Name Enchanté Christened Maria Launched 1958 Draft 1.31 m | Port of registry Toulouse Status In service Length 30 m | |
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Operator European Waterways, LTD Route Canal du Midi - Béziers to Homps
Provence - Agde to Avignon | ||
Scylla enchant clip officiel
The Enchanté (French: Nice to meet you (Literally: Enchanted)) is a Belgian barge of the spitz category, constructed in 1958 as a trading barge and refitted in 2009 as a luxury hotel barge. She is berthed on the Canal du Midi in south-west France.
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Enchanté was built in Oostkamp Belgium and was 39.50m in length. She carried grain, carbon, chemicals and other bulk goods. She was christened Maria and was renamed several times before finally being registered in France under the name Enchanté, in 2009. She is constructed of steel with a high carbon content, which was more common in pre-war barges. Although slightly more brittle, this type of steel has excellent anti-corrosion properties.
Enchanté was purchased by Roger and Louisa Gronow in 2008, for €65,000, still containing some sand from her final cargo. Another €500,000 were spent on renovations.
After the plans were drawn up by the Parisian naval architects Technicarene, Enchanté was transformed at the Chantier Naval de Meuse et Sambre in Belgium in 2008/09. She was reduced to 30.00m in length, to suit the Canal du Midi, with its shorter locks and low curved bridges. She is one of only two midi passenger barges with two interior decks.
Enchanté has four guest bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, a saloon, demonstration kitchen and jacuzzi for guests. Crew quarters are in the bow and stern. The Enchanté has a crew of five: Captain, first mate/tour guide or matelot, chef, and two hostesses.