SEVEN DAYS / SIX NIGHTS
The 6-passenger Clair de Lune has new owners on board, Yves and Nathalie, a French couple with a love of boating and a desire to provide a luxury barge cruise on the Canal du Midi, where you can relax and enjoy the landscapes surrounding this beautiful canal. Yves is a licensed pilot and mechanic and will be your pilot and Nathalie is a trained massage therapist and will be your hostess. They will be accompanied by a professionally trained chef and professional tour guide.
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.
The Clair de Lune cruises between Beziers and Carcassonne on the quaint Canal du Midi, where you will discover some of the most beautiful historical sites in the south of France. The standard excursions can, if you wish, be modified and personalized according to your interests, and visits to domains and wine tastings can be organized around the cruise.
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
We pick you up at your point of arrival (Narbonne) and bring you to the Clair de Lune, peacefully docked near Fonserannes, where the crew awaits to share a cruise on the Canal du Midi. Nathalie and Yves, the barge's owners, welcome you around 4:30pm in the afternoon with a glass of Champagne on the sun deck, from which you may admire the magnificent Béziers cathedral off in the distance. Our gentle promenade through nine locks shows you the splendor of the beginning of the Canal du Midi. We navigate along the canal and pass the Malpas tunnel heading to Régimont, where we spend our first night far from any noise or agitations.
Sunday
Listen to the birds singing as you enjoy your breakfast. Your guide is there to take you for a visit to the Oppidum of Enserune. Lunch awaits your return. In the early afternoon, we set out towards Capestang. During our navigation along the long Grand Bief portion of the canal, some of you will enjoy the landscape comfortably lying on lounge chairs. When the day is done, we stop for a meal in a peaceful spot surrounded by nature and a gentle night.
Monday
Today we relax, and we navigate towards Le Somail. We stop for lunch beneath the Plane trees, then resume navigation. Some of you will relax in the Jacuzzi, or follow the barge by bicycle on the towpaths. We stop for dinner in a restful spot, and you are surely in for a little surprise by the Captain.
Tuesday
After a tasty breakfast, our Chef takes you out to discover the farmer’s market in Olonsac. There you can choose the best local products to enjoy when you get back to the barge. Relaxation for everybody in the afternoon. You have several options: a bicycle ride, lazing around in the southern French fashion, Jacuzzi time, reading, or even joining our Chef in the kitchen to help prepare a fine dish or two. Today we go through our first lock, in Argens. To celebrate this event, we just might find the opportunity to taste some wines on-board, or taste delicious olive oils. Both are mouth-watering options! We then spend the night in the tranquil little village of Homps.
Wednesday
Today we continue our cruise towards Marseillette. Three locks await our passage. We take advantage of this leg to stop in a few different villages, enjoying cocktails and lunch beneath the shady trees. In the afternoon, it's time to relax surrounded by nature. We dock for a fine dinner, and a well-earned night.
Thursday
Your guide takes you to the fabulous city of Carcassonne, where you can even get in some shopping after your visit. Our last locks welcome us in the afternoon. Some guests may want to admire the locks on foot or bicycle. We wind up our trip in Trèbes to dock for our last night together, with a festive meal prepared for the enjoyment of all.
Friday
After breakfast, we bid each other a fond farewell, hoping that we will all cherish a wonderful memory of these marvelous moments. We then take you by mini-bus to your point of departure (Narbonne).
Note: This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change. It runs in reverse on alternate weeks. Rev 10/11 sd
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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 2012 SEASON PRICES in US DOLLARS | ||
|---|---|---|
| ACCOMMODATION | VALUE Mar 31 thru May 18 Jul 7 thru Aug 31 Oct 6 thru Nov 9 |
HIGH May 19 thru Jul 6 Sep 1 thru Oct 5 |
| Classic Cruise for 2, six nights |
$17,371 |
$19,740 |
| Classic Cruise for 4, six nights |
$19,140 |
$21,750 |
| Classic Cruise for 6, six nights |
$22,000 |
$25,000 |
| Classic Cruise for 2, three nights |
$10,890 |
$12,375 |
| Classic Cruise for 4, three nights |
$12,056 |
$13,700 |
| Classic Cruise for 6, three nights |
$13,200 |
$15,000 |
| Wellness Charter for 2, six nights |
$18,000 |
$20,000 |
| Wellness Charter for 4, six nights |
$20,700 |
$23,000 |
| Wellness Charter for 2, three nights |
$10,350 |
$11,500 |
| Wellness Charter for 4, three nights |
$13,050 |
$14,500 |
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 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
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