We will use our unique
in-depth experience
to find you your
perfect barge cruise
+1 405 445 0350 
+61 3 9005 8569 
+44 7590 287 178 
Summary
A rare treat just for two, luxury canal barge Amour is a private floating haven for leisurely and luxurious cruising in France.
Once a freight-carrying vessel she’s now beautifully converted to offer the ultimate in luxury cruising, plying the delightful Canal du Midi in southern France.
Nestled beneath shady trees, her shining woodwork and gleaming brass portholes steal the scene. Step aboard the marquised aft deck and you’re immersed in the ambience of a luxury motor yacht, its awning and snug settle providing a private area to relax and take in the sunny views.
Within, polished mahogany and Starbay furniture, Les Toiles du Soleil and Villa Nova fabrics feature throughout, blending with mellow creamy hues. Roof lights and sparkling mirrors capture the Mediterranean sunlight; blue skies and sunflower fields enchant the eye, and delectable cuisine and fine wines tempt and refresh the palette. To cruise with Amour is to live the legend of romantic travel.
Owner Adrien Bramoullé is one of the most creative operators on the Canal du Midi, and with Amour he has understood the need for truly private, scenic and luxurious getaways. He delivers extraordinarily high levels of quality and professionalism for his guests aboard this French barge.
Key Features
- Grand Luxe class (5*)
- Canal du Midi, southern France
- Charter for two guests, 6 nights, 7 days, April to October
- 1 double-bedded suite within a private apartment of 110sq feet
- If required, two further guests with the same party can join, sleeping on the convertible sofa within the apartment.
- Full board with private chef
- Sun decks fore and aft
The Classic Cruise — Amour
Classic Cruise Itinerary
| Route | Between Carcassonne and Capestang, Canal du Midi |
| Pick-up | Carcassonne or Narbonne, 4pm |
| Dining | All inclusive | 6 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 5 dinners on board. 1 lunch and 1 dinner at local restaurants |
Classic Cruise Highlights
- Visit pretty hilltop villages for market day; meet the local artisans and producers
- Excursion to Narbonne, the ancient regional capital, with perfumery tour
- On-board musicians while you dine
- Discover Carcassonne’s fairy-tale medieval castle, the largest in Europe
- Luxury spa-experience and dinner at Carcassonne
- Visit Château de Pennautier for a wine-tasting, perhaps drive a classic French 2-CV
Private and exclusive
For honeymoon couples and anniversaries Amour offers the dream venue: a richly furnished opulent stateroom with time-honoured classically romantic decor.
Glide through the perfumed countryside in total privacy and dine on dreamy haute-cuisine and Grand Cru wines.
For the top executive Amour is the ideal get-away to seriously de-stress. Leave the phone and the decision-making back in the office and simply float away.
Please enquire.
Day 1 — Saturday
Arrival at Capestang
Your cruise actually starts at pick-up with a privately-chauffeured journey to Amour. A champagne reception welcomes you aboard and after you’ve settled in you’ll set off on your first short voyage to the evening’s blissful countryside mooring at La Croisade before your first delicious dinner on board.
Day 2 — Sunday
Cruise to Ventenac | Excursion to Minerve and Minervois vineyard
Discover Minerve, considered one of the prettiest villages in France, perched on a heart-shaped rocky spur. This village is also one of the emblematic sites of the Cathars and was besieged by Simon de Montfort during the Albigensian crusade. The surrounding Minervois wines have been appreciated since Roman times.
Enjoy a leisurely afternoon cruise through the Canal’s unique ovoid-shaped locks, over aqueducts and under low stone bridges to the night’s countryside mooring.
Day 3 — Monday
Cruise to Homps | Excursion to Fontfroide Abbey
Delve into France’s historic past today as we discover the ancient Abbey at Fontfroide,
nestling in the foothills of the Corbières, a former Cistercian monastery and a treasure from the Middle Ages. Wander through the cool stone cloisters and the formal gardens in this haven of history.
Your cruise today meanders through delightful countryside towards the charming town of Homps.
Day 4 — Tuesday
Cruise to Aiguille | Excursion to Narbonne | Lunch in a local restaurant
A morning visit to historic Narbonne, the regional capital, to discover the Via Domitia and Saint Just Cathedral, and take an exclusive private tour of a French perfumery.
Join chef in the renowned market to choose the fresh ingredients for dinner followed by lunch at a local restaurant. We cruise to the outskirts of Carcassonne later, towards the palm-tree lined lock of Villedubert, where local musicians will entertain you over dinner on board.
Day 5 — Wednesday
Cruise to Villedubert | Excursion to Château de Pennautier with wine tasting
After breakfast on board, today offers a fascinating visit to the Château de Pennautier. Dating from 1620 the château is set in French style gardens amidst the vineyards of the Lorgeril family. Fans of wine appreciation with adore a delicious private wine tasting hosted in the domain.
Today is an ideal opportunity to experience a 2CV outing. Take to the country roads and explore Languedoc at the wheel of France’s most iconic, best loved car – the Citroen 2CV.
Day 6 — Thursday
Cruise to Carcassonne | Excursion to the Cite de Carcassonne and a luxury Spa
Breakfast will be served whilst your hotel barge cruises slowly towards the port of Carcassonne. The fortified city of Carcassonne is not to be missed; ascend the ramparts, discover the central medieval town, its fort and cathedral. Or, simply pamper yourselves at a superb spa for complete relaxation.
At the end of a perfect day, toast your week with an evening of fine dining at a top local restaurant.
Day 7 — Friday
Departure from Carcassonne
After breakfast, transfer to your departure point around 10am (train station, hotel or airport).
Please note: this itinerary is a sample only – please discuss alternatives with your captain. On alternate weeks the cruise runs in the reverse direction.
“Jane and I had a great time. The Amour was what we were looking for, preferring each other’s company to time on a barge with other couples, no matter how friendly they and we might be on land. Adrien was a knowledgeable pilot, Elizabeth provided good support and Sondra was a superb chef. I have already told a half dozen friends with the resources to book a week on the Amour why they should do so.”
NP, USA October 2022
“Andrea and Sandra were amazing hosts and cook. Making sure we were well looked after and catered for. We couldn’t have asked for more from them. They were both professional but friendly and made us feel that the boat was our home…
We would recommend this trip and the crew any time.”
LE, UK, 2022
“We’re over the moon with this cruise. We never expected to have something so beautiful, so perfectly arranged with which to celebrate our 50 years together. Thank you, Adrien, for a wonderful wonderful 2nd honeymoon.“
SP, Australia, 2020
Accommodations and Facilities
- Dimensions: 80ft x 15ft
- Private guest quarters, cabin and bathroom – 110 sq ft
– bed and bedding - Ample superior wardrobe and drawer space
- Full length mirror
– bathrobes and slippers
– shaving point
– hair dryer
– superior toiletries provided by Graine de Pastel
Automatic heating and air conditioning is provided throughout, and there is individually controlled heating and air conditioning for the stateroom and bathroom.
Two opening portholes in the sleeping quarters
Four opening windows in the saloon
All windows have fly-screens
Professional crew – captain, matelot and private chef. All speak fluent English as well as other languages
Other items on board:
- HiFi system with iPod and TV/DVD player
- Cards, carefully selected books, DVDs.
- WIFI (sometimes limited connection along the route)
- USB chargers
- Musicians for one evening, 2CV drive to Chateau Pennautier
- Air-conditioned luxury vehicle for excursions and transfers
- 2 electric bikes – standard size helmets and maps available.
- In the interests of conservation, Amour’s guests are provided with a fresh glass bottle which can be re-filled from Amour’s own on-board system delivering purified and cooled water at any time – still or sparkling!
Facilities At A Glance
Fine Wines — Fine Dining
Only fresh ingredients from local producers are used in chef Valerie’s dishes, purchased daily from the markets of Narbonne, Carcassonne and Mirepoix, as well as:
– Boucherie Bareil, Beef, Lamb and Porc www.bareil.com
– Ferme de Las Cases, Porc and Charcuterie www.lascases.fr
– Boucherie Cargoles Emmanuel : Beef, Lamb, Pork
– Poissonnerie Moderne, Fishmonger www.poissonnerie-moderne-trebes.fr
– Ferme de Cabriole,cheese www.ferme-de-cabriole.com
– Les Jardins de Riquet, Fruits and Vegetables
– Artisan Boulangeries : Artisan bakery in local villages
– Damman Frères Carcassonne, Tea www.dammann.fr
Wines are permanently sourced from regional vineyards and oenologues so as to offer exceptional products from this wine producing region: Minervois, Corbières, Saint Chinian, Cabardès, Fitou and other local domaines.
Vivien Hemelsdael is one such producer. Born into a wine-growing family, he took over the family estate and introduced several new grape varieties to create seven new and exceptional IGP* wines, all without chemical fertilizers, weed-killers or sprays.
“I am passionate about my wines”, says Vivien. “I do not do this to make my fortune but to create wines that are organically grown and bring pleasure and enjoyable dining for everyone. I believe this is the future.”
Labelled ‘Le Clos des Jarres’ and exported around the world, the finest of his wines is EnVie, a rich and fruity red – lively, smooth and clean-tasting with blackcurrant tones.
Wines and champagnes from other regions are also stocked on board Amour and at least two wine tastings can be organized in prestigious vineyards allowing you to meet the wine maker, visit their domains and discover their acclaimed creations, for example:
- Château Massamier Lamignarde www.massamier-la-mignarde.com
- Château Pennautier www.lorgeril.com
- Domaine Gayda www.domainegayda.com
*IGP is the new European term meaning ‘indication geographique protegee,’ introduced in 2009 to be used alongside or instead of Vin de Pays on labels. Pays IGP undoubtedly offers the best value wines in France.
Photo Gallery
Luxury barge Amour cruises on the Canal du Midi
– [below] In the region: Minervois, Minerve, Canal du Midi, Beziers, Narbonne, Carcassonne –
Minerve ©Ian Cameron | Others ©FW, wikimedia, n/a
Classic cruise rates and dates
All rates and prices will be confirmed at time of booking. Special Offers are available from time to time – contact us
What’s included
6 nights accommodation
Return transfers from the pick up
All meals and drinks on board
Excursion guide, fees and associated transport
What’s not included
Travel to the pick-up
Travel, medical and cancellation insurance
Crew gratuities (5–10% suggested)
Personal expenses
2023
Charter only
Saturday to Friday
Rates and dates
Low Season
April 1, 8, 15, 22
July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
August 5, 12, 19, 26
2 guest charter: 20,500 USD / 20,000 EUR
Peak Season
May 6, 13, 20, 27
June 3, 10, 17, 24
September 3, 10, 17, 24
October 1, 7, 15, 23
2 guest charter: 22,500 USD / 22,000 EUR
2024
Charter only
Saturday to Friday
Rates and dates
Low Season
April 6, 13, 20, 27
July 6, 13, 20, 27
August 3, 10, 17, 24
2 guest charter: 20,500 USD / 20,000 EUR
Peak Season
May 4, 11, 18, 25
June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
September 7, 14, 21, 28
October 5, 12, 18, 26
2 guest charter: 22,500 USD / 22,000 EUR
Hotel Barge Enquiry
Booking a luxury barge vacation isn’t the kind of thing one does with just a mouse-click or two. It takes a little research, thought and understanding, and we hope that our pages have provided you with all the information and inspiration you need to take this next step.
Why should you book with us? Because…
We’ve explored the waterways of France on our own boat since 2003 and we’ve taken the time to get to know each of the barges and their routes along the French canals.
We’re independent, impartial and enthusiastic – and we are the only France cruising specialist that can offer you the benefits of our own in-depth cruising knowledge and experience.
We love France, we love the rivers and canals of France, we love luxury hotel barge cruises – and we love talking about all three!
There’s nothing like speaking to a friendly expert to help you see the wood for the trees and to make the best possible decision about the vacation cruise of a lifetime. Get in touch – we’re here to help.
We will use our unique
in-depth experience
to find you your
perfect barge cruise
