Athos

Argeliers

Sunday
Guests are met in Beziers and transferred by private chauffeured minibus to Athos.
A full crew welcomes you aboard, with Champagne and Mediterranean canapes.
Once settled into your cabin, you will be invited to your first 4-course dinner, prepared by your highly skilled chef.

Argeliers to La Croisade

Monday
Enjoy breakfast in a comfortable chair on the upper deck of the hotel barge, before we drive to the famous medieval double-walled city of Carcassonne.

Your knowledgeable guide will provide a full tour of this historical place and ensure that you also have time to browse the shops.
Return to the Athos for a gourmet lunch (perhaps including the famous duck confit stew, and cassoulet) and an afternoon's cruise to La Croisade, with plenty of opportunities to walk or bicycle along the towpath.
Dinner is served on board.

La Croisade to Capestang

Tuesday
After breakfast, we enjoy a tasting at L'Oulibo, the local olive-oil press.
After tasting those organic and wholesome olives accompanied by a glass of rose wine, we take a short drive up the Gorge de la Cesse and into the hilltop village of Minerve.

Your guide will regale you with the harrowing tale of the Cathar siege launched at Minerve during the 13th century.
Relax after lunch on board, while we cruise to Capestang, or you can enjoy a wine tasting at a local chateau, such as Chateau Cabezac.

Return to the barge for dinner on board and admire the floodlit Collegiale Saint Etienne.

Capestang to Fonserannes

Wednesday
After breakfast, we take a trip to the weekly morning market in Narbonne.
Even for non-shoppers, Narbonne offers much entertainment.
Explore an excavated portion of the original Roman road, the "Via Domitia", visit the Roman museum, discover the beauty of St Juste Cathedral or simply relax in one of the many cafes.

Return to Athos for lunch on board, and then we begin our cruise to Fonserannes. Dinner on board.

Fonserannes to Portiragnes

Thursday
This morning we drive to the old market town of Pezenas, which was the first seat of the Languedoc court.
The architecture is particular to the town because of the Hotels Particuliers or mansions belonging to the noble families who followed the Court.
It now houses artisans' shops, including painters, hat makers and costume designers.
Once again, your guide makes sure that there is enough time to browse and learn the local history.

After lunch, we begin our negotiation of a 17th-century feat of engineering, the Fonserannes Lock Staircase with its unique Oval locks.
Then we traverse the 18th-century aqueduct over the river Orb.
The paved towpath and the many locks leading to our mooring make it an ideal afternoon for walking or cycling alongside the barge.
Dinner on board.

Portiragnes to Marseillan

This morning, we get underway earlier than usual, cruising through the area known as the Petite Camargue.
Bird watchers should look out for the local species such as pink flamingos, African Rollers and Bea Eaters.
After passing through the exceptional round lock at Agde, a spectacular and appropriate seafood lunch awaits you as you enter the open waters of the Etang du Thau.

The Etang hosts Europe's most extensive mussel and oyster beds.
As we moor in the port at Marseillan, you will notice the enclosure which makes up the Noilly Prat Vermouth distillery.
End a perfect day with a fascinating tour of the distillery and, if you choose, a tasting of Noilly Prat before the Captain's Farewell Dinner on board.

Marseillan

Saturday
After breakfast, guests are transferred by private chauffeured minibus to their choice of location in Beziers.