Allouette

Beziers to Carcassonne

The day to day itinerary described below is a sample of a typical cruise on the Alouette. However, on any one cruise, the moorings may change, there may be fewer or more excursions, the places visited may vary depending on the season and the passenger preferences. Because there are a limited number of passengers on any of our vessels the guide can tailor the itinerary in accordance with the passengers’ wishes.  

 Sunday - Paris to Toulouse .
Your departure from Paris Gare de Lyon via the TGV train will arrive at approximately 16:53 at the Montpellier train station where you will be met by the Alouette guide. After gathering your baggage you will be driven by mini-van to Béziers where you will board the barge for your cruise through the Canal du Midi.

A champagne reception welcomes you on board and gives you a chance to greet the crew while your luggage is brought aboard.

Dinner will be served at 20:00 . (The time for meals on board can be altered to suit the passenger’s wishes).

Monday - Cruise to Capestang. Visit Béziers.
After breakfast, you will tour the lovely town of Béziers , the birth place of Pierre Paul Riquet who built the Canal du Midi over 300 years ago.  You will spend the morning discovering the many squares, pavement cafés, shopping and galleries Béziers has to offer.  Not to be missed is the magnificent 13^th century Cathedral.  Tonight’s mooring is the little port of Capestang .

Tuesday - Cruise to Lesomail.  Visit Narbonne .
Up bright and early to experience the wonderful under cover market in Narbonne , a lively Mediterranean city playing an important role as a wine producing centre.  Its municipal, military and religious architecture, the treasures in its museums, the charm of the river banks of the Robine and its shaded boulevards all contribute to its charm.   Back to the barge for another scrumptious lunch and a cruise to tonight’s mooring in Lesomail.

Wednesday - Cruise to Hompf.  Visit Minerve
Enjoy a leisurely cruise to Hompf.  Cycle or walk along the towpaths, take in the grandeur and beauty of the Canal du Midi, with its impressively fine locks, buildings and aqueducts, scarcely changed from their completion over 300 years ago.  After lunch, visit Minerve, an old village on a limestone cliff, which dominates the vineyards below.  Its now ruined castle was once a Cathar stronghold, besieged and captured by Simon de Montfort.  On our descent back to the barge, we will stop and taste some wine in the Minervois.

Thursday – Cruise to Trebes.  Visit Abbey de Fontfroide .
After breakfast, relax on deck and watch the passing scenery. This afternoon’s excursion is to the superb 11^th century Cistercian Abbey de Fontfroide with its noble cloister and a peaceful garden lined with cypress trees, followed by a wine tasting in the wild limestone hills of the Corbières.

Friday – Cruise to Carcassonne .  Visit Carcassonne .
Finish the week with a tour of Europe ’s largest medieval fortress - La Cité of Carcassonne . Admire the intricate fortifications of the two castellated walls, one inside the other, about a mile in circumference.  The views from the battlements towards the Pyrenées are stunning.  Visit the Cathedral, over-restored in places, but remarkable for its stained glass rose windows, fine statues, elegant Romanesque nave and Gothic transepts.  Back on board the chef is preparing a memorable feast for your farewell dinner.  Bon appetit.

Saturday – Disembark the Alouette.  Transfer to Paris
After breakfast you will disembark the Alouette, board the van for the last time for the drive to the Toulouse train station and your return to Paris on the TGV, arriving at the Gare de Monparnasse, at approximately 14:20 , where you will be met by our representative who will assist you with your baggage.

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