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.  Deservedly, the Canal du Midi is now classed on the World Heritage List of Conservation.

The region of Languedoc, interlaced with the Canal du Midi, unravels a rich history from prehistoric time, through the Roman occupation, succeeded by the turbulent Middle Ages.  The landscape and exceptional architecture captures the atmosphere of time revisited. Whether your passion is for history, arts and crafts, adventure, village atmosphere, wine discovery or shopping, your cruise on board the Roi Soleil will be personally tailored to your specific interests.

The Canal du Midi meanders through the vast diversity of scenic landscapes that changes dramatically from the rugged, rural Languedoc regions to the sun-drenched, azure blues of the Mediterranean.  Within this vast region also lies a land of poetry, and of proud people devoted to the soil and of course the wine, a passion they will share with you in private tastings of the local Minervois and Corbieres wines. Be prepared for new sights, tastes and aromas that will take you on a voyage of aesthetic discovery.

A charter on the ROI SOLEIL is all about CHOICE.  Here's the route - and suggestions on what is available each day to customize your cruise. According to local festivities your guide will offer more options.

Sunday - Beziers
Transfer to the barge, welcome on board, and cocktails, navigation along the canal and mooring by the impressive 9 locks of Fonserannes.

Monday - Beziers to Colombiers
Sailing through the great locks of Fonserannes and onto Colombiers. Excursion to the historic city of Pezenas (famed architecture, many artisans and antiques) or an excursion to the impressive hill village of Roquebrun by the river Orb (possibility to swim). And/or a visit to the pre-roman Oppidum of Enserune, a major archaeological site with panoramic views of the surrounding valleys. And/or a visit to the Beziers historic centre and shops. And/or a wine tasting at a cellar of a top French Sommelier and supplier to Michelin-starred Chefs.

Tuesday - Colombiers to Capestang
Sailing into the heart of the historic village of Capestang. A private visit to the Cistercian Abbey of Fontroide, one of the finest examples in France and private wine testing at a Corbieres Chateau, and/or a visit to a Camargue bull and horse ranch with the opportunity to round up the bulls on horseback.

Wednesday - Capestang to La Croisade or Le Somail
Morning excursion to the charming city of Narbonne that was the Roman Capital of the early Gauls with its vibrant food market and the famed art and roman archeology museums within the Bishop's Palace and shops. A highlight of the week is the afternoon sailing to the peaceful country village of Le Somail, with an impressive antique bookstore, and sailing beneath the smallest canal bridge in France.

Thursday - Le Somail to Roubia
Morning visit to the hilltop village of Minerve, which is a beautiful natural site that has a dramatic history dating back to the time of the Crusades. Visit a prized olive oil mill, L'Oulibo, and a historic Languedoc village. Afternoon sailing to Roubia from where we have the option to take a short flight over the Cathar Castles in the Pyrenees and the famous fortresses of Vertigo.

Friday - Roubia to Homps
Visit the fortified city of Carcassonne, Europe's largest Medieval fortress and a great place to be transported into medieval history as well as a shopping opportunity. Or visit the medieval village of Lagrasse and its artisans. Afternoon sailing to Homps with many locks.

Saturday
A leisurely breakfast on board then transfer to the departure point about 10am.

Note: This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change. The cruise runs in reverse on alternate weeks.

Highlights: Avignon, city of the Popes, Roman ruins and the Pont du Gard, Chateauneuf du Pape wines, Duchy of Uzs, Arles, St Remy de Provence, Les Beaux de Provence, hillside villages, Petit Rhone River, Aigues Mortes, and the Camargue, Sete Port Lagoon of Thau, Agde, and Beziers.

Provence, throughout the Roman Empire has been praised as the fairest of all provinces. It is a province so rich and varied, truly the land for hedonists.

Roi Soleil offers you a unique vantage point as we sail down the ancient border between the Kingdom of France and the Holy Roman Empire of Charlemagne, the river Rhone. When we step ashore to discover the land within, the richness of culture, history, architecture, and arts and crafts begins to reveal itself. Roi Soleil will then follow a tributary of the Rhone, to enter into the mysterious region of the Camargue.

Chartering the Roi Soleil means that you can tailor the excursions according to your party's special interests.

For example:

• Historic Tours & Architecture
  In Avignon you may see the rich architectural influence of each of the eight Popes who resided in the Palais des Papes, from medieval to the Renaissance time. The Palais des Papes presents a magnificent image, as we sail by the Pont de Buzet (famous for the song, 'Sur le Pont d'Avignon') in the pastel colors of the Provencal sunset. Another architectural beauty to see is the aqueduct of the Pont du Gard, a prodigy of the Romans and one of the wonders of the ancient world. Then there is the Roman arena, the antique theatre, some impressive medieval architecture in Arles, once capital of the whole of the Gauls plus the sites of picturesque St Remy de Provence. As an option, you can even participate in a dig on a private site with a top local archeologist. Take the magnificent setting of the little town of Uzs, which was the prime Duchy of France, where in the 17th Century, the Duke and the Bishop of Uzs competed in erecting architectural monuments. A breathtaking site from the panorama of the fortified village of les Beaux de Provence, also renowned for its ancient cobbled streets and picturesque charm and whose history develops around the rebel barons who defied the King!
  
  You can walk along the fortified walls that completely surround the little medieval city of Aigues-Mortes, built on in the marshes as King St Louis sought a safe harbor to embark his crusaders on the route to Jerusalem.
  
  Pezenas is a jewel for lovers of art and literature, where Molire and his theatre troop found refuge in the 17th Century, under the protection of the Governor and Prince de Conti.


• Local Culture, Arts, Crafts and Antiques
  The whole of Provence has always been particularly rich in arts and crafts as you may see through the rich Arletan Museum of Arles, due to its prime position on the trade routes. Since the 19th Century, Provence artists were most successful in preserving local identity and tradition, in defiance of the inroads of industrialization.
  
  For any occasion, the Arlesian woman will don their typical costumes with hand-made laces that have been passed preciously down from mother to daughter throughout the generations, and the Guardians will dance and defy each other in games in the bull rings, inspired by their medieval troubadour ancestors. In Arles you can also personally experience the sites depicted in the paintings of Van Gogh.
  
  Throughout the year there are colorful festivals in all the cities and villages, where the locals proudly present their talents, which have been passed on to them from generation to generation. We can introduce you to local artisans, fabricating by hand, basket weaving, figurines, chairs and furniture, Provencal fabrics and boutis, paintings and pottery, some of whose work is now sought after internationally. The Camargue region is particularly rich in guardian feasts in honor of the bulls and their prized white horses. In Sete you could witness the fishermen jostling in teams, a spectacle on water. You can be as involved as sponsoring the daredevil rasteurs, fighting the bulls in the village arena or simply taking in the local game of petanque from a terrace cafe in the typical village of Fontveille.
  
  For the connoisseurs interested in antiques there is a haven of antique treasures in Isle sur la Sorgue, where no less than 160 antique dealers are presenting their finds.


• Natural sites and The Camargue
  Beautiful panoramas unfold amongst the hill villages and across the cool waters and gorges as may be seen in Fontaines de Vaucluse. From the tranquil river of the Petit Rhone, we enter into the secret of the Camargue where fresh and salt sea water make up the marshlands, the refuge of hundreds of migratory birds. There we will also see the guardians mounted on their white horses tending their prize bulls for the bull rings.


• Gourmet Traveler
  The Provencal market is a total feast to the senses where you can delve into the stalls of local artifacts, and amongst the bouquets of lavender and thyme there are branches of artichokes, pyramids of olives in hues of pastel greens to rich black, and hand pressed A.O.C. olive oils, freshly farmed goats cheeses, Tapenades and olive breads. For the sweet tooth, there are delicious almond sweets, Calissons from Aix-en-Provence, and the sumptuous miniature preserved fruits from Apt.
  
  And then there are the vineyards!! The Rhone valley with its varied terroir and private tastings, beckons the senses with Chateauneuf du Pape, Gigondas, Lirac, Muscat of Beaumes de Venise, and for the new and rewarding discovery - the Languedoc region is making its mark on the sommeliers around the world.


• Cooking Demonstrations
  Did we mention that our Chef is an authentic Provencal food artist, eager to share his secrets in the open plan galley of Roi Soleil for cooking demonstrations? Pour yourself a glass of wine and enjoy the show.


• Activities for Families
  Apart from simply taking a walk through the waterside villages or bicycling along banks of the canal, there are scores of activities to choose from: ballooning, horse riding, or 4-wheel driving in Camargue, attending the bull races or village processions, bird spotting an eagle in the Camargue reserve, visiting the Castle of Beaucaire, white water rafting or gentle canoeing. There are caves to explore ... tell us your fantasy and we will follow your dream.

Note: This is a sample of available regional highlights and excursions may be tailored to the requests of the guests. Please note, the barge owner reserves the right to change the cruise direction depending on weather or lock conditions.