If visiting the south of France is in your future, put an Athos Canal du Midi Cruise at the top of your “bucket” list.
Kid you not. My Canal du Midi cruise on the luxury hotel barge Athos is fast becoming one of my most memorable experiences in France. Where else could you go on private tours of quaint and romantic French towns and villages; eat the most authentic and delicious French cuisine, including wines and cheeses selected just for you; cruise on a historic winding canal; experience wildlife within reach, and be waited on hand and foot?
Canal du Midi Cruise
For a full week I was a guest on the Athos du Midi which is owned and managed by Dannielle and Julian Farrant. The Athos is their “Love Boat.” Dannielle — a Canadian, and Julian — a Brit, met and married while working aboard the canal barge over twenty years ago.
While Dannielle and Julian are busy taking care of business on shore these days, they leave the five-person crew of the Athos to wine, dine and attend to passengers onboard the 100-foot barge (30.48 meters). The Athos is one of the largest barges on the canal.
Port of Origin: Marseillan
Marseillan is the port of departure for most of the week-long cruises. By lucky coincidence we were in Marseillan for the celebration of the reopening of the port. As crowds gathered around the harbor, the town was lively with music when we arrived. By dark there was a spectacular fireworks just feet away from us. Quite a welcome for our first day on Athos Canal Midi cruise!
Guests aboard the Athos were Heidi and Tim from New Zealand; and Canadians from Victoria: Michelle and Dave. Ten passengers on the Athos are the norm, so right away, we knew our holiday with only five was going to be very special. We were going to be pampered.
Aboard the Athos Canal du Midi Luxury Barge
Arriving in Beziers by car, I was driven to the port by Mathieu, our tour guide. Other passengers stayed overnight in Beziers and met us at the Athos. The crew welcomed guests with what was to become a standard: friendly, gracious service and lots of attention.
Onboard the Athos the crew met the five passengers with champagne and canapés
Dinner is served!
Yes! There’s more … more canal cruise adventures and food! Stay tuned …
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Categories: Around France, Blog, Languedoc, Loving Food, Marseillan, UNESCO Site
Love following you on this. I just might have to try it. Can you give me idea of cost?
I can’t recommend the cruise enough. I’m even enjoying it while I’m putting together photos for the posts. It’s a once in a lifetime experience. For the cost, check out the website https://www.athosdumidi.com
Hi Deb, when you first wrote about your Athos Canal experience last year, I thought I would love such an experience for myself!! I immediately began to dream…… maybe I’ll get to do that one day ……..
I look forward to your next instalment! 👏👏
Rhonda H
I can’t think of anything you’d enjoy more than the Athos tour. It is so much more that a canal ride! I’ll be writing more about my visits to Carcassonne and Minerve with them. Glad you’re enjoying finding out more about this region.
What a fabulous experience!
It was! Can’t wait to tell you more.
Now that looks FABULOUS!
Yes! You should go!
The best holiday to really relax and dream. Thank you for posting this.
Wasn’t it fun?!! And one of the best parts was meeting you and Tim. Hope to see you again.