Esperance barge cruise

Esperance luxury barge cruises

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Cruise highlights

6 passengers
★★★★★ 5 star rating

Highlights

  • Visit the 12th-century church of Colombiers
  • Pass through the world-famous Malpas Tunnel
  • Visit Pézenas, where Moliere created many of his characters: a city of art and history and fantastic viewpoints
  • Le Somail: visit the antique-book shop
  • See Narbonne: the Archbishop's Palace and museum
  • Discover the Cathar history at Minerve
  • UNESCO World Heritage Site: Carcassonne: visit the most complete medieval citadel in the world
  • Mediterranean beaches
  • Wine tasting, vineyards

Cruise route & itinerary

Brochure

Esperance PDF brochures

Esperance also offers

Half-board cruises

Esperance cruise file

Prices

  • Charters from 32, 500 USD

Boat size

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

Specifications

  • Crew members : 4
  • Up to 6 guests
  • Suites : 3

Also

  • Central heating
  • Air-conditioning
  • Spa or pool
  • Wifi
  • 1/2 covered sundeck
  • 2 electric bikes
  • Bicycles : 6

Guests have awarded ★★★★★ stars


Crew were fantastic
(May 2023) WHITM... ★★★★★
We loved our week on the Esperance. The boat itself is beautiful with plenty of room for three couples. We have an amazing crew who took great care of us. I would highly recommend this trip. October was the prefect month to go. Fewer boats on the Canal and the weather was perfect.
(November 2022) Haywa... ★★★★★

About Esperance barge cruises

Luxury barge Esperance

This is one of the best barges that we have inspected! The privately owned Esperance is one of the most beautiful barges for six cruises on the Midi Canal.

Esperance is believing that good things will happen.

Aboard the Esperance, and you'll be charmed by the gentle tranquillity of the Canal du Midi.
This majestic waterway, classed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, offers a peaceful, romantic and timeless universe within which you will cherish every moment.
Day trips allow you to discover the beauty of the wider surrounding area.

A traditional exterior hides an elegant, modern interior with sleek lines, designed to ensure a relaxed cruise, Esperance was completely refitted in 2024, including new bikes, a new hot tub, new wooden decks and a new front suite.

As you step aboard, you will be impressed by the vast sun deck with its dining area, Bimini sunshade, six loungers, and hot tub: ideal for relaxing and alfresco dining.

Below the deck, the yacht-style interior is exceptionally chic.
Air-conditioned throughout, the large saloon and dining area are decorated in light-coloured tones, while teak furniture and white woollen carpets ensure maximum light, comfort and space.

The satellite TV/DVD and music system with CDs and Wi-Fi (subject to reception) are all at your disposal.
You will also find six high-standard touring bikes available.

The extensive suites (200 sq.ft.) are beautifully decorated and have a queen-size bed (or two singles in two of the suites) and an en-suite bathroom.
All bedrooms have ample storage space, luxury linens and hairdryers.
The suites are the largest of any hotel barge on the Midi Canal!

Transfers and excursions will be in the privately-owned Mercedes Benz air-conditioned minivan.

By choosing to cruise aboard Esperance, you will experience the authentic character of the region, its heritage and its cultural diversity.
You will also be in for some pleasant surprises along the way, courtesy of Mathias!

Esperance deck and cabin plans

Esperance deck plan

Esperance cruise route & itinerary

From Portiragnes to Carcassonne cruise map

From Portiragnes to Carcassonne

Canal du Midi

Rates

Sunday: Portiragnes

A member of the crew will welcome you at  Narbonne railway station at 4 PM and transfer you to your beautiful barge Esperance, moored in the enchanting countryside of the famous Canal du Midi.

A champagne reception hosted by Captain Mathias will be served on deck as an excellent premise for your week's cruise.

You will then have plenty of time to meet the charming crew, discover the barge, and its environment and settle into your comfortable cabin before the first gourmet dinner on board.

Monday: Portiragnes - Capestang

Today be prepared for a very relaxing day.
You will be surprised by the peacefulness of the barge while gliding through this beautiful 16th-century canal.
We will stop in Colombiers where you will have time to go for a walk before lunch and to visit the 12th-century church.
This afternoon our cruise will take us to the pretty village of Capestang, through the exciting Tunnel de Malpas which dates back to 1679!
Famous for its unique structure, it is the earliest navigable tunnel built in Europe.
Quite an experience!

This is the perfect day to go for a bicycle ride or enjoy a hike while the barge is moving slowly.

Tuesday: Capestang - An idyllic spot!

After a morning cruise with many twists and turns, we will find a romantic mooring in the middle of the vines and arched trees.
This is a perfect spot to enjoy a gourmet lunch!

From this peaceful setting, we will visit Pezenas, a magical city full of art and history where you can admire the entire old town with its opulent period mansions, beautiful wrought-iron balconies, stone sculpture and ornate doorways. Moliere is reputed to have created some of his famous characters right here in Pezenas, in the barber's shop!

Wednesday: Onward to Le Somail

Today we continue our slow pace towards Le Somail, an ancient fishing port now popular among our guests due to its local potters and artists drawn to this region by the beautiful light made famous by the Impressionists, but also the fascinating antique book shop.

Your guide can then drive you to the Roman town of Narbonne. Here you can go shopping around the old town centre with its various boutiques selling local products, visit the colourful covered market, explore the Archbishop's Palace, or the archaeological museum.

Alternatively, you may choose to spend your afternoon overlooking the glorious Mediterranean Sea and then visit the Olive factory at L'Oulibo, a prize-winning olive oil mill.
Enjoy some tasting and learn the secrets of the production of this precious oil and Tapenade too.

Thursday: Le Somail - Homps

Today we will enjoy a very scenic drive into the Minervois hills and Les Gorges de la Cesse to get to Minerve.
This amazing medieval village is perched on a spectacular rocky outcrop formed by the rivers Cesse and Brian.
Famous for its tragic Cathar history and its wine countryside, this village is full of charm and history and not to be missed.
On the way back, how about a little wine tasting to discover more about the excellent wines this region has to offer?
There is now time to relax on deck, as your floating hotel is on the move to take you to a quiet mooring close to Homps.

Friday: Homps - Carcassonne

This is a day for photography!
Going through a couple of traditional locks Esperance will cruise to our last mooring for the week, close to Carcassonne.

After lunch, you will have plenty of time to discover the world-famous walled medieval town la City of Carcassonne. This extraordinary place is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is said to be the most visited site in France. If you have already visited the city, we can visit Lagrasse; an attractive village now home to numerous potters and artists attracted by the place itself and the renowned natural light of the region.

Don't miss the Abbey and the bridges, although the narrow medieval streets of the village itself are also beautiful, and the remains of the town walls can still be seen.

Saturday: Carcassonne

After a wonderful breakfast, your guide will take you to your hotel in Carcassonne or to the railway station to get to your next destination.
Au revoir!

We hope to see you again one day.

This is a sample itinerary and may be subject to change

Esperance From Portiragnes to Carcassonne cruise route

From Portiragnes to Carcassonne rates

The rates shown are standard, before any applicable discounts or promotions.

2025 rates
Charter for 6 guests 39, 000 USD
Charter for 5 guests 36, 000 USD
Charter for 4 guests 32, 500 USD
Cruise rate includes: 6 nights/7 days in a cabin with a private bath, transfers to and from Narbonne/Beziers to the barge, all meals, from dinner the first night to breakfast the last morning, all wines with lunch & dinner on board, open bar on board, daily escorted excursions and related admittance fees, and use of onboard bicycles and other facilities, round-trip transfers from specified meeting points.

2025 Departure dates
March 16 - October 26


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

Availability for Esperance

Esperance enquiries and reservations

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the following number from France 0033 614 250 200
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