Beatrice
Beatrice has been entirely renovated using natural oak to ensure a warm, welcoming atmosphere. The barge is based at Port Cassafières in Portiragnes near Agde, in the Languedoc-Roussillon region of the south of France, just 1,5 km from the beaches. Hotel Barge Beatrice cruises the famous Canal du Midi from Portiragnes at the eastern end of the Canal. She will give you a lovely relaxed introduction to the most iconic waterway in France with a wide variety of fascinating things to see and explore, from the sun deck, on foot or by bike.
The interior consists of a living room with a wood-burning stove, comfortable sofa, TV, DVD, central heating and air conditioning when required. The lounge also has a bar area for those delicious pre-dinner drinks and an open galley where you can watch chef at work.
The sundeck is perfect for relaxing during the day and the warm summer evenings is accessed by ladder from the side-deck, leading to a terrace where there is a table and four lounge chairs. Bicycles are provided for guests that would like to accompany the barge along the tow-path as she cruises or to explore the surrounding villages and countryside.
The pont canal de Béziers a bridge which carries the Canal du Midi over the Orb River in the city of Béziers
- The 7 locks of Foncérannes
- 6th century BC Oppidum of Enserune
- Visit the medieval citadel of Carcassonne, the largest preserved town of its kind
- Discover the Cathar history in the hilltop village of Minerve
- Visit the Abbey of Fontfroide one of the most complete abbey complexes remaining today
- Visit the chateau at Colombiers, and its wine cellars
- Visit the 13th century cathedral of St Etienne at Capestang and the local market
- See the marvels of the UNESCO Canal du Midi, including the Fonserranes lock staircase
With a unique combination of French and Sicilian cuisine and wine, this barge, with a flexible itinerary, has been operating with great success for 15 years.
Aboard the Hotel Barge Beatrice you will be charmed by the gentle tranquillity of the Canal du Midi.
Jean François and Michel bring their extensive experience in hospitality and piloting from their years on luxury barges, to make your week cruising on Beatrice the perfect holiday. Hotel barge Beatrice is privately owned and operated by Jean François and Michel, both highly experienced and talented hosts. You will be warmly welcomed and your needs and interests will be ably met throughout your vacation aboard.
Features
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![Capacity]()
Accommodation for up to 4 guests
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![Rooms]()
2 cabins
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![Feature]()
All meals on board included
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![Kitchen]()
Fully stocked bar with a selection of cocktails and soft drinks
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![Heating / Cooling]()
Airconditioning and heating throughout
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![Bikes]()
4 bicycles
Gallery
On Board
| Beatrice prices | ||
|---|---|---|
| 5 nights/6 days Portiragnes - Homps or reverse, one way | Portiragnes - The pont canal Béziers - the 7 locks of Foncérannes - Colombiers - the Oppidum d'Enserune - the Tunnel du Malpas - Capestang - Minerve -Le Somail - Carcassonne - Argens in Minervois - Homps Including tours to Carcassonne and Minerve or Fontfroide Abbey (Cathar Land) | 3,200 euro per person in a double room |
| Private Barge Cruise exclusively for one couple Portiragnes - Homps or reverse, one way | Portiragnes - The pont canal Béziers - the 7 locks of Foncérannes - Colombiers - the Oppidum d'Enserune - the Tunnel du Malpas - Capestang - Minerve -Le Somail - Carcassonne - Argens in Minervois - Homps Including tours to Carcassonne and Minerve or Fontfroide Abbey (Cathar Land) | Charter for 2 guests The entire boat Master cabin booking 8.400 euros |
| 3 nights / 4 days Portiragnes - Le Somail or reverse, one way | Portiragnes - The pont canal Béziers - the 7 locks of Foncérannes - Colombiers - the Oppidum d'Enserune - the Tunnel du Malpas - Capestang - Le Somail. This price does not include visits to Carcassonne and Minerve | 1.950 euros price per person in double bedroom |
Day 1 : Monday 14:00 Portiragnes Lock
We will be waiting to meet you at Portiragnes lock ( écluses de Portiragnes village ).
Our cruise will begin at 2pm… enjoy an informal introduction to barging as we cruise towards Ariage, the pont canal and then up the astonishing 7 locks of Foncérannes where we moor for the night.
You may like to watch the DVD on the history of the canal, built from 1667 to 1681 by Pierre-Paul Riquet.
Dinner will begin at 8, after which you may enjoy a walk along the canal before turning in to your cabin for a peaceful night.
Day 2 : Tuesday
Breakfast at 9:00 then cruise to Colombiers and visit the ancient wine cellar of the chateau. Then continue to Enserune hill. After lunch on board there’s an excursion to Enserune archaeological site and museum just 30 minutes of walking. This type of hilltop village is characteristic of the celtic world of Iron Age southern Gaul. The site was discovered in 1860 by Abbot Giniès. The museum is housed in a villa built in 1915 and redesigned in the 1940s by Jules Formigé.We will pass through the Tunnel du Malpas, the first canal tunnel built in the world and we will continue to Regiment Le Haut, a very beautiful hamlet in the countryside. All meals on board and moor for the night.
Day 3 : Wednesday
Cruise to Capestang and visit the local market and the 13th century cathedral of St Etienne. After lunch on board in Capestang, there’s a tour to Minerve or Fontfroide Abbey. Minerve was a powerful small town in the middles ages. The residence of the viscounts of Minerve dominated the Minervois Region. The natural site of Minerve is one of the most astonishing in the departement of Herault, and is part of the upper Languedoc Regional Nature Park. The Abbey of Fontfroide is one of the most complete abbey complexes remaining today. Then return to Beatrice, dinner on board and moor for the night.
Day 4 : Thursday
After breakfast leave Capestang through its tiny arched bridge and cruise to La Croisade where we moor for the lunch. La croisade is located in the heart of the nature. You can relax on the sun deck and enjoy the quiet life.Then we cruise to Le Somail and visit this lovely hamlet. Of note is the librairie ancienne which houses thousands of rare books, prints and posters. Dine on board in Le Somail and moor for the night.
Day 5 : Friday
After breakfast there’s a tour in Carcassonne the medieval city, Unesco World Heritage Site, a town, a “Cité”…an history. You will discover one of the most accomplished fortified towns in Europe. Then return to Beatrice for lunch on board. After lunch continue and Argens in Minervois where we dine on board and moor for the night. This is a good chance to walk or cycle the excellent towpath alongside Beatrice.
Day 6 : Saturday
Cruise to Homps, through several locks for lunch on board. Disembark at 15:00. Time to say goodbye and ‘au revoir’.
Rate Includes
- 5 night’s accomodation aboard
- 2 crew members and private chauffeur for your free tours
- All meals on board ( breakfast, lunch and dinner )
- Fully stocked bar with a selection of cocktails and soft drinks
- Guided tours of Medieval Cathar village of Minerve or Fontfroide Abbey and to the medieval citadel and castle at
- Carcassonne in the air conditioned vehicle
- All free tours fees and associated transport
Does not Include
- Personal expenses
- The gratuities for the crew ( we recommend between 5 and 10% of the cruise rate depending on your level of satisfaction, payable in Euros to the Captain ).
Payment Terms
- Deposit of 25% of the cost of the cruise for confirming the booking.
- The balance of 75% has to be paid 90 days prior the departure date of the cruise.
- The payment of the deposit means that these conditions have been accepted
Contact us for further information. We would love to use our experience to help you plan the Canal du Midi barge holiday to remember!
Beatrice Availability
- Available
- Booked
