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.
For The Ultimate Languedoc Wine Experience, a special wine charter is available at additional cost ($1,600 per charter):
While barging along the beautiful Canal du Midi on board Clair de Lune, every Classic Cruise is already an exceptional food and wine experience. For charter groups who have more than just a casual interest in wine, we now offer our Ultimate Languedoc Wine Experience. This option includes a personalized introduction to Languedoc wines and a wine tasting with our wine specialist, Francoise Hivert. Francoise has been choosing our fine wines and delighting our clients for the past several years. Francoise has experience in all facets of wine production and international sales earned while working for various wineries in the Languedoc during the past dozen years. Her charming enthusiasm and expertise will be our entree to "behind the scene" visits to some nearby Chateaux and Domains.
During two of our excursions and one on board tasting, you will be accompanied by Francoise. In recent months we have sought out the ultimate wines of the Languedoc, the world's largest wine growing region, and have put together a list of the most memorable wines to accompany all of our on board lunches and dinners. From Mas Julien in the Montpeyroux area, to Massamier la Mignarde and Pierre Cros in the Minervois, to the Chateau de la Negly on the Clape, and the Domain de Gardies in the Roussillon Villages, we have found wines that you will savour and remember.
To watch a video of the Clair de Lune, barging along the Canal du Midi, see our BargesInFrance Blog to experience what it is like to cruise on this beautiful French canal.
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.
I have a very positive impression of the trip. It was very relaxing and the attention we received was exactly what we wanted. The staff was not intrusive but always available. The food was excellent. The meals were well thought out and the different tastes were excellent. We very much enjoyed trying the local wines and they were chosen with good thought to the meals.
-- D.P., PA, USA
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
Saturday
Arrival at the Clair de Lune around 4:30 pm, followed by a welcome aboard reception where you will be introduced to the crew. If time permitting a short cruise to our first mooring in Villeneuve-les-Beziers.
Sunday
After breakfast The Clair de Lune will ascend the water-staircase of Fonsérannes in Beziers. The afternoon cruise will take you through the canal's only tunnel at Malpas. You can enjoy the Jacuzzi and sundeck, looking out over the picturesque tree-lined canal, and perhaps cycle or walk alongside the towpath. We moor at Régimont le Haut, perhaps a private wine-tasting at a château might interest you.
Monday
A morning visit to the Oppidum d'Enserune, a two-thousand year old hilltop archeological city-site, Lunch in Capestang where you can enjoy a lovely view of the 13th century church. The afternoon will involve cruising along the meandering canal until the night's mooring near the village of Argeliers. An active guest may fancy an invigorating cycle along little vineyard tracks up to the village of Quarante to view its thousand-year-old Romanesque church.
Tuesday
A morning visit to the open-air street market in Olonzac which offers a wide variety of foods, fresh produce and numerous merchants selling Provencal fabrics, books, music, hardware, clothing and other dry-goods. You may want to visit the Oulibo Olive cooperative for an olive and olive-oil tasting and shop their boutique with local products, and wander the picturesque village of Minerve. Return to the Clair de Lune for lunch followed by cruising to Homps with a stop-over in the picturesque hamlet of Le Somail to visit its famous bookshop of rare-secondhand books and other artisan boutiques.
Wednesday
A morning visit to Narbonne, founded in 118 B.C. by the Romans as their Capital in Gaul, to 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 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 shop and browse the boutiques along the quaint pedestrian streets. Return to the barge for lunch followed by cruising up through the locks to near the village of Puicheric where we will moor for the night.
Thursday
A morning visit to the fortified medieval town of Carcassonne. 1700 years of history await you with its impressive double walls and 52 towers, the Romanesque and Gothic Cathedral with its gorgeous 13th century rose windows and the winding cobbled streets lined with boutiques. Lunch will be back onboard Clair de Lune where you'll continue cruising up through the locks and through the green cathedral of overhanging trees to our mooring near the village of Trebes.
Friday
After breakfast, disembark from the Clair de Lune to be transferred to the departure point for the next leg of your travels.
Note: 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 2010 SEASON PRICES in US DOLLARS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| ACCOMMODATION | VALUE Apr 3 thru May 14 Jul 10 thru Sep 3 Oct 16 thru Oct 29 |
MAIN May 15 thru Jul 9 Sep 4 thru Oct 15 |
B & B SUMMER CRUISE Jul 3 thru Aug 27 |
| Cabin (per person, double occupancy) |
$4,700 |
$4,700 |
NA |
| Single Occupancy Supplement |
NA |
$2,800 |
NA |
| Charter for 4 |
NA |
$23,400 |
NA |
| Charter for 5 |
NA |
$24,700 |
NA |
| Charter for 6 |
NA |
$26,000 |
NA |
| Charter for up to 6 |
$22,000 |
NA |
NA |
| B & B Charter for up to 6 |
NA |
NA |
$18,000 |
| Wine Cruise Charter Supplement |
$1,600 |
$1,600 |
NA |
| CLAIR DE LUNE 2011 SEASON PRICES in US DOLLARS | |
|---|---|
| ACCOMMODATION | REGULAR Apr 2 thru Oct 28 |
| Cabin (per person, double occupancy) |
$3,600 |
| Single Occupancy Supplement |
$2,800 |
| Charter for up to 6 |
$21,000 |
What's Included
- 7 days and 6 nights on the barge in a cabin with private bath
- Transfers from 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 Included: B & B Summer Cruise:
- 7 days and 6 nights on the barge in a cabin with private bath
- Transfers from Beziers or Carcassonne to the barge and return
- Two crew members: captain and hostess
- Champagne welcome, 6 breakfasts on board
- Use of refrigerator and kitchen (except for stove) to stock and prepare lunches
- Two escorted excursions to Carcassonne and Narbonne in our air-conditioned minivan (entrance fees not included)
- Use of bicycles and jacuzzi
What's Not Included
- 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
What's Not Included: B & B Summer Cruise:
- 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
- All lunches and dinners
- Alcoholic/non-alcoholic beverages other than water, except at breakfast (use of honor bar, with fixed price list for beverages consumed, to be paid in euros at end of week)
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Special Places Travel, LLC "Barges in France (and the rest of Europe) ... for the experience of a lifetime!" ™
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