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Board the vessel Enchanté – A state of the art, double-decker hotel barge that has been built to the highest standard.
Enchanté is a hotel barge that offers an alluring blend of luxury and modernity. She is a vessel that will charm any discerning traveller on her sedate journey through the Midi countryside.
The hotel barge is tastefully furnished in a contemporary style, creating a bright, art deco atmosphere. She has a large saloon with outstanding attention to detail, including an open-plan demonstration galley where guests can see their skilled chef at work. On the lower deck, there is also a computer with internet connection for guests’ use, as well as the requisite Wi-Fi onboard.
- 34987
- River
- 20 Jan 21
- Sallèles d’Aude
- Trèbes
- Europe
- 01 Jan 70
- 6 nights
- Abercrombie & Kent
- Multiple Cruiseships 5.5 stars
- Cruise-Tour
-
Sallèles d’Aude, Roubia, Homps, Puichéric, Marseillette, Trèbes
Inclusions
- Private winery tour and tasting of fine Minervois wines
- Tour Narbonne’s Archbishop’s Palace and experience the colourful market
- Visit an olive oil press to sample the famous Lucques olives
- Visit beautiful Lagrasse and its 8th century abbey, with lunch in a stunning location
- See the Cathar hilltop village of Minerve with its spectacular setting
- Tour of the medieval city of Carcassonne
- Excellent towpath for walking and cycling
- “Biking Plus” option available
Important Terms
- * Rates quoted are in Australian dollars.
- Prices shown are fully inclusive of taxes unless otherwise stated.
- Advertised price includes any bonus nights, special offers or discounts listed in the inclusions.
- Surcharges may apply due to demand, Christmas & New Year's Eve, school or public holidays, trade shows, special events & other unforeseen circumstances.
- Prices may be based on Dynamic Rates and as such, may fluctuate at anytime without notice, due to matters outside our control, such as adverse currency fluctuations, fuel surcharges, taxes and airfare increases, or at the property's discretion.
Departures & Rates
| Cabin Name/Category | From Price/person | |
|---|---|---|
| Enchanté Suite | $9,315 | Book Now |
Single Supplement: On Request
Ask one of our Travel Specialists about packaging flights with your cruise and save
This is an Abercrombie & Kent private journey and can be tailor-made to fit with your travel dates and built around your desires.
Depending on your preferred dates and arrangements, final pricing will vary from low season to peak season travel.
*Rates are based on per person for two adults sharing. For solo travellers or single person occupancy rates, or other cabin types not listed, please contact our Travel Specialists for a quote.
Cabins
Itinerary
Day 1
Sallèles d’Aude
Guests are met in Narbonne and transferred by private chauffeured minibus to Enchanté. A champagne welcome and an introduction to the Captain and crew, followed by dinner on board.
Meals Included: Dinner
Day 2
Sallèles d’Aude to Roubia
Morning cruise along the Grand Bief, a technological achievement unique to the Canal du Midi to link Narbonne to the Mediterranean, to the charming historical village of Roubia. Afternoon excursion to “L’Oulibo”, a local co-operative olive oil press where we will sample the famous Lucques olives. We continue on to Minerve, the ancient capital of the Minervois, which boasts a 12th century Cathar fort surrounded by deep limestone gorges. Besieged by Simon de Montfort in 1210, its hilltop location affords spectacular views.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 3
Roubia to Homps
After breakfast, our excursion is to Narbonne, a Roman Mediterranean capital where the Visigoth monarchs once lived. Enjoy a visit to the Archbishop’s Palace, Roman Horreum and the indoor market at the hub of this bustling canalside town, where you will have time to shop or simply absorb the vibrant atmosphere. Afternoon cruise past vineyards and pine trees to Homps. This picturesque mooring in the heart of a French village presents a perfect opportunity to try your hand at a game of boules, followed by an alfresco dinner on board.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 4
Homps to Puichéric
This morning we visit a Benedictine Abbey founded in the 8th century. Nestled in Lagrasse, a village awarded the title of “Plus beaux villages de France” and home to many artisans who have set up workshops in the medieval centre, the restored Abbey was once one of the most prosperous thanks to Charlemagne’s charter. Then we sample some local cuisine with lunch ashore in a spectacular setting overlooking the Corbieres vineyards, before returning to the barge to cruise to Puicheric, past “l’Epanchoir”, one of the bridges invented by Pierre Paul Riquet for the Canal du Midi.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 5
Puichéric to Marseillette
Today we cruise along the 330-year-old canal ascending its trademark locks as the relief becomes steeper. This is a great opportunity to walk or cycle from one lock to the next as Enchanté cruises on, navigating the triple locking system. The afternoon excursion is a wine tour and tasting at Château Saint Jacques d’Albas in Minervois, one of the few regions to receive the much-envied French mark of approval for wines known as A.O.C. (Appellation d’Origine Controlée). This informative tour offers an opportunity to sample wine in situ and find out more about the Languedoc’s long-standing and continuing wine trade. Dinner on board.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 6
Marseillette to Trèbes
Fascinating morning tour of Carcassonne. Dating back to the Gallo-Roman era, this is the most complete medieval fortified city in existence today with its 52 watchtowers, portcullis and extraordinary repertoire of defences, which resisted the many armies that tried to storm this glorious Camelot setting. This afternoon we squeeze through tight bridges and glide past picturesque vineyards and hamlets to Trèbes. Once a major ally to Carcassonne, this medieval town still retains unique paintings within its 13th century church. Farewell Dinner on board.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 7
Trèbes
After breakfast, guests are transferred by private chauffeured minibus to their choice of location in Narbonne.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Ship Info
Enchanté
This state of the art barge offers four suites each with superbly appointed bathrooms and individual mobile phones. Tasteful and contemporary furnishings give the vessel a light and airy feel and there’s a spacious sundeck with alfresco dining area, hot tub and sun loungers. Bikes are available for use during the cruise.
Cruise highlights: medieval Carcassonne; the reed covered marshes of the Camargue, home of wild horses, black bull and pink flamingos; the 12th century hill-top fort of Minerve; private tastings of Corbières wine; the Pyrenees mountains; Cathar history; Narbonne’s colourful indoor market; Béziers; ancient hill town.
Quick Facts
| Category | Ultra Deluxe |
| Cruise Region | Southwest France, the Midi |
| Cruise Route | Canal du Midi |
| Pickup Location | Narbonne |
| Departures | March – October |
| Length | 100 ft |
| Crew | 5 |
| Max Passenger Capacity | 8 |
| Approx Cabin Size | Suites 165 ft2 |
| Interior Decks | 2 |
| TV/DVD Play in Cabin Saloon | – |
| Demo Gallery | Yes |
| Spa Pool | Yes |
| Themed Cruises | Culinary, Family, Golf, Wine Appreciation |
Cruise Line
Abercrombie & Kent River Cruises
A&K has a fleet of 20 beautiful hotel barges at its disposal. If you are looking for a European holiday with a focus on fine food, good wines, beautiful landscapes and an exciting new destination each day without ever leaving home, then canal and river cruising is for you. It is one of the most relaxing and enjoyable ways to discover rural Europe, without the crowds and in great comfort.
Vessels
The exclusive vessels that A&K recommend all have charming cabins with private facilities, central heating/air-conditioning and portholes/windows. All offer exceptional service with distinctive dining and include spacious lounges and sundecks, some with Jacuzzi.
Food & Wine
One of the major highlights of any European sojourn is the regional cuisine. On board, your chef is a master whose gastronomic creations guests often rate higher than those in top restaurants. The vessel’s pantry is supplemented with fresh produce bought from lockkeepers’ gardens or local markets. Before you wake each morning, a crew member has already been ashore to collect fresh breads, croissants and pastries while the coffee brews. Lunch will be a selection of salads, pâtés, quiches and cheeses, with a four or five-course dinner each night. Enjoy regional specialities and the finest wines handpicked from the cellar.
Daily Excursions
Excursions into nearby villages or the surrounding countryside are either a quick journey in the barge minibus or just a short walk from the mooring. Touring may include the magnificent châteaux of the Loire Valley, wine tasting in Burgundy, an ancient abbey in the south-west or a gothic church in Franche-Comté. All excursions are included but are entirely optional.
Special Interest Cruises
For those who prefer a holiday with a specific focus, there are select itineraries which have been designed to cater to unique interests. These may be for golf or garden lovers, opera-goers, wine connoisseurs, antique collectors or families travelling with children. Most are available to whole boat charters only.
