain's champagne reception, an introduction of the crew, and an outline of the cruise. There will be a short cruise to the first evening's mooring in Villeneuve-les-Beziers.
Sunday
This morning the barge cruises up the canal to the prearranged rendezvous to ascend the seven-locks of Foncerannes in Beziers. Shortly afterwards lunch is served. The afternoon's cruise involves picturesque views of the tree-lined canal as well as the canal's only tunnel at Malpas. You can enjoy the Jacuzzi and sundeck or perhaps cycle or walk at your leisure. If there is enough time after mooring then perhaps a private wine-tasting at a chateau or a visit to the Oppidum d'Enserune, a two-thousand year old hilltop archeological city-site near the evening's mooring at the farm of Regismont le Haut.
Monday
Today begins with either a visit to the Oppidum or wine-tasting (if no time was available the previous day) followed by a cruise to the village of Capestang. Lunch on deck with a lovely view of the 13th century church. The afternoon we cruise along the meandering canal until the evening's mooring near the village of Argeliers. Active guests may desire an invigorating cycle along little vineyard tracks to Quarante to view its 1000-year-old Romanesque church, a true gem of the Languedoc region.
Tuesday
After breakfast we are off to the open-air street market in Olonzac, offering a wide variety of foods, fresh produce, and shops selling Provencal fabrics, books, music, hardware, clothing, and other dry-goods. Depending upon the time, guests may like to visit the Oulibo olive cooperative for a tasting and to shop in its regional products boutique or drive up to the picturesque village of Minerve perched upon its cliff top. Here during the Cathar crusade at the beginning of the 13th century Catholic knights from the north burned alive 150 Cathar 'heretic' priests (known as 'Perfects') because of their differing faith. Lunch onboard is followed by cruising near the village of Homps and a stopover in the picturesque hamlet of Le Somail to visit its famous used and rare bookshop and other artisan boutiques.
Wednesday
Highlights of a morning visit to Narbonne; founded in 118 B.C. by the Romans as their capital in Gaul, we see the towering 13th century Gothic cathedral and the 100 year old covered market with its wonderful selection of fresh seafood, fruit, vegetables, cheese, and many other delicious delicacies. There are also the chariot-rutted paving stones of the Roman road Via Domitia in the central square where one can enjoy an espresso or cappuccino or visit the impressive Archaeological Museum, the Fine Arts Museum or browse in the boutiques along the quaint pedestrian streets. Return to the barge for lunch followed by cruising up through the locks, near the village of Puicheric where we moor overnight.
Thursday
Seventeen hundred years of history awaits in the fortified medieval town of Carcassonne with its impressive double walls and 52 towers, its Romanesque and Gothic cathedral with gorgeous 13th century rose windows, and its winding cobblestone streets lined with boutiques. Lunch onboard. We continue cruising up through the locks and the 'green cathedral' of overhanging trees to our mooring near Trebes.
Friday
After breakfast, disembark Clair de Lune for transfer to your departure point.
This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change. On alternate weeks this itinerary runs in reverse.
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*Note: Cruise directions and sample itineraries may be in reverse and are subject to change and may depend on bookings and local navigation conditions. Alternate excursions of equal appeal are substituted when needed. For charter cruises special itineraries can be arranged.
| CLAIR DE LUNE 2008 SEASON PRICES in US DOLLARS | ||
|---|---|---|
| ACCOMMODATION | VALUE CLASSIC CRUISE Mar 29 thru May 16 Jul 19 thru Aug 29 Oct 25 thru Nov 7 |
MAIN CLASSIC CRUISE May 17 thru Jul 18 Aug 30 thru Oct 24 |
| Cabin (per person, double occupancy) |
$4,700 |
$4,700 |
| Single Occupancy Supplement |
$2,400 |
$2,400 |
| Charter for 4 |
NA |
$24,500 |
| Charter for 5 |
NA |
$25,500 |
| Charter for 6 |
NA |
$26,400 |
| Charter for up to 6 |
$24,000 |
NA |
What's Included
- 7 days and 6 nights on the barge in a cabin with private bath
- transfers from Montpellier or Beziers or Carcassonne to the barge and return
- all meals beginning with dinner on Saturday, through breakfast on Friday
- all wines with lunches and dinners
- open bar
- all escorted side-excursions
- use of bicycles
What's Not Included
- suggested minimum 5% gratuity for the crew, to be given to the captain in equivalent euros
- overseas air transportation to Paris and return
- transfers from Paris to Montpellier, Beziers, or Carcassonne and return
- suggested minimum 5% gratuity for the crew, to be given to the captain in equivalent euros
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