Spotlight on Anjodi: Discover the Beauty of the Canal du Midi in Style

Not to be missed is the itinerary’s historic highlights. As we cruise this ancient region of Southern France, we view scores of vineyards on rolling hills, all with a backdrop of silhouetted peaks from the Pyrenees mountains. Once home to the Christian denomination of Cathars, the area has a dark past and many people were burned at the stake and cast out from their homes.

The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Carcassonne is an undeniable pinnacle of Anjodi’s itinerary. Built in the 5^th century, the fortress of Carcassonne underwent painstaking restoration in the nineteenth century, making it the world’s most complete fortified medieval city. Visitors can see 52 watchtowers, 3 kilometres of ramparts and a drawbridge! With a range of shops inside selling souvenirs, you’re unlikely to leave empty-handed.

Guests  aboard Anjodi will cruise through the world’s oldest canal tunnel at Malpas. Excavated in 1679, it extends for 165 metres before returning to the surface. Barge lovers will revel in crossing the aqueduct over the River Orb and passing to the top of the Fonserannes locks, which consist of a unique stair of seven locks in a row.

For a special view of the French countryside, familiarise yourself with its beauty by walking along the towpath on a sunny day. Or, if you prefer a faster mode of transport, take advantage of the onboard bikes to cycle along the towpath as the barge gently cruises on to the next lock.

Amazed by the outstanding meals on Anjodi, which were served by Chef Mickael, Terri was impressed by the crew’s explanations of the food, wines, and cheeses that they tasted. Calling mealtimes aboard Anjodi “fine dining at its best”, Terri was impressed that ingredients were sourced locally, from specialist suppliers.

She enjoyed seeing where her meals came from, writing that “A highlight was going to the market in Narbonne with Mickael to select the ingredients for a seafood buffet luncheon.” She says she was “blown away by the variety and freshness of the products” and “enjoyed hearing how Mickael chooses the menus for each day.”

The visit to the winery also stood out to Terri as one of the best parts of her cruise. A tour of the vineyard revealed that the family had owned the estate for five generations, held 237 acres of vineyards and produced five different types of grapes there. She enthusiastically recalled being told about the French wine blight and enjoyed the tasting even more!

Of course, the engineering marvel of the Fonserannes locks also caught Terri’s attention. She wrote that Anjodi ascended the impressive 7-chamber lock in less than 30 minutes! She added:

Captain Laurent negotiated the locks with perfection and the ascent through the powerful rushing water made for an exhilarating experience.

As an appreciator of history, Terri found a walking tour of the city of Narbonne fascinating. Tour guide, Jules, accompanied them on their visit and told them about the city, taking them to the “impressive gothic Cathedral of Saint-Just and Saint-Pasteur”. At 197 feet (60 metres) tall, Terri said that the bell towers can be seen all over the city! She writes: “I especially loved the many stained-glass windows and the unique vaulted choir that is over 131 feet (40 meters) tall.”

If you love history as much as Terri, then Minerve is another highlight of Anjodi’s itinerary. Perched on the edge of a limestone plateau, the Occitan city gained its name from the Celtic words for ‘stone’ and ‘refuge’. She learned the sombre story of how a group of Cathars sought asylum on the rock in the thirteenth century during the Albigensian Crusades, eventually being forced to surrender. Over 140 Cathars were burned when they refused to renounce their faith.

A symbol of defiance, Terri says that Minerve is a “spectacular setting” with “well-preserved stone buildings”, adding that “it’s easy to see why Minerve is classified as one the most beautiful villages in France.” Terri’s magnificent day in Minerve was topped with on-deck refreshments and a performance by a jazz trio – what an experience!

A final highlight was the visit to Carcassonne with tour guide, Jules. Terri loved hearing about the features of the fortress, and the history of the Visigoths, Saracens, and Crusaders. Choosing her own adventure whilst the rest of the guests went on to Basilique Saint Nazaire, Terri found some hidden cafés and a monument. Memorialising Jean-Pierre Cros-Mayrevielle, it gave recognition for his work saving the city of Carcassonne from demolition in 1849. The consequential works undertaken by Eugene Viollet-le-Duc ultimately saved this breath-taking historic monument from destruction!

Terri’s trip ended with a perfect meal from Chef Mikael and a sing-song. She says:

We sang along with Rick until it was time to reluctantly go to bed. A perfect end to a perfect trip!

Golfers

If a round of golf is more your bag, then grab your kit and head onboard to visit some of the best greens in the South of France. We visit the 18-hole course at Le Cap d’Agde Golf International, which was designed by the famous architect, Ronald Fream. Watch for the bunkers, which can be troublesome! For a more classic 18-hole golf course, get into the swing of things at Golf St Thomas and see stunning scenery at Golf de Carcassonne. With a pit-stop at the 9-hole Golf de Lamalou-les-Bains to practice technical shots, Golf Cruises aboard Anjodi has something for all levels of golfer.

Families

If you’re looking for a multi-generational family holiday with a twist, then why not book a whole barge for your extended family? With space for up to eight passengers, you can switch out up to four activities from Anjodi’s Classic Cruise itinerary, swapping them for more family-friendly options. Some great examples are the prehistoric caves at Limoussis, the Dinosaur Museum Park at Meze, and Pirateland Water Park. With scuba diving, canoeing, and zip-lining all options too, you’ll find it hard to decide on your favourites!