Tandem Charter

* The following itinerary is a suggestion only. The cruising direction may be either from Salleles d'Aude to Marseillan, or the reverse. The Captains reserve the right to make any alterations to the itinerary they deem necessary. If the barge La Tortue is already booked for the dates in question, another barge of similar standing may be asked to join in this Itinerary.
The size of each boat's salon makes it impossible to seat 18 guests at one table. However, Athos & La Tortue suggest open house for cocktail hours and a changing seating plan at meal times between the two boats over the course of the week. Breakfasts will be taken onboard the boat guests are sleeping on.

Athos joins forces with La Tortue to offer an 18 passenger Canal du Midi itinerary
Salleles d’Aude to Marseillan
Value season $43,800 Peak season $51,000

Sunday: SALLELES D'AUDE
Pick-up 4pm at one of the suggested locations: Beziers, Montpellier, Carcassonne
Guests are met at the pre-appointed place by Athos Captain, Julian and La Tortue Director, Sally Shaw.

In the comfort of air-conditioned Chrysler minibuses, Julian and Sally transfer you to the Athos and La Tortue, where you will be welcomed onboard by their crews & Chefs with a champagne reception and Mediterranean canapés

Relax, unpack and get acquainted with the barge before your first gourmet dinner onboard.

Monday: SALLELES D'AUDE - ARGELIERS
While coffee is available at any time from the bar, continental-style breakfast is served, at your leisure, beginning at 8:30am. A breakfast buffet offers a selection to please everyone: cereals, juices, yogurts, cold meats and cheese, and of course fresh pastries and bread from the local boulangerie!

The proposed morning visit is a drive to the famous Medieval double-walled city of Carcassonne. Your knowledgeable on-board guideswill offer the historical & guided visit of the chateau, the Basilica, and still leave time to wander through the streets and shops of this picturesque fortified village.

On returning to the barges, you find a sumptuous lunch aboard, a tasting of local wines. The barges soon after get underway for an afternoon cruise to Argeliers, the largest village on the canal.

Athos and La Tortue moor easily in the pretty port of Argeliers for the evening. Perhaps you would like to stroll into the village for an apératif before another delicious evening meal onboard.

Tuesday: ARGELIERS-CAPESTANG
After breakfast, your trusty guides suggest a visit by minivan to the traditional street market at Olonzac, and then onward to the hilltop village of Minerve. Learn about the Cathar history surrounding this village, wander the quaint streets, or if you feel energetic walk down to the gorge and through the natural caves.

Arriving at the boat for another wonderful lunch onboard, we find both Captains and deckhands preparing for the afternoon cruise to Capestang.

As the barges arrive in Capestang, Dannielle suggests a walk or perhaps a cycle ride? The village centre is quaint and has a reputable café?

Wednesday: CAPESTANG - FONSERANNES
Following breakfast, the onboard guides propose a visit to Narbonne, the capital city of Roman Gaul. Visit the fish market with Tortue Chef & owner, Peter, and choose the fish for your evening meal!! Take the opportunity to wander the city, explore the the Cathedral, the Roman road, or maybe you’d just like to do some shopping in this history filled city!?

As groups return to the boats, another enjoyable lunch and wine awaits while the two boats get under way. Relax on deck this afternoon - be sure to notice the sweeping views towards the Pyrenees!

Our evening’s mooring will be at the top of the Fonserannes, or seven staircase locks. Sally could organise a game of Petanque and aperitifs before your Chefs serve another sumptuous meal?!

Thursday: FONSERANNES – AGDE
This morning, the tour guides suggest a visit to Pèzenas in the minivans. Many of the buildings in this village are architecturally impressive, as many were the family mansions of the first Languedoc court, including the well-known French playwright, Moliere.

Pezenas is filled with small artisanal boutiques, well worth exploring. Dannielle first suggests a small walking tour of the village-centre, and then a good browse through the shops!

When you return for lunch on deck, Athos & La Tortue Captains and their deck hands are busy preparing the boats for their descent down the staircase locks at the Fonserannes. This 17thC feat of engineering is sure to impress! Crews expertly tie up their boats in each lock, and wait for the gates to close safely behind them before the water levels empty out and allow them to pass one lock into the next. But it's not over yet! Coming up next is the 18thC Canal Bridge which will carry the ATHOS over the Orb River.

Enjoy another relaxed afternoon on deck. For those who please, cycling or walking on the paved towpaths is an excellent opportunity this afternoon.

The boats will moor on the river Herault for the evening. Swimming from the pontoon is a refreshing pre-dinner activity for those who wish!

Friday: AGDE - MARSEILLAN
After a leisurely breakfast, there is still time to discover Agde! This morning will see bustling activity in the tiny village centre. Take the opportunity to explore the Old Town and the Romanesque Cathedral which overlooks the River Herault.

Late morning, La Tortue & Athos leave your shaded mooring at Agde, and cruises towards Marseillan.

A spectacular (and appropriate!) seafood lunch awaits you, as you enter the open-waters of the Etang de Thau. The Etang hosts Europe's largest mussel and oyster park.

As we come to moor in the port at Marseillan, you will notice the enclosure which makes up the Noillly Prat Vermouth distillery. End a perfect day with a fascinating tour of the Distillery -- and, of course, a taste of Noilly Prat vermouth!

The two Chefs’ efforts are sure to make this evening worth remembering! Captains and crews will join your party after dinner for a final farewell toast.

Saturday: MARSEILLAN
After breakfast, you wave goodbye to the Crews, who have looked after your every need throughout the week. The minivans will now depart to the appointed destination in Montpellier.