Canal du Midi Cruises » Athos du Midi
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Athos du Midi is designed for outdoor enjoyment of the Canal du Midi with a spacious deck and top quality bicycles. Having five cabins makes the Athos the perfect barge for family or friends reunions or the possibility of workshops for painting or writing for instance . Every land visit from Carcassonne to the Mediterranean port of Marseillian is exceptionally well organized and informative.
Danielle and Cpt Julian Farrant run a tight ship. Cpt Julian entertains guests as a raconteur telling 20 years of anecdotes gleaned while cruising the canal, complete with all the accents. Guests love it. Danielle oversees every aspect of the day to day operations from staff to kitchen to staterooms to maintain their high standard of service.
Very relaxing, fantastic scenery, excellent food and a very good selection of wines and local produce. The cultural tours and excellent service by the Athos staff... we like being pampered like this.
Lauren S.
Built in 1964 as a commercial grain and wine barge, the Athos is a historic canal boat specially designed to navigate the Canal du Midi's narrow waterway and 17th century bridges. It was converted into a luxury hotel barge in 1982 and renovated again in 2007 and fully equipped with modern luxuries. As one of the few traditionally barges left on the canal, cruising on the Athos awakens the romance and history of the Canal du Midi and Southern France.
The Athos du Midi is owned and operated by Julian and Dannielle Farrant. Julian has captained the Athos for 25 seasons, traversing the canal more than 5000 times. While traveling in 1997, Dannielle worked aboard the Athos as a hostess. She was romanced by the Languedoc (and Julian), and made France her home. The Athos tour guide for eight years, she now works behind-the-scenes to ensure that cruising the Canal du Midi is your best holiday ever.
Led by Captain Julian, a professional crew of two hostesses, a tour guide and accomplished chef deliver first-class food, captivating excursions and fine service. The Athos crew has a well-earned reputation for hosting with charm and skill.
Athos prides herself on being kept in top-class condition, thanks to Julian's careful and dedicated attention. Athos was converted into a luxury holiday vessel in 1982, and now holds 5 cabins taking a maximum of 10 passengers at a time.
Each bright cabin, with en suite bathroom and shower, reflects the understated beauty of the French countryside. Fresh cut flowers and lavender body products are reminders that you're taking in the best of the South of France.
Take your choice of twin or queen sized beds. Air conditioning and heating is offered throughout the vessel.
The salon is a comfortable, intimate place for relaxing with a book, sipping an aperitif, and enjoying a five-course meal. The room is rich and cozy, finished in traditional varnished hard wood with comfortable sofas and inviting arm chairs. The set-up offers itself easily to sociable before dinner drinks or to sinking back, and relaxing with a book. Athos' bar is famously well-stocked and friendly. Also in the saloon, there is a dining arrangement with seating for up to 12 people.
The Athos' outdoor deck is the most spacious and comfortable of any vessel on the Canal du Midi. Dine in the shade of Plane trees or settle into a cushioned, hardwood deck chair for a post-lunch siesta in the warm Mediterranean sun. Feeling adventurous? Take an on-board bicycle and discover what's up ahead on the towpath, the shore-side trail originally used by horses towing barges.
Athos has wide appeal: for the more active traveler, the Athos owns 10 hybrid-mountain bikes that can be ridden on the tow path at your leisure. Equally, Athos is equipped with cycle equipment for all age groups including Family Charters with young children. Other passengers prefer to walk alongside the shaded canal paths at the pace of the cruising barge.
Size of barge: 100 ft by 16 ft
Number of Passengers: 6-10
Number of Cabins: 5 (all with private bath)
Crew: 5
Air Conditioning and Central Heating: Yes
Salon: Light and spacious salon with picture windows on both sides, comfortable sofas, and dining table for up to 12 passengers.
Bar: Open bar
Deck: Large sundeck (39ft x 16.5 ft) with 10 deck chairs each with footrest. Large parasol covering large outdoor dining table
Cabin features: Five cabins, each approximately 110 sq ft including ensuite bathroom. 3 portholes in each cabin, 2 portholes in each ensuite bathroom. Each cabin can be set as 2 twin beds or 1 queen-sized bed. Fresh white paint work, trimmed with varnished hardwood. Bathrooms with hardwood flooring & fresh white/provencal blue tile work, glass shower enclosures 80cm x 80 cm.
Vehicles for Transfers/Excursions: 2 x Chrysler minibuses each seating passengers and 1 driver.
Accessibility: Steps from deck to salon and 2 wide steps from salon to cabins.
Bicycles: 10 aluminum frame V-Twin hybrid bicycles.
Choose from special interest cruises and our popular "Best of the Languedoc" route that covers an inspired itinerary. If you're booking an individual cabin, you'll enjoy the "Best of the Languedoc" cruise.
Special Interest itineraries are available to private charter groups with a shared passion for wine, painting, golf or tennis. These cruises integrate the "Best of the Languedoc" route with time dedicated for specialty activities.
Each day the Athos tour guide shares the very best of the Languedoc with you. You'll walk the ramparts of the fortified city of Carcasonne; drive alongside the dramatic Gorge de la Cesse and explore the hilltop village of Minerve; visit a local olive oil pressoir; wander open air markets; and cruise past the marshlands of the "Petite Camargue", ideal for spotting pink flamingos.
Argeliers
Upon arrival in Montpellier, you'll be chauffeured to the Athos at her mooring in the charming Argeliers port, located at the southern edge of the Haut-Minervois. Champagne reception and gourmet canapés await. Once settled in to your cabin, you'll enjoy a four-course dinner under the Plane trees and overlooking an original 18th century stone bridge.
Capestang & Carcassonne
Carcasonne is a picture-perfect fairytale castle. The Athos guide will walk you back through time in an unforgettable tour of the fortified city. You'll have plenty of time to take in the romantic setting and to explore and shop for Languedoc specialties and souvenirs.
Later in the day, the Athos will moor in the quaint village of Capestang in view of the lovely, flood-lit Collegiale St. Etienne cathedral. Take a stroll into the village before chef begins dinner service.
Regismont le Haut & Minerve
Ever wondered how olive oil is made? Find out at the Oulibo where French olive oil is artfully pressed. Then taste a variety of organic olives and olive oils accompanied, of course, by a glass of rosé.
It's just a short drive up the Gorge de la Cesse to the dramatic hilltop village of Minerve. Minerve is the heart of Cathar country and is an important place in Languedoc history where Cathar Christians of the 11th century were attacked during the crusades.
Fonserannes & Narbonne
Your Languedoc experience would not be complete without a visit to a French market. That's what we'll do in the charming town of Narbonne. We'll also explore an excavated original Roman road, take-in the Roman Museum and enjoy a cafe au lait while blending in with the town's lively cafe scene.
The week's cruising highlight is the Fonserannes, the seven staircase locks at Beziers. Fonserannes has eight lock chambers and nine gates, allowing the Athos to be raised a remarkable 21.5 meters in a distance of just 300 meters.
Portiragnes and Pezenas
The historic market town of Pezanas was the first seat of the Languedoc court where noble families lived in "Hotels Particuliers", or mansions whose striking architecture is unique to this town. Theatre lovers will enjoy the guide's stories about French playwright, Moliere, who once stayed in Pezenas with his theatre group, l'Illustre Thèâtre.
The evening's mooring is just outside the village of Portiragnes. The paved tow path and romantic scenery make Portiragnes a lovely spot for walking or cycling. Then it's time to enjoy another delicious, gourmet four-course dinner on board the Athos.
Agde to Marseillan
En route to Agde we cruise past the estuaries of the "Petit Camargue", a bird watcher's paradise! Bring binoculars to spot exotic species like Pink Flamingos, African Rollers and Bee Eaters. At Agde, a spectacular seafood lunch awaits! We'll dine in the open-waters of the Etang de Thau, Europe's largest mussel and oyster park.
No better way to follow an oyster lunch than by cruising to nearby Marseillan for a tour of the Noilly Prat Vermouth distillery, with a tasting of course.
Family and Friends Cruise
Organizing a family reunion or a special getaway with eight of your closest friends?
We'll work with you to develop an itinerary, meals and excursions that will please every guest and make your reunion the experience of a lifetime.
Wine Tasting Cruise
There's no better way to treat your inner oenophile than on an Athos wine cruise. From extraordinary tastings to lively discussions with our Master of Wine who provides wine education and daily wine touring, this week is dedicated to the wonders of wine.
Join us for a truly unique way to discover the best wines of the Languedoc.
Tennis Cruise
What's a holiday for tennis aficionados without a match or two? The Athos Tennis Cruise brings you the best of French scenery, history, cuisine and cruising with plenty of time set aside for the tennis court. You'll enjoy some of France's most picturesque views from the courts we select alongside our Canal du Midi route. Want a post-match cool down? Hop on one of our hybrid bikes and cycle alongside the canal and through scenic villages.
Golf Cruise
The Athos Golf Cruise marries your love of the game with the good life. Combine historical and cultural excursions with golf games under the Mediterranean sun. You'll be chauffeured to and from some of France's best courses, only to arrive back on board where Chef has prepared a decadent four-course meal. Contact us to find out more about the golfing opportunities in Languedoc.
Painting Cruise
Calling all art lovers. Join talented artist and teacher Andrew John for a week-long floating art course aboard the Athos. Flanked by some of France's most beautiful countryside, you'll encounter inspiration everywhere! The painting cruise combines lessons and practice time with excursions and the very best of French cuisine.
Chef knows that sublime food and wine is a principle reason to come to France, that's why he's here! Each meal aboard the Athos is special. Inspired both by the tradition of rich, French cuisine and fresh Mediterranean ingredients, Chef takes passengers on a journey through the very best of the Southern French culinary tradition.
Have a dish or ingredient you'd like to try? Chef is more than happy to serve your favourite meal as you dine under Canal du Midi Plane trees.
The Languedoc is home to a great diversity of food and culinary traditions, all of which feature exceptional local ingredients. The warm summer sun and rich terroir produce some of Europe's best peaches, plums, leeks, tomatoes, rosemary, thyme, and of course wines.
Chef sources local ingredients at open-air markets and uses only the best Languedoc meats. Eating fresh, in-season produce is a Southern French delight and we want you to experience it in every Athos dish.
Gourmet French meals are a centerpiece of the Athos experience. Chef carefully selects fresh produce from the local markets and will delight you with cuisine that reflects the region and its love affair with food. Dishes inspired by the first cherries of spring through to the squash harvest in October will be a holiday highlight.
When you think French wines Bordeaux, Champagne and Burgundy come to mind. But, the Languedoc is a truly exciting wine region with so much more variety and so many different flavours.
Enjoy beautiful sparkling wines; elegant white wines that pair so well with local oysters cultivated at the nearby coast; and full-bodied red wines that taste of the wild herbs that grow in the Mediterranean landscape.
If you're looking to discover new wines, Languedoc is the place to come.
Spring
Summer
Autumn
| 2024 | $ USD | |
|---|---|---|
| value | regular | |
| Stateroom per person | 5,690 | 6,590 |
| Single supplement | 2,100 | 2,400 |
| Charter for 6 passengers | 46,500 | 52,700 |
| Charter for 8 passengers | 49,500 | 56,100 |
| Charter for 10 passengers | 52,500 | 59,500 |
| Family discount/child | $300 | |