Name: Durandal
Address: 16 Avenue Pierre Bérégovoy, 34420 Villeneuve-lès-Béziers, France, Villeneuve-les-Beziers, Villeneuve-les-Beziers, Villeneuve-les-Beziers, 34420, France
Rating: 9

Location

Stade de la Mediterranee

Plateau des poètes

Musee de Biterrois

Musee des Beaux Arts

Place de la Revolution

Les Halles de Béziers

Beziers Cathedral

Fonserannes Locks

Beziers Vias Airport

Montpellier Aqueduct

Peyrou Gardens

Peyrou Gate

Medieval Mikve

Montpellier Cathedral

Musee Atger

Jardin des plantes de Montpellier

Opera House

Comedy Square

Languedoc Museum

Musee du Vieux Montpellier

Fabre Museum

Esplanade Charles de Gaulle

Le Triangle Shopping Center

Corum Convention Center

Esplanade de l'Europe

Durandal

Villeneuve-les-Beziers

child-bed

child-bed-fee

external-private-bathroom

private-bathroom

shared-bathroom

10-beds

11-beds

12-beds

13-beds

14-beds

15-beds

16-beds

17-beds

18-beds

19-beds

2-beds

20-beds

21-beds

22-beds

23-beds

24-beds

25-beds

26-beds

27-beds

28-beds

29-beds

3-beds

30-beds

31-beds

32-beds

33-beds

34-beds

35-beds

36-beds

37-beds

38-beds

39-beds

4-beds

40-beds

5-beds

6-beds

7-beds

8-beds

9-beds

king-bed

queen-bed

limited-time

lounge

treatment

no-window

bay-view

bosphorus-view

canal-view

city-view

courtyard-view

garden-view

golf-view

harbour-view

inland-view

lake-view

land-view

mountain-view

ocean-front

ocean-view

oceanside

panoramic-view

park-view

partial-ocean-view

partial-sea-view

partial-view

pool-view

river-view

sea-front

sea-view

street-view

sunrise-view

sunset-view

water-view

with-view

annex

basement

main-building

1-bedroom

2-bedrooms

3-bedrooms

4-bedrooms

5-bedrooms

6-bedrooms

not-guaranteed

wired-internet-access

smoking

sauna

duplex

safe

mini-bar

breakfast-for-1

breakfast-for-2

pets-allowed

wi-fi

kitchen

we were really looking forward to staying on this converted barge but felt that the owner could have done more to make his customers more comfortable. The towels were hard grey and very old, there were no cushions on the sun loungers as they had gone mouldy. Just for the want of new towels and new cushions it would have been a different experience. The restaurant was very good but again sacrificed comfort for style.

Not for those who want anything other than basic

As we were following the Canal Du Midi on a slow relaxing journey towards the Mediterranean, we searched for unusual places to stay, that were within easy reach of the canal, and La Peniche Durandal could not have been a more unusual type of accommodation. This old canal barge, beautifully converted into a live aboard by the owners, Alain and Marie, with four cabins for Chambre D'hotes guests, was a truly amazing place to stay.

Our hosts gave us a very warm welcome, and we spent a couple of hours relaxing and chatting with them, and another couple, in their very comfortable and beautifully appointed living room on the upper deck, with views along the canal, and across the fields as far as the eye could see.  

The cabins had been very cleverly designed, with a multitude of space saving ideas, including a chair that folds up into the wall.  The bed was a very comfortable double bunk, accessed by a short ladder, and the bathroom was surprisingly large with all the comforts of home, including an abundance of hot water.  Over the outside deck, there was a canopy, to give a little shade from the scorching summer sun under which there were some comfortable chairs and tables, and a hot tub, ideal for relaxing in after a tiring day exploring the area.

Breakfast in the morning was on the outside deck, and was a traditional hearty, coffee, fruit juice, baguette, croissant, butter and jam affair, which set us up nicely for the day.  

La Peniche Durandal, is moored just behind the restaurant, also owned and run by Alain and Marie.  Unfortunately when we arrived, we had already eaten, thus cant report on the restaurant, though I'm informed its very good!

If like me, you like something a bit different and perhaps a little querky, this chambre d'hotes
is highly recommended!

It should be noted:
1/ that due to being near slow moving water, there are mosquitos flying about, and whilst there are very effective mosquito repellent plug ins on the go inside the barge, it would be prudent to ensure that you have some sort of lavender or citronella lotion or potion to apply to your skin, if like me these little perishers make a B-line for you!

2/ If you have impaired mobility, moving around the barge, and particularly accessing the cabins via the very steep stairways, could prove very difficult, if not impossible.

"And now for something completely different!!"

My wife and I had been travelling through Italy and France for approximately four weeks and wanted to unwind for a few days so we headed for the Durandal. This was our second stay on the barge. After three years it was different from the first. This time the barge was almost full (3 to 4 couples) which was not as intimate as the first time but never the less just as enjoyable. We had very pleasant before dinner drinks that the gracious hosts Alain and Marie hosted. Breakfast was interesting although somewhat limited in choice. As we tried to communicate the conversation with the other French speaking guests was interesting. Alain speaks very good English and was always on hand to translate so no problem if you don't speak French. We love dogs and they have two very delightful dogs who make you feel right at home. Unfortunately it had rained allot before we arrived which made the somewhat precarious walk from the restaurant slippery and muddy as you walk a very short distance to the barge. The cabins are generous in size and very clean but the linen is now looking a little dated and fresh towels daily would have been nice (maybe we should have asked for them). Whilst most quests were mindful that noise travels in a boat we experience one sleepless night due to our neighbors in the next cabin being noisy.  The restaurant that the barge is next to is run by Alain and his brother who is just as a delightful person as Alain you can eat there and the food is really good and they go out of their way to serve you anything you want. If you don't want to eat there it is a short walk along the canal to Villeneuve les Beziers with several to choose from. This is not a five star hotel but I can recommend that you try it and enjoy it for what it is a home away from home.

Our second time on the barge

We had a very nice weekend without children. Loved the atmosphere on the boat and the food in the restaurant.
Alain and Marie are very nice people and you notice that they love their business.Don't miss a bike tour with the bikes they borrow you during your stay.

Very different and romantic

We loved our two nights on board the barge, home to Alain, Marie and sons.
We thought we would be eaten by Mosquitos but only had one bite between us, we did use repellent however. 
The cabin is large for a boat but it is a cabin - we left most of our luggage in the car and took only what we needed. Our stay started with rose wine with our host and other guests. We borrowed the available bikes and cycled along the canal du midi, a few easy kilometres to the famous nine locks and seven basins, under the shade of the iconic plane trees. 
Ignore all instructions to find the barge, the only accurate one is the latitude and longitude. Poor Alain had to come and find us. Head for the Restaurant d'ecluse (restaurant at the lock) and the barge is along the canal path. The restaurant is run by Alain and his brother and serves good food in large portions. Alain is a natural host, coping calmly with the medical emergency of a guest requiring pompiers to carry him off to the ambulance. The service, such as extra water or friendly advice, was excellent, and breakfast generous with hot fresh croissants Alain drove to the bakery to source. 
The location is ok but not pastoral beauty - the railway and road are near and audible and access to any other cafe requires a drive. The lock gate crossing to the main tow path is only accessible certain hours and as Alain understandably does not allow picnicking on board so getting refreshment was awkward unless we continually used the restaurant. It is a short drive to the sand beaches to the south.

Durandal

Location

Available rooms

Location

Policies

Check-in terms and conditions

Payment