The Canal du Midi and the adjoining Embranchement de la Nouvelle (Canal de Jonction and Canal de la Robine) form the biggest and most popular boating region, enjoyed by thousands of holiday makers every year. This Canal Tour takes you though the merged regions of Languedoc-Roussillon and Midi-Pyrénées, now collectively named ‘Occitanie’ by the new regional council. Though, this region is still referred to as ‘Languedoc’ when referring to wine, culture and traditions.
DAY 1: MONDAY: CASTELNAUDARY
Castelnaudary is a market town, and the capital of the territory of Lauragais. The town is located 50 kilometres southeast of Toulouse, about midway along the route from that city to the Mediterranean. This route has been used since at least Roman times. Castelnaudary is the main port of the Canal du Midi to which it owed a period of prosperity in the 17th century when agricultural and manufactured produce became easier to export. The Grand Bassin in the town is, at 7 ha, the largest open area of water in the canal, and is today its major pleasure port. This will be our start point. Boarding our canal boat in the morning, we will have the day and night to discover this ancient historic city of Castelnaudary, the town which is also the home of the “Cassoulet”, a regional dish of white beans and chunky pieces of pork and duck. There are several places in town claiming to serve the best.
DAY 2: TUESDAY: CASTELNAUDARY TO VILLESÈQUELANDE
Fresh Baguettes and croissants for breakfast on board, before beginning our Midi adventure, passing through flat, open farmland and sleepy stone buildings as the canal winds its way east. Lunch on our sundeck while the locks are closed and in the afternoon, stop and unload the bikes for a short cycle into Bram, an attractive town arranged in a concentric circle around the pretty church. Then onwards to overnight in quiet Villesèquelande.
STATS: 26km / 19 locks / 6hrs cruising
DAY 3: WEDNESDAY: VILLESÈQUELANDE TO CARCASSONNE
After another morning meandering though the tranquil French countryside, we’ll arrive at the most famous of all stops along the Midi-Carcassonne, with its impressive fortified ramparts. After the Eiffel Tower, this citadel, known as ‘La Cité de Carcassonne’, is the second most visited tourist attraction in France. Once you catch a glimpse of the Canal du Midi’s fairy-tale turrets and imposing walls from your boat as we approach the city, you’ll soon understand how magical it really is. A UNESCO World Heritage site, this fortified, medieval, walled city is unique in Europe by its size and its state of conservation. It is renowned for its double wall of ramparts, running nearly 3km around the perimeter and 53 conical-roofed, fairy-tale towers. Head straight to the centre, a bustling network of cobbled streets thronging with restaurants and shops, all nestled inside the imposing city walls. After lunch, it’s time to explore! Take a guided tour around the huge 12th Century Château Comtal and don’t miss the ethereal magnificence of the Basilica of Saint Nazaire. Later we will head back into the city for dinner.
STATS: 14km / 5 locks / 3.5hrs cruising
DAY 4: THURSDAY: CARCASSONNE TO TRÈBES
We will head away from the canal on a visit to the spectacular Domaine Gayda, one of the leading and most impressive wine producers in the area. Touring the state state-of -the-art winery and learning how their wines are made whilst enjoying a relaxed and fun tasting of their excellent range of wines. Finishing with a three-course lunch, accompanied by local wine, in their superb restaurant that overlooks the Pyrenees before we return to Carcassonne for our onward journey to Trèbes.
STATS: 12km / 6 locks / 3.5hrs cruising
DAY 5: FRIDAY: TRÈBES TO ARGEN MINERVOIS
Chill on deck, soak up the sunshine and enjoy the slow pace of the canal as we spend most of the day cruising. There’s time to stop in the peaceful and pretty village of Marseilette for a stroll on the way. For lunch, we will find a spot to moor in the the middle of nowhere and enjoy the surrounding beauty whilst the locks are closed. The countryside becomes even more picturesque from this point, with open farmland giving way to tree lined tow paths and rambling meadows. Our destination is the beautiful town of Argens Minervois, clustered around a 14th century chateau, with plenty of time to have a wander around before dinner.
STATS: 26.5km / 15 locks / 8 hrs cruising
DAY 6: SATURDAY: ARGENS MINERVIOS TO LE SOMAIL
A short hop to Paraza where the Chateau de Paraza overlooks the canal -the site of an impressive winery. Look around, sample the produce and find lunch in a local restaurant. Then it’s another short meander to Le Somail our mooring for the night. In the afternoon, why not hire the most legendary of convertible cars, an old Mythic 2 CV? It’s a fun way to drive through the vineyards and countryside toward L’Oulibo Olive Caves for a tour. Enjoy sampling the olives while receiving a fascinating insight into their history.
STATS: 16km / 1 lock / 2.5hrs cruising
DAY 7: SUNDAY: LE SOMAIL TO CAPESTANG
Pick up fresh bread and pastries from the grocery barge to enjoy with breakfast on your sundeck. Then, visit Madam Gourgue’s Antiquarian Bookshop, where you’ll find everything from cheap paperbacks to very rare editions, crammed in bookshelves from floor to ceiling. Then we will untie the lines and set off towards Capestang, stopping along the way in the peaceful surroundings for a canal-side picnic lunch. For something exquisite, dress up for dinner and take a short ride to the very grand Château les Carrasses for a fine-dining experience in a beautiful setting.
STATS: 22km / 0 locks / 5hrs cruising
DAY 8: MONDAY: CAPESTANG TO COLOMBIERS
Explore Capestang, including its 14th century castle & impressive painted ceilings. Back on board, we’ll stop for lunch in Poulhulhes before reaching Le Malpas. A 20 minutes walk to explore the Oppidum of Enerune, an archaeological site and museum with impressive views over the dried Montady Lake. Then it’s time to navigate through the 165metre long Malpas tunnel, Europe’s first navigable canal tunnel. In Colombiers, visit the Saint Sylvestre church, which is full of history and at night, the rectory’s gardens are lit up and are perfect for a charming walk.
STATS: 13km / 0 locks / 2.5hrs cruising
DAY 9: TUESDAY: COLOMBIERS TO BÉZIERS
After a lazy start and a leisurely breakfast aboard we head off towards the famous Fonsérranes staircase of locks. The flight consists of eight ovoid lock chambers and nine gates, which allow boats to be raised or lowered a height of 21.5m, in a distance of 300m. Then it’s onwards, past Béziers, to moor just past the bustling city in the quieter surroundings of Villeneuve Béziers. Spend a restful afternoon chilling with a book or exploring the towpaths by bike.
STATS: 13km / 11 locks / 5hrs cruising
DAY 10: WEDNESDAY: BÉZIERS TO PORT CASSAFIÈRES
Explore Bezier, one of the Midi’s largest cities. Don’t miss the 13th century Romanesque cathedral which occupies one of the best sites in town; from the concourse at the front there are terrific views out over the surrounding vineyards and hills. Or visit the Musée des Beaux Arts – to view paintings by Rubens and Delacroix. After finding lunch in one of Beziers many restaurants, head back to your boat for the final stretch to Port Cassafières. A stroll along the beach at Portiranges will build your appetite for our farewell dinner. Afterwards, spend the evening on deck under the stars reminiscing about the happy memories you’ve created or have a night time wander through the city.
STATS: 9km / 1 lock / 2.5hrs cruising
DAY 11: THURSDAY
This day is set aside so that we can add another “special day” along the way.
