Clair de Lune

Canal du Midi Cruises

Passengers: 6
Size:100 feet long
Last Visited: 2010
Rating: Deluxe, A/C, Families

Clair De Lune

Canal du Midi Barge Cruise Itinerary

"A Voyage to Villages, Markets

and History on the Canal du Midi"

Beziers to Carcassonne on the Canal du Midi

Saturday: Beziers to Villeneuve-Les-Beziers
As the sun sets: Evening cruise
Arrival at Clair de Lune around 4:30 pm. After settling in a 'Captain's Champagne Reception' will be served along with introducing the crew and outlining your cruise. A short cruise to the first evenings mooring in Villeneuve-les-Beziers will follow.

Sunday: Villeneuve-Les-Beziers to Capestang
Descend an amazing staircase of SEVEN locks!
This morning the barge descends the incredible seven locks of Foncerannes - a ladder of water composed of consecutive locks, pictured at left. Afterwards, enjoy lunch on deck as Clair de Lune begins cruising on the Canal du Midi. The afternoon cruise involves picturesque views of the tree-lined canal as well as traversing the canal's only tunnel at Malpas. You can enjoy the Jacuzzi and sundeck or perhaps cycle or walk at your leisure. Or, at any time, elect to go back to Beziers and tour this important town. There might be time for a winetasting or a visit to Roman ruins at l'Oppidum D'Enserune - on Clair de Lune, the choice is always yours. Our evening mooring is deep into the Canal du Midi at Capestang. Dinner on board completes this lovely day.

Monday: Capestang to Argeliers
Float, walk bicycle, and relax deep in the Countryside
Today will begin with either a visit to the Oppidum or wine-tasting - if no time was available the previous day - followed by cruising to the village of Capestang where you will stop for lunch on deck. Continue cruising to the village of Argeliers, see Clair de Lune exiting a lock at right. As the sun sets, take the bikes to the nearby village of Quarente to view its thousand year old Romanesque Church. Dinner on board.

Tuesday: Argeliers to Homps
Mingle with the locals at an Open-air Market
Today we are off to market! Browse in Olonzac's open air street market with its profusion of fresh produce, cheeses, and shopping of all kinds, pictured at left. Nearby is the Oulibo Olive Oil cooperative where you can have a quick tasting - or if history is your interest, elect to visit the hilltop village of Minerve where the Cathars made their last stand. Return to the barge for lunch on deck as we cruise the tree-lined canal to the mooring at Homps. On the way, stop in Le Somail, a picture-perfect hamlet with a atmospheric used bookstore and other artisan boutiques. Dinner on board.

Wednesday: Homps to Puicheric
Narbonne: Roman ruins, food market, shop and stroll
This morning's visit is to Narbonne, founded by the Romans in 118 BC as their Capital in Gaul. A most amazing sight are actual stones from the Via Domita - the road which linked Narbonne to Rome! This is a town with much to see, including the 100 year old covered food markets and an archeological museum - Or, what about a cappucino in the town square or a browse in the boutiques? Return to the barge for lunch and an afternoon cruise to Puicheric, our mooring for the night. You will enjoy dinner on-board.

Thursday: Puicheric to Trebes
The walled Medieval city of Carcassonne
1700 years of history await you at this morning's tour of Carcassonne, the oldest extant Medieval walled town in Europe. Walk its winding cobblestoned streets lined with boutiques and explore the Gothic Cathedral. Our guide will be there - as always - to educate and enlighten you! Return for lunch on board and your final cruise. Our destination tonight is Trebes. A nostalgic farewell dinner ends your cruise in style.

Friday: Return to Carcassonne
A Sad Farewell
You will be driven to Carcassonne to depart by train, rental car or air. You will arrive in Carcassonne by 10:00am. Breakfast is your last on-board meal.

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Trebes to Villeneuve-les-Beziers on the Canal du Midi

Saturday: Board in Trebes, Cruise to Millegrand
As the sun sets: Evening cruise
Arrival at Clair de Lune around 4:00 pm in either Carcassonne or Narbonne and chauffeured to Clair de Lune moored in Trebes. The Captain's Champagne Reception welcomes you on board.. Begin to cruise immediately to the mooring at Millegrand and enjoy the first of many gourmet dinners on board.

Sunday: Millegrand to Pucheric
The oldest extant Medieval walled city in Europe!
Our morning excursion is sure to be a cruise high point: Tour the fairy-tale walled city of Carcassonne, the oldest Medieval fortress in Europe.  (For those who have already experienced Carcassonne, we can offer our excursion to Lagrasse.)  Return to Millegrand for lunch on board and our afternoon cruise to Puycheric.  You are now on France's most beautiful canal:  Sit on deck or watch amazing scenery float be or take out a bicycle and explore.  Have dinner on board at the mooring.

Monday: Homps to Argens
Stop for Winetasting!
This morning, depart after breakfast for a relaxing cruise to Homps; getting off in late morning for winetasting at Massamiee la Mignarde.  After lunch and an early afternoon cruise, leave the canal to visit Minerve, an ancient village perched high on the hillsides and the scene of the Cathar rebellion in the 12th Century.  The beauty of its location belies a very sad history.  Return to the barge moored at Argens for dinner on board.

Tuesday: Argens to Porte Minervoise via Le Somail
Mingle with the locals at an Outdoor Market!
A fun morning at the Olonzac Outdoor Market with its displays of produce, cheeses, and a little bit of this n' that!  Then it's back on board for a cruise to the adorable village of Le Somail where we will moor near the old bridge which spans the canal.  Then it's off to the L'Oulibo Olive Oil Mill, a great place to purchase local olive oils and other delicious souvenirs.  Cruise late in the day to your next mooring where you will re-live the day at dinner on board.

Wednesday: Porte Minervois to Regismont-le-Haut
Old Roman Capital of Narbonne
Depart after breakfast for Narbonne, an ancient town which was the Roman capital of Gaul;  a section of the road to Rome, the Via Domita, is still in view.  A Cathedral, a museum and shops also beckon, as well as a visit to the Covered Market to select fresh seafood for lunch to be served back on board.  Cruise this afternoon through idyllic scenery to Regismont-le-Haut.

Thursday: Regismont-le-Haut to Villeneuve-les-Beziers
An amazing Staircase of Locks!
Today there is a choice of excursions:  Roman ruins at Oppidum D'Enservne or a second winetasting.  After lunch on board, cruise towards your last port and up the incredible staircase of seven locks at Foncerannes.  The local gather to wave and cheer, creating a festive atmosphere.  Once at Villeneuve-les-Beziers, celebrate further with more champagne and a final dinner on board.

Friday: A Sad Farewell
Depart to the Beziers Train Station.  The TGV to Paris departs at approximately 8:00am and train are available to other destinations.  Breakfast is your last on-board meal.  We hope to see you on Clair de Lune again.

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 Hotel-barge cruises on Claire de Lune and barging the Canal du Midi Or call us toll free at (800) 880-0071.

Clair De Lune

Guest Book

“We had a memorable trip, filled with interesting sites, superb food, lots of history and relaxation. We went on different excursions each day. Our guide Sandrine was wonderful. She was so friendly, vivacious and well-informed. One of the highlights was the beauty of the canal, which we never tired of looking at.”
-The Joseph Crowley Family, 2010

"From the time of our welcome aboard until we bid farewell, the crew could not have been more attentive, helpful, knowledgable about the region, it's history, it's wine, and it's culture and totally enjoyable companions. The accommodations were comfortable and the cuisine superb."
-Dr. and Mrs. George Callard, 2008

"Fabulous experience - A barge trip should be the benchmark for all cruises - The barge and the crew exceeded all our expectations."
-Bill and Valerie Schwartz, 2008

"My wife and I are seasoned world travellers and enjoyed seven years abroad. Despite this background, the Canal du Midi barge trip knocked our socks off! Incredible cuisine - incredible sights - incredible staff. Way up there in our great adventures memory bank!"
-John and Paulette Savage, 2008

"By the end of the cruise we felt like we had been invited into Berend's (and his crew's) friendly home., They made us welcome from the start to the finish and looked after our every need without being constantly in our face. The food was superb. The off-barge daily excursions were real highlights of the trip. Our guide Sandrine explained local culture and history in a very personal way. We especially enjoyed our lunch in the covered food market. But it was always good to return to our home away from home on the French Canal."
-Jim and Carol Douglas, 2008

"We truly had a magical week. It was a trip of a lifetime and we would certainly consider doing another one. What made it particularly memorable was the staff. They were wonderful at their jobs, pleasant, delightful and they seemed to enjoy the journey almost as much as we did. Leaving paradise was very difficult."
-Phil and Linda Hardberger, 2008

"The cruise was just great: staff was wonderful, food was wonderful and southern France was wonderful. Sandrine, our guide, historian, and sommellier was particularly noteworthy; quite a gal."
-Very Satisfied Guest, 2008

"It was one of the most relaxing weeks we have ever spent. The food was beyond our expectations and it was very fun having and learning about all the local wines and cheeses. Even the locks were fun! "
-Harrison Keller and Toni Wurth, 2007

"The facilities, crew and cuisine were wonderful. It was the staff that made it great. A very personal experience."
-Les and Pam Fleischer , 2007

"A truly outstanding experience. The Clair de Lune is very comfortable, the crew friendly, attentive, and capable. Sandrine is an excellent guide and leader. She is well-versed on the region, its history, it's significance - even the wines we were drinking. Her enthusiasm spilled over to us! The Canal du Midi is an exceptional route to barge. To sum up: It was fun. It was rewarding. It gave us wonderful memories: We intend to Barge again!"
-Courtney and Bob Ward, 2006
(Wonderful Barge Lady repeat guests: Thank you, Courtney and Bob!)

"It was everything I had hoped it would be. The scenery was really lovely, the combination of exploring versus relaxing on deck was perfect, the food was "over the top", the staff so accommodating and gracious - they even complimented my French! In short, it was a wonderful week and a perfect way to celebrate my 50th birthday!
-James and Laure Miller, 2006

"Very relaxing - with stellar crew and service. The crew listened to our conversation - and then things we loved to eat and drink would 'show up' the next day!"
-The Mc Gowan - Miller Family, 2006

Clair de Lune Floor Plan

100 Feet long
-Three identical cabins at 120 sq feet
with two twin beds or one queen bed.
-En-suite shower baths
-Picture windows in the Salon and cabins.
-Spa pool on deck.