European Waterways has expanded its 2016/17 programme with a new six-day cruise on the Canal du Midi that visits the medieval town of Carcassone and the cassoulet capital of Castelnaudary.

The cruise, between Trebes and Naurouze, is on the six-passenger Clair de Lune, pictured, and costs from £3,250 per person including drinks, excursions and local transfers.

Highlights include wine-tasting in Limoux and lunch ashore in Mirepoix. During the journey, the barge will climb through triple and quadruple lock systems and negotiate one of the lowest bridges on the Canal du Mini.

The programme also includes Finesse, an eight-passenger barge being built in Belgium that will cruise France’s River Saône and Canal du Centre starting May 2016. From £3,950 per person including drinks, tours and local transfers.

The brochure features 17 barges sailing in France, Italy, Scotland, Ireland, England, Germany, Belgium, Holland and Luxembourg. New for 2016, two seven-night opera-themed cruises on the 20-passenger La Bella Vita include six nights on the River Po in Italy, a night in a hotel in Padua and tickets to see Verdi’s Aida (June 25) or Bizet’s Carmen (August 20). From £2,950 per person.