The adorable ‘Caroline’ barge is a triumph of relaxed cruising hospitality, and offers the very
best of unfussy, chilled out barging on the seductive Canal du Midi in the south of France between
the historic towns of Beziers and Carcassonne. (Click
here
for map of region) A quaint (and some might say old fashioned) barge, she is owned and tenderly
cared for by Ute and Ulli Weber, your welcoming hosts for the duration of your cruise. They
have nothing in mind during your cruise except ensuring that you have a glorious time, and that
you leave all worries and cares on the quay. Cruise half board or full board….the choice is
yours.
Her half board cruises include dinners and breakfasts (so you may try local cuisine, or
picnic easily on local produce—whatever takes your fancy) whilst full board includes all meals.
You can enjoy dining outdoors ‘al fresco’ under the barge’s parasols on the sundeck, or,
if you prefer, totally escape the sunshine and dine inside the Caroline’s cosy ‘inner sanctum’—
the lounge area as below. This is accessed by a flight of about 10 steps (quite steep—not for
those with limited mobility) - but blissfully private once inside as you cannot be seen by
passers-by. Warm colours have been used to great effect on the Caroline, and there’s even a
wood burning stove in the lounge area for those chilly autumn evenings!
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She has three cabins—one double and two twin—each with their own pretty bathroom. Please note however,
that as you can see from the deck plan below, the ‘Caroline’s bathrooms are not ‘en suite’. That
is, you will need to cross the corridor to access your bathroom if you stay in cabin 2 or 3.
Cabin 1 does indeed have her bathroom en suite. This is not a major disadvantage, in our opinion,
though we realise it may matter a great deal to some. If it does matter a lot to you, then you
are probably on the wrong barge, because it is exactly this slightly rustic authenticity that
gives the Caroline her charm. Add to that, the fact that all the bathrooms have been recently
retiled and new sinks and showers installed, with all works completed to a high standard, and
there is really nothing to stress about.
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Here are our pictures of the cabins and their bathrooms.
See below Cabin 3 (the Peachy Cabin), plus her vanity area with sink and separate shower.
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Here below is Cabin 2 (the Blue Cabin), plus her separate shower and vanity area with sink and large mirror.
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And finally, here is Cabin 1 (the Yellow Cabin), with part of her en suite bathroom.
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The
Caroline
barge is a special member of our collection because she offers superb value for those not seeking total luxury (such as marble bathrooms and gold taps, which CAN be found on some of our barges—see the
Amaryllis
for one!). Her itinerary is between Beziers and Carcassonne, which is a traditionally beautiful route which wends its way under plane trees that are several hundred years old, and the canal which winds through the very best of the Languedoc region, passing vineyards, poppy fields, sunflowers and tiny, ancient villages when no one ever rushes.
If you’re in need of some restful time away from it all this year, please consider the
Caroline, and
contact me
(Marie) now. Passengers arrive as guests and leave as friends…
“... this has been a trip of a lifetime far exceeding our expectations. From the moment
we stepped on Board near Capestang we were made to feel like royalty and
nothing was too much bother. Your warm hospitality and relaxed natures made the
experience all the more enjoyable. Ute, it is dificult to find the right words to describe
the gourmet meals that you prepared so expertly for us - one word probably
sums it up best - MAGNIFIQUE!
Uli, your knowledge of the wines of the region and your skill of matching the wines
to the food Ute had prepared was masterful and really appreciated. It was also a
pleasure to watch you skipper the Caroline with such precision - even under some
trying circumstances. The many trips you undertook for us to visit wineries and villages
were also much appreciated - not to mention the early morning to the local
boulangerie for the most fantastic breads, pastries and croissants. The presentation
and detail that has gone into the Caroline is an indication of the love and thought
that has gone into making the Caroline so much more than a barge - its an EXPERIENCE.
It has been a privilege getting to know you and to share the Caroline with you and
great friends.”
Love, Dennis and Karen
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