CLAIR DE LUNE

AMENITIES

DECK & SYSTEMS

DIVING

CLAIR DE LUNE Crew Profile

All experts in canal holidays, our four-member English-speaking crew will make your cruise the best ever. Our captain is seconded by a «matelot» who is also a well-versed guide and driver for the minibus. A competent stewardess and an accomplished chef complete the team.

Berend, owner of Clair de Lune, has been «mucking about» with boats since he was seven years old and has thirty years experience in the barging industry. He and his wife, Barbara, met in France at lock “le Gatain” in 1978 and have been barging ever since; in Holland for the springtime tulip season, Paris and the Moselle, the Rhine, Nivernais and Burgundy during the summers and winters.

Berend has built many barges, including the sister barges Anjodi and Stella Maris (their first barge) which he outfitted in 1982. Barbara and Berend then plied the waterways of Alsace with Stella Maris for several years, with Berend spending winters designing and building boats, from wooden dinghies to barge conversions for friends.

In 1996 the couple cruised to the South of France and decided to finally drop anchor a few locks down from Béziers Port where Clair de Lune is now based. Barbara and Berend designed, built and decorated the Clair de Lune to be the practical and spacious luxury boat that she is. Winters still find Berend busy boat building as well as operating a brokerage and ship surveying business, and Barbara pursuing her artwork.

CLAIR DE LUNE Specifications

CLAIR DE LUNE Menu

Food, glorious food

Our expert chef will tantalize your tastebuds with elegant menus using only the very best of local ingredients : fruits and vegetables ripened to perfection under the Mediterranean sun, succulent seafood, choice meats and an amazing array of cheeses, all served with carefully selected Languedoc-Roussillon wines.

Great breakfasts

Your day on the Clair de Lune starts with a wholesome and balanced variety of breakfast foods, along with oven-warm breads, viennoiseries, freshly-squeezed orange juice and hot beverages.

Delicious favorites

Lunch is a discovery of delectable regional specialities, in the chef's fashion, served in a relaxed but refined style.

The ultimate in dining

A four-course candlelit gourmet dinner is the ultimate culinary pleasure on the Clair de Lune and a showcase for our chef's repertory of dining delights. Harmonizing food and wine is essential to the total enjoyment of a good table; our sommelier choses the best of locally produced wines to marry perfectly with the exquisite cuisine.

Refreshments

A well-stocked open bar in the saloon is at your disposal for pre-dinner cocktails or digestives after dinner.

All dietary requirements can be catered to.

France's oldest

The Languedoc-Roussillon is France's oldest wine region with a winemaking history that dates to the 7th century B.C. when Greeks first arrived here and founded the town of Adge, east of Béziers. With several distinct areas subject to different soils, disposition, physiography and climate, the region now produces some very interesting and delicious wines that have captured the attention of wine enthusiasts. The region's recent renaissance is one of the most exciting developments in the wine world over the past 20 years.

Born again

This renaissance has come about through better management of the traditional grape varieties such as the Carignan, progress in thermoregulation of vats, and the introduction of more noble cépages such as the Syrah, Mourvèdre, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache. White wines here are now being cultured to become dryer. Muscat, Mauzac, Roussanne, Marsanne, Clairette, Piquepoul blanc, Grenache blanc and Chasan, as well as the more recently popular Viognier and Chardonnay are a few of the varieties grown in the region. Hailed by critics

The Wine Spectator Magazine writes that these «deep, richly flavored reds (as well as flavorful rosés and a smattering of whites) are relative bargains in this world of upward-spiraling wine-prices», making the Languedoc-Roussillon the perfect region to discover if you're looking to stock your cellar.

Our wine philosophy

We make it possible for you to discover the local wines by providing a broad selection of some of the best areas : Faugères, Corbières, Fitou, Minervois, Côtes de Malpère, Coteaux de Languedoc, Côtes de Thongue, Pic St. Loup, Saint Chinian, to name a few.

CLAIR DE LUNE Testimonials

"A wonderful week of barging, with great weather and delicious food and wines; what a marvelous crew! Thanks to
each of you for your contribution to our week." Edward & Robin, Dave & Nancy, Gordon & Teresa, Maryland

"We have not "unwound" like this in years I didn't think about work for almost seven days. This is the way to see the real France." Dr. & Mrs. Thompson

"You have made our dream come true!" Rosa & Alfred, California

"This past week could not have been more enjoyable or memorable! Thanks for making this so special for our family." Jacques & Audrey, Jocelyn & Krista, Weston

"This is probably the most fabulous, luxurious trip I will ever take. I have never eaten so well, relaxed so deeply and enjoyed myself so much. Sarah, Chicago

"What a crew! You've made this the week best vacation - you are a very special team, we appreciate all of your pampering." Susan & John, California

"To all future "bargers": this is a trip of a life-time. Each meal was surpassed by the next." Melody & Claude