Athos barge cruise

Athos

Luxury barge cruises

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Cruise highlights

10 passengers
★★★★ 4 star rating

  • Private tour and tasting at a Minervois winery
  • See the spectacular hilltop village of Minerve
  • Narbonne: Via Domitia, roman museum, St Juste cathedral, and colourful market
  • Tour Carcassonne - the most complete medieval fortified city in existence
  • Organic olive tasking at L'Oulibo
  • Visit Pezenas, a hilltop village associated with playwright Moliere
  • Wildlife of the Petite Camargue: flamingo, Camargue horses, wild black bull, oyster beds
  • Tour the Noilly Prat vermouth distillery

Athos cruise route & itinerary

Argeliers to Marseillan
Canal du Midi, Camargue

Download the information pack(s) for Athos

Brochure ↓ Factsheet ↓

Argeliers to Marseillan cruise ↓

Athos cruise file

Prices

  • From 4950 USD per person
  • Charters from 40, 400 USD

Boat size

  • Length 98′5″ ft (30.00 metres)
  • Width 16′7″ ft (5.05 metres)

Specifications

  • Crew members : 5
  • Up to 10 guests
  • Double cabins : 5

Also

  • Central heating
  • Air-conditioning
  • Wifi
  • 2 Air-conditioned minibuses
  • Bicycles : 10

Guests have awarded ★★★★★ stars

Guests comments

Emma,  I wanted to let you know how much we enjoyed the canal cruise.  The staff were great.  Chef Emma was terrific and Matthew was a great guide.   I’m glad we were able to see the wonderful sights in l’Occitanie.  J and E

Murphy; 2022
The staff was excellent. An all English crew with our French Tour guide. Table setting, menu, and food was great. Emma (our chef) did a great job. My highest compliments go to Henry and Marianna. They made our time aboard the boat fantastic.
Keating ★★★★★
I’ve been wanting to do this for years and was not disappointed. The high lights were the food, the countryside and above all the camaraderie between passengers and crew. A must for any Francophile
Ward ★★★★★

About Athos barge cruises

Luxury barge Athos

The Athos is a spacious barge offering comfortable accommodation for up to 10 guests in 5 ensuite staterooms, each of which can be configured with a double or twin bed.
Please note: For family groups, Athos can accommodate up to 12 passengers - 4 children (must be under the age of 18) can share Narcissou-Fontfroide cabin which will be converted to hold 4 bunk beds. Please contact us for more details.

Dating from 1964, Athos was initially used to transport sand, grain and wine but has now been transformed into a beautiful hotel barge.
She now meanders gracefully through the beautiful Languedoc-Roussillon region of France.

With five crew, touring bikes and WI-FI, all is set for a restful holiday.
Fully air-conditioned and centrally heated, you can be sure of a comfortable cruise whenever you join us.

Five crew
8-10 touring bikes
Two air-conditioned minibuses

Athos deck and cabin plans

Athos deck plan

Athos photo gallery

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Athos cruise route & itinerary

Argeliers  to Marseillan  map

Argeliers to Marseillan

Canal du Midi Camargue
Download itinerary brochure ↓

Rates

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.

Argeliers to Marseillan rates

2024 USD, for American and Canadian residents Regular Value
Whole boat charter for 10 59, 500 USD 52, 500 USD
Whole boat charter for 8 56, 100 USD 49, 500 USD
Whole boat charter for 6 52, 700 USD 46, 500 USD
Stateroom per person 6, 590 USD 5, 690 USD
Single supplement 2, 400 USD 2, 100 USD
2023 USD, for American and Canadian residents Regular Value
Whole boat charter for 10 55, 000 USD 48, 500 USD
Whole boat charter for 8 51, 800 USD 45, 700 USD
Whole boat charter for 6 48, 600 USD 42, 900 USD
Stateroom per person 6, 090 USD 5, 250 USD
Single supplement 2, 200 USD 1, 900 USD
2023 STERLING rates for UNITED KINGDOM residents Regular Value
Whole boat charter for 10 £41, 000 £35, 000
Whole boat charter for 8 £38, 600 £33, 000
Whole boat charter for 6 £36, 200 £31, 000
Stateroom per person £4, 390 £3, 790
Single supplement £1, 600 £1, 400
2023 EURO rates ALL OTHER COUNTRIES Regular Value
Whole boat charter for 10 48, 000 € 42, 000 €
Whole boat charter for 8 45, 200 € 39, 600 €
Whole boat charter for 6 42, 400 € 37, 200 €
Stateroom per person 5, 150 € 4, 450 €
Single supplement 1, 900 € 1, 700 €
Prices include: Local transfer between Beziers and the hotel barge (approximate transfer duration 30 minutes), a luxury 6-night cruise, all meals onboard catered for by the on-board Master Chef, an open barge 24/7 with a large range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, all wines served throughout the cruise; excursions and admittance fees as per the itinerary, the services of 4 crew and use of the barge facilities, which include bicycles.
Optional extras
Wine Appreciation charters  5500 USD / £4000 / 4500€  supplement
Golf charters: 650 USD / £450 / 525€ supplement per player
Art charter:  4500 USD / £3000 / 3750€ supplement
Cycling charters: 4500 USD / £3250 / 3750€ supplement
Tennis charters: No supplement
 
- Departure Dates  2023-
Value April 2 to April 23
October 8 to October 22
Regular  April 30 to October 1

These are sample itineraries, on alternate weeks the cruise will be in the reverse direction.

Availability for Athos

The dates indicated as "Available" may be booked on a charter or cabin basis.

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