saraphina - canal du midi

canal cruising in france

hotel barge holidays in france

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saraphina - canal du midi

canal cruising in france

hotel barge in france

We endeavour to make your holiday one to remember. From the moment you step onboard
you will have only one thing to do, RELAX and let a crew of 3 take care of your every need.
We invite you to cruise with us through tiny bridges, unique oval locks, and the French
countryside enveloped by vines.

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saraphina - canal du midi

"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.

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.