6 Night Cruise sailing from Le Somail to Marseillan aboard Anjodi.

This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change. On alternate weeks the cruise is in the reverse direction.

Sunday, Day 1 Le Somail
Embark Anjodi. Enjoy a chilled Champagne welcome with canapés and the opportunity to meet your crew, followed by time to walk around the charming village and perhaps explore its beautiful bookshop. We then enjoy a short evening cruise before dinner on board.

Monday, Day 2 Le Somail to Sallèles d’Aude
This morning, there is a fascinating tour of Carcassonne. Dating back to the Gallo Roman era, this is the most complete medieval fortified city in existence today. With its 52 watchtowers, portcullis and extraordinary repertoire of defences, it resisted the many armies that tried to storm this Camelot setting. In the afternoon, we cruise along the 330-year-old Canal du Midi and through a series of locks on the Canal de la Robine, with excellent walking and biking opportunities en route, to our mooring at Sallèles d’Aude. Dinner on board.

Tuesday, Day 3 Sallèles d’Aude to Capestang
This morning, we head to Mas d’Antonin for some truffle hunting. Follow the expert truffle dogs searching under the oak trees to find the “black gold” which we can help to dig up and then sample, having judged its appearance, colour and most important, its aroma. Also learn about the different olives of the region and taste the oils that they produce. After lunch on board, we cruise to Capestang, passing vineyards and pine trees, with magnificent views of the Pyrenées along the way. There is time to explore the village, once the summer retreat of the Bishops of Narbonne, with its magnificent 14th century collegiate church before dinner on board.

Wednesday, Day 4 Capestang to Fonserannes
This morning we visit Narbonne, a Roman Mediterranean capital where the Visigoth monarchs once lived. We tour the Archbishop’s Palace, Cathedral and Via Domitia and explore the indoor market at the hub of this bustling town, where you will have time to shop or simply absorb the vibrant atmosphere. this bustling town, where you will have time to shop or simply absorb the vibrant atmosphere. We return to the hotel barge for a cruise via the world’s oldest canal tunnel at Malpas, perhaps pausing en route at the Poilhes brewery for a tour and tasting, then on to our mooring at Fonserannes. There may also be time to view the star-shaped fields and the 13th century irrigation channels of Montady from L’Oppidum d’Enserune. Dinner ashore tonight at a gastronomic restaurant in Beziers.

Thursday, Day 5 Fonserannes to Portiragnes
After breakfast, we descend through the unique flight of 7 oval locks, before crossing the aqueduct over the River Orb to moor in Portiragnes where the Canal du Midi is at its closest to the Mediterranean. For those who are feeling active, the beach is only 20 minutes away by bicycle. This afternoon, we enjoy an informative winery tour and tasting at the Château Pech-Celeyran, their diverse 145 hectare plot includes 38 hectares of scrubland and pine forests and has been owned by the Saint-Exupéry family for five generations. producing an exceptional array of diverse wines. Dinner on board.

Friday, Day 6 Portiragnes to Marseillan
This morning, Anjodi sets off through the famous round lock and then the nature reserve of Bagnas, with potential sightings of flamingos, white egrets and other migrating birds before heading out onto the inland saltwater lake of Thau, past the oyster beds. After mooring in the fishing village of Marseillan, home of Noilly Prat vermouth, we take an excursion to Pezenas, the delightful 16th century capital of the Languedoc mostly known for its associations with the French playwright Molière. On the way back to the barge, there is the option to visit a local oyster farm to sample its delicious produce with a glass of white wine while enjoying a view of the oyster beds. Captain’s Farewell Dinner on board.

Saturday, Day 7 Marseillan
After breakfast, guests disembark.

Anjodi is very much a hotel barge of the classic Dutch design and also the founding member of our fleet, embarking on her first cruises along the historic Canal du Midi 35 years ago.

Her beautiful interior makes the most of traditional materials such as African hardwoods and shining brass to create a warm onboard feel, reminiscent of a classic yacht.

The charming saloon is particularly welcoming, with its combination of richly coloured wooden flooring, elegant French dining furniture and comfortable banquette seating, as well as a fully stocked bar.

The four compact, cleverly-designed cabins, featuring hardwood panelling and brass Portholes, offer a choice of twin or double bedded accommodation, each with en suite facilities.

The spacious sundeck is shaded by an adjustable canopy and there are comfortable sun loungers and a spa pool to soak in with a glass of chilled white wine.

Anjodi is a very well-known hotel barge having achieved “film star” status some years ago following her many appearances in the television series Rick Stein’s French Odyssey, when she carried the eponymous chef on a voyage of culinary discovery through Southern France. Why not follow in his footsteps with a cruise along the Canal du Midi, a 330-year-old canal with UNESCO World Heritage status.

We have been involved in all aspects of the hotel barge and travel industry for over 35 years including designing, building, owning and operating our fleet of luxury hotel barges. We have gradually refined our barge cruise holidays into unique travel experiences, which are just waiting to be discovered.

Our fully crewed, all inclusive luxury hotel barges cruise the inland waterways of nine European countries, along canals, rivers, lakes, lagoons and lochs, giving you the opportunity to experience life there from a truly unique perspective.

Our hotel barges are ideal for people looking for either an individual cruise with other like-minded people, or for those choosing a whole barge charter for a family or group of friends.

On your all-inclusive cruise, your ‘floating boutique hotel’ glides gently along while you relax and enjoy gourmet cuisine, fine wines and the company of fellow passengers. There will be guided tours to castles, chateaux, vineyards, markets and when you return to the barge, you can be sure our dedicated, professional crew will be there to look after you once more.