Alouette

Canal du Midi Cruises

Passengers: 4	English Speaking Crew of: 4
Size:98 feet long	Bicycles: 4
Last Visited: 2011	Air Conditioned: Yes
Rating: Ultra Deluxe

Cruise Rate Includes: 6 nights/7 days in a cabin with a private bath, transfers via First Class TGV train from Paris to the barge and return (These tickets are part of the cruise package; they are non-changeable and non-refundable.), all meals, from dinner the first night to breakfast the last morning, all wines with lunch & dinner, open bar, daily escorted excursions and use of onboard bicycles.

Cruise Rate Does NOT Include: Airfare to and from France, cancellation insurance and crew gratuity (suggested minimum amount is 5% of the cruise price)

2013 Rates

Whole Boat Charter for 2: $23,800
Whole Boat Charter for 3: $26,200
Whole Boat Charter for 4: $28,600

2013 dates

March 31 - April 6	May 26 - June 1	July 21 - 27	September 15 - 21
April 7 - 13	June 2 - 8	July 28 - Aug 3	September 22 - 28
April 14 - 20	June 9 - 15	August 4 - 10	September 29 - October 5
April 21 - 27	June 16 - 22	August 11 - 17	October 6 - 12
April 28 - May 4	June 23 - 29	August 18 - 24	October 13 - 19
May 5 - 11	June 30 - July 6	August 25 - 31	October 20 - 26
May 12 - 18	July 7 - 13	September 1 - 7	October 27 - November 2
May 19 - 25	July 14 - 20	September 8 - 14

The Barge Lady's daughter, Caroline Sack Klein (Director of Sales & Marketing) visited the Alouette in April, 2011 -

Caroline says, "On my visit to the barges of Orient Express in Burgundy, I was delightfully surprised to board Alouette, a vessel that we have not seen in many years. Never have I experienced such love at first sight! I had found my ‘barge soul mate'! Alouette exudes comfort and airy charm, with a soft color scheme of blue, yellow and cream uniting all of the interior areas. The light-filled salon invited you to relax, while the cabins beckoned with elegant bedding and perfectly matched pillows. Cooking demonstrations are offered in the unusually large kitchen. This pretty barge feels different from anything else offered on the canals. I hope to return soon to my beloved Alouette!”

Ellen, The Barge Lady says, "Alouette was gutted and rebuilt in 2008. We upgraded the rating to Ultra-Deluxe at this time. The barge now carries just four guests in ultimate comfort and style. Orient Express kept the classic lines of the exterior with its large deck but refitted the interior in a modern French country style and added many amenities. The big and beautiful staterooms are connected to the crew by an in-house phone system. Hand cut local tiles line the beautiful baths.

The itinerary on the Canal du Midi takes in the major sights and adds the reassurance of the top Orient Express operation. There are many opportunities to walk or bicycle on the towpaths on this canal - which many consider to be the most beautiful in France. I want to visit Alouette – WITH Caroline, of course!"

Alouette

Canal du Midi Barge Cruise Itinerary

Beziers to Carcassonne on the Canal du Midi

Sunday: Paris to Beziers
Welcome Aboard
A transfer agent from the barge Alouette will meet you in the lobby of your Paris hotel in mid morning. You will be chauffeured to the Gare de Lyon Station and provide First Class tickets to Beziers. (Train tickets are purchased in advance by the barge owner and are non-changeable and non-refundable.) Estimated arrival time is the afternoon. As you alight, a member of Alouette crew will be on the platform. After gathering the luggage, you’ll be driven to Alouette moored in our near Beziers. You are welcomed at a champagne reception and later by the first of many gourmet dinners on board.

Monday: Beziers to Capestang
Visit Béziers
After breakfast, you'll tour the lovely town of Béziers, the birth place of Pierre Paul Riquet who built the canal du Midi over 300 years ago. You will spend the morning discovering the many squares, pavement cafés, shopping and galleries Béziers has to offer. Not to be missed is the magnificent 13th century Cathedral. Tonight's mooring is the little port of Capestang.

Tuesday: Capestang to Le Somail
Visit Narbonne
Up bright and early to experience the wonderful under cover market in Narbonne, pictured at right, a lively Mediterranean city playing an important role as a wine producing centre. It's municipal, military and religious architecture, the treasures in its museums, the charm of the river banks of the Robine and its shaded boulevards all contribute to its charm. Back to the barge for another scrumptious lunch and a cruise to tonight's mooring in Le Somail.


Wednesday: Le Somail to Homps
Visit Minerve
After breakfast, relax on deck and watch the passing scenery. After lunch, you will visit the superb 11th century Cistercian Abbey de Fontfroide, with its noble cloister and a peaceful garden lined with cypress trees, followed by a wine tasting in the wild limestone hills of the Corbières.

Thursday: Homps to Trebes
Visit Abbey de Fontfroide
Cycle or walk along the towpaths, take in the grandeur and beauty of the Canal du Midi, with its impressively fine locks, buildings and aqueducts, scarcely changed from their completion over 300 years ago. After a scrumptious 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 our descent back to the barge, we will stop and taste some wine in the Minervois.

Friday: Trebes to Carcassone
Visit Carcassonne
Finish the week with a tour of Europe's largest medieval fortress - La Cité of Carcassonne. Admire 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, over-restored in places, but remarkable for its stained glass rose windows, fine statues, elegant Romanesque nave and Gothic transepts. Back on board the chef is preparing a memorable feast for your farewell dinner. Bon appetit.

Saturday: Carcassonne to Paris
A Sad Farewell
Alouette will be moored near to Carcassonne in a small and peaceful village. You will be chauffeured to the Carcassonne Train Station and provided with First Class Tickets to the Paris Austerlitz Station, arriving in the late afternoon. As you alight in Paris, a representative of Alouette will be on the platform and will help you and your luggage to the taxi line or to a pre-arranged and private transfer to your next Paris destination. The services of Alouette end at the Paris Austerlitz Station. We hope to see you on one of the other fine Orient-Express barges! What about a cruise through Provence on the Napoleon next time?


Please note: this is a sample itinerary which may be subject to change depending on local conditions. The route will run in reverse on alternate weeks. Contact The Barge Lady for reservations and more information about Cruises on the hotel-barge Alouette and barging the Canal du Midi Or call us toll free at (800) 880-0071.

Alouette

Guest Book

"Crew, accommodations, and cuisine were all excellent. So good that we are taking our adult kids on a barge trip next year!"
- James Scott, cruised September, 2012

Alouette Floor Plan

98 Feet Long
Suite 1: 270 sq feet
-One Queen or two twin beds
-Bathroom with shower
Suite 2: 205 sq feet
-One Queen or two twin beds
-Bathroom with shower
Also in the Cabins
-Satellite TV, DVD
-Intercom
-Hair dryer
In the Public Areas
-Salon and dining area with picture windows
-Open "Demonstration Kitchen"
-Satellite TV, DVD
-Internet
-Sundeck with lounge chairs and umbrellas
-WiFi
4 Bicycles
Go Sport Crossroad model men’s and women’s bikes, ideal for road and towpath use. Fitted with 21 speeds, front suspension, and water bottle holder. Helmets provided.