We will use our unique
in-depth experience
to find you your
perfect barge cruise
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Summary
A first-class hotel barge for up to ten guests, Athos is beautifully designed to combine luxury and cosy richness. With smart, contemporary decor and furnishings, a gorgeous salon, large sundeck and five double cabins, she is ideal for larger groups and families; all those who like the active, outdoor – but leisurely – lifestyle.
Hotel barge Athos cruises the fascinating Canal du Midi from Argeliers to Marseillan, a spectacular trip with a great variety of scenery and interest, including the more open waters of the Etang de Thau and its fabulous sea-food.
Key Features
- Premier class (3*)
- Canal du Midi, Languedoc
- Charter and cabin bookings, 6 nights, 7 days, March to October
- 10 guests / 5 suites (but 12 if the party includes 4 young children)
- Air conditioning and heating
- Full board, on-board dining
- Sun deck with loungers
The Classic Cruise — Athos
Classic Cruise Itinerary
Route | Between Argeliers and Marseillan on the Canal du Midi |
Pick-up | Beziers, 4pm |
Dining | All inclusive: 6 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 6 dinners on board. 1 lunch in a local restaurant |
Classic Cruise Highlights
- Tour Carcassonne, the most complete medieval fortified city in Europe
- Wine tasting at a local château, such as Château Cabezac
- Visit to Pezenas, an architectural gem
- Passage through the remarkable Fonserannes lock at Beziers
- Excursion to Narbonne; its Archbishop’s Palace and lively covered market
- Cross the 18th century Orb canal bridge
- Excellent towpath for walking and cycling
Themed cruises
Special activities can be organised as a particular focus for a family or group charter party. Art, Family, Golf, Tennis and Wine Appreciation cruises are available aboard Athos with advance notice. Supplements may apply.
Please enquire.
Day 1 — Sunday
Arrival in Argeliers
You will be met at the pre-arranged meeting point for a private transfer by chauffeured minibus to Athos. Enjoy a Champagne and Meditérranean canapés welcome whilst you meet the crew. Then, settle in, relax and then a enjoy your first four-course dinner on board.
Day 2 — Monday
Cruise to La Croisade | Excursion to Carcassonne
After breakfast this morning, take an excursion to the famous medieval city of Carcassonne. A UNESCO listed site and the largest, most complete castle in Europe, this is the highlight of the week. Enjoy a full tour, walk the ramparts and then there’s time to browse the shops and cafés within. Return to the barge for a gourmet lunch (perhaps including the famous duck confit stew, cassoulet) and relax during an afternoon’s cruise to La Croisade.
Day 3 — Tuesday
Cruise to Capestang | Excursion to Minerve
An excursion to ‘L’Oulibo’, the local olive oil press. After a tasting accompanied by a glass of rosé wine, take a short drive up the Gorge de la Cesse and into the historic hilltop village of Minerve, a stronghold of the Cathars in the 13 century. Lunch on board and then cruise to Capestang or a wine tasting at a local château, such as Château Cabezac. Return to the hotel barge for dinner on board beneath the floodlit Collegiale St. Etienne.
Day 4 — Wednesday
Cruise to Fonserannes | Excursion to Narbonne | Lunch at a local restaurant
We take a short ride into Narbonne today to discover its vibrant weekly market with stalls of all kinds. We’ll see an excavated portion of the original Roman road, the Via Domitia and the fascinating Roman museum. St Juste Cathedral is a must-see and also the pavement cafe lift. After lunch in one of the excellent restaurants close to the market, we’ll return to Athos and cruise to Fonserannes to moor for the night.
Day 5 — Thursday
Cruise to Portiragnes | Excursion to Pezenas
A drive to the old market town of Pezenas, the first seat of the Languedoc court, famed for its architecture and artisans’ shops – painters, hat makers and costume designers. After lunch, we’ll cruise through the 17th century staircase of locks at Fonserannes and then the 18th century aqueduct over the River Orb. The paved towpath and the many locks leading to the next mooring make it an ideal afternoon for walking or bicycling alongside the barge.
Day 6 — Friday
Cruise to Marseillan | Into the Camargue and Noilly Prat tasting
An early start to cruise through the Petit Camargue. Bird watchers should look out for pink Flamingo, African Roller and Bee Eaters. After crossing the remarkable round lock at Agde, enjoy a spectacular sea-food lunch as you enter the open-waters of the Etang de Thau, Europe’s largest producer of mussels and oysters. From the mooring at Marseillan, take a fascinating tour and a tasting at the famous Noilly Prat distillery, before the your final festive dinner on board.
Day 7 — Saturday
Departure from Marseillan
After breakfast, guests are transferred by private chauffeured minibus to their choice of location in Beziers.
This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change. On alternate weeks the cruise will be in the reverse direction.
Accommodations and Facilities
- Dimensions: 98.32ft x 16.56ft (29.97m x 5.05m)
- Cabins: 4 staterooms measure 93ft² (8.64m²) Narcissou Fontfroide, at the bow, measures 102ft² (9.5m²). Please note: it is possible to replace the beds in this cabin with 2 x bunk beds, thus accommodating up to 4 children within a charter booking for 12.
- The ceiling height in all cabins is 6ft 6” (2m)
- All cabins can be double or twin bedded. Sizes: single beds, 6ft 4” x 2ft 7” (1.9m x 80cm). Double bed, 6ft 4” x 5ft 2” (1.9m x 1.6m)
- All cabins have en-suite bathrooms with a full-sized wash basin, WC and a shower cubicle with base tray measuring 80cm². Fully tiled in Provençal blue and white tiles and supplied with towels, hairdryer, shampoo, shower gel, moisturiser, soap and conditioner.
Other items on board:
- Professional English-speaking crew of 5 – captain, tour guide/deckhand, chef and 2 hostesses
- A small library of books and maps
- A collection of board games
- Boules
- Binoculars for watching the bird life
- Open bar area with fridge
- 6 touring 21-gear bicycles, 4 ebikes
- Wifi (limited in some places)
- Two x 6-seater air-conditioned Chrysler minivans for transfers and excursions
Facilities At A Glance
Fine Wines — Fine Dining
All meals on board are freshly prepared and most meals are a set menu featuring regional cuisine. Special meals can be arranged: vegetarian, pescatarian, vegan or non-allergenic. Notification is required at least 8 weeks prior to departure.
Breakfast: wholesome and balanced variety of breakfast foods, along with fresh breads and pastries, freshly-squeezed orange juice and hot beverages.
Lunch: usually a selection of colourful salads, patés and cold meats accompanied by hot soup or entrée, delectable desserts with a selection of regional cheeses and quality wines selected by the chef.
Dinner: a candlelit four-course gastronomic experience followed by a selection of regional cheeses and desert. Coffee and liqueurs are served in the saloon.
Regional Specialities
Magret de canard with an orange and ginger reduction, creamy celeriac puree and julienned vegetables of carrots, leeks and florets of broccoli
Drinks: Included in the cruise price: Non-alcoholic beverages and regular or decaffeinated tea and coffee, whole or low fat milk. A well-stocked bar is open 24 hours, which includes wines, spirits, beers and soft drinks. All wines are provided with meals including a Champagne welcome on arrival.
Some Champagnes and special vintage wines.are not included in the cruise price.
Wine Cellar
Domaine Pierre Cros Les Costes AOC Minervois, Les Costières de Pomerols AOC Coteaux de Languedoc Picpoul de Pinet, Château Mire l’Etang AOC La Clape Rosé
Cheese Board
Pélardon; Roquefort Papillon; Cathare au Chèvre; Tomme au Piment d’ Espelette
Hotel barge Athos cruises on the Canal du Midi
Minerve ©Ian Cameron | Others ©FW, wikimedia, n/a
Classic cruise rates and dates
All rates and prices will be confirmed at time of booking. Special Offers are available from time to time – contact us
What’s included
6 nights accommodation
Return transfers to Beziers
All meals and drinks on board
Excursion fees, tour guide and transport
What’s not included
Travel to the pick up
Travel, medical and cancellation insurance
Crew gratuities (5-10% suggested)
Personal expenses
2024
Charter and Cabin bookings
Sunday to Saturday
Rates and dates
Value rate weeks
March 31
April 7, 14, 21
October 13, 20, 27
6 guest charter: 46,500 USD
8 guest charter: 49,500 USD
10 guest charter: 52,500 USD
Per Cabin bookings
Stateroom Double Cabin: 5,690 USD per person
Single Occupancy Supplement: 2,100 USD
Regular rate weeks
April 28
May 5, 12, 19, 26
June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
July 7, 14, 21, 28
August 4, 11, 18, 25
September 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
October 6
6 guest charter: 52,700 USD
8 guest charter: 56,100 USD
10 guest charter: 59,500 USD
Per Cabin bookings
Stateroom Double Cabin: 6,590 USD per person
Single Occupancy Supplement: 2,400 USD
These USD prices are for US and Canadian residents only.
Pricing is available in GBP for UK residents only, and in EUR for residents from all other countries.
Please enquire.
Themed charter cruises are be available. Extra supplements apply. Please enquire.
2025
Charter and Cabin bookings
Sunday to Saturday
Rates and dates
Value rate weeks
March 30
April 6, 13, 20
October 12, 19, 26
6 guest charter: 46,500 USD
8 guest charter: 49,500 USD
10 guest charter: 52,500 USD
Per Cabin bookings
Stateroom Double Cabin: 5,690 USD per person
Single Occupancy Supplement: 2,100 USD
Regular rate weeks
April 27
May 4, 11, 18, 25
June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
July 6, 13, 20, 27
August 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
September 7, 14, 21, 28
October 5
6 guest charter: 52,700 USD
8 guest charter: 56,100 USD
10 guest charter: 59,500 USD
Per Cabin bookings
Stateroom Double Cabin: 6,590 USD per person
Single Occupancy Supplement: 2,400 USD
These USD prices are for US and Canadian residents only.
Pricing is available in GBP for UK residents only, and in EUR for residents from all other countries.
Please enquire.
Themed charter cruises are be available. Extra supplements apply. Please enquire.
Booking
Booking a luxury barge vacation isn’t the kind of thing one does with just a mouse-click or two. It takes a little research, thought and understanding, and we hope that our pages have provided you with all the information and inspiration you need to take this next step.
Why should you book with us? Because…
We’ve explored the waterways of France on our own boat since 2003 and know each of the barges and their routes.
We’re independent, impartial and enthusiastic – and we are the only France cruising specialist that can offer you the benefits of our own in-depth cruising knowledge and experience.
We love France, we love the rivers and canals of France, we love hotel barging – and we love talking about all three!
There’s nothing like speaking to a friendly expert to help you see the wood for the trees and to make the best possible decision about the vacation cruise of a lifetime. Get in touch – we’re here to help.
We will use our unique
in-depth experience
to find you your
perfect barge cruise