We will use our unique
in-depth experience
to find you your
perfect barge cruise
+1 405 445 0350
+61 3 9005 8569
+44 7590 287 178
Summary
Roi Soleil is possibly the most distinctively elegant hotel barge – a true river yacht – cruising the French waterways. She is curvaceous on the outside and spacious on the inside, exuding luxury and style in every detail. She glides, swan-like, along the most ancient and iconic waterway in France – through sunflower fields, rolling meadows and of course the leafy, plane-tree lined stretches of the Canal du Midi.
Choose Roi Soleil and you can look forward to a bespoke itinerary, top cuisine and service, secluded excursions and delightful memories to take home and treasure for a lifetime.
Hotel Barge Roi Soleil is owned by Guillaume and Tracey de Perthuis, a highly experienced luxury yacht-skipper and chef team for many years previous to launching Roi Soleil in 1999.
Key Features
- Grand Luxe class (5*)
- Canal du Midi, southern France
- Charter bookings, 6 nights, 7 days, March to October
- 6 guests / 3 suites
- Air conditioning and heating throughout
- Full board, on-board dining
- Sun deck with dining area and spa pool
The Classic Cruise — Roi Soleil
Classic Cruise Itinerary
Route | Between Carcassonne and Beziers on the Canal du Midi, southern France |
Pick-up | Beziers, Narbonne or Montpellier 4pm |
Dining | All inclusive: 6 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 6 dinners on board. |
Classic Cruise Highlights
- Cruise through Béziers and navigate the nine locks of Fonserannes
- Excursion to Narbonne, the first Roman colony of the Gaulles
- Oppidum d’Ensérune, an ancient hilltop settlement and its fields
- The fortified medieval villages of Minervois and Carcassonne
- Fontfroide, one of the best preserved Cistercian abbeys
Alternative route
Roi Soleil may also cruise from Beziers to Avignon, through the Camargue and Provence regions. On this cruise, joining the Rhône via the Canal Rhône à Sète, you’ll see the fortified Crusader town of Aigues-Mortes where you can walk the ramparts; see the flamingo lagoons, explore Van Gogh’s home town of Arles; go wine-tasting at Châteauneuf du Pape; and visit the incredible Roman aqueduct, the Pont du Gard.
Please enquire.
Day 1 — Sunday
Arrival in Beziers
Pick-up from the designated meeting point for private chauffeured transfer to charter barge Roi Soleil. Meet the crew over a welcome reception with cocktails and settle into your luxurious surroundings on board. Then, take your first cruise through a rural area of wetlands, flamingo and horses on the edge of the Camargue region. Moor for the night in the sea-side town of Portiragnes and take dinner on board.
Day 2 — Monday
Cruise to Fonserannes | Excursion to Pézenas
This morning, cruise through the astonishing Fonseranes staircase of locks, designed and built centuries ago to enable barges laden with wine and other goods to reach the markets of Europe. In the afternoon we’ll visit the historic town of Pézenas with its famed architecture and many artisan and antique shops.
Alternatively, we could visit the hill village of Roquebrun by the river Orb for a swim or kayak. Your choice, depending on the weather and your interests.
Day 3 — Tuesday
Cruise to Capestang | Excursion to Abbaye de Fontfroide
Today, cruise on through the delightful countryside to the village of Capestang, a delightful and very popular mooring for many boats along the canal. We’ll visit the Cistercian Abbey of Fontfroide this afternoon, one of the finest remaining examples for this order of monks in France. Alternatively, your party might prefer a more exciting excursion to a Camargue bull and horse ranch, with the opportunity to round up the bulls on horseback, or take a wine tasting tour of the cellar of a top French Sommelier and supplier to Michelin starred chefs.
Day 4 — Wednesday
Cruise to Le Somail | Excursion to Narbonne
After breakfast, there’s an excursion to Narbonne, the Roman Capital of the early Gauls. Visit its vibrant food market and famed art and Roman archaeology museums within the Bishop’s Palace – a highlight of the week. After lunch on board leave Capestang through its tiny arched bridge and cruise to the peaceful village of Le Somail with its unique antique bookstore and numerous artisan workshops. Moor up and take aperitifs before dinner on board.
Day 5 — Thursday
Cruise to Paraza | Excursion to Minerve
A drive into the countryside today to the historic hilltop village of Minerve, perched on a rocky outcrop. It’s one of the last strongholds of the Cathars. with plenty of history and stunning views. Alternatively, choose a visit to a prized olive oil mill, the Oulibo, and an historic Languedoc village. Learn how olive oil is made, taste the different kinds and discover the many ways that olive wood can be used. Lunch is taken on board and then there’s a wonderful afternoon cruise to the mooring at Paraza for a private wine tasting in a renowned Minervois domain. Dinner on board.
Day 6 — Friday
Cruise to Homps | Excursion to Carcassonne
A major excursion to the fortified city of Carcassonne today, Europe’s largest medieval fortress. Absorb the fascinating medieval history of this UNESCO World Heritage site, shop in the bastide and sample the street cafés. Then we cruise on through the countryside to Homps, our final destination. This is a great chance to walk or cycle the excellent towpath alongside Roi Soleil. Tonight, it’s the Captain’s farewell dinner on board.
Day 7 — Saturday
Departure from Homps
Depart at 10:00 after breakfast for transfer to the drop off point and onward travel.
This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change. The itinerary runs the reverse direction on alternate weeks.
“The Roi Soleil was the highlight of our 3 weeks. The team of Steve, Flo, Stephan and Toby were an amazing crew and looked after us in every way possible. The boat is beautiful, comfortable, and we all slept very well each night. Not sure I have eaten that well for a full week, the food and wine were amazing, I now know why Ruth told me we will not want to miss a single meal!
We had a great mix of vineyards, castles, small towns and even a water taxi in the Port of Sete…. the weather was perfect for the entire week, sunrises and sunsets every day….I really do struggle to think of anything that could be improved upon…Thank you for all your help, our trip will be one we truly remember for the rest of our lives.”
MT, USA, Oct 2023
“Dear Crew
This was an adventure we will never forget. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
You anticipated our every need and then some! The food, the tours, the hopitality was top shelf. The trip was beyond imagining. France will never be the same – all was perfect.”
BM party, CAN, August 2023
“Thank you for such an amazing vacation and a trip we will remember forever. Everything truly exceeded all of our expectations!!! Your attentiveness to us was appreciated and made everything look easy, although we know how hard you all work! I can’t say enough about the food…it was incredible. We loved everything and were fortunate to book the Roi Soleil. We feel as if we have new friends.”
K Hagan, USA May 2023
Accommodations and Facilities
- Dimensions: 98ft x 16.5 ft
- All cabins are 160 sq ft (15m2),and have an opening skylight
- Queen-size double or twin beds
- Fabric wall coverings from the Braquenié collection by Pièrre Frey, Paris. The motifs date back to the 18th century.
- Individually controlled heating and air conditioning
- Hair dryer
- Ensuite luxury bathrooms have l’Occitaine toiletries, bathrobe for each guest, heated towel rack
Other items on board:
- Professional English-speaking crew of four: captain, chef, guide and hostess
- Fireplace
- Small library of books and games
- TV/DVD/CD: DVD library, Bose sound system controlled from your device
- Laptop for guest use and Wifi (limited in some areas)
- 2 Sundecks, with dining area, spa pool, retractable awning and ‘bendy’ beds.
- 6 light aluminium bicycles, Giant “Boulder Breeze” hybrids with shock absorbers, quick gear changes and road tyres
- Wifi (limited in some places)
- Air-conditioned Mercedes Viano minibus for transfers and excursions
Facilities At A Glance
Fine Wines — Fine Dining
Roi Soleil provides full-board catering – the highest quality of cuisine and wines, prepared by the master chef on-board who will be pleased to provide demonstrations in the open galley.
SAMPLE MENU
Foie Gras Duo
Home made Foie Gras au Torchon with pear and date chutney, and Pan fried fresh foie gras on poached pear and marinated date
~
AOC Muscat de Saint-Jean de Minervois 2010
–
Charollais beef fillet on braised beetroot and fresh asparagus with chunky basil pesto and plum and apple chutney
~
AOC Châteauneuf du Pape
Château Mont Redon 2001
–
Roquefort, Reblochon de Savoie & Langres
~
Chilled blackberry & vanilla soup with caramel & balsamic ice cream on a chocolate truffle with pistachio spun sugar
~
Coffee – Fine Chocolates from St Remy de Provence – Fine Liqueurs
The highly-trained crew make sure that top class service is provided at all times.
Vegetarian and other dietary preferences happily accommodated, with imagination and skill.
By request, some meals may be enjoyed off-barge at local restaurants, also of the highest quality.
Charter barge Roi Soleil cruises along the Canal du Midi and occasionally in Provence
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
Chauffeured return transfer to the barge
All meals and drinks on board
Excursion fees, tour guide and associated transport
Not included:
Air fares and travel to the pick-up
Travel, medical and cancellation insurance
Crew gratuities (5-10% suggested)
Personal expenses
2024
Charter only bookings
Sunday to Saturday
Rates and dates
Value rate weeks:
March 17, 24, 31
April 7
July 14, 21, 28
August 4, 11, 18
October 13, 20
4 guest charter: 33,500 USD* / 28,600 EUR
6 guest charter: 37,200 USD* / 31,900 EUR
Regular rate weeks:
April 14, 21, 28
May 5, 12, 19, 26
June 2, 9, 16, 23
July 7
August 25
September 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
October 6
4 guest charter: 38,500 USD* / 32,900 EUR
6 guest charter: 42,800 USD* / 36,600 EUR
*US citizens only
2025
Charter only bookings
Sunday to Saturday
Rates and dates
Value rate weeks:
March 16, 23, 30
April 6
July 13, 20, 27
August 3, 10, 17
October 12, 19
4 guest charter: 33,500 USD* / 28,600 EUR
6 guest charter: 37,200 USD* / 31,900 EUR
Regular rate weeks:
April 13, 20, 27
May 4, 11, 18, 25
June 1, 8, 15, 22
July 6
August 24, 31
September 7, 14, 21, 28
October 5
4 guest charter: 38,500 USD* / 32,900 EUR
6 guest charter: 42,800 USD* / 36,600 EUR
*US citizens only
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