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Length
6 Days
Ship category
Premium
Ship type
Small Ships
Capacity
10 Passengers
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What we particularly appreciate about Athos is its intimate scale and very French sense of place. Rather than trying to impress with size, it offers a calm, private atmosphere that suits travelers who value comfort, good food, and unhurried discovery. Athos cruises the Canal du Midi in southern France, a UNESCO-listed waterway known for plane trees, lock systems, vineyard landscapes, and small historic towns.
This is not a physically demanding journey, but it does reward gentle mobility and curiosity. Days are typically shaped by short excursions, scenic cruising, and time on deck, while the … Read more about Athos
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Bar
Observation Deck
Expedition Binoculars
Heater
Visiting
Observation Lounge
All meals
Beer+wine with dinner
Air conditioning & private bathroom
Water, Coffee, Tea & fresh juices
Library
English guides
Internet/Wifi
Sundeck with jacuzzi
Dining is one of the strongest reasons to choose Athos. The experience is in keeping with the south of France: refined, regional, and unhurried. We expect menus that reflect the local culinary character of the Canal du Midi region, with wine and food playing an important role in the journey. For many guests, this ship is as much about the table as it is about the route.
When booking online, you can choose the option to "Upgrade to single occupancy". This will guarantee you the whole cabin to yourself, for an additional fee. If you don't select this option, then another traveler of the same sex might be placed into the same cabin with you. Exceptions may apply.
Comfortable accommodation in air-conditioned, ensuite staterooms or suites
Gourmet meals prepared by the on-board chef, complemented with fine wines
An open bar consisting of premium spirits, fine wines, and non-alcoholic beverages
Private and often exclusive daily excursions to handpicked hidden gems
Comfortable private air-conditioned transfers throughout your cruise
Complimentary bicycle use, and on most barges a spa pool on the sun deck
Personalised, but unobtrusive, service from an experienced crew – Captain, Chef, Tour Guide, and Hosts
Service charge is not included in the cruise fare. Tipping is entirely discretionary but is greatly appreciated by the crew if you would like to acknowledge recognition for the standard of service provided. As a guideline, the recommended industry standard is between 5 and 10% of the cruise fare if you are fully satisfied with the service you have received. If you have any questions on the above, please speak to the Captain.
You are welcome to walk or cycle using the on board bicycles as often as you wish.
Strict non-smoking policy for safety reasons and for the comfort of your fellow passengers.
We recommend you bring sufficient clean clothing for your cruise as there are no laundry facilities on board.
The spacious sundeck has a large, adjustable canopy to offer shade during a long, lazy lunch.
There is a 6–8-person Spa pool (hot tub) which measures at 2.31 x 2.31m.
The approximate transfer duration between Beziers & Athos is 30 minutes.
Long-haul flights and the on-the-ground program generate 2.1 t CO₂e on this trip. Rivertours regularly measures and monitors the carbon footprint of its journeys and actively reduces emissions through sustainable travel design: no unnecessary flights, fewer feeder flights, integration of rail and public transport, and promoting longer stays for a more balanced relationship between travel distance and impact.
From 2018 to 2024, we supported carbon reduction projects equivalent to the emissions generated. Recognizing the limits of traditional offsetting, we now focus on active environmental protection through our own rainforest project, Forest Guardians.
More information on our climate and environmental responsibility: https://www.venturatravel.org/impact
Price
Upon Request
Carcassonne’s medieval citadel
Narbonne’s Roman and market heritage
Minerve’s dramatic hilltop setting
Pézenas’ elegant old town and artisan streets
Best Price Guarantee: Find a better price elsewhere, and we’ll match it.
River Cruise Specialists: We focus exclusively on river expeditions, with recommendations grounded in first-hand expertise.
Travel that gives back: Every booking directly supports rainforest conservation project.
This is a culturally rich cruise through one of southern France’s most evocative waterways. The itinerary focuses on historic towns, hilltop villages, and some of the Canal du Midi’s best-known landmarks, including Carcassonne, Narbonne, Minerve, Pézenas, Béziers, and Marseillan. It is a particularly rewarding journey for travelers who value heritage, local character, and a slow, elegant pace rather than a highly active itinerary.
The trip is best suited to guests comfortable with light walking and occasional steps, as Athos is a small barge and not generally suitable for travelers with significant mobility issues. For non-active travelers, the appeal lies in the scenery, the historic visits, and the pleasure of cruising through southern France in a very intimate setting. In summer, temperatures in the region are often warm, with June to August reaching the mid-30s °C / mid-90s °F.
Keep in mind this is an expedition cruise, so your itinerary will depend greatly on the weather, amount of ice and wildlife breeding behavior.
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Guests are met in Béziers and transferred by private chauffeured minibus to Athos where a warm welcome with champagne and Mediterranean canapés awaits.
Once you are settled into your cabin, you will be invited to your first 4-course dinner on board, prepared by the highly skilled chef.
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Enjoy breakfast in a comfortable chair on the upper deck of the hotel barge, before we drive to the famous medieval double-walled city of Carcassonne. Your knowledgeable guide will provide a full tour of this historical place and ensure that you also have time to explore at your leisure.
Return to the barge for a gourmet lunch (perhaps including the famous duck confit stew, cassoulet) and an afternoon’s cruise to La Croisade, with plenty of opportunity to walk or bicycle along the towpath. Dinner on board.
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After breakfast, we enjoy a tasting at L’Oulibo, a cooperative olive oil press.
After tasting those organic and wholesome olives accompanied by a glass of rosé, we take a short drive up the Gorge de la Cesse and into the hilltop village of Minerve. Your guide will regale you with the harrowing tale of the Cathar siege launched at Minerve during the 13th century.
Relax after lunch on board, whilst we cruise to Capestang, or you can enjoy a wine tasting at a local château, such as Château Cabezac.
Return to the hotel barge for dinner on board and admire the floodlit Collegiale St. Etienne.
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After breakfast, we take a trip to the weekly morning market in Narbonne. Even for non-shoppers, Narbonne offers much entertainment. Explore an excavated portion of the original Roman road, the Via Domitia, browse through the Roman Museum, discover the beauty of St. Juste Cathedral, tour the Archbishop’s Palace, or simply relax at one of the many cafés.
After lunch in the atmospheric market, we return to Athos and cruise to Fonserannes via the famed Malpas Tunnel.
From our mooring tonight you will have a glorious view of the town of Béziers and the Cathedral St. Nazaire. Dinner on board.
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This morning we drive to the old market town of Pézenas, which was the first seat of the Languedoc court. The architecture is unique within this region because of the ‘Hotels Particuliers’ or mansions belonging to the noble families who followed the Court. It is filled with artisanal shops including painters, hat makers, and costume designers. Once again, your guide makes sure that there is time to browse, as well as learning about the history.
After lunch on board, we begin our negotiation of a 17th century feat of engineering, the Fonserannes Staircase Locks. Then we traverse the 19th century aqueduct over the River Orb. The paved towpath and the many locks leading to our mooring make it an ideal afternoon for walking or bicycling alongside the barge.
Dinner on board.
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This morning we cruise through the Petite Camargue, passing pink flamingos, bee-eaters and Europe’s largest mussel and oyster beds, as well as the unique ’round lock’ at Agde.
After lunch in Marseillan we end a perfect day with a fascinating tour of the Noilly Prat distillery and, if you choose, a tasting before the Captain’s Farewell Dinner on board.
After breakfast, guests are transferred by private chauffeured minibus to their choice of location in Béziers.