Claire De Lune

Cruising on

The Canal du Midi

Passengers: 6
Size:100 feet long
Last Visited: 2008
Rating: Deluxe, A/C, Families

2008 Prices

Whole Boat Charter Main Season
$26,400 - 6 passengers
$25,500 - 5 passengers
$24,500 - 4 passengers
Whole Boat Charter Value Season
$24,000 - up to 6 guests
Per Cabin
$9,400 - All Season; price based on 2 guests sharing a cabin.
Main Season Dates: May 17 - July 18 and August 30 - October 24
Value Season Dates: March 29 - May 16 and July 19-August 29 and Oct. 25 - Nov. 7

We were fortunate to stay right on CLAIR DE LUNE at the April, 2007 Canal du Midi Barge Show.  And in May, 2008, owners Berend and Barbara Gozens welcomed Kelly and Tim Weiss to the Canal du Midi for a delightful dinner.

The innovative and modern CLAIR DE LUNE was designed to incorporate superior space and light. It also reflects the genuine warmth of Berend and Barbara who have assumed a supervisory role. This has allowed outstanding crew to take leadership roles.  The Gozens live in a charming canal-side home into which we've been welcomed many times. Their interests in boat-building, art and food-wine pairing animate CLAIR DE LUNE.

We met charming and efficient guide Sandrine in April 2007.  She led an extremely successful 2007 season and returned to rave reviews in 2008.  CLAIR DE LUNE was the subject of a gorgeous article in the magazine Power Cruising. And...We have just received their beautiful new color brochure!

A comfortable barge.....a solid experience:  This is CLAIR DE LUNE.

Claire De Lune

Barge Cruise Itinerary

Beziers to Carcassonne on the Canal du Midi

Saturday:
Beziers
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:
Beziers to Capestang
During the morning the barge cruises up the canal to meet the prearranged rendezvous to ascend the seven-locks of Foncerannes in Beziers. Shortly afterwards lunch will be served. The afternoons cruise involves picturesque views of the tree-lined canal as well as the canal's only tunnel at Malpas. You can enjoy the Jacuzzi and sundeck or perhaps cycle or walk at your leisure. If there is enough time after mooring then perhaps a private wine-tasting at a chateau or a visit to the Oppidum d'Enserune, a two-thousand year old hilltop archeological city-site located near the evenings mooring at the farm of Regismont le Haut. Dinner aboard.

Monday:
Capestang to Roubia
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 can enjoy lunch on deck with a lovely view of the 13th century church. The afternoon involves lots of cruising along the meandering canal until the evenings mooring near the village of Argeliers. Perhaps an active guest may desire an invigorating cycle along little vineyard tracks up to the village of Quarante to view its thousand year old Romanesque church, a true gem of the Languedoc region. Dinner aboard.

Tuesday:
Roubia to Homps
After breakfast we are off to the open-air street market in Olonzac which offers a wide variety of foods, fresh produce and numerous merchants selling Provencal fabrics, books, music, hardware, clothing and other dry-goods. Depending upon the time you may want to visit the Oulibo Olive cooperative for a quick tasting and shop in their regional products boutique or drive up to the picturesque village of Minerve perched upon its cliff top. It was here that during the Cathar crusade at the beginning of the 13th century Catholic Knights from the north burned-alive 150 Cathar "heretic" priests (known as "Perfects") because of their differing faith. Return to the Clair de Lune for lunch followed by cruising to near the village of Homps with stop-over in the picturesque hamlet of Le Somail to visit its famous used and rare bookshop and other artisan boutiques. Dinner aboard.

Wednesday:
Homps to Marseillette
Highlights of a morning visit to Narbonne, founded in 118 B.C. by the Romans as their Capital in Gaul, include the towering 13th century Gothic Cathedral and the 100-year-old covered market with its wonderful selection of fresh seafood, fruit, vegetables, cheese and many other delicious delicacies. There are also the chariot-rutted paving stones of the Roman road Via Domitia in the central square where one can enjoy an espresso or cappuccino or visit the impressive Archaeological museum, the Fine Arts museum or shop and browse the boutiques along the quaint pedestrian streets. Return to the barge for lunch followed by cruising up through the locks to near the village of Puicheric where we will moor for the night.

Thursday:
Marseillette to Carcassonne
A morning visit to the fortified medieval town of Carcassonne. 1700 years of history await you with its impressive double walls and 52 towers, the Romanesque and Gothic Cathedral with its gorgeous 13th century rose windows and the winding cobbled streets lined with boutiques. Lunch will be back onboard Clair de Lune following which you'll continue cruising up through the locks and through the 'green cathedral' of overhanging trees to our mooring near the village of Trebes. Farewell dinner on board.

Friday:
Carcassonne
After breakfast, depart for your onward travel.

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.

Claire De Lune

Guest Book

"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

Claire De Lune Floor Plan

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