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Cruise Highlights Itinerary Rates 2010 Features Rates Include not included Flyer


 
Name Enchante
Passengers 8
Cabins 4
Length 100 feet
More Features

Enchanté was originally built to navigate the canals and rivers of Europe and has been completely refurbished to the highest standard.  She provides luxurious accommodation for up to 8 guests in 4 equal en-suite twin or double suites, (approx. 200sq ft including ensuite) each with superbly appointed bathrooms with showers and luxurious bath products.The barge is tastefully furnished in exotic hardwoods creating a bright and airy atmosphere.  She has a large, spacious saloon where the attention to detail is exceptional.  She has a demonstration galley for guests to view the chef, internet connection on board and a guest computer available, DVD/TV and air conditioning throughout.Spacious sun deck, with al fresco dining, gorgeous hot tub and luxurious sun loungers.

Cruise highlights: 

  • Visit to Pezenas, the ‘Versailles’ of the Languedoc

  • Noilly Prat distillery, cellars and tasting

  • Cruise on Thau Lake with its mussel and
    oyster beds

  • Visit to the medieval town of Aigues Mortes

  • Camargue National Park

  • Tour of Arles, including the Roman Arena and theatre

  • Visit to Avignon and the Palais des Papes

Itinerary 1: Adge to Avignon - Provence

Sunday

Guests are met at 4pm at the Holiday Inn (Metropole) Hotel in Montpellier and escorted by minibus to Enchante for a Champagne Welcome.  Dinner is preceded by a gentle stroll into Agde with its cathedral built of lava blocks from the nearby Black Mountains. 

Monday, Agde to Marseillan

We begin our day with a cruise along the Canal du Midi, the oldest complete canal in France to Marseillan, a beautiful Mediterranean fishing village on the edge of the Thau Basin.  Today’s excursion is to Pezenas, a delightful town nicknamed Versailles of the Languedoc, mostly famous for its associations with the famous French play write Moliere, who is said to have written many plays while staying here. Dinner on board.

Tuesday, Marseillan to Maguelone

This morning we go into Marseillan where passengers can tour the cellars and distillery of the world famous vermouth Noilly Prat, followed by a tasting or visit the street market.  Around lunchtime we sail out onto the Thau Lake to Frontignan.  The Thau Lake is a large, inland salt-water lagoon full of mussel and oyster beds where the water is so clear that you can sometimes see miniature sea horses passing on the tide. On arrival at the vineyard-encircled Maguelone Abbey, just a short stroll or cycle from the nearby Mediterranean, we moor up for the night.  Dinner on board.

Wednesday, Maguelone to Aigues Mortes

Leaving Maguelone we cruise the Canal du Rhone à Sete through the Camargue National Park with its wild white horses, abundant sea bird life and flocks of elegant pink flamingos.  After lunch we arrive at our mooring outside Aigues Mortes town walls and visit the town and its famous Tour de Constance, built in 1248 as a lighthouse for the returning 13th century crusaders.  Dinner ashore at a local auberge.

Thursday, Aigues Mortes to Vallabregues

We leave Aigues Mortes early and enjoy three waterways today starting with the Canal du Rhone a Sete, then the Petit Rhone and finally the Rhone itself, which leads us to Arles, gateway to Provence and old capital of the Camargue. After lunch, we explore Arles.  Choose between the Roman Arena and Theatre, St. Trophime's Basilica and the Museum of Provencal life.  We also visit some of Vincent van Gogh's haunts on foot through the heart of this old capital of the Camargue before rejoining the barge for our cruise to Vallabregues.  Optional early evening tour of Tarascon with its famous Castle of King René.  Dinner on board.

Friday, Vallabregues to Villeneuve-les-Avignon

An early start takes us up the mighty Rhone River, passing the foothills of the Alpilles, to Avignon.  Here we spend an enjoyable afternoon, with a visit to the Palais des Papes, an impressive monument to the era of the 'Other Rome' when the popes moved to France, go shopping in the vibrant centre or take a trip out to Chateauneuf du Pape for an optional wine tasting.  Captain’s dinner on board.

Saturday

After breakfast, we transfer you by minibus to the Holiday Inn (Metropole) Hotel in Montpellier  by about 11.30am.

This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change.  On alternative weeks the cruise operates in reverse direction.

 

Itinerary 2: Beziers to Carcassonne, Canal du Midi

Sunday, Day 1 - Marseillan

You will be met at Hotel Metropole, Montpellier, at 4pm and escorted by minibus to Enchante moored in the lake side fishing village of Marseillan, enjoying a view over the oyster beds, home of Noilly Pratt Vermouth.  Champagne welcome followed by time for a relaxing stroll around this lovely fishing village before dinner aboard.

Monday, Day 2 - Marseillan to Portiragnes

This morning we cruise from Marseillan to Portiragnes.  On the way we visit the old Greco/Phoenician  port of Agde and explore its narrow, mediaeval streets carved from the Languedocian hills’ black volcanic stone.  After lunch an informative wine tasting in the 14th Century Chateau de Perdiguier, famed for its 15th century frescoes and Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay wines.  Dinner aboard.

Tuesday, Day 3 - Portiragnes to Beziers

This morning we visit Pezenas, a delightful village, mostly known for its associations with the French playwrite Moliere, who is said to have written many plays while staying there.  We then cruise to the bottom of the Fonseranes 7 lock flight at Beziers where we continue along the 300 year old tree lined Canal du Midi.    Dinner in Beziers

Wednesday, Day 4 - Beziers to Poilhes

This morning we cross the aqueduct over the River Orb and then ascend the 7-lock flight of Fonseranes before reaching the world’s oldest canal tunnel at Malpas.  On arrival at the picturesque village of Poilhes we take an excursion out to Minerve, the ancient capital of Minervois, which boasts a 12th Century Cathar fort surrounded by deep limestone gorges.  Besieged by Simon de Montfort in 1215, its hill-top location affords spectacular views.  A fascinating recreation in miniature of the bloodthirsty Cathar rebellion and small museum complete the intriguing picture.  Dinner on board

On certain cruises, an alternative to the wine tasting may be offered to l'Oppidum D'Enserune, a pre-Roman hilltop settlement with Greek and Iberian excavations dating from 600 BC.     

Thursday, Day 5 - Poilhes to Argeliers

A morning visit to Narbonne, a Roman Mediterranean capital where the Visigoth monarchs once lived.  Enjoy the Archbishop’s Palace and Horreum.  Explore the indoor market at the hub of this bustling town, where you will have time to shop or simply absorb the relaxed atmosphere.  Return to the barge for a cruise along the shaded canal to Argeliers, stopping off en route at Domaine de Guery, a 500 year old canalside vineyard, for a pre-dinner wine tasting of the full-bodied Corbieres.  Dinner aboard

Friday, Day 6 - Argelier to Le Somail

Morning visit to Carcassonne.  Dating back to the Gallo-Roman era, this is the most complete mediaeval fortified city in existence today. With its 52 watchtowers, portcullis and extraordinary repertoire of defenses, it resisted the many armies that tried to storm this Camelot setting.  In the afternoon we cruise along the historic Midi Canal to the delightful village of Le Somail.  Captain's Farewell Dinner aboard.

Saturday, Day 7 - Le Somail to Montpellier

After breakfast, depart from Le Somail by minibus to Montpellier.  Expected arrival time 11am

This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change.

 

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Rates 2010:

Note: All prices are in Euro €

Departure Date (Sunday) Season Region
March 7,14,21,28 Regular Provence / Canal du Midi
April 4,11,18,25 Regular Provence / Canal du Midi
May 2,9,16,23,30 Regular Provence / Canal du Midi
June 6,13,20,27 Regular Provence / Canal du Midi
July 4,11,18,25 Regular Provence / Canal du Midi
August 1,8,15,22,29 Regular Provence / Canal du Midi
September 5, 12,19,26 Regular Provence / Canal du Midi
October 3,10,17,24,31 Regular Provence / Canal du Midi
November 7 Regular Provence / Canal du Midi

 

Accommodation  Regular
Suite per person € 4,385
Single supplement € 1,655

Charter 6 passengers whole boat

 € 32,180

Charter 7 passengers whole boat

 € 33,500

Charter 8 passengers whole boat

 € 34,820

 

 

Rates 2011:

Note: All prices are in Euro €

Departure Date (Sunday) Season Region
March 6, 13, 20, 27 Value Provence / Canal du Midi
April 3, 10, 17 Value Provence / Canal du Midi
April 24 Regular Provence / Canal du Midi
May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 Regular Provence / Canal du Midi
June 5, 12, 19, 26 Regular Provence / Canal du Midi
July 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 Regular Provence / Canal du Midi
August 7, 14, 21, 28 Regular Provence / Canal du Midi
September 4, 11, 18, 25 Regular Provence / Canal du Midi
October 2, 9,17,24,31 Regular Provence / Canal du Midi
October 16, 23, 30 Value Provence / Canal du Midi
November 6 Value Provence / Canal du Midi

 

Accommodation Value  Regular
Suite per person € 3,815 € 4,385
Single supplement € 1,500 € 1,655

Charter 6 passengers whole boat

 € 28,000 € 32,180

Charter 7 passengers whole boat

 € 29,000 € 33,500

Charter 8 passengers whole boat

 € 30,000 € 34,820

 

 

Features:
 

  • Size of barge: 100 feet long

  • Cabins: 4 large suites

  • Number of passengers: 8

  • Number of crew: 4

  • Air-conditioned: Yes

  • 8 bikes

  • 1 air-conditioned minibus

 
 

 
 

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