Art Cruises on European Waterways (Luxury Hotel Barge Cruises)

About this Cruise

If you have a passion for art and painting our hotel barge Athos, offers a wonderful art cruises from the fishing port of Marseillan to Argeliers. Whether you are an accomplished painter or a beginner, the beautiful scenery in Southern France is the perfect setting.

Painting opportunities are plentiful and include the sparkling water of the Etang, the four bridges of Beziers and the panoramic view over the Collegiale.

Further highlights of our cruise include a visit to the Roman town of Narbonne with its morning market, the historical town of Pezenas filled with artisan shops, visit to the olive press and also the medieval city of Carcassonne.

Athos was originally built as a commercial sand, grain and wine barge and converted into a luxury hotel barge in 1982. Her association with wine continues today as she gracefully meanders along the Canal du Midi, through the Languedoc-Roussillon region of France.

Her intimate saloon is the perfect place to relax on a comfortable sofa with a good book, or to sip an aperitif before enjoying another gourmet meal at the elegant dining table. The barge is air-conditioned throughout and the five bright staterooms, each with a modern en suite shower room, offer all modern comforts and can be in either twin or queen-size double bed configuration.

Outside, her spacious sundeck has a large, adjustable canopy to offer shade during a long, lazy lunch. There are comfortable hardwood deckchairs in which to relax and admire the slowly-passing Midi countryside and, of course, bicycles for the more energetic to venture along the towpath to the next lock or two.

Athos is one of the most traditional hotel barges cruising the Canal du Midi and her welcoming onboard ambience will make your gentle voyage through the Languedoc landscape truly memorable.
Cruise Highlights

Tour of the medieval city of Carcassonne
Private tour and tasting at a Minervois winery
Organic Olive Tasting at L’Oulibo
Cruise through the natural haven that is the “Petit Camargue”
Tour and tasting at the Noilly Prat vermouth distillery
Excellent towpath for walking and cycling

*Art cruises are charter only.