Size of barge: 100 ft by 16 ft
Number of Passengers: 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.

 

Athos is owned and operated by Captain & Pilot Julian Farrant and his wife, Dannielle. Julian is a hotel-barging veteran, and has been cruising on the Canal du Midi with Athos for 21 years (who’s counting!?) Dannielle began onboard in 1997, and together they bought the barge in 2005 . Under Julian’s direction, the Athos underwent a complete transformation during the winter of 2006. All of the cabins and ensuite baths were entirely renovated and rebuilt to bring them up to the fresh standard they are today. The overhaul also included changes on the outside of the barge which enhanced Athos’ best and most-used feature: her spacious top deck.

Having been involved in the Athos’ daily running for these past 2 decades, Dannielle & Julian pride themselves on presenting a refined and well-tended product. Their interest is in creating holidays that will be remembered because of the special personal care that Athos crew commits to each passenger, the beautiful and rustic countryside which surrounds Athos on the Canal du Midi, and the exclusive setting provided by the diligently cared-for Athos.

Cruise Itinerary

Standard cruise

Salleles d'Aude to Marseillan

Sunday SALLELES D'AUDE
4pm pick up at designated point in Montpellier
- you will be met by ATHOS Captain and Manager. In the comfort of ATHOS' private air- conditioned Chrysler minivans, you will be chauffeured to where the ATHOS awaits you at her moorings.
- You will be treated to a full-crew Welcome Aboard, whilst toasting with Champagne and Mediterannean canapés.
- Once you are settled into your cabin, you will be invited to a 4-course dinner, prepared by our highly acclaimed onboard Chef.

Monday Salleles d'Aude -ARGELIERS
- Enjoy your first coffee of the day sitting in a comfortable chair on the upper deck of ATHOS. While coffee is available at any time from the bar, continental-style breakfast is served, at your leisure, beginning at 8:30am.
- The proposed morning visit is a drive to the famous Medieval double-walled city of Carcassonne. Your knowledgeable on-board guide, Dannielle, will offer the historical & guided visit -- making sure that you have time to browse those shops!
- While the Captain gets ATHOS underway for an afternoon's cruise to Argeliers, Chef will serve up another local 3-course gourmet meal (perhaps including the famous duck confit stew, Cassoulet?)
- by early evening you have arrived in Argeliers, where ATHOS' mooring is beside the picturesque Argeliers bridge. There ought to be enough time for a brisk stroll into the village before Chef starts serving up her next delight!

Tuesday ARGELIERS - CAPESTANG
- breakfast
- This morning's suggested visit is a tasting at the Oulibo - the local olive oil pressoir. After tasting those organic and wholesome olives (accompagnied, bien sur by a small glass of rosé!!), a short drive up the Gorge de la Cesse and into the hilltop village of Minerve is in order. Dannielle will regale you with the harrowing tale of the Cathar siege launched at Minerve during the 13th C.
- a long lunch and an afternoon of relaxation await your return to the ATHOS.
- We arrive early evening in the charming village of Capestang. ATHOS will be moored with a clear view of the flood-lit St. Etienne cathedral. The village is a 5-minute walk -- and dinner will be waiting on your return!

Wednesday CAPESTANG - FONSERANNES
Breakfast
-Visit the 6thC establishment and archeological site at the Oppidum d'Enserune & amazing look-out and landscape of the Lac de Montady. To maintain your enthusiasm for local fare, Dannielle would like to invite you to a wine-tasting at one of the few remaining traditional- method 19th C wineries
- on returning to ATHOS, a stylish al-fresco lunch awaits you (along with more traditional, dry, fruity rosé!)
- The afternoon promises spectacular views of the Pyrenees across the sunny, clear Plain.
- This evening's mooring is the breath-taking view-point at the Fonserannes. Perhaps a little cycle ride down to the staircase locks and the Canal Bridge will work up your appetite for the Chef's creations this evening?

Thursday FONSERANNES - VILLENEUVE LES BEZIERS
Breakfast
- Why not take a side-trip to the weekly morning market in Narbonne? Even for non-shoppers, Narbonne offers much entertainment on a Thursday morning! Explore an excavated portion of the original Roman road, the Via Domitia, or, browse through the well-compiled Roman Museum, or, discover the beauty of St. Juste Cathedral, or, simply take a moment to blend into the scene: sit and relax in one of the many cafés.
- as Chef and the hostess begin serving up today's luxury meal, Captain Julian and his deck hand are busy getting ATHOS underway. This 17thC feat of engineering, the "Neuf Ecluses" (or staircase locks), is sure to impress! ATHOS crew expertly tie her up in each lock, and wait for the gates to close safely behind her before the water levels empty out and allow her to pass one locks into the next. But it's not over yet! Coming up next is the 18thC Canal Bridge which will carry the ATHOS over the Orb River.
- the evening's mooring will be at the small village of Villeneuve les Beziers. The paved tow path and the many locks leading to this village make it an ideal afternoon for walking or cycling alongside the ATHOS.
- Dinner onboard

Friday VILLENEUVE les BEZIERS - AGDE - MARSEILLAN
Breakfast
- from the shaded and scenic mooring of Villeneuve, we get underway earlier than usual to make it into the Greek-established village of Agde for before lunch.
- Discover Agde! This morning will see bustling activity in the tiny centre ville. Take the opportunity to explore the Old Town and the Romanesque Cathedral which overlooks the River Herault. Enjoy the short walk into Agde for a little exploration, or, relax on deck with a book.
- late morning, ATHOS leaves your shaded mooring at Agde, and cruises towards Marseillan
- a spectacular (and appropriate!) seafood lunch awaits you, as you enter the open-waters of the Etang de Thau. The Etang hosts Europe's largest mussel and oyster park.
- as ATHOS comes to moor in the port at Marseillan, you will notice the enclosure which makes up the Noillly Prat Vermouth distillery. End a perfect day with a fascinating tour of the Distillery -- and, of course, a taste of Noilly Prat vermouth!
- Chef's efforts are sure to make this evening worth remembering! Captain Julian will join your party for your final dinner onbard this evening. During the evening, he will also invite the crew to make a farewell toast with you.

Saturday MARSEILLAN
Breakfast
Wave goodbye to the Crew, who have looked after your every need throughout the week. The minivans will now depart to the appointed destination in Montpellier.

 

A typical menu

Entrée:
Warm Goats’ Cheese Croutons drizzled with Honey and Walnuts, served on a bed of Lambs’ Lettuce in Dijon Mustard Vinaigrette.

Plat Principal:
Fresh Mediterranean Sole in Clarified Butter & Lime Sauce, served with Citron & Lime-Infused Couscous and crispy Mange-touts.
Cheeses
Chaource
Rochebaron
Camembert
Dessert
Fondant au Chocolat with Grand Marnier and Crème Anglaise

Wines:
Château de la Colombette 2005 Sauvignon Blanc
Domaine de Gaujal 2005 AOC Picpoul de Pinet
Château Etang de Colombes Gris Rosé
Domaine de la Fraisse AOC Minervois Rosé
Borie du Maurel, Esprit d’Automne 2004 AOC Minervois Rouge
Château de la Liquiere 2002 Tradition AOC Faugeres

 

Passenger comments

 

 

 

Rates

Euros

Athos 2008 Prices Click here if you are a US resident		Euros €	Euros €
1st Class Full Board Includes all meals & drinks and full excursion program		Value Season April 1 - April 28 July 1- Aug 25 Oct 21 - Nov 3	Standard Season April 29- June 30 Aug 26 - Oct 20 blank
Charter Prices	Up to 6 passengers	18,900 €	22,500 €
	Up to 8 passengers	20,780 €	24,450 €
	Up to 10 passengers	22,580 €	26,560 €
Price per person - based on 2 sharing		2,330 €	2,850 €
		Single Person Supplement 550€	Single Person Supplement 550€

 

Dollars

 

Athos 2008 Prices Click here if you reside outside of the "US"		US$	US$
1st Class Full Board Includes all meals & drinks and full excursion program		Value Season March 29 - April 26 June 28- Aug 29 Oct 19- Nov 1	Standard Season April 27- June 27 Aug 30 - Oct 18 blank
Charter Prices	Up to 6 passengers	$ 28,900	$ 34,390
	Up to 8 passengers	$ 32,840	$ 38,500
	Up to 10 passengers	$ 35,220	$ 42,390
Price per person - based on 2 sharing		$ 3,690	$ 4,350
		Single Person Supplement $950	Single Person Supplement $950