Alouette
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Alouette - Canal du Midi Cruise from Béziers to Carcassonne
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Alouette
Alouette
Alouette - Lounge
Alouette - Upper deck
Alouette cabins
Alouette cabins
France

Alouette - Canal du Midi Cruise from Béziers to Carcassonne (Tour code: 14920)

Starts and Ends
Béziers to
Carcassonne
Travel Periods
05 Apr 26 - 28 Jun 26
Experience
Travel Style
Cruise
Discover Europe’s largest fortress, vibrant local markets, and enchanting historic abbeys.

Highlights

Visit Medieval Carcassonne and explore Europe’s largest fortress with double ramparts, panoramic battlements and captivating medieval charm

Discover Fontfroide Abbey and tour a serene 11th-century Cistercian monastery with peaceful cloisters and a stunning rose garden

Wander through Narbonne’s celebrated covered market, savouring the vibrant colours, aromas and flavours, then enjoy a tasting of fine local wines or artisanal olive oils

7 days
From
AUD 67,439
per charter
Travelling with kids? Read more 
All services are subject to availability.

Overview

Embark on a personalised and intimate voyage through the picturesque landscapes of southern France. Aboard Alouette, soak up the relaxed charm of the Canal du Midi while enjoying gourmet delights and effortless comfort. Along the way, delve into lively local markets, atmospheric abbeys, and timeless villages, all steeped in history and Mediterranean character. Your journey culminates at the awe-inspiring fortress city of Carcassonne, Europe’s largest of its kind. This elegant cruise blends cultural discovery with laid-back luxury, offering a unique way to experience the beauty and heritage of the French countryside.

Kindly note: The Alouette is exclusively available for private charter for up to 4 guests & available in the reverse direction. 

Inclusions

6 nights onboard the Alouette in your own private sanctuary - with a capacity to welcome up to four guests
Table d’hote meals and complimentary beverages, daily breakfast and French fine dining experience served onboard
All excursions including exclusive use of the onboard bicycles alongside the river
Dedicated Host service
A dedicated tour guide and an itinerary tailored to your preferences
Roundtrip transfers to/from the luxury barge within France & Geneva

Facilities onboard Alouette

Welcome onboard!

Enjoy the finest of river cruises and lounge in understated luxury aboard Alouette. Perfect for a tranquil South of France summer or a romantic holiday, Alouette has just two cabins, one twin and one double — each boasting an ensuite shower room featuring L’Occitane toiletries.

Relax in intimate accommodations, where soft lighting, warm pastel tones and airy marble bathrooms set the scene for a restful stay. Cool off with an afternoon siesta or stretch out with a classic cocktail as you watch the sun set through your picture windows.

Each meal is tailored to your own taste. Consult personally with your chef, picking from regional specialities and fine ingredients. Pair the region’s finest fish dishes with delightful wines nurtured to maturity by local vineyards. 

Alouette
Deck plans

Day 1 Béziers

Board Alouette at approximately 5:00pm and prepare to be exquisitely cocooned on a relaxing, intimate adventure. Champagne is served as you meet your personal crew and guide. Take in the 360-degree views on deck and the picturesque tree-lined Canal du Midi. Your chef is busy preparing your first feast of the cruise, a spread of vibrant dishes crafted from intensely flavourful ingredients, tailored to your tastes. As delicious wines are uncorked, raise a toast to the start of a sublime vacation.

Dinner

Day 2 Cruise to Capestang - visit Fontfroide Abbey

Awake to a beautiful day on the water and a breakfast of freshly baked pastries, local juices and artisan produce. Spend your first morning relaxing as you cruise along the Canal du Midi, one of the most stunning waterways in France. Lined with willows, irises and plane trees that tower over the water, its banks abound in wildlife. After a lunch that’s both rustic and refined, disembark from the barge to visit Fontfroide Abbey with your guide. This 11th -century Cistercian monastery, now privately owned, delights with its tranquil chapter hall, refectory, cloister and beautifully maintained rose garden. Back on board, enjoy a sumptuous dinner.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3 Cruise to Le Somail and visit Minerve

This morning’s cruise brings you to Le Somail, where we will spend the next two nights. This scenic mooring is in an achingly pretty canal-side port, where ivy-covered walls, humpback bridges and umbrella pines create a feast for the eyes. After lunch, your guide takes you to visit Minerve, a medieval village perched on a limestone cliff, overlooking the gorges below. Its now-ruined castle was once a Cathar stronghold, besieged and captured by the infamous Earl of Leicester, Simon de Montfort. Return to the barge for aperitifs, dinner and captivating conversations.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Cruise to Le Somail and visit Minerve
Minerve

Day 4 Visit Narbonne

This morning, visit the wonderful covered market in Narbonne, which was previously voted the most beautiful in France. Choose ingredients for your dinner and let the colours and fragrances transport you to true foodie heaven. Narbonne is a lively Mediterranean city and an important wine-producing centre. The historic architecture, shady boulevards and location on the banks of the Canal de la Robine all contribute to its charm. Enjoy a traditional lunch at a bistro near the market. En route back to the Alouette in Le Somail, stop at local olive mill, where you can uncover the secrets of the nutritious oil with a private demonstration and tasting. Alternatively, visit a local winery and sample its delectable wines. Dinner is served on board.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Visit Narbonne
Narbonne

Day 5 Cruise to Homps & visit Lagrasse

After breakfast, relax and soak up the ever-changing views from the comfort of the deck, or perhaps walk or cycle along the towpath. During lunch on board, arrive on the outskirts of the picturesque town of Homps. This afternoon, your guide takes you to Lagrasse, considered one of the prettiest villages in France. Nestled in the foothills of the Corbières mountains with the Orbieu River snaking through it, Lagrasse has managed to preserve the treasures of its past. A magnificent Benedictine abbey, founded in the 8th century, lies beyond a 12th -century humpbacked bridge. Inside the city walls, a maze of quaint alleyways leads past artists’ galleries and gems of medieval architecture. Returning from your tour, dinner is served at a charming local restaurant.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6 Cruise to Trèbes & visit Carcassonne

Relax on board as you navigate your final stretch of canal this week. Admire the beautiful scenery along the Canal du Midi from the deck. After lunch, alight to tour one of Europe's largest medieval fortresses, Carcassonne. Explore the intricate fortifications of the two castellated walls, one inside the other, stretching about a mile in circumference. The views from the battlements towards the Pyrenees are stunning. Visit the cathedral, remarkable for its stained-glass rose windows, elegant Romanesque nave and Gothic transepts. Back on board, your chef is preparing your farewell gala dinner. Sit out on the balmy deck and share stories as you savour seasonal delicacies.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Cruise to Trèbes & visit Carcassonne
Carcassonne

Day 7 Disembark in Carcassonne

Check out this morning is by 09:00am. 

After breakfast, your crew bids you farewell as you disembark for your onward travel arrangements. We look forward to welcoming you back on board soon. 

Please note, in exceptional circumstances it may be necessary to alter the route without prior notice.

Breakfast

Additional information

Official language
French
Local currency
EUR
  • This itinerary may be subject to change. On alternate weeks, the cruise will be in the reverse direction.

Supplier Booking Conditions Apply

Due to the boutique nature and limited capacity of this travel experience, under our Bookings Conditions this package classifies as “Booking Type 2 – Travel Experience where we act as agent only”. Your contract for the delivery of travel arrangements will be with the principal supplier and will be subject to their Booking Conditions. We will advise you prior to confirming your booking the full details and Booking Conditions of the principal supplier. Our responsibility to you where we sell travel arrangements as agent for the supplier is specified in the ‘Responsibility’ section of our Booking Conditions.

Excluded

  • International airfares and taxes
  • Domestic airfares and taxes, unless otherwise specified in our holiday package
  • Visa expenses, processing and issuance fees
  • Meals other than as specified in our holiday package
  • Drinks from the premium list, or drinks ordered during excursions
  • Travel Insurance or expenses of a personal nature (mini-bar, phone call, laundry, etc.)
  • Tips or gratuities to guides, drivers, porters, hotel, restaurant or boat staff, etc.
  • Or any other travel expense that has not been included in our holiday package

FAQs

Who are Entire Travel Group?

Welcome to Entire Travel Group. We offer exceptional travel experiences across our extensive range of Entire Holiday Packages, Entire Group Journeys, Entire Rail Journeys, and Entire Cruise Journeys. With our industry-leading Peace of Mind Booking Plan, you can Book Now with flexibility and confidence.

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Entire Travel Group used to be known by the individual brands shown in the footer of the website. The company has not changed, but we have amalgamated under one brand - Entire Travel Group.

For more details please visit - About Us | Entire Travel Group

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Entire Travel Group is proudly Australian family owned and operated and as it stands today represents 50 years of experience, progress, and evolution. We proudly support the community with our long-term commitment to many important charity organisations. We were awarded the best operator in our class at the most recent National Travel Industry Awards.

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Entire Travel Group is both ATAS and CATO Accredited. ATAS is actively administered by the Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA). The Council of Australian Tour Operators (CATO) is the trade association representing the land supply sector of the Australian Travel Industry.

Does Entire Travel Group have industry awards?

Entire Travel Group was honoured at the 2023 National Travel Industry Awards with Most Oustanding Wholesaler - Product / Service.

As our team works tirelessly to deliver exceptional holiday experiences, it was exciting to have this acknowledged with the highest recognition. The award is also a testament to the quality of our partners around the globe, and we take this opportunity to thank them for their tremendous support of our customers.

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In some cases, we are the sole representative in Australia for the overseas travel operator. In other circumstances the product developed has been exclusively built for Entire Travel Group and can’t be found elsewhere.

What’s unique about Entire Travel Group Holiday Packages?

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  • They include our Peace of Mind Booking Plan.
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Our motto for Independent Holiday Packages is start your holiday when and with who you want!

Our Independent Holiday Packages are NOT group tours with set departure dates. Group Tours have specific set departure dates, and of course, you are travelling with unknown passengers in a coach. These tours are great for certain travellers and there are many reputable tour operators providing a wide range of options around the world.

At Entire Travel Group, our focus is Independent Holiday Packages. Available daily, they are pre-designed, purpose built, packaged itineraries full of memorable experiences delivered by our hand-picked local partners.

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How does the Peace of Mind Booking Plan work?

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For more details please visit - Peace of Mind Booking Plan | Entire Travel Group

Is there a cooling-off period?

Look for packages with our Peace of Mind Booking Plan logo on the website.

  • We understand that occasionally plans may change, so we give you the confidence to proceed with a cooling off period.
  • You may cancel for any reason within 7 days, where you will receive a 100% refund of your $100 per person deposit.

For more details please visit - Peace of Mind Booking Plan | Entire Travel Group

What is Freedom of Choice?

At Entire Travel Group we understand that our customers have their own personal tastes and interests - so throughout our packages look for “Freedom of Choice” which gives you the ability to tailor your holiday from the various experiences offered on selected days. Like a sommelier matching wine to a meal, we have used our experience to carefully select and offer the right experiences in each location.

The Freedom of Choice options are included in the package price, and the price remains the same regardless of the choice you make on each day.

Our Freedom of Choice program offers flexibility, by allowing you to choose from different options on pre-selected days in the itinerary.

  • Our per person price includes one tour on each Freedom of Choice day in the itinerary.
  • The price of the package remains the same regardless of the choice you make on each day.

For more details please visit - Freedom of Choice | Entire Travel Group

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Can you book my international airfares?

On some Islands Holiday Packages (e.g. Fiji), it is practical to include flights, so where we have done this it is indicated by the plane icon.

However, on the majority of our Holiday Packages, we do not include international flights.

We found that many customers may prefer to:

  • Travel on a specific airline of their choice
  • Have the flexibility to book flights with Frequent Flyer points
  • Select flight dates that may be different to our Holiday Package start/end dates
  • Use a Travel Credit already held with the airline
  • Use their travel agent for this service

We are able to assist with flights on any Holiday Package, so please just notify us during the Book Now process or contact our team.

Should I take travel insurance?

Travel insurance is strongly recommended. During the Book Now process please confirm you require assistance, and our team will be in contact with you.

What should I do before travelling?

Before you travel it is your responsibility to ensure you have the appropriate documentation including visas. If you are travelling on a passport other than Australian or New Zealand, you will require a permit to re-enter Australia. It is your responsibility as the traveller and/or travel booker to meet all government entry requirements.

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