Alegria

Saturday
Beziers - Poilhes
We have the pleasure of welcoming you at either the airport or at the railway station (from 4 pm) and transferring you to Alegria, moored in Poilhes.
After the crew is introduced to you and after you settle in, you are served a welcome Champagne drink while we start cruising slowly along the Canal.
After a u-turn, we come back to the mooring of Poilhes.
You can slowly stroll through this lovely village of fewer than 500 inhabitants before the aperitifs...
We serve your first dinner on board and spend the night in Poilhes, our 'home' mooring.

Sunday
Poilhes - Capestang
This morning, our guide proposes a 'multi-site' excursion: The City of Beziers, the famous 'staircase' of the Nine Locks of Fonserane, the archaeological (6th century BC) site of the Oppidum of Enserune, and the Malpas Tunnel, the first tunnel built in the world for a canal.
After (or during) lunch, depending upon the weather conditions, we cruise to La Croisade and pass underneath the lowest bridge on the Canal, the famous bridge of Capestang.
Mind your head!
This 18 km cruise is typical with its numerous meanders: Yes, the Canal actually looks like a river!
After this four-hour cruise, dinner is served on board, and we spend the night in a restful place, a stone's throw from a 17th century stone bridge.

Monday
Capestang - Le Somail
In the morning, we cruise slowly to Le Somail, one of the most charming villages along the Canal.
Should you need a book for the week, you can buy one from a unique book shop that has approximately 50 000 second-hand books in stock, in numerous languages!
In the afternoon you may choose to relax on the barge, roam around, cycle etc. but we can also offer a visit to a local vineyard or an olive mill, or any other site that might suit your wishes.
At the end of this exciting day, the Captain invites you to dine with him in a local auberge.
It's the perfect opportunity to enjoy the atmosphere of a French restaurant!

Tuesday
Le Somail - Roubia
In the morning, we visit one of the best markets in the region, in Olonzac.
You can see and buy almost anything you could wish for here, from Provencal table cloths to unique locally grown olives.
Then our guide takes you to Minerve, a fascinating site and a previously fortified village in an exceptional rocky environment.
Minerve was attacked in 1210 by the terrible army led by Simon de Montfort: This is the perfect time for us to tell you everything about the Crusade of the Albigeois in the 13th century, one of the harshest stories of our past.
This afternoon's cruise takes us to the typical Minervois village of Roubia for our overnight mooring.
Dinner is served on board.

Wednesday
Roubia - Homps
This morning you visit the beautiful town of Narbonne, full of Roman history, including a visit to the 'Palace of the Archbishop'.
You will love its Mediterranean and Gothic style.
We will have lunch here in a typical restaurant, which has some excellent fish specialities.
After lunch, you are driven back to the Alegria for our afternoon cruise, to the port of Homps, which was one of the busiest harbours in the old times of the Canal commercial era.
Dinner aboard

Thursday
Homps - Puicheric
In the morning, you visit the great City of Carcassonne, which is the most complete medieval city in Europe.
You will be amazed by the size of the walls and the narrow streets inside, as you step back into the middle ages of French history!
There are many shops where you can buy typical, regional souvenirs.
After lunch, you embark on the last cruise for the week, from Homps to the area of Puicheric.
You pass the last lock of the cruise and can admire the wooden and iron sculptures made by the most famous lock-keeper on the Canal.
Alegria is moored just above this most beautiful lock for your final night on board after the Farewell Dinner prepared by our chef.

Friday
After your breakfast, it is sadly time to conclude this unforgettable cruise.
We transfer you back to the airport or railway station so that you can continue your onward adventure.