Claire de Lune

Sete/Marseillan to Narbonne

A European Summer cruise on ‘Clair’ provides the opportunity for independent families to come and have an adventure while still keeping the comforts of luxury barging.  The Mediterranean landscape unfolds around you while sumptuous food is prepared in the galley and served with delicious regional wines.  European Summer means lots of barging along several waterways and differing coastal and inland landscapes.  There are a multitude of daily adventures of your own making.  Take the bikes and cycle a short distance to the beach, go and visit a real bull ranch along the canal, spend a morning visiting the museums and cathedral in Narbonne, pretend to be Hannibal conquering the 2,500 year old Oppidum d’Enserune, or hiking on Ste. Lucie island to find the troglodytic wine presses from monks in the Middle Ages or observe wild boars and other fauna.  As the barge cruises you can enjoy the Jacuzzi on the spacious sundeck or cycle, walk or paddle alongside in ‘Clair’s’ canoe.

Saturday – Arrival at the Clair de Lune around 4:30 pm .  Shortly after arrival enjoy a Captain’s Welcome Reception of drinks and nibbles and be introduced to the crew and an outline of your cruise.  Welcome Reception followed by short cruise to first evenings mooring in either port of Marseillhan or along the Canal du Midi near Agde.

Sunday – If near Agde perhaps a morning cruise up the hereuropean SAult River could be fun where the barge could anchor and allow you to swim in the shadow of an ancient ruin.  Return to canal and cruise toward Beziers with a lunch stop along the way.  After lunch you may want to take bicycles and cycle a mile or two to enjoy some time on a Mediterranean beach.  Continue cruising to the evenings mooring near Villeneuve-les-Beziers.

Monday – During the morning the barge cruises up the canal to meet the prearranged rendezvous to ascend the seven-locks of Foncerannes in Beziers .  Shortly afterwards lunch will be served.

The afternoons cruise involves picturesque views of the tree-lined canal as well as the canal’s only tunnel at Malpas.  You can enjoy the Jacuzzi and sundeck or perhaps cycle or walk up to visit the two-thousand year old hilltop archaeological city-site at your leisure.  If all flows smoothly the barge will moor in the village of Capestang where you can spend the evening enjoying a lovely view of its 13^th century church.

Tuesday – The barge begins the day cruising along the meandering tree-lined canal until the embranchment with the Canal de la Jonction which leads us south to Narbonne .  Take the bikes for a short ride to visit the picturesque hamlet of Le Somail or to the aqueduct over the river Cesse for swimming.  Clair de Lune will moor at the embranchment of the two canals for the evening.

Wednesday – Next to the canal is the Amphoralis museum on the archaeological site of a Roman Pottery works where up to 1,000 amphora’s could be fired at one time in the enormous kilns.  If the timing works out you could take the tourist train which stops in front of the museum and go and visit the Oulibo olive cooperative where the wonderful Luques olive are grown and processed.

The barge will cruise down through the village of Salleles d’Aude and across the Aude River and onto the canal de la Robine which flows through the centre of Narbonne .  We’ll moor on the outskirts of Narbonne this evening.  You may want to stroll downtown after dinner around the Main Square and cathedral or perhaps go to see a French film. 

Thursday – Highlights of a morning visit to Narbonne, founded in 118 B.C. by the Romans as their Capital in Gaul, include the towering 13^th century Gothic Cathedral and the 100-year-old covered market with its wonderful selection of fresh seafood, fruit, vegetables, cheese and many other delicious delicacies.  There are also the chariot-rutted paving stones of the Roman road Via Domitia in the central square where one can enjoy an espresso or cappuccino or visit the impressive Archaeological museum, the Fine Arts museum or shop and browse the boutiques along the quaint pedestrian streets.   

The barge will move into the port beside the market to await your return.  Afterwards we can cruise through the lagoons to the Island of Ste. Lucie .  There is much birdlife, bulls, horses and even wild boar to be observed.   If Nature is your thing then we can spend the final evening near the Island with a star-lit sky for our grand finale.  If an urban setting is desired then perhaps bustle of Port La-Nouvelle could also be a possibility especially to watch the large fishing trawlers return in the morning for the market.

NB A visit to the fortified medieval town of Carcassonne is also an option if your plans do not include an overnight there.  We can arrange the minibus and guide to come on the Wednesday or Thursday.  

– After breakfast, disembark Clair de Lune to be transferred to departure point for the next leg of your travels.

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