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Barge Cruise: Emma (now Black Mountain)
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Cruise In The South Of France On The Canal du Midi Aboard The First Class Hotel-Barge Black Mountain (formerly "Emma")


BARGE CRUISES: SEVEN DAYS/SIX NIGHTS
The 6-passenger Emma is now operating as the "Black Mountain" -- named for the region at the top of the Canal du Midi which links both Mediterranean and the Atlantic Ocean. "Black Mountain" is a beautifully restored turn of the century barge, cruising in the balmy Mediterranean climate, creating an experience of a lifetime.

Black Mountain was built in Belgium in 1905 as a cargo barge and converted to a hotel barge in 2002 by its former owners, Liz and Renè Jacquot, and has now been renovated by its new owner, Arnaud Annani. There is a bright and spacious salon and dining area with large arched double glazed windows offering a good view of the countryside. The three cabins each have their own en-suite bathroom with shower, sink and commode. All three cabins can be configured with either a queen bed or two twin-sized beds. There is a large deck with dining table and chairs for alfresco dining, lounge chairs and sofa for relaxing and a canopy for shade.

Black Mountain cruises between Castelnaudary and Carcassonne on the beautiful 300-year-old Canal du Midi, where you can cycle along the canal towpath as the barge cruises or just relax on board and watch the world glide by. You can visit ancient villages where time appears to stand still, country chateaux where you can taste the wine grown in their own vinyards, and shop at the local markets where you will be amazed by the colorful displays of fresh fruit and vegetables. Daily excursions include a visit to Carcassonne, the biggest and best fortified city in Europe, which has been extensively restored, Narbonne, once the capital of Roman Gaul and now also famous for its large covered market and the medieval village of Minerve. For details see the sample itineraries below.


Features




Black Mountain's (formerly Emma) Deck Plan
Black Mountain's (formerly Emma) Deck Plan




LA PENICHE BLACK MOUNTAIN
2022 SEASON PRICES in US DOLLARS
TYPE REGULAR
Apr 3 thru Oct 29
Cabin (per person, double occupancy)
$5,200
Single Occupancy Supplement
$2,300
Charter for 4
$23,800
Charter for 5
$26,200
Charter for 6
$28,600
Half Board Charter for 4
$22,500
Half Board Charter for 5
$24,300
Half Board Charter for 6
$26,700
Five Night Charter for 4
$21,900
Five Night Charter for 5
$23,100
Five Night Charter for 6
$25,000


LA PENICHE BLACK MOUNTAIN
2023 SEASON PRICES in US DOLLARS
TYPE

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... to see potential discounts for this barge or many others.

NOTE: Rates subject to change at any time. Please contact us for current prices.

What's Included

Full Board:

- 7 days and 6 nights on the barge in a cabin with ensuite bathroom
- Transfers from Toulouse or Carcassonne to the barge and return
- All meals beginning with dinner on Sunday through breakfast on Saturday either on board or on shore
- All wines with lunches and dinners
- Open bar
- All escorted side-excursions (golf, etc at extra cost)
- Use of bicycles

Half Board:

 - 7 days and 6 nights on the barge in a cabin with ensuite bathroom
-  Transfers from Toulouse or Carcassonne to the barge and return
- All breakfasts, 2 lunches and 4 dinners on board, beginning with dinner on Sunday through breakfast on Saturday
- All wines with lunches and dinners on board
- Open bar
- All escorted side-excursions (golf, etc at extra cost)
- Use of bicycles

 

 


What's Not Included

Full Board:

 - Overseas air transportation to Paris and return
- Transfers from Paris to the barge pickup point and return
- Suggested 5 - 10% gratuity for the crew, to be given to the captain in equivalent Euros
- Trip cancellation insurance

Half Board:

- Overseas air transportation to Paris and return
- Transfers from Paris to the barge pickup point and return
- 2 dinners and 3 lunches on shore at passenger's expense
- Suggested 5 - 10% gratuity for the crew, to be given to the captain in equivalent Euros
- Trip cancellation insurance



La Peniche Black Mountain
2022 Season Cruise Schedule*
Week Route (Or Reverse) Season
Mar 20 Castelnaudary-Carcassonne
Mar 27 Carcassonne-Castelnaudary
Apr 3 Castelnaudary-Carcassonne Regular
Apr 10 Carcassonne-Castelnaudary Regular
Apr 17 Castelnaudary-Carcassonne Regular
Apr 24 Carcassonne-Castelnaudary Regular
May 1 Castelnaudary-Carcassonne Regular
May 8 Carcassonne-Castelnaudary Regular
May 15 Castelnaudary-Carcassonne Regular
May 22 Carcassonne-Castelnaudary Regular
May 29 Castelnaudary-Carcassonne Regular
Jun 5 Carcassonne-Castelnaudary Regular
Jun 12 Castelnaudary-Carcassonne Regular
Jun 19 Carcassonne-Castelnaudary Regular
Jun 26 Castelnaudary-Carcassonne Regular
Jul 3 Carcassonne-Castelnaudary Regular
Jul 10 Castelnaudary-Carcassonne Regular
Jul 17 Carcassonne-Castelnaudary Regular
Jul 24 Castelnaudary-Carcassonne Regular
Jul 31 Carcassonne-Castelnaudary Regular
Aug 7 Castelnaudary-Carcassonne Regular
Aug 14 Carcassonne-Castelnaudary Regular
Aug 21 Castelnaudary-Carcassonne Regular
Aug 28 Carcassonne-Castelnaudary Regular
Sep 4 Castelnaudary-Carcassonne Regular
Sep 11 Carcassonne-Castelnaudary Regular
Sep 18 Castelnaudary-Carcassonne Regular
Sep 25 Carcassonne-Castelnaudary Regular
Oct 2 Castelnaudary-Carcassonne Regular
Oct 9 Carcassonne-Castelnaudary Regular
Oct 16 Castelnaudary-Carcassonne Regular
Oct 23 Carcassonne-Castelnaudary Regular


*Note: Cruise directions and sample itineraries may be in reverse and are subject to change and may depend on bookings and local navigation conditions. Alternate excursions of equal appeal are substituted when needed. For charter cruises special itineraries can be arranged.






BLACK MOUNTAIN (formerly EMMA) ITINERARIES

SAMPLE ITINERARY*
Canal du Midi
Carcassonne (Puicheric) to Toulouse (Castelnaudary) 2020

Carcassonne
Carcassonne

Mirepoix
Mirepoix

Limoux Pont-neuf
Limoux Pont-neuf

Castelnaudary
Castelnaudary

Saturday
Your guide will meet you at 5pm at your chosen rendezvous point and bring you to where Black Mountain is moored at the lock of Aiguille, with its crazy sculptures, to meet your host and crew of Black Mountain. Once you are settled on board we shall cruise off with champagne cocktails out into the vineyards to Marseillette.

Sunday
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. Put your feet up and relax during our afternoon cruise, which takes us through a few locks past the town of Trèbes to Villedubert. Have a stroll through the vineyards, cycle the towpath or just sit and have a glass of local wine, read your book while your gourmet dinner is being prepared.

Monday

This morning your guide will take you up into the hills to visit the Gouffre Geant de Cabrespine. This fabulous cave is so vast that you can fit the Eiffel Tower inside with room to spare so no feeling claustrophobic here. After lunch we shall cruise through locks, under bridges over rivers, through the typical Languedocian countryside to moor up for your evening halt near Villeseqelande.

Tuesday
This morning your visit will take you through the rolling plains of the Lauraigais, fields of sunflowers in summer and views of the snow-capped mountains on a clear day, to the town of Mirepoix. We shall stop off at Fanjeaux, home of St Dominic and the Dominican Convent; the views are spectacular. Mirepoix itself is renowned for its wooden columns surrounding the main market square, its colombaged houses and its cathedral. After lunch you captain will gently guide you along the canal, going through a selection of locks to moor up in the lovely Lauragais countryside.

Wednesday
This morning we shall cruise to the town of Bram. This is what is known as a "Circulade" as the village follows a spiral pattern like a snail's shell. It is market day in Bram so if you like to go to the market, this is your day. For lovers of sparkling wine, this afternoon's visit is to Limoux. This was where the very first bubble was discovered by the monks who didn't think to patent the discovery and so it was taken to the north and became Champagne.

Thursday
Our cruise this morning is to the town famous for its cassoulet, Castelnaudary. After the canal, we come out into Le Grand Bassin with its views over the rooftops of the city. There is a Gothic Collegiale with its 56 meter bell tower, the 17th Century windmill and the Chapelle Notre Dame de la Pitié with its gold covered wooden sculptures. This afternoon's visit is to the Lac St Ferreol, the reason why the Canal du Midi was possible. It was the only land which had slopes both to the Atlantic and to the Mediterranean. You will see the intricate irrigation system, which allows us to have the canal we love today. To think this was all discovered in the 1600's on horseback by Paul Riquet. Return to Black Mountain for your final gala dinner, lovingly prepared by your personal chef.

Friday
Sadly you must leave us this morning, and after breakfast, your guide will be ready to escort you to your onward departure point.

Note: This is a sample itinerary as each cruise is adapted to take in the likes and interests of its guests. It runs in reverse on alternate weeks.



Dining Aboard The Black Mountain (formerly Emma):
SAMPLE MENU



A taste of the gourmet cuisine served aboard the Black Mountain (formerly
Emma). Continental breakfast every morning will include fresh baguettes, croissants and pastries, fresh fruit, yogurt, cereals, homemade jams,
fruit juices, freshly brewed coffe and tea.

LUNCH
DINNER
SAMPLE CHEESE BOARD
SAMPLE WINES

Passenger Comments:


The service was outstanding! Exceptionally warm, friendly, hospitable, prompt, responsive - and the list of positives goes on... The entire crew was welcoming and made the experience a joy and delight. The excursions were very interesting, informative, and nice variety - appreciated the opportunity to interact with local people, experience the culture, history of region, etc. Guide was flexible and attentive; well informed about the region. High points were the leisurely, relaxing pace - immersion in culture and people - especially warm, friendly, attentive and welcoming barge owners and staff - consistently delicious, french gourmet meals and wines and pairings with great attention to detail and creation of a true gastronomic experience!! - learning about the history and culture of southern France by experiencing it.
D&D M., MA USA

We had a wonderful time, Liz was the consummate hostess. The food and wine was outstanding. The excursions were interestingting and varied. The meals were delicious, we enjoyed every meal. Liz made us a cake to celebrate. She discussed the menu with us beforehand, and made adjustments if necessary. She was very accommodating. The wines were delicious. Loved the route. It was so picturesque. I loved that we didn't have a lot of locks. I also loved the variety of our moorings. Some busier that others. The dinners on the deck were the high point. It was such a beautiful setting. And the food and wine were outstanding. We enjoyed sitting out after dinner listening to music and looking at the stars. Our time aboard the Emma was magical. It truly was the trip of a lifetime.
K.C. PA USA

Very memorable experience which combined casual cruising, historic exploration of surrounding cultural sites experiencing exceptional local wine and cheeses. The food was a taste delight. The cruise route is picturesque and tranquil with something different around every corner. It is easy to get off and walk along the path or ride bikes at any time. The service was impeccable, the meals and wines outstanding and Rosie the tour guide, made history come alive. We would most definitely recommend Special Places Travel to others who wish to have a unique travel experience.
R. & S. N., NJ, USA

WOW!!! Liz, Rene, Amanda and Rosie took great care of us throughout the week. There was nothing overlooked in the way of exceptional service. There were sumptuous meals on the table every day, every meal. The meals included many dishes we had never had before and so it was not only a great learning experience but also wonderful creativity with lots of fresh ingredients. Fresh bread and pastries each day was also a real treat. The wines were excellent and we really enjoyed the variety of local wines some of which we helped select on our tasting room day. Liz and I agreed this was the best overall vacation that we have ever taken. The experience was exceptional and we will have wonderful memories of a great trip for the rest of our lives. Thanks to Rene and Liz for putting such a wonderful experience together.
S. & L. T., AZ, USA

Enjoyed it enormously. Rene & Liz were wonderful hosts and all aspects of the trip ran very smoothly. Food & wine were exceptional. The high points of the cruise were the welcome drinks on deck, the food & wine, Liz's Irish hospitality! The service was excellent and we did not want for anything.
K.H., Australia



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This page last updated August 24, 2022