BELMOND ALOUETTE OFFERS

Members of the Club (free to join) benefit from:

- Luxury RiverBoat and Luxury Train Club Members receive a 2.5% discount.

- Free First Class Train transfers to/from Paris.

- Bellini Benefits when booking Hirondelle or any Belmond iconic hotel, train or Afloat in France river cruise.

- On-board credit per person for Afloat in France bookings - USD 100 pp (EUR 84 / ~GBP 70).

- An exclusive USD 500 (EUR 421) gift voucher valid for a future Belmond experience presented with the Luxury Train Club's compliments to Members who spend over USD 5,000 (EUR 4,210) in a single Belmond booking.

Please get in touch to learn more about the Club. Join Luxury RiverBoat Club now; no charge, just benefits.

Alouette - Canal du Midi

This is a delightful riverboat, for only 2 to 4 passengers, cruising the calm Canal du Midi. Bicycles are available and free return transfers from Paris.

About Belmond Alouette

Capacity: 2 - 4 persons

Length: 100ft/30.48m Width: 15.58ft/4.75m Crew: 4

Two cabin staterooms with private bathrooms - shower, toilet, wash basin.

Lounge saloon and dining area, plus sun deck with loungers and dining, affording all round viewing.

Belmond Alouette is available for private charter only.

Belmond Afloat in France Map

Accommodation

Two beautifully furnished cabins accommodate up to four guests in intimate style. Both Alouette cabins have double or twin beds and en-suite showers.

Soak up the views on the sun deck with a 360˚ view, sun loungers, table and parasol.

Large picture windows in the lounge offer spectacular views of passing scenery.

Enjoy delicious cuisine prepared by your Cordon Bleu chef using the freshest ingredients.

ITINERARIES 2025

Dates and Prices 2025

Please ask for 2025 prices & dates

Béziers to Carcassonne

Explore Europe’s largest fortress, lively local markets and atmospheric abbeys.

7 Days / 6 Nights.

Explore Europe’s largest fortress, lively local markets and atmospheric abbeys from your private luxury riverboat Belmond Alouette. All excursions and visits off the Belmond Alouette can be customised according to guest interests. Discussions with the Chef regarding menus

Day One. Béziers. A champagne reception welcomes you on board and gives you a chance to meet the crew and your guide for the trip. Time permitting, enjoy your first cruise to the pretty village of Colombières. The evening brings your first fabulous dining experience on board, with a dinner prepared by our chef showcasing the region's finest seasonal ingredients.

Day Two. Cruise to Capestang. Visit to Pezenas Town. A morning cruise along the beautiful Canal du Midi to Capestang provides an opportunity to talk recipes with Alouette’s chef in the kitchen. Quiche Lorraine and a country style terrine are just some of the many options for today’s lunch on board. After lunch, disembark in Pezenas with your guide for a guided tour of this 15th century town. This evening, dinner is served on board.

Day Three. Cruise to Le Somail. Visit Abbaye de Fontfroide. Glide through the beauty of the Canal du Midi with its fine locks, buildings and aqueducts that are scarcely changed since their construction over 300 years ago. In the kitchen the chef will be happy to discuss today’s lunchtime recipes with a focus on seasonal salads, dressings and sauces. Visit l'Abbaye de Fontfroide, a Cistercian monastery founded in the 11th century. Now privately owned, the abbey has been lovingly restored with a well-kept garden and peaceful cloister. Dinner on board.

Day Four. Visit Narbonne for Market Day. Cruise to Homps. This morning, visit the wonderful covered market in Narbonne, accompanied by your private chef to help choose ingredients for this evening’s dinner menu. Narbonne is a lively Mediterranean city and an important wine-producing centre. The historic architecture, shady boulevards and location on the banks of the River Robine all contribute to its charm. Luncheon at a local bistro close to the market before returning to the barge. Cruise to Homps, this evening’s mooring location.

Day Five. Cooking class Millepetit. Cruise to Trebes. Today is onshore cooking day! After breakfast your guide will take you to the charming canal side hamlet of Millepetit where you will meet Heather and David Hayes who have been running highly rated cooking courses using local farm produce and wines for many years. Sample the results as you relax and enjoy lunch canal side before returning to Belmond Alouette. Cruise towards Trebes where we will moor for the evening for dinner.

Day Six. Cruise to Carcassonne. Visit Carcassonne. A morning cruise with stunning views as we head towards the Pyrenees. After lunch there is a tour of Europe's fabulous largest medieval fortress, Carcassonne. Explore the intricate fortifications of the two castellated walls, one inside the other, about a mile in circumference. Visit the cathedral, remarkable for its stained-glass rose windows, elegant Romanesque nave and Gothic transepts. Back on board, the chef prepares your farewell gala dinner.

Day Seven. Carcassonne. After breakfast the crew bids you farewell before you disembark for your onward travel arrangements.

Please note: This itinerary is subject to availability and is for guidance only, a confirmed schedule will be supplied with your travel documents. Prices are based on minimum occupancy, please be advised that supplements may apply.

Carcassonne to Béziers

Tour ruined castles and restored monasteries, enjoy exquisite wine tastings.

7 Days / 6 Nights.

Day 1. Step aboard and get to know your crew and guide over a champagne reception before your journey begins. Later, feast on the region's seasonal dishes, paired with fine wines.

Day 2. Explore Carcassonne, Europe's largest medieval fortress. See stunning views of the Pyrenees from the battements and castellated walls. Visit the cathedral with its remarkable stained glass, Romanesque nave and Gothic transepts. Then return to the barge for an afternoon cruise to Trèbes on the beautiful Canal du Midi.

Day 3. Spend the morning relaxing on deck, or walk or cycle along the towpath. After lunch, visit Minerve, an ancient village set on a cliff overlooking vineyards. Discover the historic ruined castle, once captured by Simon de Montfort. After, stop off at Peyriac-Minervois for a wine tasting. Dinner is served on board, while the barge is moored at pretty village of Trèbes.

Day 4. Visit the colourful morning market in Narbonne and help choose ingredients for dinner. Enjoy the city’s fine architecture, shaded boulevards and riverside location. Have lunch at a wonderful bistro next to the market before cruising to Le Somail.

Day 5. Discover l'Abbaye de Fontfroide, an 11th-century Cistercian monastery. The abbey has been lovingly restored with a peaceful garden and cloister. On the way back stop at Château Auris for a wine tasting. Lunch is followed by a cruise to Capestang, admiring the beautiful Canal du Midi along the way.

Day 6. Cruise to Béziers then visit Oppidum d'Ensérune, an important pre-Roman hilltop settlement. Enjoy views down to Montady pond, a spectacular 13th-century sunburst-shaped ditch. Stop at a local wine producer for a tasting. Then return to the barge for lunch, before spending the afternoon watching the beauty of the Canal du Midi slip by. Once evening falls, enjoy a delicious farewell gala dinner on board.

Day 7. Have breakfast before the crew bids you farewell and you disembark for your onward travel arrangements.

Please note: This itinerary is subject to availability and is for guidance only, a confirmed schedule will be supplied with your travel documents. Prices are based on minimum occupancy, please be advised that supplements may apply.

Dates and Prices 2025

Please ask for 2025 prices & dates

Booking & Reservations Les Bateaux Belmond

All prices are at publicly-quoted rates. We will be happy to answer any questions and make the booking for you - contact us in the UK info@luxuryriverboatclub.com

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