Canal du Midi Cruises » Mirage
You are here: Home / Canal du Midi Cruises / Mirage
+888-229-2315
info@boutiquehotelbarges.com
info@boutiquehotelbarges.com
Mirage has the most spacious accommodation of any of the Midi barges, The grand salon / dining area as well as a huge deck give a luxurious amount of space. Mimi is the quintessential elegant French hostess and Pascal the perfect Captain; not only a barge pilot but also an aviation pilot. They have hand picked an excellent chef and tourguide to complete the crew of four to entertain and pamper you within a very authentic French atmosphere.
Mirage Owners Mimi and Pascal Chauvin, along with their dog Lola, are your gracious hosts for an unforgettable cruise aboard their authentic1950s French barge. Mimi and Pascal, both retired from the French Air Force, and refurbished Mirage in 2006, creating the elegant, luxury hotel barge you can enjoy today.
Pascal had two dreams growing up. One was to be a jet fighter pilot, which he did flying all around the globe for 21 years in the French Air Force. His second dream was to live on a barge. This has become reality with Mirage. He has combined his two passions offering passengers aboard Mirage the opportunity to tour in his classic Comet biplane, flying over Medieval Carcassonne, Cathar castles, and offering a different view of the Canal du Midi winding its way through the countryside.
Mirage sleeps up to 6 passengers in three cabins. Two of the cabins feature twin/queen beds and a cabin with one double bed (140x200m bed), for either a single person or couple. Each cabin has an ensuite bathroom and the barge has air conditioning throughout. Mirage's 30 large portholes can all be opened, so the barge is always filled with air and light.
The salon is complete with a library, music system, TV with CD & DVD, and a well-furnished bar. The unique decor is reminiscent of a 1940s aviator's bar. There is also Wifi available.
The dining area with chef's open galley provide the perfect ambience to sample the delicious cuisine and select wines.
The roomy outdoor teak deck provides lounge chairs, sun canopy, and spa, to promote a 'zen' attitude during your cruise.
Luxury French hotel barge: 30 m x 5 m
Main area (Salon, open kitchen dining area) : 12 m x 4.5 m with 14 large portholes
Outdoor sun deck with spa
Three large cabins: St Exupery (139 ft2), Concorde (124 ft2), Caravelle (120 ft2)
Saloon:
Cabins
Deck-side Features
Bicycles
Vehicle for Transfers/Excursions:
Accessibility
Each day will be comprised of three to four hours cruising, an on shore visit to historical points of interest, wineries and markets, including lunches on shore to make the most of market days. Behind the scenes surprise visits with the French owners; Mimi and Pascal make this an exceptional opportunity to glean a really good idea of life in the Languedoc of old and today. Each evening you will enjoy complete peace and quiet in a countryside mooring, usually by the last lock of the day.
Cruise Route: Trebes to Castelnaudary or Reverse
Sunday :- Trebes
Your tour guide will pick you up at the rendez-vous point (Carcassonne train station, hotel, or Carcassonne airport), and transfer you to the barge Mirage mooring in the small village of Trebes. This evening, during one hour of slow cruise to the Villedubert lock, you'll be invited by the captain and the staff for a welcome grand cru champagne aperitif. Your first delicious dinner will be served at this attractive and peaceful mooring where you will spend a quiet night.
Monday : Carcassonne port
Visit : Mirepoix
In the morning, after a delicious French breakfast on the sun deck, our tour guide will take you to visit the medieval market town of Mirepoix with half-timbered houses around the market square. Lunch will be offered by the barge at one of the auberges to enjoy the local regional dishes on offer. In the afternoon, the barge will cruise towards the port of Carcassonne, with views to the Medieval fortified city above the town. Passing through several locks, you will have the opportunity to get on and off to bicycle or walk alongside the barge.
Dinner on board prepared with the fresh ingredients from the market.
Tuesday : Villesequelande lock.
Visit Narbonne
This morning, experience the wonderful covered market in Narbonne, with the chef to help him choose what is on the menu for dinner! Narbonne is a lively Mediterranean city playing an important role as a wine-producing center. The municipal, military and religious architecture, the river banks of the Robine and its shaded boulevards, all contribute to its charm. Enjoy lunch at a bistro just in front of the market or at one of the brasseries inside the les halles market. This afternoon's cruise will take us to the quiet of trees and fields through a series of elegant locks designed by Louis XIV's Versailles architects Mssrs. Vauband et Riquet. Another delicious dinner on board served with Pascal's choice of wines.
Wednesday Bram port
Visit: The Medieval Cite of Carcassonne
This morning it will be time to explore one of UNESCO's most prestigious world heritage sites. This ancient fortified city boasts a double ring of ramparts and 53 towers, all saved from falling into total disrepair with Violet le Duc's restoration in the 18th century, amking it today the largest Medieval fortress in Europe. Carcassonne also affords the chance to shop in boutiques lining the cobblestone streets. Step after step, your appetite will be worked up for a succulent cassoulet, the region's most famous dish of beans and duck confit prepared at the Auberge des Lices.
An afternoon cruise to relax and enjoy the views of the Pyrenees until you reach the quaint port of Bram, just below the picturesque village of the same name, a Roman outpost and the largest circulade Cathar town of Europe.
Thursday : Treboul lock
Visit: Wine tasting in Limoux
This morning, we visit the town of Limoux in the Pyrenee foothills. A thorough instruction in wine making at the cellars of Sieur d'Arques winery to learn all there is to know about putting bubbles in white wine, Cremants, Blanquettes and the most famous of all, Champagne. Limoux does claim to have invited this titillating beverage. Lunch is served back on board before an afternoon cruise with many pretty locks, some more opportunities for exercise for those who don't want to just laze on deck, watching the scenery gliding by. Dinner will be an on shore at a fun regional restaurant of Mimi and Pascal's choice.
Friday : Castelnaudary. port
Visit: The Lake of St. Ferreol
A very beautiful drive up to the lake of St. Ferreol, where an impressive museum explains the complicated engineering needed to keep the water flowing from this storage lake in the Black Mountains to both sides of the Canal du Midi, one to the Atlantic and one to the Mediterranean.
A quick stop on the way back to the barge at the open-air farmer's market in Revel, and to enjoy a coffee or aperitif in the town square.
After lunch on board, you will have a full afternoon of cruising for the final leg of your journey to Castelnaudary bassin. Mirage moorsfor the evening with a romantic view of the town for your farewell dinner on board.
Saturday
In the morning, after breakfast on the deck, you depart in the minibus to either the train station or airport for the continuation of your journey.
A unique part of this barge's cruise is the opportunity to enjoy a 35 minute flight in an extraordinary biplane with your pilot Pascal (ex French air force pilot on Mirage 2000 for 21 years). Captain Pascal will take off from the private airfield at Fanjeaux, and take you soaring above ancient ruined castles, Cathar villages, and even to view the Medieval city of Carcassonne from above. You will especially enjoy seeing the Canal du Midi winding through the Lauragais fields and Minervois vineyards. You will also be offered a souvenir of a Gopro 180° HD film of this flight. (For this itinerary, there are 4 days spent navigating on the canal. The final day of your trip will be devoted to your flying adventure, as the barge remains moored.)
For safety regulations, and according to the french aeronautical law, the maximum authorized passenger weight in the front seat of the biplane is 100 Kg.
Cruise Route: Carcassonne to Bram or Reverse
Mirage offers a three night Canal du Midi Discovery cruise from Carcassonne port to Bram port or reverse, featuring the same itinerary and visits in-between these points as the 6 night cruise, inquire for possible dates. Private charter only, for 2-6 passengers.
Carcassonne, Narbonne TGV station or Toulouse airport are the best, closest regional rendezvous points. The barge will individually plan these pick up and drop offs with each group of passengers.
Mirage's on-board chef specializes in 'cuisine de terroir'', the freshest locally sourced meats, sea food, fish, and produce are prepared using traditional methods and recipes unique to the region. The open galley allows you to sip a glass of wine or two (...or who's counting?), and pick up tips from the chef.
Quality wines, from local vintners in the Languedoc-Rousillon region, are served with meals, and are available from Mirage's fully-stocked bar on demand.
Mediterranean Menu:
Gaspacho — chilled soup with fresh summer tomatoes, crushed mint, basil leaves, and a touch of garlic
Grilled Prawns Flambés in Porto, locally grown rice
Platter of Regional Cheeses
Melting Chocolate Fondant
Southwest Menu:
Salad of Fresh Baby Greens with Foie Gras on toasted spice bread
Homemade Cassoulet — slowly oven-roasted beans, duck confit, and pork
Platter of Regional Cheeses
Pastry Baba Style, soaked in Grand Marnier
Private charter rates aboard Mirage:
2 passengers: US$13,600
3 passengers: US$15,300
4 passengers: US$17,850
5 passengers: US$21,250
6 passengers: US$23,800
Individual Cabin Rates:
St Exupéry, Concorde or Caravelle Cabins: US$4800 per person based on double occupancy. (Single Supplement: US$1,500)
Private charter rates aboard Mirage:
2 passengers: US$1150/passenger/night
3 passengers US$850/passenger/night
4 passengers: US$750/passenger/night
5 passengers: US$700/passenger/night
6 passengers: US$680/passenger/night
Add a Biplane Excursion for additional US$250 per person*
*Biplane excursions are dependent on acceptable and safe weather conditions for flying.
Pick up and Drop off:
Carcassonne, Narbonne TGV station or Toulouse airport are the best, closest regional rendezvous points. The barge will individually plan these pick up and drop offs with each group of passengers.