Barge Cruise: Savannah
Cruise In The South Of France On The Canal du Midi Aboard The Deluxe Hotel-Barge SAVANNAH
BARGE CRUISES: SEVEN DAYS/SIX NIGHTS
The 7-passenger Savannah was built in 1938 as a cargo tanker specifically to the dimensions of the Canal du Midi, the barge was transformed into a luxurious showroom for the cosmetic company l'Occitane de Provence in the 1980s. The mahogany woodwork and ceramic provencal tiles date from this period and remain today. Savannah was completely refurbished and decorated with luxurious contemporary furniture in 2014 by its new owner, Adrien Bramouille. We cruised on the barge for many years with its previous owner when it was known as the Fandango and have always thought it's a beautiful barge.
There are two cabins off the salon plus a bow cabin with a separate entrance from the deck, all with king size beds (or twin beds if preferred) and ensuite ceramic-tiled bathrooms with shower. There is also a single occupancy cabin off the salon with a double bed and ensuite bathroom with shower. All cabins have original brass portholes and mahogany skylights. Beds are fitted with luxurious linens. Guests can relax in the comfortable salon or in a lounge chair on deck as they watch the scenery go by. Meals are taken on deck or in the galley where guests can watch their meals being prepared.
Savannah cruises on the Canal du Midi between Bram, just west of Carcassonne and Puicheric, to the east, through the flowing sunflower valley of the Lauragais into the vineyards of Corbières and Minervois. Daily excursions with your tour guide include visits to the medieval city of Carcassonne, the Cathar village of Minerve, the markets in Narbonne and Mirepoix as well as nearby vineyards for wine tasting. If you like, take a drive in a classic 2CV Citroen. There will also be musicians on board one evening, weather permitting.
Savannah’s crew includes the captain/owner, chef, tour guide and hostess who will ensure that your trip becomes a dream journey along the Canal du Midi. The barge is privately owned and operated and the owner can tailor your cruise to your particular needs and interests, such as specific sites you would like to visit, activities you enjoy most or special dishes and wines you would like to discover.
During your excursions the chef will join you at the markets to choose local seasonal ingredients. The fish, meat, fruits, vegetables and cheese are supplied by renowned local farmers and artisans and priority organic products are provided when feasable. Wines are sourced from regional vineyards in order to offer exceptional products from the wine-producing regions of Minervois, Corbières, Saint Chinian, Cabardès, Fitou and other local regions. Wines and Champagnes from your preferred regions are also held on board. At least two wine tastings are organized in prestigious vineyards so that you can meet the winemaker, visit their domains and discover their acclaimed wines.
Features
- Size of barge: 100 ft x 16 ft
- Number of Passengers: 7
- Number of Cabins (all with private bath): 4
- Crew: 5
- Air Conditioning and Central Heating:Yes
- Salon: Salon with contemporary decor, skylight, and comfortable sofas and chairs Galley/dining area with table for 7
- Bar:Open Bar
- Deck: Tiled sundeck with lounge chairs, dining table and large parasols
- Spa Tub: Yes
- Cabin Features: Two cabins each about 128 sq. ft, plus 130 sq ft bow cabin with separate entrance from deck, all with king bed or twins. Single occupancy cabin 50 sq ft with double bed. Each cabin has an ensuite Provencal-tiled bathroom with shower.
- Vehicle for Transfers/Excursions: Air-conditioned Mercedes Classe V Minivan and Classic 2CV Citroen self-drive experience
- Accessibility:4-5 steps from deck to galley, 4-5 steps from galley to salon, 4-5 steps from deck to bow cabin.
- Bicycles: Yes
- Wi-Fi:: Yes - limited in some areas
Savannah's Deck Plan
| SAVANNAH 2021 SEASON PRICES in US DOLLARS | |
|---|---|
| TYPE | REGULAR Mar 27 thru Nov 5 |
| Cabin (per person, double occupancy) |
$6,000 |
| Single Occupancy Supplement |
$1,800 |
| Single in Single Cabin |
$6,000 |
| Charter for 2 |
$18,000 |
| Charter for 4 |
$22,800 |
| Charter for 5 |
$27,000 |
| Charter for 6 |
$30,600 |
| Charter for 7 |
$35,700 |
| SAVANNAH 2022 SEASON PRICES in US DOLLARS | ||
|---|---|---|
| TYPE | LOW Mar 26 thru May 6 Jul 2 thru Sep 2 |
PEAK May 7 thru Jul 1 Sep 3 thru Oct 28 |
| Cabin (per person, double occupancy) |
$7,200 |
$7,200 |
| Single Occupancy Supplement |
$1,800 |
$1,800 |
| Single in Single Cabin |
$7,200 |
$7,200 |
| Charter for 4 |
$24,000 |
$25,800 |
| Charter for 5 |
$28,000 |
$29,400 |
| Charter for 6 |
$31,800 |
$33,000 |
| Charter for 7 |
$37,200 |
$38,400 |
What's Included
- 7 days and 6 nights on the barge in a cabin with private bath
- Transfers from Narbonne to the barge and return
- All meals beginning with dinner on Saturday, through breakfast on Friday, including two lunches at a selected restaurant (alcoholic beverages not included)
- All wines on board with lunches and dinners
- Open bar on board
- All escorted side excursions
- Classic 2CV Citroen self-drive experience
- Use of bicycles
- Musicians on board one evening, weather permitting
What's Not Included
- Overseas air transportation to Paris and return
- Transportation from Paris to Narbonne and return
- Suggested minimum 5% gratuity for the crew, to be given to the captain in equivalent euros
- Trip cancellation insurance
|
Savannah 2021 Season Cruise Schedule* |
||
|---|---|---|
| Week | Route (Or Reverse) | Season |
| Mar 27 | Bram-La Redorte | Regular |
| Apr 3 | La Redorte-Bram | Regular |
| Apr 10 | Bram-La Redorte | Regular |
| Apr 17 | La Redorte-Bram | Regular |
| Apr 24 | Bram-La Redorte | Regular |
| May 1 | La Redorte-Bram | Regular |
| May 8 | Bram-La Redorte | Regular |
| May 15 | La Redorte-Bram | Regular |
| May 22 | Bram-La Redorte | Regular |
| May 29 | La Redorte-Bram | Regular |
| Jun 5 | Bram-La Redorte | Regular |
| Jun 12 | La Redorte-Bram | Regular |
| Jun 19 | Bram-La Redorte | Regular |
| Jun 26 | La Redorte-Bram | Regular |
| Jul 3 | Bram-La Redorte | Regular |
| Jul 10 | La Redorte-Bram | Regular |
| Jul 17 | Bram-La Redorte | Regular |
| Jul 24 | La Redorte-Bram | Regular |
| Jul 31 | Bram-La Redorte | Regular |
| Aug 7 | La Redorte-Bram | Regular |
| Aug 14 | Bram-La Redorte | Regular |
| Aug 21 | La Redorte-Bram | Regular |
| Aug 28 | Bram-La Redorte | Regular |
| Sep 4 | La Redorte-Bram | Regular |
| Sep 11 | Bram-La Redorte | Regular |
| Sep 18 | La Redorte-Bram | Regular |
| Sep 25 | Bram-La Redorte | Regular |
| Oct 2 | La Redorte-Bram | Regular |
| Oct 9 | Bram-La Redorte | Regular |
| Oct 16 | La Redorte-Bram | Regular |
| Oct 23 | Bram-La Redorte | Regular |
| Oct 30 | La Redorte-Bram | Regular |
|
Savannah 2022 Season Cruise Schedule* |
||
|---|---|---|
| Week | Route (Or Reverse) | Season |
| Mar 26 | Bram-La Redorte | Regular |
| Apr 2 | La Redorte-Bram | Regular |
| Apr 9 | Bram-La Redorte | Regular |
| Apr 16 | La Redorte-Bram | Regular |
| Apr 23 | Bram-La Redorte | Regular |
| Apr 30 | La Redorte-Bram | Regular |
| May 7 | Bram-La Redorte | Regular |
| May 14 | La Redorte-Bram | Regular |
| May 21 | Bram-La Redorte | Regular |
| May 28 | La Redorte-Bram | Regular |
| Jun 4 | Bram-La Redorte | Regular |
| Jun 11 | La Redorte-Bram | Regular |
| Jun 18 | Bram-La Redorte | Regular |
| Jun 25 | La Redorte-Bram | Regular |
| Jul 2 | Bram-La Redorte | Regular |
| Jul 9 | La Redorte-Bram | Regular |
| Jul 16 | Bram-La Redorte | Regular |
| Jul 23 | La Redorte-Bram | Regular |
| Jul 30 | Bram-La Redorte | Regular |
| Aug 6 | La Redorte-Bram | Regular |
| Aug 13 | Bram-La Redorte | Regular |
| Aug 20 | La Redorte-Bram | Regular |
| Aug 27 | Bram-La Redorte | Regular |
| Sep 3 | La Redorte-Bram | Regular |
| Sep 10 | Bram-La Redorte | Regular |
| Sep 17 | La Redorte-Bram | Regular |
| Sep 24 | Bram-La Redorte | Regular |
| Oct 1 | La Redorte-Bram | Regular |
| Oct 8 | Bram-La Redorte | Regular |
| Oct 15 | La Redorte-Bram | Regular |
| Oct 22 | Bram-La Redorte | Regular |
*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.
SAMPLE ITINERARY*
Canal du Midi:
Bram to Puicheric 2023
Canal du Midi:
Bram to Puicheric 2023
Hilltop Village of Minerve
Narbonne Cathedral St. Just
Carcassonne
Chateau-de-Pennautier
Mirepoix
Upon your arrival at the planned meeting point, your guide will accompany you to the barge. Once settled in comfortably, A glass of champagne will be the ideal moment to meet the crew and set off on your first cruise. It is in a most enchanting countryside mooring that you will enjoy the exclusiveness of this adventure and experience the refined dinner prepared by your chef, the outstanding wines and champagnes and the joy of being on board the Savannah as night falls.
Sunday - Lalande lock
Today you will visit the fortified city of Carcassonne, occupied since the Neolithic age and symbol of the middle age, ascend the ramparts dating back to Gallo-Roman times, discover the medieval town, its fort, and the cathedral. Roam and shop in the 19th century bastide of this regional capital; Carcassonne will delight you. Afternoon cruse to Lalande lock (3.5 to 4 hours)
Monday - Carcassonne port
After breakfast, abandon the Canal du Midi for the foothills of the Pyrenees mountains. Mirepoix, a magnificent medieval town in Ariège, waits for you. Visit the villet and have lunch in the market, which is always bustling, held under the village hall, in small pedestrian streets and under overhanging arcades with colorful half-beamed houses. You will have a view of the Midi Pyrénées region, architecturally and visually different from the Languedoc. Aftrenoon cruise to Carcassonne Port (3 1/3 hours).
Tuesday - Villedubert
Morning cruise to Villedubert (3.5 -4 hours). Afternoon visit to Château Pennautier, the "Versailles of the Languedoc," followed by a unique self-drive experience with a historic Citroen 2CV through the vineyards and the winding Black Mountain roads. Late afternoon wine tasting. Evening dinner at a selected restaurant.
Wednesday - Marseillette
Morning cruise to Marseillette (4-4.5 hours). After lunch discover Minerve, considered one of the prettiest villages in France ("plus beaux villages de France"), perched on a heart-shaped rocky spur at the meeting point of two valleys. This village is also one of the emblematic sites of Catharism and was besieged by Simon de Montford during the Albigensian crusade. The surrounding Minervois wines have been appreciated since Roman times. After a walk through this unique village and the surrounding valley, your guide will accompany you to an exceptional Minervois vineyard, Massamier la Mignarde, for a wine tasting of internationally acclaimed wines.Enjoy a musical evening on board with local musicians.
Thursday - Puicheric
After breakfast, a morning visit to Narbonne, a regional capital established in 118 BC as a Roman colony, bosts numerous historical and architectural tracks of the town's prestigious past. Discover the Roman pavements of the Via Domitia and visit the Saint Just Cathedral and Episcopal Palace. A relaxed "promenade" through the shady pedestrian streets will lead you past local boutiques to the covered marketplace. This perfect morning will be followed by lunch in the marketplace, and the afternoon dedicated to cruising the last section of the trip to Puicheric (3.5 hours).
Friday - Departure between 9 and 10 am
After breakfast, time has come to say goodbye and safe onward journey. Your guide will accompany you to your departure point (train station, hotel or airport).
Note: This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change. It cruises in the opposite direction on alternate weeks.
Dining Aboard The Savannah:
SAMPLE MENU
FOOD & WINEThe diversity and quality of produces in our region Midi-Pyrénées, Languedoc and Roussillon enables our chef to elaborate refined and fresh menus.
During your excursions the chef will join you at the markets to choose local seasonal ingredients. Our fish, meat, fruits, vegetables and cheese are supplied by renowned local farmers and artisans. We choose in priority organic produces when feasable.
Wines are sourced from regional vineyards and oenologues so as to offer exceptional products from our wine producing region: Minervois, Corbières, Saint Chinian, Cabardès, Fitou and other local regions.
BREAKFAST
- Cereal, gluten free toast, French breads & pastries
- Sausages, hams, smoked salmon or trout
- Selection of cheeses, fresh fruit salad, jams, honey
- Fresh fuit juices, tea, coffee, milk, almond milk
- Eggs (cooked per request), porridge, miso
- Crepes, biscuits, homemade brioches, pain perdu
- Avocado sorbet, melimelo of tomatoes with basil and lemon whipped cream
- Duck confit and truffle potato parmentier with roasted prunes and apples
- Selection of cheeses
- Entremet apricots and almonds with mascarpone
- Salmon and crispy vegetable tartare
- Ocean surprise (Monk fish, king prawns, clams and various shell fish)
- Epoisses de Bourgogne & Brillat Savarin served with blueberry confiture
- Selection of cheeses
- Old boy's compote (stewed fruit)
Passenger Comments:
It could not have been better, from the Captain owner, accommodations, and route it was fantastic. Additionally the food and Chef was amazing. We have been telling all of our friends that it was a wonderful trip.
J.T. FL USA
LINKS to Savannah Information
This page last updated December 25, 2023