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Cruise In The South Of France On The Canal du Midi Aboard The Ultra Deluxe
Hotel-Barge ESPERANCE
BARGE CRUISES: SEVEN DAYS/SIX NIGHTS
The 6-passenger Esperance, built in 1968 to carry wines between Bordeaux
and Sète, is now a deluxe contemporary hotel barge. Esperance has been
redesigned as a private yacht with three large cabins, all 200 sq. ft, with
queen bed or twins and ensuite bathroom with shower. The layout of the open
plan salon and dining area is bright and spacious; the furniture is built of
solid teak, with white wool carpets and beautiful art work. The covered
wheelhouse with comfortable seating is a perfect place for viewing the scenery
along the canal as is the large partially covered deck with a hot tub, dining
table and lounge chairs. The captain and owner of Esperance, Mathias Gilles, and
his crew, including your private chef and tour guide, will take good care of you
during your cruise. We were on board on May 2019 and spent time with Mathias and
were very impressed with the many upgrades he has made to the barge. The
overall look and feel, especially of the salon, is stunning.
Esperance provides high-end private charter cruises exploring the inland
waterways of southern France on the famous Canal du Midi. Your cruise will be
organized on the basis of a half-day sailing and a half-day activities or
excursions. With a schedule dedicated to your comfort and built around your
interests, your cruise is guaranteed to be an outstanding holiday experience
with your family or friends. Your daily excursions can include a visit to
Narbonne, with its covered market and Roman ruins, the Benedictine Abbey of
Frontfroide, the medieval village of Minerve and the walled city of Carcassonne,
a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Or you can choose among the many other sites of
interest in the area.
Features
Size of barge:100 ft x 16.5 ft
Number of Passengers: 6
Number of Cabins (all with private bath): 3
Crew:5
Air Conditioning and Central Heating:Yes
Salon: Salon, bar & dining area is one room with
comfortable sofas, high dining able with and 10 and chairs, 10 windows.
Bar:Open bar
Deck:Half-covered deck with dining table & chairs,
lounge chairs and covered wheelhouse.
Spa Tub: Yes
Cabin Features:Three cabins 200 sq ft, all with queen bed
or twin beds and ensuite bathroom with shower
Vehicle for Transfers/Excursions: Mercedes minivan for 7
guests.
Accessibility:Five steps from deck to salon. Five steps
from deck to stern cabin. No steps from salon to other two cabins.
Bicycles: Six bicycles of different sizes from small to
large
WiFi: Yes (limited in some areas)
Meal Plan: Offers full board and half board cruises
Esperance's Deck Plan
ESPERANCE
2021 SEASON PRICES in
US DOLLARS |
TYPE |
REGULAR Mar 21 thru Oct 30 |
Charter for 2 |
$22,000 |
Charter for 4 |
$25,000 |
Charter for 5 |
$29,500 |
Charter for 6 |
$32,400 |
Half Board Charter for 2 |
$19,000 |
Half Board Charter for 4 |
$22,800 |
Half Board Charter for 5 |
$26,000 |
Half Board Charter for 6 |
$29,400 |
ESPERANCE
2022 SEASON PRICES in
US DOLLARS |
TYPE |
REGULAR Mar 20 thru Oct 29 |
Charter for 2 |
$22,000 |
Charter for 4 |
$25,000 |
Charter for 5 |
$29,500 |
Charter for 6 |
$32,400 |
Half Board Charter for 2 |
$19,000 |
Half Board Charter for 4 |
$22,800 |
Half Board Charter for 5 |
$26,000 |
Half Board Charter for 6 |
$29,400 |
What's Included
Full Board Cruise:
- 7 days and 6 nights on the barge in a cabin with ensuite bathroom
- Transfers from Narbonne, or Carcassonne or Beziers depending on cruise
direction, to the barge and return
- All meals beginning with dinner on Sunday through breakfast on Saturday
- All wines with lunches and dinners
- Open bar
- All escorted side-excursions (golf, etc at extra cost)
- Use of bicycles
Half Board Cruise:
- 7 days and 6 nights on the barge in a cabin with ensuite bathroom
- Transfers from Narbonne, or Carcassonne or Beziers depending on cruise
direction, to the barge and return
- All breakfasts, lunches and 2 dinners
- 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 Cruise:
- Overseas air transportation to Paris and return
- Transfers from Paris to the barge pickup point and return
- Suggested minimum 5% gratuity for the crew, to be given to the captain in
equivalent Euros
- Trip cancellation insurance
Half Board Cruise:
- Overseas air transportation to Paris and return
- 4 dinners on shore at passenger's expense
- Transfers from Paris to the barge pickup point and return
- Suggested minimum 5% gratuity for the crew, to be given to the captain in
equivalent euros
- Trip cancellation insurance
Esperance
2021 Season Cruise Schedule* |
Week |
Route (Or Reverse) |
Season |
Mar 21 |
Beziers-Carcassonne |
Regular
|
Mar 28 |
Carcassonne-Beziers |
Regular
|
Apr 4 |
Beziers-Carcassonne |
Regular
|
Apr 11 |
Carcassonne-Beziers |
Regular
|
Apr 18 |
Beziers-Carcassonne |
Regular
|
Apr 25 |
Carcassonne-Beziers |
Regular
|
May 2 |
Beziers-Carcassonne |
Regular
|
May 9 |
Carcassonne-Beziers |
Regular
|
May 16 |
Beziers-Carcassonne |
Regular
|
May 23 |
Carcassonne-Beziers |
Regular
|
May 30 |
Beziers-Carcassonne |
Regular
|
Jun 6 |
Carcassonne-Beziers |
Regular
|
Jun 13 |
Beziers-Carcassonne |
Regular
|
Jun 20 |
Carcassonne-Beziers |
Regular
|
Jun 27 |
Beziers-Carcassonne |
Regular
|
Jul 4 |
Carcassonne-Beziers |
Regular
|
Jul 11 |
Beziers-Carcassonne |
Regular
|
Jul 18 |
Carcassonne-Beziers |
Regular
|
Jul 25 |
Beziers-Carcassonne |
Regular
|
Aug 1 |
Carcassonne-Beziers |
Regular
|
Aug 8 |
Beziers-Carcassonne |
Regular
|
Aug 15 |
Carcassonne-Beziers |
Regular
|
Aug 22 |
Beziers-Carcassonne |
Regular
|
Aug 29 |
Carcassonne-Beziers |
Regular
|
Sep 5 |
Beziers-Carcassonne |
Regular
|
Sep 12 |
Carcassonne-Beziers |
Regular
|
Sep 19 |
Beziers-Carcassonne |
Regular
|
Sep 26 |
Carcassonne-Beziers |
Regular
|
Oct 3 |
Beziers-Carcassonne |
Regular
|
Oct 10 |
Carcassonne-Beziers |
Regular
|
Oct 17 |
Beziers-Carcassonne |
Regular
|
Oct 24 |
Carcassonne-Beziers |
Regular
|
Esperance
2022 Season Cruise Schedule* |
Week |
Route (Or Reverse) |
Season |
Mar 20 |
Beziers-Carcassonne |
Regular
|
Mar 27 |
Carcassonne-Beziers |
Regular
|
Apr 3 |
Beziers-Carcassonne |
Regular
|
Apr 10 |
Carcassonne-Beziers |
Regular
|
Apr 17 |
Beziers-Carcassonne |
Regular
|
Apr 24 |
Carcassonne-Beziers |
Regular
|
May 1 |
Beziers-Carcassonne |
Regular
|
May 8 |
Carcassonne-Beziers |
Regular
|
May 15 |
Beziers-Carcassonne |
Regular
|
May 22 |
Carcassonne-Beziers |
Regular
|
May 29 |
Beziers-Carcassonne |
Regular
|
Jun 5 |
Carcassonne-Beziers |
Regular
|
Jun 12 |
Beziers-Carcassonne |
Regular
|
Jun 19 |
Carcassonne-Beziers |
Regular
|
Jun 26 |
Beziers-Carcassonne |
Regular
|
Jul 3 |
Carcassonne-Beziers |
Regular
|
Jul 10 |
Beziers-Carcassonne |
Regular
|
Jul 17 |
Carcassonne-Beziers |
Regular
|
Jul 24 |
Beziers-Carcassonne |
Regular
|
Jul 31 |
Carcassonne-Beziers |
Regular
|
Aug 7 |
Beziers-Carcassonne |
Regular
|
Aug 14 |
Carcassonne-Beziers |
Regular
|
Aug 21 |
Beziers-Carcassonne |
Regular
|
Aug 28 |
Carcassonne-Beziers |
Regular
|
Sep 4 |
Beziers-Carcassonne |
Regular
|
Sep 11 |
Carcassonne-Beziers |
Regular
|
Sep 18 |
Beziers-Carcassonne |
Regular
|
Sep 25 |
Carcassonne-Beziers |
Regular
|
Oct 2 |
Beziers-Carcassonne |
Regular
|
Oct 9 |
Carcassonne-Beziers |
Regular
|
Oct 16 |
Beziers-Carcassonne |
Regular
|
Oct 23 |
Carcassonne-Beziers |
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
Béziers to Carcassonne 2023
Sunday
A member of the crew will welcome you at Béziers railway station at 4pm
and
transfer you to your beautiful barge Esperance moored in the enchanting
countryside of the
famous Canal du Midi. A champagne reception will be served on deck as a nice
premise to
your week cruise. You will then have plenty of time to discover the barge, its
environment
and to settle into your cabin before dinner.
Monday
After breakfast your guide will come and pick you up to go and visit
Pézenas, a magical city full of art and history. The entire old town is
rich with period mansions, wonderful wrought iron balconies, stone sculpture and
ornate doorways. Molière is reputed to have created some of his famous
characters right here in Pézenas in the barber's shop. This town is as
perfect shopping place with many beautiful little shops to discover. After an
afternoon cruise with many turns and loops we will find a romantic mooring in
the middle of the vines and arched trees; a perfect spot in nature to enjoy a
gourmet meal.
Tuesday
Let the world float by as the barge is moving slowly on this elegant canal. We
will cruise to Le Somail, a famous local village with a fascinating antique
bookshop and local potters and artists. After lunch there is a very short drive
to visit the olive factory at L'Oulibo, a prize winning olive oil mill and a
great place to experience an olive oil tasting. After this take a very scenic
drive into the Minervois hills and Les Gorges de la Cesse to get to Minerve.
This amazing medieval village is perched on a spectacular rocky outcrop formed
by the rivers Cesse and Brian. Famous for its Cathar history and its wine
countryside, this village is full of charm and history.
Wednesday
This morning a 15-minute drive will take you to Narbonne, a lively city dating
back from the Roman time. This city has much to offer, like the Archbishop's
Palace but one of the highlights is the beautiful and famous covered morning
market. After this city tour it could be a good time to enjoy a wine tasting in
this superb area already known by the Romans. The afternoon cruise will take us
through a couple of typical wine villages and some tiny bridges and our goal
will be to find the perfect mooring to enjoy a great evening meal under the
stars in the countryside.
Thursday
After going through a couple of traditional locks and some double ones, the
barge will cruise to Homps, a typical village where most barges used to stop to
load and unload wine barrels. After lunch a short drive will give you plenty of
time to discover the world famous walled medieval town of la Cité de
Carcassonne. This extraordinary place is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is
said to be the most visited site in France. If you have already visited "the
Cité," we will visit Lagrasse, an attractive village now home to numerous
pottery workers and artists attracted by the place itself and the renowned
natural light of the region. The two highlights of the village are perhaps the
Abbey and the bridges, although the narrow medieval streets of the village
itself are also very attractive and remains of the town walls can still be
seen.
Friday
This is the perfect day to relax and enjoy your barge facilities or go
bicycling. After a lazy morning cruise, we will moor in the countryside for our
gourmet lunch. Your luxury barge will get back on the move in the afternoon to
get to l'aiguille lock, quite an unusual place with an artist lock keeper. His
art work is all around the place! What about a nice cocktail in the hot tub
before your last festive dinner?
Saturday
After a wonderful breakfast your guide will take you to your hotel in
Carcassonne or to
the railway station to get to your next destination.
Note: This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change. It runs in reverse
on
alternate weeks.
Dining Aboard The Esperance:
SAMPLE MENU
BREAKFAST
On board the Esperance passengers can enjoy breakfast either in the
dining/lounge area or
outside on our spacious sun deck.
Start your day with fresh squeezed morning juices, a selection of robust
coffees, teas,
hot chocolate, our buffet with an assortment of local fresh pastries, fresh
fruit,
yoghurts, milk, cereals, hard cheeses, meats and eggs made to order.
LUNCHEON
Luncheon buffet on board Esperance features hot and cold dishes, meats,
salads,cheeses,
fruit, dessert.
DINNER
Each evening enjoy a 4-course meal using fresh local, seasonal ingredients.
WINES
Wines served on board consist of a beautiful selection of local wines carefully
selected
by your host.
Passenger Comments:
It was an absolutely wonderful trip. The barge was extremely clean, well
furnished/decorated, and very comfortable. The attention to detail was
remarkable. The itinerary was very relaxing and allowed us time to enjoy the
canal and scenery and see/learn about the surrounding areas, as well as rest,
read, and enjoy the company of our friends and the crew. The crew was extremely
knowledgeable, friendly, and accommodating. The meals onboard were wonderful.
The chef provided the best meals we had during our 3-week trip to France. The
customer service provided by this team was second to none. They worked together
extremely well and the level of service they provided exceeded all
expectations.
J&P F, D&J W, FL USA
LINKS to Esperance Information
This page last updated December 25, 2023