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Roi Soleil is the most uniquely designed barge on the Midi, resembling a sleek yacht of the 1930s. An upper and lower deck provide three spacious cabins, panoramic views from large picture windows surrounding the sitting and dining room, plus an open galley kitchen.
Dutch captain Finnegan Campfens has operated the Roi Soleil for owners Guillaume and Tracey de Perthuis since its inaugural season fourteen years ago. The barge is kept shining and immaculate due to Finnegan's constant upkeep. His sense of humor enlivens the cruise and has kept his crew with him for many years.
You achieved a sense of warmth, of service, of professionalism and quality that met and surpassed the highest standards! Thank you for making our week on the Roi Soleil one of the most memorable weeks in our lives.
S. Family, Norwalk, CT
Prior to launching the barge cruises on board "Roi Soleil" in 1999, Guillaume (born in Paris) and Tracey (originally from Australia) spent several years as Skipper & Chef team on luxury charter yachts worldwide.
They first met and married in Australia where Guillaume had a successful marketing company and Tracey was pursuing her nursing career & running a gourmet club in Sydney, before they decided to follow their mutual passions. Despite many sea miles of adventurous sailing and gastronomic traveling, they have been consistently drawn back to the canals and rivers of France where they were cruising on their previous barge.
With Guillaume's family being tied to the history of Provence and Tracey's Gourmet Chef skills, creating "Roi Soleil was more than merely combining skills - it enabled them to live their respective passions.
Today Guillaume & Tracey closely supervise the crew of "Roi Soleil" through their frequent visits and constant liaising with the crew onboard.
The crew has been with "Roi Soleil" for many seasons and has made the boat and owners very proud.
The crew is led by Captain Finnegan Campfens who is trained as a merchant navy officer and his love for the South of France and its canals led him to joining "Roi Soleil" from the inaugural season in 2000, serving as Captain since 2004.
Finn speaks 4 languages and his constant 'bonne humeur' and proficiency have made him much loved by both crew and guests. For a full profile of the crew onboard your charter, please ask your agent.
Cabins
Three spacious, air conditioned staterooms (each 15m, about 160sq feet, so you can actually walk around your bed) and en-suite bathrooms in provençal style, equipped with thermostatically controlled showers with glass doors and heated towel racks, hand-made Provençal tiles, lava in the bathrooms, and the rich hues of stylish Pierre Frey fabrics decorate the entire interior.
Saloon
'Roi Soleil' has more to do with luxury yachting than barging - hence the term 'River Yacht'. Her lines and mahogany and brass trim are inspired by the classic motor yachts of the 1920's while her interior brings you the best of contemporary design and comfort. The stylish open plan saloon with its fireplace, bar and demonstration kitchen, panoramic views through no less than 20 windows, strong reverse cycle AC, and the elegant dining area offer you a level of comfort equivalent to a luxury motor yacht.
Exterior
Roi Soleil is more a Yacht than a Canal Barge:
The separate forward sun deck, the aft teak deck with Spa Pool, the outside dining area under the retractable canopy either fully shaded or heated, are all pure luxury yachting.
Roi Soleil Specifications
Canal du Midi
Provence
Wine Charters
Family Charters
As you drift along the magnificent Canal du Midi you will step back into the time of Louis XIV- the "Sun King" or "Roi Soleil" - who commissioned this prodigious engineering feet; thus finally achieving the dream of linking the Mediterranean Sea with the Atlantic Ocean.
Deservedly, the Canal du Midi is now classed on the World Heritage List of Conservation.
The region of Languedoc, interlaced with the Canal du Midi, unravels a rich history from prehistoric time, through the Roman occupation, succeeded by the turbulent Middle Ages. The landscape and exceptional architecture captures the atmosphere of time revisited.
Whether your passion is for history, arts and crafts, adventure, village atmosphere, wine discovery or shopping ... your cruise onboard "Roi Soleil" will be personally tailored to your specific interests
The Canal du Midi meanders through the vast diversity of scenic landscapes that changes dramatically from the rugged, rural Languedoc regions to the sun-drenched, azure blues of the Mediterranean.
Within this vast region also lies a land of poetry, and of proud people devoted to the soil and of course the wine ... a passion they will share with you in private tastings of the local Minervois and Corbières wines
Be prepared for new sights, tastes and aromas that will take you on a voyage of aesthetic discovery.
A charter on ROI SOLEIL is all about CHOICE. Here's the route - and suggestions on what is available each day to customize your cruise. According to local festivities your guide will offer more options.
Underlined are overnight moorings for the boat. We have not included the cycling, running or walking opportunities.
Sunday
Béziers East- Cassafiere to Villeneuve
Monday
Villeneuve to Fonseranne
Tuesday
Fonserranne to Capestang
Wednesday
Capestang to La Croisade or Somail
Thurday
Somail to Roubia
Friday
Roubia to Homps
Saturday
10:00 am.
The Provence route enters a region of diverse culture, history and nature. Cruising along the rivers of the Rhone through Provence, "Roi Soleil" glides along a tributary of the Rhone through wild nature, then onto the Lagoon of Thau dotted with sailing boats and oyster beds and eventually along the Canal du Midi - which opens the doors to the wilderness of the Camargue and takes you to the shores of the Mediterranean.
In Avignon, what better way to appreciate the rich golden hues of Provence whilst cruising on a luxury barge past the ancient ramparts of the 14th Century Palace of the Popes, a glass of Chateauneuf du Pape in hand!
"Roi Soleil" glides before the majestic 15th Century castles of Tarascon and Beaucaire that tower over the Rhone River!
For art lovers, entering the city of Arles evokes images depicted by Van Gogh, Cezanne and scores of artists, drawn here by the extraordinary light and golden pastel hues of Provence.
Meandering the cobbled streets by foot, your guide can direct you through this bastion of Provençal culture and history that was founded by the Greeks in VI BC.
You can even have a drink in the Van Gogh Café, where art meets reality!
Let your personal English / French speaking guide help you follow your quest in the heart of the Gard and Vaucluse - be it in the antique houses of Isle sur Sorgues, local arts and crafts in picturesque villages of St. Quentin la Potterie, Uzès and St. Remy or tranquility at the Fontaines de Vaucluse.
Take in the sweeping views of the ancient town of Beaux de Provence, or a leisurely stroll across the 40AD Roman aqueduct of Pont du Gard or for the adventurous, see it all from a Hot-air-balloon or an airplane.
The Provence Route continues to surprise with its incredible diversity. Leaving the Rhone River, "Roi Soleil" barge cruise enters a region of sand dunes and salt marshes. Flocks of pink flamingos plunge their heads in the marshland, wild white horses drink idly from the banks of the canal, black bulls graze in the pastures.
To discover the stunning beauty of the Camargue region, you can take a 4 wheel drive or mount the Camargue horses on a Bull ranch and be amongst the "Guardians" rounding up their herd in rodeo style.
The lines are cast, "Roi Soleil" pulls in for the evening and we step off the boat to find ourselves in a fortified village - Aigues Mortes.
Before the Gypsy Kings sang their ballades in the local cafés and restaurants of this quaint village, the crusaders of King St Louis embarked from the banks of the city in the 13th Century.
Whenever the urge takes you, there is, of course, the wine - let yourself be guided through some of the best vineyards in the South West of France - "Roi Soleil" has special privileges that open doors for private tastings with the winemakers themselves.
Why not let yourself be swept into the atmosphere of one of the many cultural events of the season . . . festivals with bulls and horses, parades in the streets of chariots and the local men and women dressed in traditional silks and lace. . .
The canal barge meanders into the fishing port of Sète where pastel coloured houses with wrought iron balconies overlook the canal.
Colourful fishing boats line the canals, their nets drying on the docks by the seafood terrace restaurants.
"Roi Soleil" crosses the large lagoon of Thau, dodging the oyster beds and the little sailing yachts to rejoin the Canal du Midi by Agde, named by Marco Polo as "the black pearl of the Mediterranean" due to its black lava architecture.
As the sun sets once again on the changing landscape, cocktails are served on deck, appetising aromas drift from the galley and we coast into the closing of another day full of unexpected pleasures ...
A charter on ROI SOLEIL is all about CHOICE. Here's the route - and suggestions on what is available each day to customize your cruise. According to local festivities your guide will offer more options.
Underlined are overnight moorings for the boat.We have not included the cycling, running or walking opportunities.
Monday
From Avignon or from Vallabregues:
Tuesday
From Arles:
Wednesday
From Aigues Mortes:
From Cabannes du Roc:
Thurday
From Sète, easterly approach:
From Marseillan:
Friday
From Agde:
Saturday 10 am.
Wine cruises are our specialty!
It is to be expected with French owners who share a strong interest in gastronomy and the sublte marriage of food and wine.
We can take it further for you, if you are searching for rare vintage wines, through our professional and friendly contacts we can present you with a listing and have vintage wines delivered onboard, prior to your barge trip, at competitive prices.
We can organize private tastings on a daily basis during the course of the barge cruises with friendly, top wine-makers and sommeliers.
We can also organize comparative tastings of top Bordeaux and Burgundy Chateaux versus Languedoc Crus.
So please - do indulge!
"Roi Soleil" is a child-friendly canal barge - we have had many happy young families onboard.
We welcome children on our barge cruises and offer a wide range of activities to suite your children's age-group. We can even provide a fourth cabin for a Nanny to join the barge trips in the crew quarters if required.
There are many possible activities other than the sheer pleasure of barging, such as: cycling; horse-back riding; 4-wheel driving on a bull ranch or on a rally track; hot-air ballooning; panoramic plane flight; bull-herding; cultural village events and village markets; or simply swimming at the beach or in a river or lazing by the spa onboard. Bicycles and helmets can be supplied to suit the size of the children.
We can plan dual excursions for children and adults during the canal cruises. Visit the museums or shops whilst the kids are supervised at the playground or markets - have a wine-tasting in the Wine Chateau whilst the kids take a 4-wheel-drive in the grounds on the rally track.
There is a full range of DVD's for children onboard and board games to play.
The onboard Chef will cater to their food choices. . . The whole family will enjoy barge cruising in France onboard the "Roi Soleil"!
Every day, during the course of your barge trip, your private chef will cater to your preferences while surprising you with an imaginative cuisine, taking on the best accents of the Mediterranean.
The wines are carefully selected by the owner with the best sommeliers of the region. They represent the quintessence of Languedoc & Provence as well as the top appellations of the whole of France.
You will also find the bar stocked with your favourite drinks.
Cooking demonstrations are open to all who wish to learn the tricks . . . the galley was designed for this - with an open plan and a bar - you can watch with a glass in hand and the chef will be happy to explain.
Foie Gras Duo:
Home made Foie Gras au Torchon with pear and date chutney & Pan fried fresh foie gras on poached pear and marinated date
AOC Muscat de Saint-Jean de Minervois 2010
Charollais beef fillet on braised beetroot and fresh asparagus with chunky basil pesto and plum, apple chutney
AOC Chateauneuf du Pape Chateau Mont Redon 2001
Roquefort, Reblochon de Savoie & Langres
Chilled blackberry & vanilla soup with caramel & balsamic ice cream on a chocolate truffle with pistachio spun sugar
Coffee - Fine Chocolates from St Remy de Provence - Fine Liqueurs
2024 Value Season Rates
Up to 4 passengers: € 28,600
Up to 6 passengers: € 31,900
2024 Regular Season Rates
Up to 4 passengers: € 32,900
Upto 6 passengers: € 36,600
2024 Value Season Dates
March 17 - April 13, 2024
July 14- August 24br>
October 13-27
2024 Regular Season Dates
April 14 - July 13
August 25 - October 12
Not included are travel and cancellation insurance; ballooning and other activities not stipulated; gratuities for the crew; and personal expenses.