Alouette Canal Barge in France

ALOUETTE FACT SHEETS
Cruising the Canal du Midi

THE BARGE HERSELF
FORMER PURPOSE: Cargo Barge
YEAR OF CONSTRUCTION: 1908 in Oudekerk, Netherlands
DIMENSIONS: Length 98’(29.8m) and width 17’ (5.1m)
YEAR CONVERTED INTO A HOTEL BARGE: 1986
LAST REFIT: 2008
GENERATORS: 2 Listers 30kva
MAIN ENGINE: Beaudoin 160hp, 6 cylinders
MAXIMUM SPEED: 10 Knots
WATER AND FUEL CAPACITY: 2200 litres of fuel, 6,000 litres of water

PERSONNEL
CREW: 4. Pilot, Tour Guide, Chef, Hostess
Our crew are generally British and speak both English and French, while some speak other languages as well.

ACCOMMODATION
CAPACITY FOR ACCOMMODATION: Up to 4 passengers – CHARTER ONLY
NUMBER AND TYPES OF CABINS: 2 Suites both with a choice of 1 double bed or 2 single beds.

SIZES OF THE CABINS
Suite 1: 260 sq feet (25 m square) including bathrooms
Suite 2: 205 sq feet (19 m square) including bathrooms
Note the measurements above are approximate

SIZES OF THE BEDS:
As a double bed: 5’ wide by 6’6” length (160cm x 2m).
As 2 single beds: 2’6” wide by 6’6” length (80cm x 2m).

BATHROOMS:
All en-suite bathrooms have spacious walk-in showers, large wash basin area and W.C. All have tiled walls and floors
Supplied with: Towels, Occitane products including hand soap, shampoo, shower gel, body cream

CLOSET SPACE: Yes, spacious wardrobe and storage space.
HAIRDRYERS: Yes
WRITING DESK: Yes
AIR CONDITIONING: Yes natural flow ventilation system
SATELLITE TV & DVD: Yes in each cabin
SAFE: Yes one in each cabin
PHONE INTERCOM SYSTEM: guests can communicate directly with Galley, Saloon and Crew area from their cabin.

CLIMATE CONTROL & ELECTRICITY
AIR CONDITIONING: Yes, throughout the barge and in the cabins it can be manually adjusted.
CENTRAL HEATING: Yes
ELECTRICITY SUPPLY: Alouette is wired for 220 volts electricity. We suggest you bring an adapter for your particular appliance, which corresponds to the standard French. If you wish to use an electrical appliance on board, please ask one of the crew when you arrive on board to ensure that it is suitable to the barge’s electrical system. European Waterways cannot be held responsible for unforeseen voltage fluctuations which sometimes occur when swapping from one voltage system to another.

PUBLIC ROOMS
SALOON/DINING ROOM DIMENSIONS & DESCRIPTION
Room size: 15ft x 22ft (4.75m x 7m)
Tastefully decorated in country hotel style with wooden flooring
Dining table with chairs, two sofas and a coffee table.
Hi-fi Stereo system with a selection of disks and a COMPUTER with 24hr internet access (subject to availability).
SUNDECK: 15ft 7ins x 21ft 4ins (4.75m x 6.5m), with sun loungers, chairs, table and parasol.

GASTRONOMY
BREAKFAST: Breakfast is French-style with regular and decaffeinated coffee and tea. You may also request a cooked breakfast.
LUNCH: Buffet style, chicken curry salad, quiche or tart with pasta or rice salad, green leaf salad and a tomato & mozarella salad, cheese and fruit accompanied by bread, followed by coffee with biscuits.
DINNER: Always a gastronomic adventure by our talented chef. A taste of regional cuisine by candlelight. harmonizing food and good wines from the best vineyards and followed by a selection of regional cheeses. Coffee and liqueurs served in the saloon. Non-alcoholic beverages and regular or decaffeinated tea and coffee, whole or low fat milk, are offered with all meals.
FAREWELL DINNER: Farewell dinner on the last night hosted by the tour guide. Dress slightly formal.

SPECIAL FOOD REQUIREMENTS: Special food requirements (such as vegetarian or allergies) are catered for if requested in advance. Please give as much advance notice as possible – preferably 10 weeks prior to the cruise departure.

DRINKS THAT ARE INCLUDED IN THE CRUISE PRICE: There is an open bar on board with alcoholic & non-alcoholic drinks available throughout the day (this includes Champagne).

DRINKS THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE CRUISE PRICE: Special vintage wines, Premier and Grand Cru wines can be purchased at cost. Please advise our reservations department in advance how many of each you require.

TAP WATER
Tap water onboard Alouette is potable and bottled water is also available.

LEISURE & ENTERTAINMENT
ON BOARD
SATELLITE TV & DVD in the saloon and in each cabin
Computer with INTERNET ACCESS (subject to availability).
Hi Fi system and compact discs. Guests are welcome to bring their favourite compact discs from home
Touring Bikes x 4. Children’s bikes (but not helmets) can be arranged if required. Please let us know at least 8 weeks prior to departure.
Board games etc
Boules
A small library of books and maps
Tennis rackets and balls
Polo shirts, embroidered with a barge logo, are available on board. If you wish to purchase embroidered Guernsey sweaters, V-neck pullover or cardigans, these can be ordered and sent on. Payment for these items needs to be in cash.

CYCLING & WALKING
Passengers are welcome to walk or cycle using the on board bicycles as often as they like. Most people choose to disembark the barge at a lock and then visit local villages and then return to the canal and meet the barge a little further along. The barge travels very slowly and therefore “catch up” will not be a problem.

OFF BOARD FACILITIES
Canoeing and golf can be arranged. Please contact our Reservations Department for more details at the time of booking.

EXCURSIONS BY MINIBUS
Air conditioned VW Caravelle mini-bus.

EXCURSIONS FOR CHARTER GROUPS
If you are chartering, the itinerary can be adapted to suit your group’s particular needs. If the excursion is within a reasonable distance of the barge we will do everything we can to arrange it. Please advise our office in advance and the crew can be informed.

FOR THOSE NOT WISHING TO ATTEND EXCURSIONS
You are welcome to stay behind on the barge if you would like. You can use the bikes, go for a walk or just sit on the shaded sundeck.

PASSENGERS WITH MOBILITY RESTRICTIONS
The Alouette is not ideal for disabled passengers or wheelchair users.
There are about 6 steps (the width of one person) from the sundeck down to the saloon. From the saloon to the cabin level, there are another 4 steps.
Daily excursions require passengers to do some amount of walking.

MEDICAL ATTENTION AND MEDICINES
The crew are unable to administer medicines to you during the cruise but can accompany you to a chemist for you to purchase necessary medicines. Due to our cruises being in rural locations we highly recommend that you bring the necessary medication with you.

CLOTHES & LUGGAGE
There is a casual dress code on board and it is very much up to the individual what they bring to wear. The only evening you may want to dress up a little is the Farewell Dinner but this is completely up to you. The weather in the south is generally warm. June, July and August are usually the warmest with little rain so we suggest shorts and tee shirts with a thin rain mackintosh just in case of a light shower and some slightly warmer clothes for enjoying those drinks on the deck in the evening. Do not forget your swimming costume or a sun hat for a relaxing time on deck with a glass of wine.
LAUNDRY FACILITIES
Laundry facilities are limited. It is advisable to bring sufficient clean clothing for your cruise. We generally cruise through rural areas and launderettes are few and far between.
LUGGAGE
Once you have unpacked your cases will stay in your cabin. Please try and fit everything for your cruise into one reasonably sized suitcase per person. Soft bags are preferable.

SMOKING
Our barges have a strict non-smoking policy. We ask smokers not to smoke inside the barge as this offend your shipmates. We categorically do not permit smoking in the cabins for safety reasons. If you would like to smoke we request that you smoke outside on deck away from fellow passengers.

TELEPHONE & COMPUTER FACILITIES
There is a phone intercom system, a satellite TV and a DVD player in each cabin. There is also a computer with access to the internet (subject to availability) in the saloon.

WE WOULD LIKE A TRAVEL COMPANY TO TAKE CARE OF ALL OUR FLIGHTS, TRAINS, HOTELS, TRANSFERS ETC.
As owners & operators of the hotel barges we cannot package your tour, but we can recommend a number of partner travel companies with a deep understanding of our cruise business and who can help you with your individual requirements for booking flights, trains, ferries, hotels, car hire and even chauffeured limousines. We can also advise regarding your choice of travel, accommodation and timings. Please ask our experienced reservations staff for further details of our travel partners or refer to our Pre & Post Cruise Sheet.

CURRENCY
The local currency in France is the Euro. We regret we cannot accept credit cards or debit cards on board or provide a foreign exchange service. However, credit cards and direct debit cards are widely accepted off the boat. Please note that some of the French banks in the smaller villages and towns are unable to handle large notes eg US$100.

TIPPING
Any gratuities you wish to give are entirely at your discretion. For guidance only, our passengers normally tip between 5% and 10% of the cruise price if they are fully satisfied with the level of service.

SAFETY AND SECURITY
Once on board your Captain will talk you through the Cruise Safety Procedures.
Below are our Safety Instructions and you will find a copy of these in your cabin for you to refer to once on board..

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

• PLEASE FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS OF THE CAPTAIN AND CREW AT ALL TIMES.
• REMEMBER THAT DECKS CAN BE SLIPPERY. PLEASE WEAR NON SLIP SHOES AND DO NOT RUN OR JUMP WHILST ON BOARD. DO NOT WALK ON THE SIDE DECKS.
• DO NOT EMBARK OR DISEMBARK THE BARGE UNLESS THE GANGPLANK AND HANDRAIL ARE IN PLACE OR THE CREW HAVE ADVISED THAT IT IS SAFE TO DO SO. NEVER DO SO WHEN THE BARGE IS MOVING.
• KEEP CLEAR OF ANY OVERHEAD OBSTRUCTIONS AND REMAIN SEATED IF ON DECK WHILST THE BARGE PASSES UNDER BRIDGES WITH RESTRICTED HEADROOM.
• DO NOT TRY TO TOUCH THE SIDES OF THE LOCK OR BRIDGE.
• LIFE JACKET PRESERVERS ARE LOCATED IN DESIGNATED LOCKERS IN YOUR CABIN OR IN DESIGNATED DECK LOCKERS. PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO IDENTIFY THEIR LOCATION AND READ THE INSTRUCTIONS.
• FOR FIRE SAFETY REASONS, SMOKING IS NOT PERMITTED INSIDE THE BARGE.
• IF YOU DISCOVER FIRE ON BOARD, SOUND THE FIRE ALARM AND NOTIFY A MEMBER OF CREW IMMEDIATELY. IF POSSIBLE, CLOSE DOORS BEHIND YOU TO CONFINE THE FIRE. PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO IDENTIFY THE LOCATION OF FIRE ALARMS AND FIRE EXTINGUISHERS.
• IF THE ALARM SOUNDS OR YOU HEAR REPEATED CONTINUOUS BLASTS ON THE BARGE HORN, YOU MUST IF POSSIBLE ASSEMBLE ON THE SUNDECK FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS. IF YOU ARE IN YOUR CABIN AND THE WAY TO THE SUNDECK IS OBSTRUCTED, FOLLOW THE SIGNS TO THE ALTERNATIVE FIRE EXIT. PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO IDENTIFY ALL FIRE EXITS.
• DO NOT OPEN LOWER DECK PORTHOLES WHILST BARGE IS MOVING.
• BE CAREFUL WHEN THE VESSEL IS BEING MOORED UP WITH THE BARGE ROPES. IN PARTICULAR DO NOT STEP INTO A LOOP IN THE ROPE OR TRY TO RELEASE THE MOORING ROPE FROM A BOLLARD.
• THE BARGE’S EQUIPMENT SUCH AS THE HOT TUB AND BICYCLES MUST ONLY BE USED FOLLOWING PREPARATION BY THE CREW. USE OF THE BICYCLES IS AT YOUR OWN RISK.
• PLEASE ASK A MEMBER OF THE CREW IF YOU NEED FURTHER SAFETY ADVICE.

PRE AND POST CRUISE TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS
CRUISING BETWEEN CARCASSONNE AND BEZIERS
THE PRICE OF YOUR CRUISE INCLUDES RETURN 1st CLASS TRAIN TICKETS
FROM PARIS GARE DE LYON STATION OR PARIS AUSTERLITZ STATION
TO CARCASSONNE OR BEZIERS TRAIN STATION

JOINING AND LEAVING THE CRUISE

BEGINNING THE CRUISE
A private driver will meet you before the cruise at your central Paris hotel, Paris Gare du Nord (Eurostar) train station or Charles du Gaulle Airport and transfer you to the Paris TGV train station for your train journey to the South of France.
Please advise our Reservations Department your contact details and your choice of pick up location at least 10 weeks before departure. The operations team will contact you on the day of departure by phone or fax to confirm the pick up time.

PICK UP FROM YOUR CENTRAL PARIS HOTEL
A welcome letter will be faxed to you at your hotel in Paris to confirm the private transfer arrangement and pick up time.

PICK UP FROM GARE DU NORD EUROSTAR ARRIVALS*
Your driver will be waiting at the end of the Gare Du Nord platform holding a sign with the lead passengers name on it. Our operations will also contact you by phone to re-confirm the pick up time and reassure you of your arrangements.

PICK UP FROM PARIS CDG AIRPORT
The driver will be waiting in the arrivals area at CDG airport. They will be holding a sign with the passengers name on. Our operations will also try contact you by phone to reconfirm the pick up time and reassure you of your arrangements

*Important If guests require pick up from CDG Airport or Gare Du Nord on day 1 of the cruise please try to ensure your arrival time coincides with your designated pick up time in Paris. It is essential that Eurostar/flight arrivals co-ordinate with transfer times.

IF YOU ARE USING THE INCLUDED TGV TICKETS
A representative from Afloat in France will meet you at your arranged pick up location 90 minutes prior to the TGV departure time and transfer you to the Paris train station (either Gare De Lyon for Beziers or Paris Austerlitz for Carcassonne) where you will be given your train tickets. Please note that the TGV trains only provide limited refreshments onboard and you may like to visit the splendid Belle Epoque restaurant in the station ‘Le Train Bleu’ before you board.

PARIS LUGGAGE STORAGE
If you want to spend some time in Paris, there are left luggage lockers (‘Consigne Automatique’ in French, but signs are also in English) at the Gare du Nord, Gare de Lyon and Gare d’Austerlitz train stations. Expect to have your bags X-rayed before entering the locker area. Small, medium and large lockers cost 4.50, 7.00 and 9.50 Euros for 24 hours. A medium locker will take one backpack or small suitcase, a large locker will take two backpacks or larger suitcases. There are no facilities for leaving bikes, surfboards or skis. http://www.seat61.com/Paris-metro.htm

IF YOU ARE NOT USING THE INCLUDED TGV TRAIN TICKETS
A representative from Afloat in France will meet you at 5pm at your hotel or local train station (located within a one hour drive from the barge embarkation point Carcassonne or Beziers) and transfer you directly to the barge. Embarkation commences between 17:00 and 17:30 and members of the crew will be waiting to welcome you. It is not possible to board earlier than 17:00.

IF YOU ARE STAYING AT HOTEL DE LA CITE IN CARCASSONNE
A representative from Afloat in France will meet you at Hotel De La Cite at 4pm where you will be transferred to the Alouette.

BARGE MOORING
When the barge is in Carcassonne
Alouette will be moored in the Port of Carcassonne. The Port is opposite the train station.and Alouette can be clearly visible from the Lock which is also directly in front of the railway station.
When the barge is in Beziers
Alouette will be moored at the top of the ‘7 Locks’ but is difficult to find, plus there is a barrier that needs a key to raise it so it is better to meet at the TGV station.

DRIVE & PARK
CAR PARKING IN CARCASSONNE
There is an underground car park called Andre Chenier next to the train station and the port. It costs approximately 18 euros for a ticket to park a car for the week and tickets are purchasable from the underground car park ticket office. This ticket office is closed on a Sunday, therefore guests arriving on a Sunday will need to make an advance request for the crew to purchase their car parking ticket for them.

END OF CRUISE
If you are using the included 1st Class train tickets you will be transferred after breakfast to the train station in time for your train back to Paris.
If your cruise ends in Carcassonne you will be transferred to Carcassonne station for your train to Paris Austerlitz.
If your cruise ends in Beziers you will be transferred to Beziers station for your train to Paris Gare De Lyon).
Alternatively you can be transferred by minibus from the barge to a location of your choice within an hour’s drive of the barge mooring.

TRAVEL INSURANCE COMPANY RECOMMENDATION
Travel insurance is strongly recommended in the event of a cancelation due to illness or other unpredictable events.
We recommend the following companies:

If you live in the USA or Canada
CSA Travel Protection
PO Box 939057, San Diego, CA 92123-9057, USA
Telephone (888) 470 9120 or (800) 711-1197
Email: leeh@csatravelprotection.comor csa@csatravelprotection.com
Please quote “European Waterways” when booking.

EMERGENCIES BEFORE THE CRUISE
Your Cruise Voucher bears the emergency telephone number of the Captain and Operations Manager for any emergencies on day 1 of the cruise. Your cruise voucher is sent about 6 weeks prior to cruise departure.