Athos overview
- Capacity 10 guests
- Crew members 5
- Booking type Private charter and per cabin
- Meeting point 4.30pm in Beziers or Narbonne
- Price Starting from €3,920 per person
“Athos is the canal cruise choice for travellers who enjoy luxurious accommodation, gourmet French food and wine, the sunny Mediterranean climate, rustic countryside views through endless vineyards and gracious service by an attentive crew.
Cruise from Argeliers to Marseillan (v.v.)
The luxury hotel barge Athos offers exclusive barge cruises on the historic Canal du Midi. There are wonderful guided onshore visits to Carcassonne, Narbonne covered food market, Pezenas, the hill-top town of Minerve, and the Noilly Prat vermouth distillery at Marseillan.
Cabin
- Cabins 1, 2, 3 and 4: 77 sq ft (8.6m sq)
- Cabin 5: 88sq ft (9.4m sq)
- It is possible to replace the bed with 2 x bunk beds for 4 children thus allowing a 12 pax family charter of 8 adults and 4 children if required.
- Ensuite tiled baths with shower
- Teak flooring, Upscale toiletries
- Egyptian cotton linens
Public area
- Ceiling height 2 meters
- Large panoramic windows throughout
- Contemporary furnishings on oak flooring
- Wi-Fi and computer with internet access
Deck
- 100 Feet Long
- Salon/dining room with picture windows
- Large picture windows
- Large sun deck with canopy
- WIFI with limited availability
- 10 B-Twin Hybrid mountain/road bicycles with 18 gears
18ft x 101ft (5.5m x 30.8m)
Route: Argeliers to Marseilan
Sunday, Day 1 Argeliers
Guests are met in Beziers** and transferred by private chauffeured minibus to Athos. A full-crew Welcome Aboard follows, with champagne and Mediterranean canapés. Once you are settled into your cabin, you will be invited to your first 4-course dinner on board, prepared by the highly skilled chef.
Monday, Day 2 Argeliers to La Croisade
Enjoy breakfast in a comfortable chair on the upper deck of the hotel barge, before we drive to the famous medieval double-walled city of Carcassonne. Your knowledgeable guide will provide a full tour of this historical place and ensure that you also have time to browse the shops. Return to the barge for a gourmet lunch (perhaps including the famous duck confit stew, cassoulet) and an afternoon’s cruise to La Croisade, with plenty of opportunity to walk or bicycle along the towpath. Dinner on board.
Tuesday, Day 3 La Croisade to Capestang
After breakfast, we enjoy a tasting at “L’Oulibo”, the local olive oil press. After tasting those organic and wholesome olives accompanied by a glass of rosé, we take a short drive up the Gorge de la Cesse and into the hilltop village of Minerve. Your guide will regale you with the harrowing tale of the Cathar siege launched at Minerve during the 13th century. Relax after lunch on board, whilst we cruise to Capestang, or you can enjoy a wine tasting at a local château, such as Château Cabezac. Return to the hotel barge for dinner on board and admire the floodlit Collegiale St. Etienne.
Wednesday, Day 4 Capestang to Fonserannes
After breakfast, we take a trip to the weekly morning market in Narbonne. Even for non-shoppers, Narbonne offers much entertainment. Explore an excavated portion of the original Roman road, the Via Domitia, browse through the Roman Museum, discover the beauty of St. Juste Cathedral, or simply relax at one of the many cafés. After lunch in the atmospheric market, we return to Athos and cruise to Fonserannes. From our mooring tonight you will have a glorious view of the town of Beziers and the Cathedral St.Nazaire. Dinner on board.
Thursday, Day 5 Fonserannes to Portiragnes
This morning we drive to the old market town of Pezenas, which was the first seat of the Languedoc court. The architecture is unique within this region because of the “Hotels Particuliers” or mansions belonging to the noble families who followed the Court. It is filled with artisans’ shops, including painters, hat makers, and costume designers. Once again, your guide makes sure that there is time to browse, as well as learning about the history. After lunch we begin our negotiation of a 17th century feat of engineering, the Fonserannes Staircase Locks. Then we traverse the 18th century aqueduct over the River Orb. The paved towpath and the many locks leading to our mooring make it an ideal afternoon for walking or bicycling alongside the barge. Dinner on board.
Friday, Day 6 Portiragnes to Marseillan
This morning, we get underway earlier than usual, cruising through the area known as the “Petit Camargue”. Bird watchers should look out for the local species such as pink flamingos, African Rollers and Bee Eaters. After crossing through the exceptional “round lock” at Agde, a spectacular and appropriate seafood lunch awaits you, as you enter the open-waters of the Etang de Thau, which boasts Europe’s largest mussel and oyster beds. As we moor in the port at Marseillan, you will notice the enclosure of the Noilly Prat vermouth distillery. End a perfect day with a fascinating tour of the distillery and if you choose, a tasting of Noilly Prat before the Captain’s Farewell Dinner on board.
Saturday, Day 7 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.
Rates 2021
- Private charter – Full board: from €3,920 per person based on 10 passengers
- Single Supplement: from €1,400 per person
Departure dates 2021
What is included?
- Six nights accommodation
- All gourmet meals prepared by your private chef
- All wines, bar, and refreshment drinks aboard
- Transfers to and from the barge from the designated meeting point
- Daily excursions with your tour guide in private vehicle
- Use of on-board bicycles, library and sound system
