ABOUT BARGE FANDANGO CRUISES
6-NIGHT CRUISES FOR 4-6 PASSENGERS ON THE CANAL DU MIDI
WHY GO FANDANGO?
She's gorgeous. Cozy. Colourful. And above all, Comfortable. This vintage 1930s barge has been lovingly renovated in a 'retro chic' style to keep an atmosphere of the grand ocean liners of the époque. Shining brass portholes, mahogany and teak woodwork, and period furniture recreate an authentic interior .The ensuite bathrooms are decorated with hand-fashioned Provenal tiles, beautiful linens, and wonderful beds make your cabin a restful haven. Your helpful crew are knowledgeable, entertaining and expert at their tasks.
ABOUT YOUR HOSTS
Owner-operator Hazel Young was London born, but grew up in Washington D.C. and Switzerland. She finished school in Aix en Provence where she began her romantic idea of living on a house barge. She renovated Fandango origionally as a showroom for L'Occitane, a company of Provencal natural bath and fragrance products. Deciding that cooking was her love, Hazel studied in Beaune and received her diploma from the Saint-Paul cooking school. Now twenty years of experience later, she creates her own delicious cuisine from fresh regional produce.
Adam Dworski, her partner, also has thirty years experience on the French inland waterways and is Maitre D'everything. Adam does all things mechanical to maintain Fandango regally cruising the rivers and canals of France and her passengers in the height of comfort.
FANDANGO DINING
"Terroir". It's French for regional cuisine and the Languedoc area is rich in ingredients. From fancy foie gras, tender lamb from the Pyrenees, succulent Limousin beef, to fresh Mediterranean seafood, sun ripened vegetables and fruit, and of course a wonderful variety of cheeses, from cow, ewe and goats' milk.
The chef welcomes you to the galley to share the recipes and techniques of this simple and delicious French cuisine.
WHEN AND WHERE?
Travel To and From the Barge
You will embark on your cruise Sunday at 4:00 pm. Departure time is 10:00 am Saturday. On arrival and depature, you will be transported to/from a local train station, hotel, or car rental agency. The fast track TGV train is the best way to get from major cities to the barge. TGV fast trains and regular trains service Castelnaudary and Carcassonne. You can find schedules and buy tickets online at either www.raileurope.com or www.sncf.com.
Toulouse and Montpellier have international airports. Carcassonne and Perpignan also have RyanAir/Easy Jet low cost regular flights to London. Rental cars are in all the towns.
Where to Stay Before and After Your Cruise
The French Government Tourist Office at www.franceguide.com has information on all the towns and cities in France with links to hotel websites. We can recommend the very elegant and less expensive B&B accomodation in Carcassonne, Domaine St. Louis or the Maison Coste In Toulouse. The Grand Hotel de L'Opera in Toulouse, is a beautifully converted convent and best possible location.
ITINERARY
Castelnaudary to Carcassonne on the Historic Canal du Midi
An everchanging scenery of vineyards, sunflower fields, and pretty villages are on each day's cruise route while tranquil moorings are the setting for each evening's enjoyment.
On alternate weeks the cruise will run from Carcassonne to Castelnaudary. Every week will include an open air market, wine tasting and at least one lunch on shore to taste regional cuisine. Many destinations of interest from which to choose are within the cruise area, the historical Cathar castles of Saissac and Lastours, Cistercian Abbey de Fontfroide or the very scenic Montolieu village unique for book lovers and graphic art enthusiasts. Your personal chef will prepare all of your lunches and dinners on board from fresh produce acquired locally.
Sunday Afternoon - Seuil de Naurouze
Your tour guide will meet you at your chosen rendezvous and accompany you to the barge moored at the highest point of the Canal du Midi. A lush canopy of sycamore trees creates a magical setting for your champagne welcome to meet the Captain and crew.
Monday - Cruise to Castelnaudary
Monday's outdoor market at Castelnaudary, a charming canal side town, a must for the surrounding villages. First thing after breakfast, into the minivan with the tour guide and chef to select basketfuls of fresh vegetables, fruit, cheeses, and of a course a cassoulet, the town's specialty, and why not buy an authentic French beret?
Spend the afternoon relaxing on deck watching the unspoiled countryside glide by. You'll also have the opportunity to bike or hike along the towpath as the barge negotiates eight locks. Dinner on board.
Tuesday - Cruise to Villepinte
This morning the barge cruises through fields of wheat and sunflowers as we enter the picturesque agricultural Lauragais region.
Lunch will be on board to make the most of today's spectacular views to the snowcapped Pyrenees mountains, enjoying the rhythm of descending locks and cruising along the peaceful curving tree-lined avenues.
As usual, divine aromas float on deck as the chef prepares your meals, you can venture into the galley and pick up some good tips to take home. Dinner on board.
Wednesday - Cruise to Villesquelande
Today starts with a cruise and a few locks before disembarking with your tour guide in time for a sparkling white wine tasting in Limoux. A delicious gourmet lunch in a spectacular setting awaits you inside the walls of the castle of Ducs des Joyeuses. Our final destination is Rennes le Château, a tiny hamlet on what was once the smugglers' route between France and Spain. Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code tells the story of the mysterious treasure hidden here... why is the Chapel named after Mary Magdelene? Back to the barge to ponder the mysteries while cruising to another beautiful mooring. Dinner on board
Thursday - Cruise to Carcassonne
We'll cruise into the port of Carcassonne in the morning, walk into the bustling streets of 'modern' 300 years old Carcassonne for varied and elegant shopping. In the afternoon, you'll tour the Cité of Carcassonne, the largest Medieval fortress in Europe. Visit the Château Comtal, climb along the ramparts and explore ancient cobblestone streets.
Back to the barge at the end of another great day of cruising and visiting. Dinner on board.
Friday - Cruise to Villedubert
This morning a series of attractive locks and an impressive cyprus tree lined stretch of canal add to the delight of a beautiful cruise to our mooring in the vineyards.
Your afternoon excursion takes you into the foothills of the Corbières region to visit the secluded town of Lagrasse, a storybook village built around a 10th century Benedictine Abbey. Enjoy a private wine tasting of the area's magnificent red wines.
A special delicious farewell dinner will be awaiting your return.
Saturday
After breakfast your tour guide will accompany you to your nearby train station, rental car, airport or hotel.
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