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

Alouette - Canal du Midi Cruise from Carcassonne to Beziers (Tour code: 14921)

Starts and Ends
Carcassonne to
Beziers
Travel Periods
12 Apr 26 - 21 Jun 26
Experience
Travel Style
Cruise
Tour ruined castles and restored monasteries, enjoy exquisite wine tastings.

Highlights

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

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

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

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

Overview

Step aboard the Alouette - an intimate barge for a personalised cruise along the scenic Canal du Midi, journeying from Carcassonne to Béziers. Embrace the gentle rhythm of the waterways as you unwind in comfort, indulging in gourmet meals, fine wines and laid-back luxury. Along the way, disembark for private tours of historic châteaux, atmospheric monuments and local wine tastings. Discover hidden gems and timeless villages tucked into the heart of the South of France, where tradition and tranquillity meet. This is slow travel at its most refined and rewarding.

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 Trèbes

Enjoy a warm welcome and champagne reception onboard, in the company of your dedicated guide and crew. Take in the 360° views on deck whilst your chef prepares your first tailored feast of the cruise, a spread of vibrant dishes crafted from flavourful ingredients. As delicious wines are uncorked, raise a toast to the start of a sublime vacation.

Dinner

Day 2, 3 & 4 Homps Le Somail

Awake to a beautiful day on the water and a breakfast of local delicacies. Alight in the walled city of Carcassonne, a UNESCO classified World Heritage Site and return to the barge for lunch and a relaxing cruise along Canal du Midi. Arrive at this evening’s countryside mooring, enjoy a cocktail or two before heading a charming local restaurant for dinner.

After breakfast, your guide will escort you to the village of Lagrasse, a preserved treasure nestled between the foothills of the Corbières mountains. Return to the barge for lunch and a leisurely cruise to Le Somail, your mooring over the next two nights. Tonight, enjoy a sumptuous dinner on board.

On the fourth day, visit Narbonne – a lively Mediterranean city and pivotal wine-importing centre. Take time to stroll through the wonderful covered market, voted amongst the most beautiful in France. Enjoy a traditional lunch at a charming bistro, then, opt to visit a local olive mill or winery enroute to Alouette. Back on board, aperitifs whet your appetite for a peaceful dinner as the sun begins its descent.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Homps → Le Somail
Carcassonne

Day 5 & 6 Minerve Capestang Béziers

After breakfast, visit Minerve, a beautiful medieval village that overlooks the wild gorges beneath, and return to Alouette for lunch as it drifts along Canal du Midi to the port of Capestang. Relax and soak up the ever-changing views or take a stroll perhaps along the towpath. This evening, dinner is served on board.

On Day 6, the barge navigates the journey’s final stretch to Béziers. After lunch, disembark with your guide to visit Fontfroide Abbey. This 11th-century Cistercian monastery, now privately owned, delights with its tranquil chapter hall, refectory and well-kept rose garden. Rejoin Alouette for refreshing cocktails and a farewell gala dinner. Sit out on the balmy deck, sharing stories and highlights while indulging in exquisite seasonal delicacies.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Minerve → Capestang → Béziers
Minerve

Day 7 Disembark in Béziers

After breakfast, your crew bids you farewell as you disembark for your onward travel arrangements.
Please note that your check-out time is scheduled for 09:00am. 

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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What’s unique about Entire Travel Group Holiday Packages?

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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.

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Is there a cooling-off period?

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

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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.

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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
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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?

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What should I do before travelling?

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