saraphina - canal du midi

canal cruising in france

hotel barge holidays in france

saraphina - canal du midi

Canal Barge in France

"Drifting down the Canal du Midi on Saraphina is a life changing experience: cozy cabins and exquisite meals make river cruising with Finnegan and Emily perfection."

Owners Finnegan and Emily bring their extensive experience in hospitality and piloting from their years on luxury barges, to make your week cruising on Saraphina the perfect holiday. Saraphina is a Dutch barge, built in 1924. Finnegan converted the barge in 2007. She cruises between Portiragnes plage and the majestic medieval city of Carcassonne, the locks at Beziers, the winding "grand bief" (long stretch of water between 2 locks) with beautiful views and pretty villages. Finnegan and Emily select unique places for your lunches or dinners ashore.

THE 4 PASSENGER BARGE saraphina

Saraphina has 2 spacious cabins each about 20 square meters in size. The aft cabin, which is designed for a couple has many original features giving it a traditional "boaty" feel. The front cabin is more contemporary modern with queen size or twin beds. Both cabins have en-suite bathrooms. Lunches and dinners can be enjoyed outside, in our covered wheelhouse, or in Saraphina's spacious dining area. The open kitchen allows you to see your meals being prepared by your hosts.

7 day self catering cruise
4 to 7 day all inclusive cruise
beziers- Avignon

Self catered sample itinerary

SUNDAY

Sunday afternoon, arrival to the barge. After showing you around we will take you on a short cruise through the "Mini Camargue". Sunday night will be spent the night in the country side in a beautiful spot. Use this opportunity to enjoy dinner at a lovely seafood restaurant on the sand overlooking the mediterranean. We will be your chauffeur free of charge.

MONDAY

During the Morning we will cruise from Portiragnes to Beziers, over the aqueduct and up the majestic flight of locks at Fonserannes. During the afternoon we can organise a visit to the historic streets of Pezenas, renaissance village with its arts, crafts and antique shops. In the evening you will have the opportunity to enjoy dinner at Restaurant "Le 9" over looking the cathédrale Saint-Nazaire lighted at night.

TUESDAY

Today, we will cruise from Beziers to a small village called Capestang, with a charming square where you can enjoy an aperitif with a view of the enormous 12th century collegial church. If you fancy an excursion our guide can take you for a visit of the Cistercian Abbey of Fontfroide.

WEDNESDAY

Narbonne market is a "must see". The market halls of Narbonne are famous across the south. The market counts more than 70 stalls: bakers, pastries, butchers, caterers, fishmongers, greengrocers, poultry merchants, delicatessens, bars and wine merchants. Every morning the market welcomes hungry visitors, cooks and gourmets. Local producers are at your disposal, offering the best products and advice on how to prepare them. Whilst there you must experience "Chez Bebelle" - http://www.chez-bebelle.fr/. When you return to the boat, we will cruise to another stunning mooring next to the sleepy village of Le Somail. While there, visit the world famous antique book shop and the ateliers. In the evening you can walk to one of the many restaurants in the village to wine and dine.

THURSDAY

We can organise a morning visit to the picturesque medieval village of Minerve and the olive oil factory Oulibo. In Minerve, there is a spectacular restaurant we highly recommend: "Le Relais Chantovent" - https://www.relaischantovent-minerve.fr/en/. The afternoon cruise will take you to Argens where you can have dinner at the local "guinguette" - https://www.laguinguette-restaurant.com.

FRIDAY

Today, we propose a visit of the world famous fortified town of Carcassonne, a highlight of the trip. There are many restaurants there where you can enjoy lunch and experience the famous "Cassoulet". On your return we will spend the afternoon cruising up-stream the remainder of the locks, followed by a farewell drink on deck together. The village of Homps boasts many restaurants for your evening meal, our favourite being "En Bonne Compagnie" _ http://www.en-bonne-compagnie.com/en.

SATURDAY

After breakfast you will be tranferred to train station, hotel or local airport for your onward journey.

On alternate weeks the cruise will be in the reverse direction. This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change.

classic itinerary - Portiragnes plage to Homps

SUNDAY

We pick you up from your hotel, train station, or local airport and bring you safely aboard Saraphina. After a short cruise through the "mini Camargue" and Champagne welcome, your first dinner will be served aboard. A beautiful mooring in the country side close to the village of Portiragnes.

MONDAY

After breakfast you will be taken to the historic streets of renaissance Pezenas with its arts, crafts and antique shops. After a typical bistro lunch in Béziers we cruise over the aquaduct and up the majestic flight of locks at fonserannes. This evenings mooring a stones through away from Béziers.

TUESDAY

The morning visit brings you to the cistercien abbey of Fontfroide. After lunch at a quaint restaurant with a stunning view of the "pond of Montady" we cruise along the windiest part of the canal to our mooring in Capestang, a small village with a charming square where you can enjoy an aperitif with a view on the enormous 12th century collegial church .

WEDNESDAY

Our tour guide takes you to Narbonne. known for the archbishops palace, the gothic cathedral, shopping, and the famous covered foodmarket, where you will choose a selection of sea food or charcuterie to enjoy back onboard. We then cruise to another stunning mooring next to the sleepy village of Le Somail. Take the opportunity to visit the world famous antique book shop and the ateliers. In the evening you can walk to a restaurant in the village to wine and dine.

THURSDAY

Thursday's visit brings you to the medieval cathar village Minerve and the olive oil factory «Oulibo». You will then enjoy your lunch ashore returning to the barge for an afternoon cruise to Roubia. A wine tasting before dinner could be organised if you wish.

FRIDAY

The medieval city of Carcassonne is a highlight of the week. After a guided tour around europe’s largest medieval fortified town and lunch there we set off for the final cruise to the village of Homps and farewell dinner aboard.

SATURDAY

After breakfast you will be tranferred to train station, hotel or local airport for your onward journey.

On alternate weeks the cruise will be in the reverse direction. This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change.

Provence Itinerary - beziers to Avignon

SUNDAY

We pick you up from your hotel, train station, or local airport and bring you safely aboard Saraphina. After a short cruise and Champagne welcome, your first dinner will be served aboard. A beautiful mooring in the country side close to the village of Portiragnes.

MONDAY

Portiragnes to Marseillan.
We will spend the morning cruising with ever changing scenery. Pass through the unique round lock of Agde, cross the river Hérault and then cruise the last bit of the Canal du Midi which opens up on to the Etang de Thau. This lagoon is famous for oysters, and is the second biggest production in France. You will enjoy lunch at one of the many restaurants, followed by a visit of Noilly Prat, world famous vermouth distillery.

TUESDAY

Marseillan to Villeneuve le Maguelone

We cross the Etang de Thau once more to take you to the famous fishing town of Sete, Known as the Venice of Languedoc. It is a port and a seaside resort on the Mediterranean with its own very strong cultural identity, traditions, cuisine and dialect. It is also the hometown of artists like Paul Valéry, Jean Vilar, Georges Brassens, Gregory Del Piero, Hervé Di Rosa, Manitas de Plata, and Robert Combas. After a visit and lunch in Sete we start our journey on the "Canal du Rhone à Sete". During the cruise, you can enjoy watching many different species of birds . Our mooring for the night is close to the Cathédrale of Maguelone.

WEDNESDAY

Villeneuve le Maguelone to Aigues Mortes

Your morning cruise will bring you to Aigues Mortes, a fortified city where you will stop for lunch. The foundation of the city is dated around 102BC. The medieval walls surrounding the city are well preserved. Aigues Mortes is famous for its salt. The etangs (salt- water lagoons) surrounding the southern end of Aigues Mortes are red due to the high concentration of salt in them. Beyond the red ponds, you’ll notice huge mountains of salt. Aigues Mortes salt production has been going on for hundreds of years, and is famous throughout France for its superior flavour.

THURSDAY

Aigues Mortes to Arles

Today we have a lengthy cruise through the heart of the Camargue. The canal is surrounded by the famous white Camargue horses. We then cruise on the "Petit Rhone" to Arles. Founded by Greek-Phoenicians in the 6th century BC, the town has a long and rich history. In the 1st century AD, Julius Caesar annexed Arles to his empire making it the capital of Roman Provence and using its shipyards to build warships in the fight against Massalia (ancient name of Marseille). For four centuries the town prospered as a major trading centre. It was during this time that the Amphitheatre, and Thermes de Constantin were built (they still stand today). When the Roman Empire collapsed during the 5th century, Arles went into decline. In 1888 the artist Vincent Van Gogh came to Arles and stayed for over a year. In this time he produced more than 200 paintings including ‘The Starry Night’, ‘Café de Nuit’ and ‘The Sunflowers’. Unfortunately many of the places that Van Gogh had visited and painted were destroyed during World War II. Lunch on board, whilst dinner will be ashore.

FRIDAY

Arles to Avignon

We leave the Petit Rhone behind to enter the mighty Rhone river which takes us upstream to Avignon. The city is famous since 14th Century, when the Popes quitted Roma and created a second Pope city in Avignon. They built a palace, 'Le Palais des Papes,' or the palace of popes, today the world's largest Gothic edifice. In Avignon, we then propose a visit to the famous Chateau Neuf du Pape for a private wine tasting, or tour to les Baux de Provence, one of the "Beautiful Villages in France”. The village can only be visited by foot. You will also have the opportunity to visit St Remy. Wander around the narrow little streets, discovering squares where fountains play, and the attractive boutiques and art galleries that make the town’s historic centre so lively. One of your meals will be ashore and the other on-board depending on the visit you choose.

SATURDAY

After breakfast we will transport you to the train station or your hotel for your next adventure.

14 – 20 April

Such fun, we loved it. And we shall miss the beautiful Saraphina as we drag our feet back to soggy South-West England.
Rhainnon and Naoki

14 – 20 April

This has been such an eye-opening experience to travel in this leisurely ways. Thank you for all the lavish gorgeous meals, for the surprise musical guest.
Suchi and Eze

21 – 27 April

What a wonderful trip! Thank you so much for your warm hospitality and kindness. We cannot possibly tell you how much Luke and I have enjoyed being with you.
Luke and Judith

21 – 27 April

We had been planning this adventure for a while. This was a special trip to celebrate our retirement. The beautiful Canal du Midi did not disappoint – it was awesome to see it in person.
Peter and Sally

12 – 18 May

It was such a pleasure getting to know your guys as well as Barry and Lula. Amazing trip with wonderful stories and beautiful scenery.
Tricia and Dick

19 – 25 May

Thank you for sharing your home and lives for a week. It will be a trip to remember for a lifetime and speak about often. We can’t wait to come back and travel with you again.
Jon, Marja and Erik

2 - 8 June 2019

The food, the wine, the accommodations all were stella, but it is your incredible hospitality and good humor that truly made this trip special. We cannot think of a better way to spend our 25th anniversary.
Bobbi and Tim

2 – 8 June

The cruise, tours, food, wine, companionship. We were totally thrilled with the whole experience. We learned a lot about the canal, the towns, the culture and of course the local wines.
Brett and Cindy

16 - 22 June

Generous spirit of hospitality, superb barge handling skills, five stars food, the best meals ever, Creative and thoughtful birthday celebration, relaxed, fun, convivial ambiance.
Debra, Ivar, Beth and Rick

23 - 29 June

This has been the fulfillment of a dream I didn’t know I had. This was a wonderful, unforgettable experience. It has been one of the most amazing and memorable weeks of my life.
Jan & Graham

21 - 27 July

Words cannot adequately capture how much we enjoyed this entire experience. From the moment we arrived at the barge, our every desire, wish, need has been met. You two clearly have a passion for what you do and each other.
Anne

25 – 31 August

Thank you so much for a lovely and relaxing week. This is a vacation we will never forget. . Barry was such a fun guide and we enjoyed every day with him.
Jenny and John

15 – 21 September

Words cannot describe the lovely time we had with you, celebrating our 35th anniversary. We have a lot of great memories. 0ur week on the Saraphina is bound to be the absolute best.
Bob and Robin

22 – 28 September

Floating around in France was even more magical than I imagined it to be. Dreams are so important for humans and the Saraphina is such a great reminder of all that is possible.
Wendy and JP

29 September – 5 October

We have had the most wonderful time on Saraphina. You and Lula have been great company – we have loved your hospitality. Thanks so much for a great week and we would love to return to do it all again.
Jill and Cary

29 September – 5 October

Wow! Great hospitality! Great local knowledge, great scenery! Great dog (Lula). Hopefully we can return to do the canal du midi trip one day in the future.
Lyn and Rob.

6 – 12 October

What more is there to say? We came a second time and it was as wonderful as the first. New sights, new sounds, new wines. How could it get better than that? We will miss you till be meet again.
Judy, Sally & Tom

13 – 19 October

Our first trip to Southern France and what a trip it was. Barging up the Canal du Midi in your lovely home the SARAPHINA. A truly magical experience that exceeded all expectations at every turn.
Sherry and Foard & Susan and Holbrook

20 – 26 October

Enchantment, Thank you for making our dream of a romantic pretty barge holiday in France come true. It was everything and more. See you next year.