Barge Cruise: Saraphina
Cruise in the South of France on the Canal du Midi Aboard the First Class Hotel-Barge SARAPHINA
BARGE CRUISES: SEVEN DAYS/SIX NIGHTS or SIX DAYS/FIVE NIGHTS
The 4-passenger Saraphina is a traditional Dutch barge built in 1924 which has been lovingly converted by its owners into a charming hotel barge with a contemporary, bright and welcoming interior. During your stay on-board, you'll not only enjoy personal service from its owners and hosts Finnegan and Emily but will have an opportunity to wine, dine and relax while taking in some of the most beautiful and historic places along the Canal du Midi. Captain Finnegan carefully and tastefully designed the rustic barge to ensure that all guests enjoy a relaxed and comfortable stay. In addition to a lovely deck and comfortable lounge, there are two cabins that sleep four, both of which include an ensuite bathroom with shower. The original 1924 aft cabin retains its charming original features and has a fixed queen bed while the second cabin offers either twin beds or a queen bed.
The Saraphina offers full board charter cruises for up to 4 passengers for 5 or 6 nights including all lunches at selected restaurants on shore and dinners on board. Dinners on board will be adapted to your food preferences and dietary needs, using local and seasonal produce. Self-catered charters (pilot and hostess included) are also available in April, July, August and October with all meals and excursions on your own.
The Saraphina cruises between Portiragnes-Plage near the Mediterranean and the majestic medieval city of Carcassonne . To ensure that you make the most of your stay on-board, the days are split between exploring the surrounding area and cruising. While cruising, you are free to unwind as you wish: watch the lovely landscape float by from the deck, relax in the lounge with its views of the passing canal and its inhabitants or walk, jog and cycle along the tow path. Should you wish, you can even try your hand at steering the barge from the covered wheelhouse, which has panoramic windows and comfortable seating.
Following a delicious breakfast, your personal tour guide will pick you up to explore the local area and to enjoy lunch in a local restaurant. All itineraries can be tailored to accommodate specific sites of interest -- such as wineries and museums -- and include visits to: the historic streets of Pezenas and the Cistercian Abbey of Fontroide; the towns of Beziers and Narbonne; the medieval Cathar village of Minerve as well as the medieval city of Carcassonne.
We visited the barge and its owners in April 2017, and then again most recently in May 2019, and loved the eclectic custom interior with enameled lava counters in the kitchen and the Provençal tiled bathroom floor, and the spacious feel in the salon as well as the many original works of art by Finnegan's mother. Finnegan and Emily have many years of experience hosting and piloting luxury barges and will ensure that you have a wonderful barge cruise. Their black lab Lula stays in the wheelhouse or on deck, unless passengers request that she not be on board.
Features
- Size of barge: 82 ft
- Number of Passengers: 4
- Number of Cabins (all with private bath): 2
- Crew: 2
- Air Conditioning and Central Heating:Yes
- Salon: Contemporary furnishings, dining area, skylight and open kitchen
- Bar: Open bar
- Deck: Sundeck has dining table, loungers and large canopy.
Covered wheelhouse with seating.
- Spa Tub: No
- Cabin Features: One cabin 135 sq ft with twin beds or queen
and one cabin 114 sq ft with double bed, both including ensuite bathroom with
shower
- Vehicle for Transfers/Excursions: VW Minivan
- Accessibility: From wheelhouse 8 steep steps to salon and 5 steep steps to aft cabin from salon.
- Bicycles: 4 Dutch touring bicycles
- Wi-Fi: Yes - limited in some areas
- Meal Plan: Full board charters for 5 or 6 nights. 6-night
self-catering charters also available in April, July, August, and October
Saraphina Deck Plan
| SARAPHINA 2021 SEASON PRICES in US DOLLARS | |
|---|---|
| TYPE | REGULAR Apr 4 thru Oct 30 |
| Full Board Charter for 2 |
$13,900 |
| Full Board Charter for up to 4 |
$17,450 |
| Five Night Full Board Charter for up to 4 |
$15,450 |
| Five Night Full Board Charter for up to 2 |
$12,250 |
| Self Catered Charter for up to 4, April, July, Aug, Oct |
$6,650 |
| SARAPHINA 2022 SEASON PRICES in US DOLLARS | |
|---|---|
| TYPE | REGULAR Apr 3 thru Oct 29 |
| Full Board Charter for 2 |
$13,900 |
| Full Board Charter for up to 4 |
$17,450 |
| Five Night Full Board Charter for up to 4 |
$15,450 |
| Five Night Full Board Charter for up to 2 |
$12,250 |
| Self Catered Charter for up to 4, April, July, Aug, Oct |
$6,650 |
What's Included
Full Board (6 nights) - also applicable to 5 night cruises
- 7 days and 6 nights on the barge in a cabin with private bath
- Transfers from Carcassonne, Narbonne or Beziers, to the barge and return, depending on cruise direction
- All meals from Sunday dinner through Saturday breakfast, including all lunches with house wine at restaurants selected by the owners
- Wines with meals on board
- Open bar
- All escorted side-excursions (golf, etc at extra cost)
- Use of bicycles
Self Catering Cruise: (Available in April, July, August & October):
- 7 days and 6 nights on the barge in cabin with ensuite bathroom
- 3-5 hours of cruising each day
- 2 crew (pilot and hostess)
- Transfers from Carcassonne, Narbonne or Beziers to the barge and return, depending on cruise direction
- Two shopping runs in their car
- Use of all facilities aboard, kitchen, BBQ, bikes, games, wifi, etc
- Towels, bathrobes, hairdryers
- Use of bicycles
What's Not Included
Full board:
- Suggested minimum 5% gratuity for the crew, to be given to the captain in equivalent Euros
- Overseas air transportation to Paris and return
- Transfers from Paris to the barge pickup point and return
- Trip cancellation insurance
Self Catering Cruise:
- All meals and beverages on board or on shore. Breakfast for 6 mornings for 4 people 450 euros
- Escorted excursions. Excursions with guide and transport and entrance fees 250 euros per visit for 1-4 people (maximum 5 hours). Additional activities such as wine tasting can be organized at your expense.
- Chauffeur service (including more than 2 shopping runs) - 50 euros per hour
- Overseas air transportation to Paris and return
- Transportation from Paris to Carcassonne, Narbonne or Beziers and return
- Suggested minimum 5% gratuity for the crew, to be given to the captain in equivalent euros
- Trip cancellation insurance
|
Saraphina 2021 Season Cruise Schedule* |
||
|---|---|---|
| Week | Route (Or Reverse) | Season |
| Apr 4 | Portiragnes-Plage - Carcassonne | Regular |
| Apr 11 | Carcassonne - Portiragnes-Plage | Regular |
| Apr 18 | Portiragnes-Plage - Carcassonne | Regular |
| Apr 25 | Carcassonne - Portiragnes-Plage | Regular |
| May 2 | Portiragnes-Plage - Carcassonne | Regular |
| May 9 | Carcassonne - Portiragnes-Plage | Regular |
| May 16 | Portiragnes-Plage - Carcassonne | Regular |
| May 23 | Carcassonne - Portiragnes-Plage | Regular |
| May 30 | Portiragnes-Plage - Carcassonne | Regular |
| Jun 6 | Carcassonne - Portiragnes-Plage | Regular |
| Jun 13 | Portiragnes-Plage - Carcassonne | Regular |
| Jun 20 | Carcassonne - Portiragnes-Plage | Regular |
| Jun 27 | Portiragnes-Plage - Carcassonne | Regular |
| Jul 4 | Carcassonne - Portiragnes-Plage | Regular |
| Jul 11 | Portiragnes-Plage - Carcassonne | Regular |
| Jul 18 | Carcassonne - Portiragnes-Plage | Regular |
| Jul 25 | Portiragnes-Plage - Carcassonne | Regular |
| Aug 1 | Carcassonne - Portiragnes-Plage | Regular |
| Aug 8 | Portiragnes-Plage - Carcassonne | Regular |
| Aug 15 | Carcassonne - Portiragnes-Plage | Regular |
| Aug 22 | Portiragnes-Plage - Carcassonne | Regular |
| Aug 29 | Carcassonne - Portiragnes-Plage | Regular |
| Sep 5 | Portiragnes-Plage - Carcassonne | Regular |
| Sep 12 | Carcassonne - Portiragnes-Plage | Regular |
| Sep 19 | Portiragnes-Plage - Carcassonne | Regular |
| Sep 26 | Carcassonne - Portiragnes-Plage | Regular |
| Oct 3 | Portiragnes-Plage - Carcassonne | Regular |
| Oct 10 | Carcassonne - Portiragnes-Plage | Regular |
| Oct 17 | Portiragnes-Plage - Carcassonne | Regular |
| Oct 24 | Carcassonne - Portiragnes-Plage | Regular |
|
Saraphina 2022 Season Cruise Schedule* |
||
|---|---|---|
| Week | Route (Or Reverse) | Season |
| Apr 3 | Portiragnes-Plage - Carcassonne | Regular |
| Apr 10 | Carcassonne - Portiragnes-Plage | Regular |
| Apr 17 | Portiragnes-Plage - Carcassonne | Regular |
| Apr 24 | Carcassonne - Portiragnes-Plage | Regular |
| May 1 | Portiragnes-Plage - Carcassonne | Regular |
| May 8 | Carcassonne - Portiragnes-Plage | Regular |
| May 15 | Portiragnes-Plage - Carcassonne | Regular |
| May 22 | Carcassonne - Portiragnes-Plage | Regular |
| May 29 | Portiragnes-Plage - Carcassonne | Regular |
| Jun 5 | Carcassonne - Portiragnes-Plage | Regular |
| Jun 12 | Portiragnes-Plage - Carcassonne | Regular |
| Jun 19 | Carcassonne - Portiragnes-Plage | Regular |
| Jun 26 | Portiragnes-Plage - Carcassonne | Regular |
| Jul 3 | Carcassonne - Portiragnes-Plage | Regular |
| Jul 10 | Portiragnes-Plage - Carcassonne | Regular |
| Jul 17 | Carcassonne - Portiragnes-Plage | Regular |
| Jul 24 | Portiragnes-Plage - Carcassonne | Regular |
| Jul 31 | Carcassonne - Portiragnes-Plage | Regular |
| Aug 7 | Portiragnes-Plage - Carcassonne | Regular |
| Aug 14 | Carcassonne - Portiragnes-Plage | Regular |
| Aug 21 | Portiragnes-Plage - Carcassonne | Regular |
| Aug 28 | Carcassonne - Portiragnes-Plage | Regular |
| Sep 4 | Portiragnes-Plage - Carcassonne | Regular |
| Sep 11 | Carcassonne - Portiragnes-Plage | Regular |
| Sep 18 | Portiragnes-Plage - Carcassonne | Regular |
| Sep 25 | Carcassonne - Portiragnes-Plage | Regular |
| Oct 2 | Portiragnes-Plage - Carcassonne | Regular |
| Oct 9 | Carcassonne - Portiragnes-Plage | Regular |
| Oct 16 | Portiragnes-Plage - Carcassonne | Regular |
| Oct 23 | Carcassonne - Portiragnes-Plage | 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.
SAMPLE ITINERARY*
Canal du Midi:
Portiragnes-Plage to Carcassonne 2023
Canal du Midi:
Portiragnes-Plage to Carcassonne 2023
Béziers
Abbey of Fontfroide
Hilltop Village of Minerve
Carcassonne
We pick you up from your hotel, train station, or local airport and bring you safely aboard Saraphina. After a short cruise through the 'mini Camargue' and Champagne welcome your first dinner will be served aboard. A beautiful mooring in the countryside close to the village of Portiragnes.
Monday - Portiragnes to Béziers
After breakfast you will be taken to the historic streets of renaissance Pezenas with its arts, crafts and antique shops. After a typical bistro lunch in Béziers we cruise over the aquaduct and up the majestic flight of locks at Fonserannes. This evenings mooring is a stones throw away from Béziers
Tuesday - Béziers to Capestang
The morning visit brings you to the Cistercien Abbey of Fontfroide. After lunch at a quaint restaurant with a stunning view of the "Pond of Montady", we cruise along the windiest part of the canal to our mooring in Capestang, a small village with a charming square where you can enjoy an aperitif with a view on the enormous 12th century collegial church.
Wednesday - Capestang to Le Somail
Our tour guide takes you to Narbonne known for the Archbishop's Palace, the Gothic cathedral, shopping, and the famous covered food market where you will choose a selection of sea food or charcuterie to enjoy back on board. We then cruise to another stunning mooring next to the sleepy village of Le Somail. Take the opportunity to visit the world famous antique book shop and the ateliers. In the evening you can walk to a restaurant in the village to wine and dine.
Thursday - Le Somail to La Roubia
Thursday's visit brings you to the medieval, Cathar village Minerve and the olive oil factory, L'Oulibo. You will then enjoy your lunch ashore before returning to the barge for an afternoon cruise to Roubia. A wine tasting before dinner could be organized if you wish.
Friday - La Roubia to Homps
The medieval city of Carcassonne is a highlight of the week. After a guided tour around Europe's largest medieval fortified town and lunch there, we set off for the final cruise and farewell dinner aboard.
Saturday - Homps
After breakfast you will be tranferred to the train station, hotel or local airport for your onward journey.
Note: This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change. It runs in reverse on alternate weeks.
Dining Aboard The Saraphina:
SAMPLE MENU
SAMPLE DINNER #1:
- Sous vide dill infused salmon on guacamole
- Pork cheeks cooked for 24 hrs in fennel and Noilly Prat Amber sauce with celeriac puree & courgette poppers
- Camenbert and 36 month old Comte
- Baked lemon cheese cake, strawberry coulis and lemon cello
SAMPLE DINNER #2:
- Moqueca a Brazilian soup with langoustines
- Sole meuniere with fried capers with garlic potato towers and French green beans
- Brie with Truffle and Ossau Iraty
- Rosemary infused Chocolate fondant with orange cream
SAMPLE DINNER #3:
- Homemade truffle Gnocchi with Pomorola, Formaggi and basil oil
- Sous vide herb crusted rack of lamb, pea and mint puree, girolle, and butternut squash tots
- Selles sur Cher and Bleu de Causes
- Panna cotta dream, white chocolate and raspberry parcels basil sugar and raspberry coulis
NOTE: The galley on the Saraphina is open and interested passengers are welcome to join our Chef to learn new cooking techniques and recipes.
WINES:
The owner selects fine regional wines which are carefully paired with lunch and dinner cuisine.
LINKS to Saraphina Information
This page last updated December 25, 2023