The La Tortue Gourmet Cruise
through the Ancient Sites of Languedoc
"In these days there are few people who know that a journey on a canal is the pleasantest journey in the world." - Edward Everett Hale (1822-1909)
The Culinary Experience on the Canal du Midi
Your dining experiences on board La Tortue will include the finest local produce blended in the innovative dishes of Peter Shaw.
Peter's own passion for cheese and wine mirrors that of Rabelais, the famous Roman Catholic monk, who somewhat irreligiously referred to the combination of cheese, wine and bread, as the 'Holy Trinity'.
La Tortue is a friendly barge where you can be completely at ease and enjoy your gourmet cruise. You can laze on the sundeck for the passing scene, stroll through tiny villages for aperitifs at a cosy café or cycle along the towpath or country lanes.
Each season has its own colours:- light green foliage and delicate spring flowers; bright red, purple, pink and orange of summer flowers; and the stunning colours of autumn leaves.
The Languedoc... a realm of history and enchantment
The Languedoc is a region that stretches from the Pyrenees to the Rhone river, and from the foothills of the Cevennes to the Mediterranean sea.
Here the extraordinary 'Cathars' flourished 900 years ago, their skeleton fortresses still looming over the valleys.
Vines were introduced to the region by the Greeks and viticulture was further developed by the Romans who 'exported' the wine to Italy.
From sea level to an altitude of 1800 feet, the Languedoc has a rich diversity of 'noblesse de terroirs' (a wonderful French phrase combining the goodness of soil, elevation, micro-climate and the quiet old customs of local tradition), where vines grow in ideal conditions.
It is the largest area under vines in the world and produces a third of France's wine.
Peter Shaw
Peter Shaw, the owner of La Tortue and your resident Chef has a wealth of experience of cooking in the U.K. Switzerland and France and, although his style is eclectic, he loves to put a modern twist on traditional Mediterranean dishes.
Peter buys every day from local markets to take advantage of the fantastic range of fresh produce available in this region. He even grows his own herbs on deck.
He has an enormous knowledge of Languedoc wines and the great cheeses of France and is - all his guests agree - a superbly entertaining expert in matching wine to his dishes.
Onboard
Sally, Peter's wife, mainly works in the office, but arrives onboard on a regular basis, to make sure that everyone is happy!
Other members of the crew include a pilot, a hostess and a guide.
La Tortue has three cabins and can take up to six guests. There is one cabin with a fixed double bed and the other two cabins can be made up as doubles (queen size) or twin beds.
And each cabin has an ensuite bathroom.
Your Cruise Experience
The Cruises run from Carcassonne to Béziers or Béziers to Carcassonne.
We have other Special Interest itineraries, including of course our 'Connoisseur' and Enthusiast' Wine Tours.
And if you charter a week onboard La Tortue the itinerary can be tailor-made to your tastes and requirements.
The Itinerary given here is for Béziers to Carcassonne.
Day 1
At 4:00 pm (or thereabouts) your guide will be waiting to greet you at the pre-arranged pick-up point, which can be Béziers train station, car rental agency or a hotel in Béziers or its immediate environs.
We start our cruise at Colombiers, a pretty village just outside Béziers. After a champagne reception, we cruise off through the Malpas Tunnel, the oldest canal tunnel in the world, to the tranquil mooring of Regismont le Haut with pretty bridge, historic buildings and an array of British warship cannons.
Take a stroll before aperitifs and your first gastronomic delights.
Day 2
An early morning cruise to Capestang, the largest village on the canal, in time to visit the colourful street market, with stalls selling a wide variety of local produce, clothes and flowers.
Then off in the minibus to visit the Oppidum d'Ensrune a pre-Roman hillside site occupied from 600 BC to 100 AD, only discovered by archaeologists at the beginning of this century. There is a fascinating museum containing many artifacts found on the site.
Back to La Tortue for a colourful lunch of salads, tarts, wines and cheeses, then a cruise along the canal, which meanders through the vineyards to the village of Argeliers.
Day 3
Our morning starts with a short cruise to the quaint village of Le Somail. Visit the fascinating antique bookshop and the local potters and artists. Before or after lunch we can visit the Amphoralis, the largest excavation of Roman pottery in Europe.
Another short cruise brings us to Ventenac where we moor outside the Chateau and have the opportunity to visit the wine cellar and sample some of the excellent Minervois wines.
And then on to Paraza, a picturesque hillside village overlooking the canal, commanded by a magnificent chateau.
Day 4
Peter, your Chef and Captain, takes you to Narbonne, the ancient capital of Roman Gaul and will guide you through the outstanding covered food market. Choose your lunch from a variety of homemade pts and charcuterie, and freshly caught fish for dinner.
Afterwards, visit the amazing gothic Cathedral with one of the highest naves in France; walk along the Via Domitia (the recently uncovered Roman road), or just do some shopping in the chic boutiques on the charming pedestrianised streets.
Return to La Tortue for a short cruise to Roubia for lunch. Your afternoon cruise takes us through four locks, two doubles and two singles, to Homps where you can visit the church, a replica of the Basilica of Lourdes. Tonight you will be escorted to a wonderful local restaurant for your evening meal.
Day 5
A morning visit to Minerve, an ancient village that stands on a rocky outcrop formed by the valleys of two rivers: the Cesse and the Brian.
It was once a Cathar stronghold, overthrown by Simon de Montfort and the Crusaders.
The local museums do a fine job of explaining the history of the region and its geological features. Also visit the church where the altar dates back to 456AD.
Back to the boat for lunch, and an afternoon cruise through 3 locks. The distance between locks is two to three miles - ideal for a bike ride or a walk if you feel so inclined. We moor for the night at the top of the third lock, Aguille, the home of an enthusiastic and friendly lock-keeper who makes amusing sculptures from tree branches and trunks. Watch out for the crocodile!
Day 6
A morning visit by minibus to Carcassonne, the finest example of a mediaeval walled city in the whole of Europe. For those who have already visited this magnificent city or who are staying there after the barge trip, we suggest instead, a visit to Lastours, spectacular site of four ruined Cathar Castles - with, for the energetic, a climb up a steep rocky path to the remains, to get a feel of what life was like in those ancient times.
In the afternoon, a peaceful cruise through one of the most magnificent tree-lined stretches of the canal, where linked overhanging branches form a superb green canopy, known as the 'green cathedral'.
Our last mooring is at the peaceful setting of Millepetit, where you can relax and enjoy your last evening of the cruise under the stars with La Tortue.
Tonight, dinner will astonish you, with Peter's combination of foods and wines of the region.
Day 7
After breakfast we cruise to the triple lock at Trèbes with its beautiful views over the Alaric Mountains.
From here we say our goodbyes between 9:00am and 11:00am and you will then be taken to Narbonne, Carcassonne or Béziers for your onward journey.
Take the unique Gourmet Cruise aboard La Tortue and treat yourself to the experience of a lifetime. Please contact now to book your Cruise in 2007 or 2008.
Prices
For prices, please see the price list.