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EMMA
| Luxury barge cruise vacations on the French hotel barge EMMA, cruising the Canal du Midi, Provence and Camargue, South of France |  |
French Hotel Barge EMMA : ITINERARY
CARCASSONNE – BEZIERS
SATURDAY - DAY 1
5:00 p.m: We join "Emma" at Trebes. A little cruise to the 17th century aqueduct while enjoying a champagne reception is the best way of welcoming you aboard. Our mooring for h evening overlooks the village and is ideal for a stroll before your first gourmet dinner.
SUNDAY - DAY 2
Morning: We go off to explore the biggest and best fortified city in Europe, Carcassonne. Although dating from the time of Charlemagne, it has been extensively restored. You can walk along the ramparts, visit the Chateau Comptal, shop in the boutiques along the cobbled streets, visit galleries and museums and get the feel of life in the middle ages.
Afternoon: We cruise to the little village of Puicheric which overlooks the Alaric Mountains; Enjoy a walk around the lock-keepers garden filed with rather unusual wooden sculptures and back to “Emma” for another gastronomic treat.
MONDAY - DAY 3
Morning: A trip up into the Black Mountains to Caunes Minervois and the quarry of red marble which Louis xiv liked so much he decorated the palace of Versailles with it. The giant underground cave at Cabresprine which is so big the Eiffel Tower fits in with room to spare is another stop on today’s visit.
Afternoon: Olonzac with its open air market full of local produce from the surrounding countryside, cheeses, olives, home made jams, pottery and colourful fabrics is our first stop; Then we head up into the hills to Minerve, a mediaeval village perched on a spectacular rocky outcrop formed by the rivers Cesse and Brian. Famous for its Cathar history and sweet wine.
TUESDAY - DAY 4
Morning: Olonzac with its open air market full of local produce from the surrounding countryside, cheeses, olives, home made jams, pottery and colourful fabrics is our first stop; Then we head up into the hills to Minerve, a mediaeval village perched on a spectacular rocky outcrop formed by the rivers Cesse and Brian. Famous for its Cathar history and sweet wine.
Afternoon: After lunch we cruise through a particularly beautiful section of canal, with a series of double and single locks, lined with plane trees and surrounded by vineyards.
WEDNESDAY - DAY 5
Morning: Narbonne is our destination today. Once the capital of Roman Gaul, their influence is still visible in the old road dating back to 118bc and the underground stores called the Horreum. It is now a bustling town with chic boutiques, street cafés and pride of place goes to the covered market which overflows with the smells and colours of all the local produce for which the Midi is renowned. Narbonne is dominated by the 12th century cathedral and Arch Bishop’s Palace. If you fancy a swim, the sea is not far.
Afternoon: We cruise to the charming little village of Le Somail for the evening. You may visit the antique bookshop, admire the old ice house and church on either side of the hump back bridge over the canal, or have a stroll through the vineyards before dinner.
THURSDAY - DAY 6
Morning: We visit the olive factory of Oulibo this morning; sample the different types of olive oil, olives and all the other by products such as soap and hand cream and not forgetting the beautiful bowls and implements made from the wood. We cruise on to Capestang for lunch passing under the smallest bridge in France. (If you can get under this you can go anywhere on the French canal system)
Afternoon: Our afternoon cruise takes us to Poilhes from where we shall visit the Oppidum d’Enserune.
FRIDAY - DAY 7
Morning: After breakfast, we must say our farewells and you shall be taken to your departure point for your onward journey.
EMMA HOME > ITINERARIES > Carcassonne - Beziers
CARCASSONNE – BEZIERS
SATURDAY - DAY 1
5:00 p.m: We join "Emma" at Trebes. A little cruise to the 17th century aqueduct while enjoying a champagne reception is the best way of welcoming you aboard. Our mooring for h evening overlooks the village and is ideal for a stroll before your first gourmet dinner.
SUNDAY - DAY 2
Morning: We go off to explore the biggest and best fortified city in Europe, Carcassonne. Although dating from the time of Charlemagne, it has been extensively restored. You can walk along the ramparts, visit the Chateau Comptal, shop in the boutiques along the cobbled streets, visit galleries and museums and get the feel of life in the middle ages.
Afternoon: We cruise to the little village of Puicheric which overlooks the Alaric Mountains; Enjoy a walk around the lock-keepers garden filed with rather unusual wooden sculptures and back to “Emma” for another gastronomic treat.
MONDAY - DAY 3
Morning: A trip up into the Black Mountains to Caunes Minervois and the quarry of red marble which Louis xiv liked so much he decorated the palace of Versailles with it. The giant underground cave at Cabresprine which is so big the Eiffel Tower fits in with room to spare is another stop on today’s visit.
Afternoon: Olonzac with its open air market full of local produce from the surrounding countryside, cheeses, olives, home made jams, pottery and colourful fabrics is our first stop; Then we head up into the hills to Minerve, a mediaeval village perched on a spectacular rocky outcrop formed by the rivers Cesse and Brian. Famous for its Cathar history and sweet wine.
TUESDAY - DAY 4
Morning: Olonzac with its open air market full of local produce from the surrounding countryside, cheeses, olives, home made jams, pottery and colourful fabrics is our first stop; Then we head up into the hills to Minerve, a mediaeval village perched on a spectacular rocky outcrop formed by the rivers Cesse and Brian. Famous for its Cathar history and sweet wine.
Afternoon: After lunch we cruise through a particularly beautiful section of canal, with a series of double and single locks, lined with plane trees and surrounded by vineyards.
WEDNESDAY - DAY 5
Morning: Narbonne is our destination today. Once the capital of Roman Gaul, their influence is still visible in the old road dating back to 118bc and the underground stores called the Horreum. It is now a bustling town with chic boutiques, street cafés and pride of place goes to the covered market which overflows with the smells and colours of all the local produce for which the Midi is renowned. Narbonne is dominated by the 12th century cathedral and Arch Bishop’s Palace. If you fancy a swim, the sea is not far.
Afternoon: We cruise to the charming little village of Le Somail for the evening. You may visit the antique bookshop, admire the old ice house and church on either side of the hump back bridge over the canal, or have a stroll through the vineyards before dinner.
THURSDAY - DAY 6
Morning: We visit the olive factory of Oulibo this morning; sample the different types of olive oil, olives and all the other by products such as soap and hand cream and not forgetting the beautiful bowls and implements made from the wood. We cruise on to Capestang for lunch passing under the smallest bridge in France. (If you can get under this you can go anywhere on the French canal system)
Afternoon: Our afternoon cruise takes us to Poilhes from where we shall visit the Oppidum d’Enserune.
FRIDAY - DAY 7
Morning: After breakfast, we must say our farewells and you shall be taken to your departure point for your onward journey.
EMMA HOME > ITINERARIES > Carcassonne - Beziers