Johanna luxury barge cruises

Visitors are greeted at the train station in Narbonne * and taken to the barge Johanna by a private minibus driven by a chauffeur. With a drink of chilled champagne or classic Sparkling Limoux wine and canapés, the team greets you as soon as you board. We then begin a short evening cruise to turn Johanna.
 There will be time for a stroll or bike ride around the port of Carcassonne and André Chénier Gardens before enjoying an aperitif and delectable three-course dinner on board, which features the best local produce and wines.

After a good night's sleep and a delicious breakfast, we will be cruising this morning to our midday mooring by the lock near the village of Villedubert.
Following lunch on board, your guide will take you to the fully rebuilt medieval fortified city that still stands today.  A UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 1997, these architectural marvels of the Gallo-Roman and Medieval periods allow you to travel back in time while strolling the remnants and visiting the Château. 
There will be ample time to explore before we return to Johanna for an aperitif before dinner aboard.

Following breakfast, we depart Villedubert and cruise the stunning Canal du Midi, stopping in Marseillette to moor. This is the ideal place to go for a leisurely stroll or cycle ride, or simply to relax in the spa pool. Your chef makes lunch, and then we drive off the barge to the historic village of Lagrasse. One of the most exquisite villages in all of France, it boasts a Benedictine abbey from the eighth century and numerous workshops run by talented artisans tucked away among its winding, tiny lanes. We will then enjoy a wine tasting at Château Villemagne, a reputable family-owned domaine that makes unique Corbières and other wines.   We return to Johanna in time for sundowners and dinner.

We moor at La Redorte this morning after cruising through a series of locks and the small port of Homps. Now is the perfect moment to unwind with an aperitif under the plain trees' shade.

After lunch on board, travel to Caunes-Minervois, which is well-known for its 13th-century Benedictine Abbey and its red marble.  This fabulous marble  was used in the constructions of the Palace of Versailles, the Louvre, and the Paris Opera.
Dinner on board with three courses and an aperitif.

Another beautiful day awaits! Following breakfast, we take you to the stunning city of Narbonne, which is known for its imposing cathedral and the famed Via Domitia remnants—the first Roman road constructed in France (then known as Gaul).
Experience the alluring sights and scents of Les Halles, a renowned covered food market in France, which has won numerous awards.
We return to Johanna for lunch, and then travel through a series of locks through the small port of Homps to reach our mooring at Argens-Minervois. 
On arrival, take a stroll or simply take the time time to unwind with an aperitif while watching the sunset above Argens Mervois Castle before dinner on board.

This morning, as we make our way to Le Somail, our last mooring, we cruise through breath-taking landscapes and stroll through one of the canal's most well-known communities, complete with a renowned bridge, tiny shops and galleries, and a sizable antique book store.
Our afternoon tour takes us to the striking village of Minerve, the stunning historic capital of the Minervois. Situated in the center of the valley, the city is elevated and shielded by the profound gorges of the Cesse and Brian rivers, where the water has sculpted remarkable natural bridges. The town's steep medieval alleyways bear witness to the violent and epic history of the Cathars.
A sumptuous three-course meal and farewell party aboard while taking in Le Somail's vibrant atmosphere on your final evening is the perfect end to the week.