Athos Docked

When most people think of the South of France, the imagine that they conjure up is the Mediterranean Sea with its white sand beaches, mussels simmered in wine served in buckets along its shore, and of course who could forget the Canal du Midi running throughout France, lined with Plane trees and walking paths.  

There are many company’s running barge holidays up and down the waters of the canal, but not many as well as Athos du Midi. With a gourmet menu, hands on service, and a custom planned itinerary; the staff on Athos is there to accommodate your every need.
If you want to relax on the deck with a book and a glass of wine, while cruising down the waters to the next village, or ride along side on a bike or walk into the next scheduled docking port, Athos holidays are a perfect fit. A great way to see south France and the historical and natural sites the Languedoc is famous for.
The food, prepared by the chef, is fresh from the local markets, and changes during the season assuring a wide variety of the best ingredients that France has to offer.
Nothing has been overlooked for your stay, from first arrival- being greeted with canapés and champagne, to laying your head on Egyptian cotton at the end of your night, Athos has taken care of every aspect for you. Below is a sample of their menu, the exquisite flavours of France.

Menu 1 Local spring asparagus flash-grilled in clarified butter, cracked black pepper, fleur de sel and lemon zest, served with oven-warmed olive bread.

Magret de canard with an orange and ginger reduction, creamy celeriac puree and julienned vegetables of carrots, leeks and florets of broccoli 3 fromages: Ecu de Combebelle, Bresse Bleu, Brie de Meaux dressed with walnuts and baby mesclun greens Carpaccio of lightly-steeped pineapple infused with vanilla and citrus syrup, served with an orange tuile biscuit and lemon sorbet Wine: Etang de Colombes, Blanc AOC Corbieres Borie du Maurel, Esprit d’Automne AOC Minervois.
The staff also includes 2 hostesses, and a tour guide to take you to the sites.
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A luxury cruise on hotel barge Athos includes:  6 nights, 5 full days with both canal cruising and shore excursions Itinerary Gourmet Food,spirits, drinks and Canapes wines Continental Breakfast and gourmet 3-4 course lunches and dinners each day Guided onshore visits to wines Guided onshore visits to CarcassonneNarbonne covered food market, Pezenas, the hill-top town of Minerve, and the Noilly Prat vermouth distillery at Marseillan Transfers to and from the Montpellier meeting point: 4pm on the Sunday of your arrival and 10:00am Saturday return.
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Dannielle and Julian Farrant, the owners of Athos, were introduced back in February in the post Meet the People Behind Athos Luxury Vacations.
Dannielle and I sing together in Capestang International Choir, and today I was lucky enough to catch a lift with her to Marseillan where we sang in the beautiful church. Athos was parked at their Etang Port in the same town and we were invited onboard for a glass of Rose.
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In good company, Dannielle’s parents and Juliet from choir were also there to enjoy the fine light only the south has to offer. Literally I could not take a bad picture if I tried. The sun was slowly going down behind the overcast sky after 20:00 that warmed up the shots, with no enhancements needed. A rare opportunity for a photographer, I realize why artists come to southern France for the light. It is simply perfect.
Enjoy the photos, and if you add Canal du Midi to your bucket list be sure to book with Athos Luxury Barge.