Barge Cruise: Anjodi
Cruise In The South Of France On The Canal du Midi Aboard The First Class
Hotel-Barge ANJODI
BARGE CRUISES: SEVEN DAYS/SIX NIGHTS
The 8-passenger Anjodi was built in Holland in 1927 in a classic Dutch design to transport grain between Amsterdam and Paris. In 1983, she was specifically converted into a hotel barge to navigate the 300-year-old Canal du Midi. She has been completely refurbished in the tasteful tradition of African hardwoods, hand-crafted paneling and shining brass, creating a comfortable and charming ambiance.
The well-planned accommodations offer a choice of four air-conditioned cabins that can be configured into either a double or two twin sized beds, each with their own private ensuite bathroom. Each cabin is supplied with towels, bathrobes, hairdryers and personal care items.
The sun deck with eight reclining chairs and sun canopy is spacious and has a heated jacuzzi. Anjodi's highly professional crew of four is comprised of master Chef, tour guide and stewardess, and is led by a knowledgeable and experienced Captain who will ensure your cruise is truly memorable.
The salon has new banquette seating, a dining table and picture windows for enjoying the passing vistas. There is a Hi Fi system with compact discs and an iPod docking station. Guests are welcome to bring their favorite compact discs or iPod from home. A small library of books is also available along with some board games, binoculars for bird watching and eight touring bikes for your enjoyment. There is also a 24 hour fully stocked bar and a community safe for all passengers.
Meals are always a gastronomic adventure, and you will have the opportunity to enjoy delicious regional cuisine by candlelight, harmonizing food and good wines from the best vineyards in the region. We are glad to accomodate any special food requirements you may have, so please let us know any restrictions you may have ahead of time, so that we can accommodate your needs.
Highlights of your cruise include a visit to the medieval fortified city of Carcassonne, the ancient Roman city of Narbonne, the 12th century hilltop fort of Minerve, and a private wine tasting at a nearby vineyard.
The Anjodi was the first barge we cruised on many years ago and is what hooked us on cruising! It has been renovated several times since then but still provides a great cruise on the Canal du Midi with wonderful cuisine. We were delighted to re-visit Anjodi again in May 2019 with its new sun canopy on deck and banquette seating in the salon, and substantial improvements "under the hood" in the ships hull.
Features
Anjodi's Deck Plan
| ANJODI 2022 SEASON PRICES in US DOLLARS | ||
|---|---|---|
| TYPE | VALUE Apr 3 thru Apr 30 Jul 17 thru Aug 27 Oct 9 thru Oct 29 |
REGULAR May 1 thru Jul 16 Aug 28 thru Oct 8 |
| Cabin (per person, double occupancy) |
$4,950 |
$5,790 |
| Single Occupancy Supplement |
$1,850 |
$2,100 |
| Charter for 6 |
$34,600 |
$40,000 |
| Charter for 7 |
$35,800 |
$41,500 |
| Charter for 8 |
$37,000 |
$43,000 |
| ANJODI 2023 SEASON PRICES in US DOLLARS | ||
|---|---|---|
| TYPE | VALUE Mar 26 thru Apr 29 Jul 16 thru Aug 26 Oct 8 thru Oct 28 |
REGULAR Apr 30 thru Jul 15 Aug 27 thru Oct 7 |
| Cabin (per person, double occupancy) |
$4,950 |
$5,790 |
| Single Occupancy Supplement |
$1,850 |
$2,100 |
| Charter for 6 |
$34,600 |
$40,000 |
| Charter for 7 |
$35,800 |
$41,500 |
| Charter for 8 |
$37,000 |
$43,000 |
What's Included
- 7 days and 6 nights on the barge in a cabin with private bath
- Transfers from Narbonne to the barge and return; for charters an alternate location in Beziers, Montpellier, Carcassonne, Nimes, Perpignan or Toulouse is possible.
- All meals beginning with dinner on Sunday through breakfast on Saturday, including one dinner at a local restaurant
- All wines with lunches and dinners
- Open bar
- All escorted side-excursions (golf, etc. at additional cost)
- Use of bicycles
What's Not Included
- Overseas air transportation to Paris and return
- Transportation from Paris to Narbonne and return
- Trip cancellation insurance
- Suggested 5-7% gratuity for the crew, to be paid in equivalent Euros to the captain
|
Anjodi 2022 Season Cruise Schedule* |
||
|---|---|---|
| Week | Route (Or Reverse) | Season |
| Mar 27 | Le Somail-Marseillan | |
| Apr 3 | Marseillan-Le Somail | Value |
| Apr 10 | Le Somail-Marseillan | Value |
| Apr 17 | Marseillan-Le Somail | Value |
| Apr 24 | Le Somail-Marseillan | Value |
| May 1 | Marseillan-Le Somail | Regular |
| May 8 | Le Somail-Marseillan | Regular |
| May 15 | Marseillan-Le Somail | Regular |
| May 22 | Le Somail-Marseillan | Regular |
| May 29 | Marseillan-Le Somail | Regular |
| Jun 5 | Le Somail-Marseillan | Regular |
| Jun 12 | Marseillan-Le Somail | Regular |
| Jun 19 | Le Somail-Marseillan | Regular |
| Jun 26 | Marseillan-Le Somail | Regular |
| Jul 3 | Le Somail-Marseillan | Regular |
| Jul 10 | Marseillan-Le Somail | Regular |
| Jul 17 | Le Somail-Marseillan | Value |
| Jul 24 | Marseillan-Le Somail | Value |
| Jul 31 | Le Somail-Marseillan | Value |
| Aug 7 | Marseillan-Le Somail | Value |
| Aug 14 | Le Somail-Marseillan | Value |
| Aug 21 | Marseillan-Le Somail | Value |
| Aug 28 | Le Somail-Marseillan | Regular |
| Sep 4 | Marseillan-Le Somail | Regular |
| Sep 11 | Le Somail-Marseillan | Regular |
| Sep 18 | Marseillan-Le Somail | Regular |
| Sep 25 | Le Somail-Marseillan | Regular |
| Oct 2 | Marseillan-Le Somail | Regular |
| Oct 9 | Le Somail-Marseillan | Value |
| Oct 16 | Marseillan-Le Somail | Value |
| Oct 23 | Le Somail-Marseillan | Value |
| Oct 30 | Marseillan-Le Somail | |
|
Anjodi 2023 Season Cruise Schedule* |
||
|---|---|---|
| Week | Route (Or Reverse) | Season |
| Mar 26 | Le Somail-Marseillan | Value |
| Apr 2 | Marseillan-Le Somail | Value |
| Apr 9 | Le Somail-Marseillan | Value |
| Apr 16 | Marseillan-Le Somail | Value |
| Apr 23 | Le Somail-Marseillan | Value |
| Apr 30 | Marseillan-Le Somail | Regular |
| May 7 | Le Somail-Marseillan | Regular |
| May 14 | Marseillan-Le Somail | Regular |
| May 21 | Le Somail-Marseillan | Regular |
| May 28 | Marseillan-Le Somail | Regular |
| Jun 4 | Le Somail-Marseillan | Regular |
| Jun 11 | Marseillan-Le Somail | Regular |
| Jun 18 | Le Somail-Marseillan | Regular |
| Jun 25 | Marseillan-Le Somail | Regular |
| Jul 2 | Le Somail-Marseillan | Regular |
| Jul 9 | Marseillan-Le Somail | Regular |
| Jul 16 | Le Somail-Marseillan | Value |
| Jul 23 | Marseillan-Le Somail | Value |
| Jul 30 | Le Somail-Marseillan | Value |
| Aug 6 | Marseillan-Le Somail | Value |
| Aug 13 | Le Somail-Marseillan | Value |
| Aug 20 | Marseillan-Le Somail | Value |
| Aug 27 | Le Somail-Marseillan | Regular |
| Sep 3 | Marseillan-Le Somail | Regular |
| Sep 10 | Le Somail-Marseillan | Regular |
| Sep 17 | Marseillan-Le Somail | Regular |
| Sep 24 | Le Somail-Marseillan | Regular |
| Oct 1 | Marseillan-Le Somail | Regular |
| Oct 8 | Le Somail-Marseillan | Value |
| Oct 15 | Marseillan-Le Somail | Value |
| Oct 22 | Le Somail-Marseillan | Value |
*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
Marseillan to Le Somail 2023
Canal du Midi
Marseillan to Le Somail 2023
Canal du Midi
The Locks of Fonserannes
Archbishop's Palace, Narbonne
Minerve Hilltop Village
Carcassonne
Guests are met in Narbonne and transferred by private chauffeured minibus to Anjodi. Enjoy a chilled Champagne welcome with canapés and the opportunity to meet your crew, followed perhaps by a relaxing stroll around the lovely village of Marseillan, home of Noilly Prat vermouth; or perhaps visit a local oyster farm to sample its delicious produce with a glass of white wine while enjoying a view of the oyster beds. Dinner on board.
Monday - Marseillan to Villeneuve-les-Beziers
This morning we embark on our cruise along the 330-year-old Canal du Midi through the Bagnas nature reserve, with potential sightings of flamingos, white egrets and other migrating birds, under bridges built from the local black volcanic stone. After lunch on board, we visit Pezenas, the delightful 16th century capital of the Languedoc mostly known for its associations with the French playwright Molière. On the way back to the barge, there is the option to spend some time on one of the nearby Mediterranean beaches. Dinner on board.
Tuesday - Villeneuve-les-Beziers to Malpas
After breakfast, we cruise further along the Canal du Midi, crossing the aqueduct over the River Orb and ascending the 7-lock flight of unique oval locks at Fonserannes to arrive at our mooring at Malpas near the pretty village of Colombiers which lies on an old Roman road, the Via Domitia. Lunch on board is followed by an informative winery tour and tasting at the Château Pech-Celeyran, their diverse 145-hectare plot includes 38 hectares of scrubland and pine forests and has been owned by the Saint-Exupéry family for five generations, producing an exceptional array of diverse wines. Dinner on board.
Wednesday - Malpas to Capestang
This morning's excursion is to Narbonne, a Roman Mediterranean capital where the Visigoth monarchs once lived. We tour the Archbishop's Palace, Cathedral and Via Domitia and explore the indoor market at the hub of this bustling town, where you will have time to shop or simply absorb the vibrant atmosphere. This afternoon, we cruise through the world's oldest canal tunnel at Malpas, perhaps pausing en route at the Poilhes brewery for a tour and tasting. We then cruise on past vineyards and pine trees, with magnificent views of the Pyrenées along the way, to moor in Capestang. There is time to explore the village, once the summer retreat of the Bishops of Narbonne, with its magnificent 14th century collegiate church. Dinner ashore tonight at a gastronomic restaurant in Beziers.
Thursday - Capestang to Sallèles d'Aude
This morning we continue our cruise along the 330-year-old Canal du Midi and then through a series of locks on the Canal de la Robine, with excellent walking and biking opportunities en route, to our mooring at Sallèles d'Aude. Following lunch on board, we take an excursion to Minerve, the ancient capital of Minervois, which boasts a 12th century Cathar fort surrounded by deep limestone gorges. Besieged by Simon de Montfort in 1210, its hilltop location affords spectacular views and the museum's fascinating miniature recreation of the bloodthirsty Cathar rebellion completes the intriguing picture. Dinner on board.
Friday - Sallèles d'Aude to Le Somail
In the morning we embark on our final cruise, rejoining the historic Canal du Midi to arrive at the delightful village of Le Somail. After lunch, we visit Carcassonne. Dating back to the Gallo Roman era, this is the most complete medieval fortified city in existence today. With its 52 watchtowers, portcullis and extraordinary repertoire of defences, it resisted the many armies that tried to storm this Camelot setting. Captain's Farewell Dinner on board.
Saturday - Le Somail
After breakfast, guests are transferred by private chauffeured minibus to their choice of location in Narbonne.
Note: This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change. On alternate weeks the cruise is in the reverse direction.
Dining Aboard The Anjodi:
SAMPLE MENU
BREAKFAST
- Cereals
- Fresh Fruit
- Yogurt
- Freshly baked croissaint, pastries and breads
- Eggs and pancakes cooked to order
- Fresh fruit juices, coffee and a selection of different teas
LUNCH
- Provençal risotto with four season salad
- Toulouse sausage with capers, shallots and spinach salad
- Duck confit with fresh beetroot and orange salad and chickpeas
- Assorted cheese tray that includes selections such as Tomme de Corbieres,
Bleu de Causses,
Brie de Meaux, Laguiole Cheeses, Comté, St Felicien cheeses - Filet of cod served with crab soufflé
- Local oysters with a shallots and raspberry vinigarette
- Assorted salads such as potato salad and mixed green salad
- Desserts include shortbread topped with Chantilly cream and summer berries, pear sorbet
DINNER
- Regional garlic soup
- Poached pear and blue cheese salad with pickled red cabbage
- Fresh, local goat's cheese baked, rolled in sesame seeds with black radish garnish
- Pan-fried pigeon in a redcurrant jus with seasonal mushrooms
- Pork terrine with onion relish
- Lobster thermadore with creamed spinach and provençal rice quail's egg
- Roast leg of Lamb with rosemary and fresh garlic accompanied with green beans
- Scallops in a basil sauce with sundried tomato and artichoke crouton
- Filet mignon of pork stuffed with prunes with flambeed apples in calvados sauce
- Duck a l'orange with filo pastry of sweetcorn and oven roasted potatoes
- Assorted cheese trays that may include Reblechon, Camembert, Salers,
Valencay, Ossau Iraty,
Selles-sur-cher, Bleu d'Auvergne, Morbier, Epoisses, Mimolette, Roquefort, Brie de Meaux, Laguiole
DESSERTS
- Crème bruléé and florentine cookies
- Chocolate marble cake
- Roasted peaches with pistachios
- Chocolate mousse with raspberry coulis
- Raspberry and mascarpone tart
SAMPLE WINE LIST
Domaine Gourgazaud, La Livinière, Minervois; Château les Voute-Gasparets, Corbières, Romain Pauc; Limoux Toques et Clochers, Chardonnay
Passenger Comments:
It was an exceptional trip. The crew was pleasant, knowledgable and provided excellent service. The barge was comfortable, immaculate and had character. The area is beautiful and interesting. I would highly recommend this particular barge and itinerary. I didn't realize how deluxe the cruise would be and the amount of personal attention and attempts to make our trip perfect on the part of the crew. This is something you must personally experience.
C.T. VA, USA
Meals and wines were fabulous. Chef was attentive to allergies. Meals were not too heavy. Great wine pairings. Excellent explanations of meals and wines. The highpoint was getting to know the history, wine, food, etc., of this part of France.
N.M. WI USA
The barge trip was wonderful.The crew was so accommodating and the other five guests were congenial. We felt so relaxed and yet we saw so much and learned a great deal of history. We have only positive things to say about every aspect of the cruise. There was more variety in the scenery and more canal activity than we expected. We were never bored. The barge trips are a wonderful use of a historical resource. Canals are not something we have in Texas so the whole trip was an adventure for us. This was truly a vacation!
W &J.M., TX, USA
It exceeded all expectations. The service was impeccable. Even though the crew has to do this on a weekly basis and yet we felt a genuine warmth radiating from all of them. All of our requests were considered and met and the crew members went out of their way to make our journey a smooth one, even after disembarking by having the Captain assist us at the departing train station with our multiple bulky bags. The meals and wines were exceptional. Really appreciated the choice of regional wines by Sandra and the careful pairing of food prepared by Vivien. Nicky did a most excellent job making sure that we were able to take in the sights with ease and also her immense knowledge brought the historical contexts to life for us.
L.S. Hong Kong
LINKS to Anjodi Information
This page last updated December 25, 2023