<<Previous Barge

Alegria
Back to the index

Next Barge>>

Alegria is one of the latest barge launched on the Canal du Midi. She has quickly become one of the top barges available in the region.

Barge cruising offers a week of relaxation, gastronomy, excellent wines, fascinating culture, great landscapes and friendship with a warm nation.

Alegria hosts a maximum of four guests in two large cabins fitted with king size beds. The large lounge / dining room has two big portholes offering direct views of the Canal. Alegria's very dedicated crew of five is comprised of two Chefs, Tour Guide and Stewardess, and led by the Captain-owner with a fully personalised service! Half the crew is French natives and half is British nationals: the perfect balance for your cruise!!

Itinerary : Beziers to Carcassonne

SATURDAY: BEZIERS-POILHES

From 4pm we have the pleasure of welcoming you at the airport or at the railway station and driving you to Alegria. On the way we may pop into the City of Beziers to see the famous locks of Fonséranes. After you settle down on the barge, you'll a welcome drink of a glass of Champagne and the crew will be introduced to you. Alegria might even take you for a short introductory cruise, depending on the navigation conditions. We'll also explain you how the week will work and we'll give you the necessary instructions for your stay on board. We'll serve your first dinner and spend the night in Poilhes, our "home mooring".

SUNDAY: CAPESTANG AND LA CROISADE

Should you be interested in archeology, you can visit an exceptional site today: the Oppidum of Ensérune, one of the largest around the Mediterranean. This takes you back to pre-Roman times in the South of France, from the 6th century BC. In the afternoon you cruise to La Croisadeand pass underneath the lowest bridge on the Canal: the famous bridge of Capestang. Mind you head!

We spend the night in a restful place a stone's throw away from ... an old 17th century stone bridge.

MONDAY: LE SOMAIL AND ROUBIA

In the morning you cruise to Le Sommail, 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 many different languages! In the afternoon you will be proposed to visit a wine farm, an olive mill, or any other site that might suit your wishes. When you come back from this tour Alegria takes you for another short cruise to Roubia, the stop for the night.

TUESDAY: HOMPS

In the morning you go to Olonzac and its famous market, one of the best in the region. Then you visit Minerve, a fascinating site and a previously fortified village in a very special rocky environment. Minerve was attacked in 1210 by the terrible army led by Simon de Montfort: the right time for us to tell you about the Crusade of the Albigeois in the 13th Century, one of the harshest stories of our past …

After the afternoon cruise you'll be offered a dinner "ŕ terre", off the barge. It's the perfect opportunity to enjoy the atmosphere of a French restaurant!

You spend the night in the beautiful area of Homps, a significant harbor on the Canal.

WEDNESDAY: PUICHERIC

In the morning you visit a beautiful town, Narbonne. Narbonne is full of Roman history and includes the "Palace of the Archbishop". You will love its Mediterranean and Gothic style. And ... you will be offered lunch there.

After lunch you are driven back to the barge for the afternoon cruise up to Puicheric, where you will stay for the night.

THURSDAY: TREBES

In the morning you visit the great City of Carcassonne, the biggest medieval City in Europe. You will be fascinated by the size of the walls and the narrow streets inside. You will be right there in the middle of French history! There also many shops where you can buy typical souvenirs to bring back to friends or children.

After lunch you embark on the last leg of the cruise for the week, from Puicheric to the area of Trebes. You spend the last night there after the "Captain’s Farewell Dinner".

FRIDAY: DEPARTURE

After your breakfast, it is unfortunately time to conclude this unforgettable cruise. We will transfer you back to the airport or railway station … so that you can continue your adventure in Europe or wherever!!!

* Please note : Depending on your taste and your willingness to discover some of local great wine, you will have a personalized cruise including visits which will appeal to you.

The itinerary will be similar to the one below, but it can be changed according to your taste or due to unforeseeable circumstances.

Rates 2010:

Note: All prices are in Euro €

* Special reduced prices valid only for any cruise confirmed before February 2010.  Click here for more details

Schedule 2010

* Please note that this is the schedule for the Week Cruises (6 nights), starting on the Saturday and ending on the next Friday. The Discovery Cruises (3 nights) either start on the Saturday and finish on the next Tuesday, either start on the Tuesday and finish on the next Friday. The directions of the itinerary shown below might be reversed due to unforeseeable circumstances and you will be duly informed in such a case.

Features:

• Length: 100 feet (30 meters) / Width: 16 feet (5 meters)

• Cabins: 2

• Total guests: 4

• Size of cabins: 190 and 220 sq m. ( 18 and 20 sq m approx) incl. bathroom

• In each cabin:
    - king size bed or 2 twins
    - mini fridge
    - tea and coffee tray
    - air conditioning
    - central heating
    - heated towel rails
    - hair drier
    - bath robes

• Lounge & dining area

• Available in the lounge:
    - satellite TV
    - DVD player
    - CD player
    - books
    - games
    - internet access for your laptop with our USB 3G+ modem available for use at no charge.

• 2 decks

• Heated pool on deck

• Ceilings

• Also available:
    - 4 Mountain bikes (free use)

• Vehicle:
    - Peugeot 807 Pullmann
    - Air conditioning
    - 4 individual armchairs

• Please note:
    - No wheelchair access
    - Smoking prohibited inside
    - Electricity: 220 Volts
  
  
  

Rates include:

• Transfer from the railway station or the nearest airport and return.

• Accommodation in a cabin fitted with a king size bed or two single beds.

• Service in the cabin, the use of a bar-fridge and the complimentary drinks inside (except alcohol), a tray with tea, coffee, kettle.

• All meals served both on board Alegria and in outside restaurants (two meals with the Week Cruise; one with the Discovery Cruise). All the pre-drinks and beverages with the meals.

• Drinks offered on board during the day and the cruises.

• Excursions as mentioned above, including the guide and the entrance fees.

• The use of a computer with internet connections, free of charge, through a 3G+ USB modem

• The use of bicycles.

• And above all ... the surprises or gifts that await you every day and that will not be disclosed to you in advance ...!

Rates do not include:

• Any insurance

• Personal expenses

• The gratuities to the crew (we recommend between 5 and 10% of the stay, payable to the Captain and then shared between all).

• Your own dry laundry or ironing (prices given on board)

• Telephone calls apart from the internet connections