THE
4 PASSENGER ALOUETTE
Alouette is a Luxemotor type of barge and is 30,48 metres in length
and 4,85 metres beam. She is a well-appointed barge with all cabins
well above the water line. Wining and dining is a highlight of any cruise
and the five-course candlelit dinners are a special treat. The table
d’hôte menus on board the barge are of the very highest quality
and include many regional specialities and fine wines. Each week’s
menu includes some of the chef’s original recipes as well as regional
specialities and seasonal delicacies unique to the particular area of
the country in which you are cruising
One
week cruise in France from 4700 Euros
Photo
Gallery - Itinerary
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Tariff
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ITINERARY
1 April - St Jean de Losne to Lyon
8 April - Lyon to Avignon
15 April - Avignon to Beziers
22 Arpil to 30 September - Beziers - Carcassonne - Beziers
7 October - Beziers to Avignon
14 October - Avignon to Lyon
21 October - Lyon to St Jean de Losne
Carcassonne
to Beziers
Sunday - Carcassonne
You can be met at Paris Gare de Lyon Station and issued with your 1st
Class TGV tickets to Carcassonne where you are met by the crew and transferred
to Alouette moored in Carcassonne port. A Champagne reception gives
you a chance to meet the crew. Later that evening enjoy your first dining
experience on board.
Monday -Carcassonne to Trebes
Today, tour the wonderful medieval fortress of La Cité de Carcassonne.
Explore the intricate fortifications of the two castellated walls, one
inside the other, about a mile in circumference. The views from the
battlements towards the Pyrenées are stunning. Visit the Cathedral
remarkable for its stained glass rose windows, fine statues, elegant
Romanesque nave and Gothic transepts. Back to the barge for lunch and
an afternoon cruise to Trebes.
Tuesday - Trebes to Homps
Enjoy a relaxing morning cruise. After lunch visit Minerve, an old village
on a limestone cliff, which dominates the vineyards below. Its now ruined
castle was once a Cathar stronghold besieged and captured by Simon de
Montfort. On the way back to the boat stop at Peyriac-Minervois for
wine tasting.
Wednesday - Homps to Le Somail
This morning, experience the wonderful under-cover market in Narbonne;
a lively Mediterranean city playing an important role as a wine producing
centre. The municipal, military and religious architecture, the river
banks of the Robine and its shaded boulevards all contribute to its
charm. Enjoy lunch at a bistro just in front of the market then return
to the barge for an afternoon cruise to Le Somail.
Thursday - Le Somail to Capestang
Discover the Abbaye de Fontfroide, a Cistercian monastery founded in
the 11th century. Now privately owned, the abbey has been lovingly restored
with a well-kept garden and peaceful cloister. On the way back to the
boat, stop at Château Auris for a wine tasting. Back on board
for lunch, take in the grandeur and beauty of the Canal du Midi while
you cruise to Capestang.
Friday - Capestang to Béziers
A morning cruise to Béziers. In the afternoon, visit Oppidum
d'Enserune, a pre-Roman hill-top settlement and one of the most important
archaeological sites in the region. The top of the hill affords a panoramic
view of the pond of Montady drained in 1247 and transformed into a curious
pattern of cultivation. Back on board the chef is preparing a memorable
feast for your farewell dinner.
Saturday - Béziers.
Disembark after breakfast and transfer to Beziers for your return TGV
to Paris Gare de Lyon.
This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change.
On alternate weeks the cruise is in reverse direction..
Beziers to Carcassonne
Sunday - Béziers
You can be met at 4pm in Beziers or Montpellier and transferred to Alouette
moored in Beziers port. A Champagne reception introduces you to the
crew. Later that evening, enjoy your first dining experience on board.
Monday - Beziers to Capestang
The first morning's cruise is along the beautiful Canal du Midi to Capestang
where we will moor for the night. In the afternoon, visit Oppidum d'Enserune,
a pre-Roman hill-top settlement and one of the most important archaeological
sites in the region. The top of the hill affords a panoramic view of
the pond of Montady drained in 1247 and transformed into a curious pattern
of cultivation. Dinner aboard.
Tuesday - Capestang to Le Somail
Take in the grandeur and beauty of the Canal du Midi, with its fine
locks, buildings and aqueducts, scarcely changed from their completion
over 300 years ago. After lunch, visit l'Abbaye de Fontfroide, a Cistercian
monastery founded in the 11th century. Now privately owned, the abbey
has been lovingly restored with a well-kept garden and peaceful cloister.
On the way back to the boat, stop at Château Auris for a wine
tasting. Dinner aboard.
Wednesday - Le Somail to Homps
This morning, experience the wonderful covered market in Narbonne, a
lively Mediterranean city playing an important role as a wine-producing
centre. The municipal, military and religious architecture, the river
banks of the Robine and its shaded boulevards, all contribute to its
charm. Enjoy a lunch at a bistro just in front of the market and then
return to the barge for an afternoon's cruise. Dinner aboard.
Thursday - Homps to Trebes
After breakfast, visit Minerve, an old village on a limestone cliff,
which dominates the vineyards below. Its now ruined castle was once
a Cathar stronghold besieged and captured by Simon de Montfort. On the
way back to the boat, stop at Peyriac-Minervois for wine tasting. Return
to the barge for lunch and an afternoon cruise to Trebes. Dinner aboard.
Friday - Trebes to Carcassonne
Finish the week with a tour of Europe's largest medieval fortress -
La Cité of Carcassonne. Explore the intricate fortifications
of the two castellated walls, one inside the other, about a mile in
circumference. The views from the battlements towards the Pyrenées
are stunning. Visit the cathedral, remarkable for its stained glass
rose windows, fine statues, elegant Romanesque nave and Gothic transepts.
Back onboard the chef is preparing a memorable feast for your farewell
dinner.
Saturday - Carcassonne
Disembark the barge after breakfast and transfer to Carcassonne TGV
station which is a 2 minutes walk from the barge, Carcassonne Airport
or to Montpellier.
Itineraries are subject to change. On alternative weeks
the cruise is in reverse direction.
