Athos

Sunday, Day 1 Marseillan

You will be met at the **designated meeting point and transferred to Athos moored in Marseillan. Captain and crew welcome you on board with a champagne welcome. Once you are settled into your cabin, we enjoy our first dinner on board.

Monday, Day 2 Marseillan to Portiragnes

After breakfast, painters may feel inspired by the sparkling waters of the Etang and the lines of yacht masts over the Port or the proposed morning visit is Noilly Prat Vermouth distillery. Enjoy a guided visit and tasting in the grand cellars. There will still be time to explore Marseillan’s quaint centre before Athos casts off for lunch-time cruising on the Etang. Athos makes her way across the Etang and onto the Canal du Midi. When we arrive in Portiragne, you can smell the sea air and observe the sea birds in this conservation marshlands. Enjoy pre-dinner cocktails followed by dinner on board.

Tuesday, Day 3 Portiragnes to Fonserannes

Athos makes her way into the Round Lock just as breakfast finishes this morning. We visit to the old market town of Pezenas, which was the first seat of the Languedoc court. The architecture is particular to the town because of the “Hotels Particuliers” or Mansions belonging to the Noble families who followed the Court. It is filled with Artisans’ Shops, including Painters, Hatmakers, and Costume Designers. Your guide offers a quick historical briefing of the centre and your art guide sets up the groups to paint in the colourful square. Return to Athos for lunch on board and a cruise into the Villeneuve les Beziers lock.

This afternoon, Athos will make her way towards the famous Neuf Ecluses, or staircase locks at Fonserannes. A paved tow-path runs the length of the canal here for those who opt to walk or cycle beside Athos. We cruise across the Canal Bridge over the River Orb. The view here spreads across the 4 bridges of Beziers, and up towards the 14thC hilltop Cathedral. You find yourself making a note that this could be a superb spot to paint later this evening! Following the spectacle of Athos climbing the Fonserannes there is time for painting before dinner on board.

Wednesday, Day 4 Fonserannes to Capestang

This morning’s visit is a suggested drive to Narbonne for the large morning market. There are a number of colourful parks/gardens surrounding both the Canal and the Cathedral where painting might be interesting. Otherwise, there is much to do: market merchants flaunt their products, the covered food market at Les Halles is a sight to behold with colourful produce, succulent butchery, aromatic fish mongers’ stalls… The Roman Road the Via Domitia runs through the square and some may choose to take in the excellent collection in the Roman Museum. Arriving back at Athos for lunch on board and we cruise through the tree-lined and winding waterway. As Athos arrives in Capestang, the panoramic view over the Collegiale inspires a painting session and the art guide, guides the painters through their paces, while the hostess serves refreshing aperitifs and local olives. Dinner on board.

Thursday, Day 5 Capestang to Pigasse

After breakfast we take a short drive to Minerve a perfect outdoor spot for painting. En route, the guide stops at the Oulibo to pick up some more of those fabulous local olives and have a look around the oil-pressing facility here. Led by the art guide, painters are keen to capture the medieval village and the breath-taking gorge and landscapes around Minerve. The group returns for an alfresco lunch and another relaxing afternoon of winding along, overlooking the scenic flood plain below. Dinner on board.

Friday, Day 6 Pigasse to Argeliers

Your tour guide has organized a timely departure following breakfast this morning to ensure that there is time for both painting and sightseeing in the medieval city of Carcassonne. There are numerous impressive views worth capturing in addition to enjoying a pleasant drink in the buzzing centre at the historical hilltop town. Returning for a late lunch and cruising on board, a last enjoyable afternoon is spent relaxing, sipping rose and discussing painting. We arrive in Argeliers Port in time for a cycle ride, a stroll into the village, or perhaps more pétanque and cocktails? Captains Farewell Dinner on board.

Saturday, Day 7 Argeliers

After breakfast, transfer to the **designated drop off point.

*Art themed cruises are charter only. This sample itinerary and is subject to change. On alternate weeks the cruise is in the reverse direction. **Various pick up and drop off points are available for charter groups.