Beauty and the Barge: Why We Love the “Green Diamonds” of the Languedoc

By Stephanie Sack

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Blessed with rustic landscapes, historic villages, and lush vineyards, the Canal du Midi runs through the Languedoc region of Southwest France and is home to many outstanding barge cruises. Lifestyles here are leisurely and locally focused. A preponderance of water and wine sets the easygoing ambiance, and regionally grown produce is proudly presented during al fresco luncheons and candlelit dinners.

One of the area’s most iconic delicacies is the olive. Grown in abundance throughout the sundrenched Languedoc, Lucques olives, colloquially known as “green diamonds”, are the delicious emblem of the region’s rich soil and Mediterranean climate.

“On many barges, such as Esperance, Athos, and Roi Soleil, an excursion to the L’Oulibo olive cooperative in Bize-Minervois is consistently mentioned as a cruise highlight,” says Barge Lady Juana, who toured the mill while cruising on the barge Athos.

Founded in 1942, L’Oulibo remains relevant as both a culinary beacon and cultural icon. Almost eighty years later, the co-op represents nearly 1,000 members who successfully sell their olives, oils, foodstuffs, and products, all thanks to L’Oulibo. These days, the process of growing and processing the olives is completely artisanal at this mill, meaning the fruits are handpicked and then pressed into small batches of high quality oil. Roughly a million pounds (!!!) of olives are turned into an impressive 30,000 gallons of pure olive oil every year!

While most guests are understandably intrigued by touring the olive groves and tasting the different oils and tapenades, Rebecca Taras, a Barge Lady Cruise Correspondent who spent a week in the Canal du Midi onboard the Esperance, brought a slightly different perspective to her time at L’Oulibo.

“As a licensed esthetician and seasoned beauty editor, I am obsessed with potions and lotions of all kinds, ” Rebecca laughs. “So when I heard that we would visit L’Oulibo, I couldn’t wait to explore the onsite boutique’s selection of beauty and health products made with olive oil.”

As Rebecca learned during her visit to L’Oulibo, olive oil was discovered over 5,000 years ago and used by the Egyptians, Greeks, Phoenicians, and Romans as an indispensable component in their personal care routines. Today, premium olive oil is a popular and all-natural ingredient for emollients and cosmetics, so it’s not surprising that the French have adopted its use in items such as handmade soaps, facial moisturizers, and restorative hair care products.

“Consider adding something made with huile d’olive from L’Oulibo to your beauty routine,” Rebecca advises. Of course, you could always just book a Canal du Midi cruise so you too can discover the “green diamonds” in the heart of olive country!

For more expert insight about the excursions onboard the barge Esperance, click here. For more delicious details about the menus onboard the barge Athos, click here. To book your own “beauty barge”, click here!

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