ALEGRIA is a barge of the Freyssinet type, built in 1937 at a shipyard in Thuin, Belgium.

She was originally 39 meters long and 5,07 meters wide, designed for loads of 400 tons, but in 1999 the ship was converted to a houseboat and shortened to 29.37 meters (100 feet). Her present length now allows passage through the smaller locks of the famous Canal du Midi.

She is docked near Poilhes, a charming village on the Canal du Midi, 12 km from Beziers, 20 km from the Mediterranean Sea and close to Narbonne. You will either embark or disembark from this charming village that contains many remains from the Roman times.

Do not hesitate to enjoy the (heated!) pool after a warm afternoon … or just relax while enjoying some pre-dinner drinks …

Deck layout (click image to enlarge)

Interior layout (click image to enlarge)

The large lounge / dining room has two big portholes offering direct views of the Canal … and its inhabitants: our friends the ducks and geese.

A home theatre with a selection of CDs will give you some added pleasure, as well as a selection of books and parlour games. We offer you internet access through the connection of a 3G+ USB key to your laptop ...

The bar is well stocked with many of your favorite drinks, all of them offered to you. There is also a specific bar fridge and a coffee/tea making machine for your own use.

The kitchen is either open onto the lounge or closed, depending on whether our chef will allow you to watch him prepare his secret dishes … but, don't despair, he sometimes does share his secrets with you!!!

For your important documents or anything else of value, a safe is located near the lounge in a ... discreet place!

Two large guest rooms with en-suite bathrooms, totaling between 18 and 20 sq m ( 190 to 210 sq ft) each, are located on the sides of the boat. These cabins each have two entrances: one leading directly outside to the front of the barge near the pool and another one opening inside to the lounge. This allows both intimacy and independence.

The rooms have large portholes which offer panoramic views of the Canal du Midi.

The cabins are fitted with king size beds that can be separated into single beds upon request. You will be supplied with bath robes, bath amenities (from the famous product line "L’Occitane en Provence") and a hair drier.

In your room, you'll also find a mini-fridge full of cool drinks and a tea & coffee tray with biscuits.

Both cabins have air conditioning. In the event of a cool night at the end of the season, the cabins are equipped with central heating, as are the bathrooms which are also fitted with heated towel rails.

Daily housekeeping is provided and we can propose a laundry service upon request.

The Alegria has a crew of 5 including the Captain, Olivier Baudry. Half are French natives and half are British nationals: the perfect balance for your cruise!!

• Olivier Baudry, the owner of the barge, is a French native. He has been passionate about rivers, canals and river boats for thirty years. In the 1980’s he had two house-boats moored in Paris and he had a great time cruising with friends across the French capital for several years.
  
  In 1989, with his passion in mind, Olivier left his secure job as a corporate banker and launched two luxurious river-boats in Paris. These were focused on the corporate market for day and evening cruises.
  
  Olivier has just come back from South Africa, where he lived for fifteen years, managing his own tour-operating company.
  
  In order to reconnect with his passion for canals and barges, Olivier has settled down along the Canal du Midi and he now runs Alegria for your pleasure ...
  
  As a French native, Olivier will lead you across a typical "marché du village" and share with you all the secrets of buying the right cheeses, the perfect saucissons and whatever else you are tempted by ...
  
  Olivier is the Pilot of the barge and he will lead some excursions as well.
  
• The official Chef onboard Alegria is Peter Shaw. Peter is well known on the Canal as he has been managing the hotel barge La Tortue for several years. His reputation as an excellent chef has quickly grown and extends well beyond the borders of the Canal.
  
• Your French hostess is normally Monique La Puerta. She has been working in the "Industrie du Luxe" in Paris for the past thirty years. Monique speaks English and she will be an important help in your daily life on board.
  
• Please note that we may have to hire another Chef or another Hostess from time to time, depending on their own schedules or previous contracts. You can be assured that the quality of the profile of the back-up Chef or Hostess will be as high as the original one.
  
• The guide might be either Sally Shaw, Peter’s wife, either another person. There again we only hire the best people to match the high quality requirements we have on board Alegria…

Is it too early to make your mouth water? ... surely not!

The gastronomy aboard Alegria will vary a lot … You will taste some typical French local dishes as well as the best French gastronomy. Every meal will be accompanied by different wines, both local (the St-Chinian, Minerve, Corbières are becoming more and more renowned) and from other regions of France (Bordeaux, Burgundy, Loire, etc. ...) straight from our Wine Fridge on board. You will never be offered the same wine twice during the week (unless you insist on drinking one that you particularly loved again!)

For your added pleasure, we set your table with different services for breakfast, lunch and dinner: from the festive one through the ethnic one to the classic one. When weather permits you can have your meal outside on the deck.

• Our Chef will cater specifically for you and might even share some of his cooking tips as he prepares a dish.
• And ... we will also offer you some meals off the barge in some excellent restaurants! During the week you can count on at least two meals on land … We will discuss all these possibilities while you are holding a glass of Champagne on board ...
• For Breakfast you will be served a selection of pastries and breads, cereals, yogurts, fruits, fresh fruit juice, cheeses, cold meats, smoked salmon, eggs cooked to order, a selection of teas, coffee, etc.
• The lunch is an ever changing buffet with a choice of salads and starters, a main course (quiches or local dishes), a selection of cheese and a desert.
• We show you below some examples of menus but please bear in mind that the dishes can vary according to the time of the year, the availabilities on the markets (and … the temper of the Chef!!!):

Mise en bouche
Salmon and Dall Fish Cake, with a Dill and Lemon Cream
Filet Mignon of milk fed veal Potatoes Anna;
Baby Carrots, Broccoli and Cauliflower
Kumquat and Veal Jus
The Cheese of the Day: Brie de Meaux
Feuilleté of Strawberries and Cream with Raspberry Sauce

Mise en bouche
Warm Salad of Goats Cheese in a Hazelnut Crust
with Rocket and Raspberry Vinaigrette
Risotto of Seared Scallops and Prawns
with Peas and a Seafood Nage
The Cheese of the Day: Morbier
Duette of Peaches Poached in Muscat with a Peach Ice Cream

Mise en bouche
Duck Foie Gras Mi-Cuit with Brioche Toast and Rhubarb Compote
Breast of Duck with Triple Cooked Chips,
crispy Greens and a Oriental Plum Sauce
The Cheese of the Day: Coulet Roquefort with Pear & Walnuts
Baileys Bitter Chocolate Mint Mousse