Athos barge cruise itinerary

Salleles d'Aude to Marseillan, France

Sunday, Day 1 – Salleles D’Aude You will be met by Athos Captain and Manager at 4pm at a designated point in Montpellier and transferred by private air-conditioned Chrysler minivan to Athos. A full-crew Welcome Aboard follows, with Champagne and Mediterannean canapés. Once you are settled into your cabin, you will be invited to a 4-course dinner, prepared by our highly acclaimed onboard Chef. Monday, Day 2 - Salleles d'Aude to Argeliers The proposed morning visit is a drive to the famous medieval double-walled city of Carcassonne. Your knowledgeable on-board guide will offer the historical & guided visit making sure that you have time to browse those shops! An afternoon cruise takes us to Argeliers. By early evening you have arrived in Argeliers and there should be enough time for a brisk stroll into the village before Chef starts serving up her next delight! Tuesday, Day 3 – Argeliers to Capestang This morning's suggested visit is a tasting at the Oulibo - the local olive oil press. After an olive tasting, a short drive up the Gorge de la Cesse brings you into the hilltop village of Minerve, scene of the Cathar siege of the 13th century. A long lunch and an afternoon of relaxation await your return to the Athos which cruises to the charming village of Capestang where we moor with a clear view of the flood-lit St. Etienne cathedral. The village is a 5-minute walk. Dinner aboard. Wednesday, Day 4 – Capestang to Fonserannes After breakfast, take a moment for a stroll into the village square to visit the market. Athos gets underway in time to stop for a pre-lunch wine tasting at one of the few remaining traditional-method 19th century wineries, Domaine de Guery. The cruise route today promises spectacular views of the Pyrenees across the sunny, clear plain. When you arrive at the overnight mooring at top of the Fonserannes locks, there is time to visit to the old market town of Pezenas, the first seat of the Languedoc court. The architecture is especially attractive. Dinner aboard. Thursday, Day 5 – Fonserannes to Portiragnes This morning we visit Narbonne. Explore an excavated portion of the original Roman road, the Via Domitia, browse through the well-compiled Roman Museum, discover the beauty of St. Juste Cathedral, or simply relax in one of the many cafés. Later, the cruise takes in the 17th century feat of engineering, the "Neuf Ecluses" (or staircase locks) and the 18th century canal bridge which carries Athos over the Orb River to Portiragnes. It is an ideal afternoon for walking or cycling. Dinner aboard. Friday, Day 6 – Villeneuve les Beziers to Agde to Marseillan This morning we cruise through the “Petit Camargue”, a joy for bird watchers with its pink flamingos, African rollers and bee eaters that frequent the surrounding estuaries. Later we enter the open-waters of the Etang de Thau, Europe's largest mussel and oyster park, and moor in the port at Marseillan, near to the Noillly Prat Vermouth distillery. Captain’s Farewell Dinner aboard. Saturday, Day 7 – Marseillan to Montpellier Wave goodbye to the crew and depart by private minivan to the appointed destination in Montpellier.

This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change. On alternate weeks, cruise will be in reverse

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