Canal du Midi

Name: Canal du Midi
Rating: 4.0

South of France

1 /9

Canal du Midi

View over Carcassonne, Canal du Midi

Le Boat in Le Somail, Canal du Midi

River in Beziers

Enjoy the famous Languedoc wine

Aerial view of Carcassonne, Canal du Midi

Waterside at night on the Canal du Midi, Toulouse

Horizon on the Canal du Midi

About Canal du Midi

Boat along the picturesque Canal du Midi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy wine tasting, cycling, and sightseeing at medieval villages.

When it comes to barging in the South of France, the scenic Canal du Midi is a must. Cruising this 300 year old waterway, you will savor the slow easy pace of travel as you pass lush vineyards in the heart of the Languedoc wine region.

Passing through historic water locks you will discover charming medieval villages and ancient fortress cities. Sightseeing, wine tasting, and sun-kissed cycle rides await, all the way from bustling Toulouse to the golden sands of the Mediterranean Sea.

Map showing where the Canal du Midi boating region is in France

If you are unable to find your perfect vacation on our website please contact our Boating Experts who may be able to help create a bespoke offering for you.

Canal du Midi map

Canal du Midi Region Map

= Le Boat base = Canal

The perfect boating region for...

Wine Tasting

Nestled in the Languedoc wine region, the Canal du Midi is an ideal locale for wine tasting vacations. Tour vineyards, visit wine caves and taste free samples. Trèbes, Homps, Ventenac, Paraza, Marseillette and Capestang offer much for wine connoisseurs!

History & Heritage

Medieval Carcassonne near the Canal du Midi

The Canal du Midi is steeped in history and heritage. You'll see stunning cathedrals, grand châteaux, ancient ruins and medieval cities. Carcassonne is a real gem. Museum fans will love Castelnaudary, Béziers, Narbonne and Toulouse!

Gastronomy

Cassoulet - a specialty of Castelnaudary

Friendly cafés and gourmet restaurants abound on the Canal du Midi! Try La Raffinerie in Béziers, Carcassonne's La Marquiere and L'Arbousier in Homps. Don't miss the slow-cooked bean and meat cassoulet (casserole), a French gastronomy specialty of Castelnaudary.

Family

City of Space near Port St. Sauveur, Toulouse

There's something for the entire family on the Canal du Midi - amusements and rides at Luna Park in Le Cap d' Adge and the Raymond Chésa Leisure Park near Carcassonne. The kids will love watersports at Lac de Jouarres in Homps and Toulouse's Cité de L'Espace!

Useful information

Download our region guide

Check out our region guide We've produced a handy PDF guide for this region to give you an overview of all the stops and things to do along the waterway.

Download our region guide

A bit of background

Truly an outstanding feat of engineering when completed in 1694, the main course of the Canal du Midi runs 240 kilometres (150 miles). Its very name is imbued with resonance—the canal of two seas—since its network of waterways connects the Atlantic to the Mediterranean and once served as a major trade route.

Its designer, Pierre-Paul Riquet, created a work of art with aqueducts, bridges, 91 locks and a tunnel. More than 42,000 plane trees line its often-shaded banks!

Canal du Midi Boating Vacations present an opportunity to experience this fabulous waterway firsthand with your family and friends, inviting you to travel at a pace that lets you meet the people and relax amidst stunning natural beauty. Canal du Midi vacations are amongst our most popular offerings, and with so many bases to choose from there’s a perfect cruise for you!

A brief history

As with many great canals, the idea to build the Canal du Midi had been around a long time. In 1516, King Francis I comissioned Leonardo da Vinci to survey a route. When Pierre-Paul Riquet got going in 1667, one problem was how to lift boats over the 190-metre (620-foot) heights at Naurouze. Reservoirs and dams were built. You’ll see neoclassical elements in many structures on your Canal du Midi vacation! In 1996, the canal became a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Local partner deals

We've partnered up with some of the best local businesses from the towns and villages along the Midi to help you get the most out of your Le Boat vacation.

Discover our range of exclusive offers, only available to Le Boat customers.

Cruising advice

The Canal du Midi is easy to navigate and ideal for beginners.

Tips : If you are cruising down to Béziers, consider mooring at the top or bottom of the locks of Fonsérannes if you want to walk or cycle into Béziers for sightseeing.

Please note that navigation between South Narbonne and Port la Nouvelle is not possible (Canal de la Robine).

We highly recommend to be careful when navigating the section between Canal du Midi and Narbone due to increased algae in the water.

Waterway and lock closures

Take a look at our waterway and lock closures page to find out if there are any scheduled cruising restrictions that will affect your vacation plans.

About the locks

The majority of the locks along the Canal du Midi are electric and manned by a lock keeper, there is no charge to use them. If you are travelling along the waterway to Touloouse of Carcassonne, you'll find some simple automatic locks. During peak seasons, please allow extra time as the locks can get busy.

Opening hours:

March 27 - October 26: 09:00 - 19:00. Closed for lunch between 12:00 - 13:00.

October 27 - November 3: 08:00 - 18:00. Closed for lunch between 11:00 - 12:00.

Public holidays: Locks are closed on some public holidays: May 1.

The Fonsérannes staircase has specific opening hours for rising VS. down navigation. Please speak to our sales team or base teams for more advice.

Moorings

Moorings are plentiful on the Canal du Midi, most of them are offering electricity and water refill for a small charge.

You could also moor where you want to along the canal thanks to the ropes and spikes on-board your boat. Please do not cross the pathway with the ropes in order to allow the passage of walkers and cyclists.

Getting to our bases

To find out how to get to each of our bases in this boating region, as well as what facilities and amenities are available at each base or nearby, click on the relevant base below:

What’s included in the boat cost?

Rental of the boat, its facilities and equipment, which includes:

Fully equipped kitchen on board.
Fridge, gas oven, burners, dishes and utensils.
Bathroom facilities on board.
Hot showers, toilets and towels.
Sleeping facilities on board.
Pillows, duvets and bed linen.
Heating & Air conditioning
Pre-departure briefing
Boat handling demonstration.
Daily technical support and assistance from the local Le Boat team as required.
On-board maps and visitor information
Safety equipment (inc. life jackets)

Download a detailed inventory of equipment supplied on all of our boats

Supplementary fees also included:

Compulsory mooring fees for Canada, Scotland and Italy (see compulsory costs)*
One way supplement for routes starting and ending at different bases.*
Boat cleaning service*

*These supplementary fees are automatically added where applicable and are included in prices shown on this website. They are then shown separately in the price summary, when you proceed to book.

What’s NOT included in the boat cost?

Optional vacation extras - see our extras page for details
Refundable Damage Deposit – deposit payable locally. See compulsory costs for details.
Fuel (diesel, gas, engine wear and tear). Deposit and charge payable locally. See compulsory costs for details.
Travel to and from the base(s)
Waterside services (moorings, pump-out, electric, water, etc.) Payable locally, where applicable and if used.
Passage through locks in Ireland & the Netherlands where a small fee is payable locally for each lock.
Cancellation cover or personal travel insurance
Food and drink

Hire a skipper in 2025

Hire a skipper

If a little extra guidance would put your mind at ease, hire a Le Boat skipper to spend the first full day with you in the Canal Du Midi, only from 2025.

See our extra page for more details.

Interactive map of the Canal du Midi

= Le Boat base = Point of interest

Canal Du Midi

Great to see...

Toulouse

Must see

Toulouse is the fourth largest city in France and is renowned as a center of aviation and spaceflight, the home of French rugby and for being a University town. Yet the ‘Pink City’, so named because of the dusky-pink bricks used in many of its buildings, remains intimate and welcoming with a laid-back vibe. Visitors can enjoy submersing themselves in true French café culture, with a host of museums and cultural attractions to keep them occupied.

Castanet-Tolosan

Part of the sprawling suburbs of Toulouse and a short walk or cycle from the Canal, Castanet-Tolosan has a busy shopping centre where you will find everything you should need, including local produce and crafts.

Montgiscard

This quiet 13th century town has a Gothic church with a typical Toulouse-style bell tower – worth a 500m stroll into town for a photograph if the weather is nice. You’ll find moorings at Montigiscard Lock, with a pharmacy and a good restaurant just over the road, the Brasserie de l’Ecluse.

Gardouch

Gardouch is a village typical of the area. Moor here to enjoy a peaceful walk downtown. Visit the village's beautiful church and eat in one of the excellent restaurants.

Villefranche-de-Lauragais

This is a bustling little village which boats a fine example of a wall bell-tower, flanked on each side by two octagonal towers. There are a variety of shops, cafés and restaurants here if you fancy a 2km walk or cycle from Renneville Lock where you can moor. We can recommend La Camaretoise for excellent sweet and savoury crêpes.

Avignonet-Lauragais

Just 2km north of Port Lauragais, this sweet little town is perched on a hill with an attractive church, tower and restored watermill to discover. There is little in the way of shops and eateries, but it’s a nice place to cycle to, if you want to expel some energy.

Port-Lauragais

This purpose-built tourist marina has good moorings for the night with a restaurant (La Dinée, open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner and has free Wi-Fi), a gourmet shop selling regional produce and a fascinating Canal du Midi exhibition behind the restaurant in Haute-Garonne House. It tells you everything you need to know about this majestic waterway: its history, its construction and its continued operation.

Castelnaudary

As well as being one of the home ports for the Le Boat Midi fleet, the historic market town of Castelnaudary is 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. To stock up on provisions there is a Spar supermarket 1.1km away in the town centre, where there are also ATMs, etc. If you spend over €100 they will usually be able to deliver your goods to your boat. Alternatively, there’s a Netto supermarket 600m from the base, although it’s along a busy road.

Pexiora

If you find yourself short on provisions, this quiet little village has a bakery and a small grocery store, although don’t expect a wealth of choice. However, the 2km walk or cycle through the countryside to get there is a delight.

Villepinte

You will find all you need in town to replenish your provisions, including a chemist and a service station which doubles as a supermarket. Upstream of Villepinte Lock, look out for the Mézéran Aqueduct and the Villepinte Spillway which diverts excess water into the Fresquel River below.

Bram

A pretty, but quiet village built on a circular plan with a 13th century church at the heart. A pleasant walk or cycle along a pretty tree-lined avenue will take you directly to the village where you’ll find several restaurants (including a pizzeria opposite the museum), a grocery store, butcher, patisseries and several other shops. Back at your boat, why not chill with a drink after your walk/cycle at L’lle aux Oiseaux right on the canal?

Villesèquelande

Moor by the charming stone bridge, over which the road gives access to the village a short 500m away. Seek out the pretty church and clock the Sully Elm, planted in the square outside; it is one of the last elms still alive in France; all the others were killed by Dutch elm disease. You will find a grocery shop here too.

Carcassonne

Must see

The citadel, known as ‘La Cité de Carcassonne’, is certainly not to be missed! Once you catch glimpse of its fairy-tale turrets and imposing walls when you approach the city, you’ll soon understand why. 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.

Trèbes

Le Boat has a base in the thriving town of Trèbes and, whether you are starting your journey here or passing through, visitors are pleased to visit the very large supermarket, 1km from the moorings, for a chance to stock up on provisions (the base team can give you directions). Just to the southwest of Trèbes you’ll find the Cavayère Lake, a popular summer spot full of family activities including swimming, a wildlife park and adventure trails. Ask our base team for help arranging transport.

Millepetit

A working farm and wine domain with 12th century origins, Millepetit is home to a wonderful little cooking school. This unique French cooking class will provide you with useful skills and simple tips that will help you to create classic French cuisine with a modern twist!

Marseillette

There’s a handful of cafés and restaurants here but nothing else really worth stopping for. The clock tower in the centre, before it told the time, served as a relay for the first telecommunications network in the world. Marseillette is also known for growing rice (short grain, long, fragrant and red) which you will find in local shops, delicatessens and supermarkets along the canal.

Puicheric

This is a village full of medieval character with a lovely church... although not a great deal else! You won’t even find much in the way of shops or restaurants here. Nonetheless, you’ll enjoy a gentle saunter up and down its quiet streets.

La Redorte

La Redorte is a pretty and leafy town built around a grand Château, which is now a luxury hotel with an excellent restaurant. The town has a supermarket, pharmacy, bakery, butcher and a handful of restaurants. There are usually plenty of moorings either side of the bridge. Note the Argent-Double Spillway just north of the bridge where excess water passes under the arches and falls in the Argent-Double River below.

Homps

The small village of Homps, where Le Boat has a base, was for a long time an active trading port where barrels of Minervois and Corbières wine were loaded for their journey to Bordeaux. The waterside buildings testify to these bygone days. There is a grocery store, a small selection of restaurants, a wine shop and a café-bar in the village.

Minerve

Must see

If you’re up for a 12km bike ride (add bike rentals to your booking, or rent them for the day from our Homps base), you can cycle from Homps to Minerve. This is one of France’s most beautiful towns, with charming cobbled streets, a maze of narrow alleys, quaint dwellings and a simple 12th century church. The town is perched high on a rocky promontory with rivers running through deep gorges on either side. It can be reached only by a high bridge and was the site of a famous siege in the medieval age.

Argens-Minervois

Before you reach Argens-Minervois, (or after you leave it if you are heading west), you can get some great views over the village by scaling a short but steep path at Pechlaurier Lock which leads to a look-out. The village itself is overlooked by the square towers of a 14th century château and is a lovely little place to stop, with its narrow cobbled streets to wander around. There are ample public moorings, and there is a grocery store, a café-bar and a restaurant.

Roubia

The village of Roubia is very pretty with an old stone church and tower, and there’s a grocery store and restaurant in the village.

Paraza

The village of Paraza has a café-restaurant, a grocery store and a lovely church, Notre-Dame de l’Assomption, which was once located on the path of the canal. Riquet had it dismantled and rebuilt where it stands today. Inside, the nave, the choir and the vaults are adorned with beautiful stencilled decoration dating from the 19th century. There are plenty of public moorings before and after the bridge. To the west of Paraza is the Répudre Aqueduct, the first canal bridge ever built in France and the second in the world!

Ventenac-en-Minervois

This tiny village is noted for its waterside wine cellar in the attractive canal-side Château de Ventenac-en-Minervois. Here, local wines can be sampled for free under the arches of its amazing vault. For €2 you can also tour the small museum, ‘Grenier des Vignerons’, which has a collection of tools for growing grapes and winemaking from the 19th century. There are two restaurants right by the moorings.

Le Somail

Must see

Le Somail was once an important harbour for trade and served as a ‘lying’ stop for passengers coming from Sète or from Toulouse. Nowadays, it is a beautiful little Languedoc village, home to some nice restaurants, a couple of artist studios and a grocery store.

Argeliers

A 700m stroll along a tree-lined avenue and into town will take you to a handful of restaurants, a grocery store, a butcher, two bakeries and a café-bar.

Capestang

Capestang is a small market town with a good range of shops, including a supermarket, three bakeries, several café-bars and restaurants and an impressive 14th century church. The stone bridge over the canal has the reputation of being the lowest on the canal (the lowest is actually in Carcassonne). Its curved shape makes it quite tricky to pass under – so take it slow and steady.

Poilhes

Poilhes is a charming canal-side village with a small shop and a handful of lovely restaurants.

Colombiers

The small, pretty town of Colombiers is a lively place and there is a pleasure port here with fresh water (you’ll need to buy tokens) and an electricity point. There is a supermarket, pharmacy and newsagents right at the port. After a 300m stroll into the village, you’ll find a lovely patisserie, more restaurants and a pretty church. Just to the west of the town you'll come across the Malpas Tunnel, the first canal tunnel in Europe.

Fonseranes

Must see

Just outside the city of Béziers you will encounter one of Riquet’s most ingenious engineering solutions, the Fonseranes Locks. It’s a staircase of locks, originally composed of eight chambers in a row, which allowed boats to be raised a height of 21.5m across a distance of 300m.

Béziers

Must see

Béziers is the capital of Languedoc’s wine industry and birthplace of Pierre-Paul Riquet, who was responsible for building the Canal du Midi. Like all cities with a long history, Béziers is best discovered by ambling through its medieval streets, its bright squares and its leafy parks.

Villeneuve-lès-Béziers

The large and lively village of Villeneuve-lès-Béziers has very good amenities including several restaurants, bars, and a Spar supermarket. This is an excellent spot to stock up on supplies.

Cers

This is a busy little town, but there’s not much to stop for besides the very large Intermarché supermarket, just 200m from the canal. However, you will need to cross a busy main road at an intersection to get there, so please take care. Moor as close as you can to the concrete bridge with green railings. There’s a smaller Spar supermarket in Villeneuve-lès-Béziers if you prefer.

Portiragnes

This is a cheery town with a butcher and a couple of nice restaurants. It’s worth stopping at if you find yourself there when a market is on. Otherwise, don’t make any great effort to plan it into your itinerary.

Port Cassafières

Port Cassafières is a small marina where Le Boat has a base with fresh water and electricity points.

Agde

Once a Greek city, a medieval fortress and a rich village during the Renaissance, Agde was largely built using black volcanic rocks. The old town has a lovely little centre with cobbled streets full of pleasant shops, restaurants and buildings with medieval architectural details. It also has a pretty church and a local museum.

Le Cap d’Agde

This is a busy seaside resort with a plethora of fun activities for kids, including the beach, an aquarium, a fairground and a huge waterpark. It’s about 7km from Agde Round Lock, and 5km from Bagnas Lock (should you choose to cruise further west), so you’ll need to cycle or arrange a taxi either way.

Sallèles d'Aude

This is a charming little village, worth a stroll around to find the quirky Chapel of St. Roch and Le Calvarie, a pretty, roofed structure of stone walls and arches which is now (or soon to be) a park for the people of the village to share. In the centre, there are a couple of grocery stores, a bakery and several restaurants.

Narbonne

Must see

Narbonne has a rich heritage where grand and ancient buildings sit majestically among a network of clean, modern and lively streets and boulevards. It has a wonderful southern French atmosphere with a Spanish twist. Highlights include the Saint-Just-et-Saint-Pasteur Cathedral (the third tallest in France) and the Archbishop's Palace dating back to the Roman era.

Gruissan

The town of Gruissan is a lively seaside town, full of French character and a rich history. Located 5km away from the canal on the Mediterranean coast, it is definitely worth the effort to get to. Gruissan was originally a fishing village on a small island surrounded by marshland. The narrow streets of old Gruissan village are built around the 13th century castle and form a circular pattern. In recent years, Gruissan has expanded considerably with the development of a modern yachting marina with a bar and restaurants and a casino built along the palm-lined quays.

Sainte-Lucie Island

Known as the island of a thousand scents, this is a nature reserve of exceptional beauty, comprising 825 hectares of peaceful surroundings, breath-taking vistas and abundant wildlife. Walk or cycle in the shade of pine trees on a 3km or a 7km circuit, and look out for wild pigs and deer, as well as amazing bird life.

Port-la-Nouvelle

Port-la-Nouvelle, the last town on the Embranchment de la Nouvelle, is a bustling fishing port. On the seafront you'll find many restaurants and bars, and the beach is wide and sandy - perfect for sunbathing or a day of family fun. Don't forget to try the seafood, it is as fresh as it gets!

Itinerary suggestions

Our boating vacations allow you the freedom to stop when you want and take each day as it comes. However, you might like to be guided by one of our day-by-day suggested itineraries, complete with estimated cruising times and restaurant recommendations. You can follow it religiously or just use it for ideas – whatever 'floats your boat'. Please bear in mind that our itineraries are just suggestions. Cruising times are estimates and access to waterways, attractions and restaurants are all subject to availability at time of cruising.

80km | 48 locks | 7 nights

Castelnaudary RETURN via Carcassonne

Combine the tranquil and quieter end of the Canal du Midi with the famous, fortified citadel at Carcassonne, a UNESCO heritage site and a ‘must-see’ for anyone visiting this region. Castelnaudary is our gateway to the tranquil and quieter end of the Canal du Midi where you can enjoy the simplicity of boating, taking walks around quiet villages and cycling through the glorious French countryside. Although in contrast to all this, the famous, fortified citadel at Carcassonne is the turnaround point on this 7 night suggested itinerary – a UNESCO heritage site and a ‘must-see’ for anyone visiting this region.

View Itinerary

113.40km | 37 locks | 7 nights

Port Cassafières to Homps ONEWAY

Towards the western end of the Canal du Midi, the Embranchment de la Nouvelle branches off and leads you south to the attractive city of Narbonne with its wonderful Spanish influences. On this itinerary, you'll also visit the working L'Oulibo olive grove, dine at a fancy chateau in Capestang, visit the very pretty village of Le Somail and taste the exquisite wines of the Paraza estate. The flight of locks at Fonseranes will start your boating adventure on day 1 - you'll be 'lock perfect' in no time.

View Itinerary

Route suggestions

As well as the suggested itineraries shown above, all the routes available in this region are shown below. They aren’t as detailed, but they should help you get an idea of how far you can travel in the time you have. You won’t have time to stop at every single place listed on each suggestion – but they should give you an idea of what’s possible. Of course, cruising times are approximations and access to waterways, attractions and restaurants are all subject to availability at time of cruising.

= Click the arrow icon on each route suggestion, to flip the 'card' and reveal more details.

Castelnaudary

Avignonet-Lauragais

Gardouch

Villefranche-de-Lauragais

Port-Lauragais

Castelnaudary

11 hr(s) of cruising

52km 18 locks 3 nights

Book now

The Naurouze Short Break

Castelnaudary RETURN via Gardouch

Scroll down using the grey bar to the right

Overview:

A short return cruise that takes you along a peaceful stretch of the canal with quiet villages, ideal for those looking for a relaxed getaway.

Top highlights:

Escape from it all - enjoy tranquil countryside
Sample the local wine in peaceful villages
Discover fine examples of traditional local churches

Example itinerary:

The following is only an example, you can explore this area in whichever order you want, so long as your boat is back at the end base at the end of your vacation

Depart Castelnaudary: The capital of the Cassoulet (a local specialty) try some before you leave. A stroll to the Cugarel windmill for stunning views across the Black Mountains is also worthwhile.
Avignonet-Lauragais: A sweet little town perched on a hill with an attractive church, towers and restored watermill to dicsover.
Gardouch: Visit the village's beautiful church and eat in one of the excellent restaurants.
Villefranche-de-Lauragais: 2km from Renneville Lock, you’ll find a variety of amenities and a fine example of a church with a traditional wall bell-tower.
Port-Lauragais: This purpose-built tourist marina has good moorings for the night with a restaurant.
Arrive Castelnaudary (again)

11 hr(s) of cruising

52km 18 locks 3 nights

Book now

Castelnaudary

Villepinte

Villesèquelande

Trèbes

Carcassonne

Bram

Pexiora

Castelnaudary

21 hr(s) of cruising

104km 48 locks 7 nights

Book now

The Little Midi Cruise

Castelnaudary RETURN via Carcassonne

Scroll down using the grey bar to the right

Overview:

A week-long return cruise along a peaceful section of the canal that takes in charming small villages on the way to the impressive Carcassonne.

Top highlights:

Historic and famous fortress at Carcassonne
Escape from it all - enjoy tranquil countryside
Enjoy the café-culture of charming canal-side villages
Sample the local wine in peaceful villages

Example itinerary:

The following is only an example, you can explore this area in whichever order you want, so long as your boat is back at the end base at the end of your vacation

Depart Castelnaudary: The capital of the Cassoulet (a local specialty) try some before you leave. A stroll to the Cugarel windmill for stunning views across the Black Mountains is also worthwhile.
Villepinte: You will find all you need in town to replenish your provisions. Upstream of Villepinte Lock, look out for the Mézéran Aqueduct.
Villesèquelande: Seek out the pretty church and clock the Sully Elm, planted in the square outside; it is one of the oldest elms still alive in France!
Trèbes: Stock up on excellent local produce including wine, olives, jams and confits. Then visit the family friendly Cavayère Lake.
Carcassonne: Breath-taking, UNESCO-listed, fortified citadel with 3km of ramparts, a castle, cathedral and shops and restaurants within the city walls.
Bram: A pretty and quiet village built on a circular plan with a 13th century church at the heart. Check out the Archaeology Museum to discover more than 4,000 artefacts found onsite or nearby.
Pexiora: A delightful 2km walk or cycle from the canal, this quiet village has a bakery and small grocery store.
Arrive Castelnaudary (again)

21 hr(s) of cruising

104km 48 locks 7 nights

Book now

Castelnaudary

Avignonet-Lauragais

Gardouch

Castanet-Tolosan

Toulouse

Montgiscard

Villefranche-de-Lauragais

Port-Lauragais

Castelnaudary

24 hr(s) of cruising

120km 34 locks 7 nights

Book now

The Toulouse Cruise

Castelnaudary RETURN via Toulouse

Castelnaudary Return

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Overview:

A week-long return cruise that takes you through tranquil villages on a quieter section of the canal, before you arrive at Toulouse with its cosmopolitan buzz and ample cultural attractions.

Top highlights:

Escape from it all - enjoy tranquil countryside
Sample the local wine in peaceful villages
Vibrant Toulouse with its famous ‘pink’ architecture

Example itinerary:

The following is only an example, you can explore this area in whichever order you want, so long as your boat is back at the end base at the end of your vacation

Depart Castelnaudary: The capital of the Cassoulet (a local specialty) try some before you leave. A stroll to the Cugarel windmill for stunning views across the Black Mountains is also worthwhile.
Avignonet-Lauragais: A sweet little town perched on a hill with an attractive church, towers and restored watermill to discover.
Gardouch: Visit the village's beautiful church and eat in one of the excellent restaurants.
Castanet-Tolosan: A short distance from the Canal, Castanet-Tolosan has a busy shopping centre where you will find everything you should need.
Toulouse: Fourth largest city in France with a cosmopolitan vibe, strong café culture and a wealth of museums and tourist attractions.
Montgiscard: A quiet 13th century town with a gothic church and a good restaurant close to the lock.
Villefranche-de-Lauragais: 2km from Renneville Lock, you’ll find a variety of amenities and a fine example of a church with a traditional wall bell-tower.
Port-Lauragais: This purpose-built tourist marina has good moorings for the night with a restaurant.
Arrive Castelnaudary (again)

24 hr(s) of cruising

120km 34 locks 7 nights

Book now

Castelnaudary

Pexiora

Villepinte

Bram

Villesèquelande

Carcassonne

Trèbes

Millepetit

Marseillette

La Redorte

Puicheric

Homps

20 hr(s) of cruising

81km 45 locks 7 nights

Book now

The Canal du Midi Cruise

Castelnaudary to Homps ONEWAY

Castelnaudary to Homps

Scroll down using the grey bar to the right

Overview:

A week-long one-way cruise that takes in a good balance of must-see sights (including not-to-be-missed Carcassonne) as well as the quieter parts of the canal.

Top highlights:

Escape from it all - enjoy tranquil countryside
Historic and famous fortress at Carcassonne
Enjoy the café-culture of charming canal-side villages
Stunning Minerve – one of France’s most beautiful towns (accessible from Homps)
Winetasting at the historic Paraza Chateau

Example itinerary:

The following is only an example, you can explore this area in whichever order you want, so long as your boat is back at the end base at the end of your vacation

Depart Castelnaudary: The capital of the Cassoulet (a local specialty) try some before you leave. A stroll to the Cugarel windmill for stunning views across the Black Mountains is also worthwhile.
Pexiora: A delightful 2km walk or cycle from the canal, this quiet village has a bakery and small grocery store.
Villepinte: You will find all you need in town to replenish your provisions. Upstream of Villepinte Lock, look out for the Mézéran Aqueduct.
Bram: A pretty and quiet village built on a circular plan with a 13th century church at the heart. Check out the Archaeology Museum to discover more than 4,000 artefacts found onsite or nearby.
Villesèquelande: Seek out the pretty church and clock the Sully Elm, planted I the square outside; it is one of the oldest elms still alive in France!
Carcassonne: Breath-taking, UNESCO-listed, fortified citadel with 3km of ramparts, a castle, cathedral and shops and restaurants within the city walls.
Trèbes: Stock up on excellent local produce including wine, olives, jams and confits. Then visit the family friendly Cavayère Lake.
Millepetit: Stop for a wonderful cooking school – learn how to create classic French cuisine with a modern twist!
Marseillette: Famed for growing rice, a clock tower in the centre of Marseillette served as a relay for the first telecommunications network
Puichéric: A village full of medieval character with a lovely church and worth a stop if you love watersports – you can hire canoes, kayaks or standup paddle boards and ‘mess about’ on the adjacent River Aude.
La Redorte: A pretty and leafy town built around a grand Chateau, now a luxury hotel with an excellent restaurant..
Arrive Homps: The small village of Homps, where Le Boat has a base, was for a long time an active trading port where barrels of Minervois and Corbières wine were loaded for their journey to Bordeaux.

20 hr(s) of cruising

81km 45 locks 7 nights

Book now

Castelnaudary

Pexiora

Villepinte

Bram

Villesèquelande

Carcassonne

Trèbes

Millepetit

Marseillette

Puicheric

La Redorte

Homps

Argens-Minervois

Roubia

Paraza

Ventenac-en-Minervois

Le Somail

Argeliers

Capestang

Poilhes

Colombiers

Fonseranes

Béziers

Villeneuve-lès-Béziers

Cers

Portiragnes

Port Cassafières

33 hr(s) of cruising

157km 63 locks 7 nights

Book now

The Golden Midi Cruise

Castelnaudary to Port Cassafières ONEWAY

Castelnaudary naar Port Cassafières

Scroll down using the grey bar to the right

Overview:

A week-long one-way cruise that takes in most of our Canal du Midi cruising region, all the way from our base Castelnaudary in the west to Port Cassafières in the east.

Top highlights:

Sample the regionally famous cassoulet in Castelnaudary
Historic and famous fortress at Carcassonne
Stop for a wonderful cooking school in Millepetit
Winetasting at the historic Paraza Chateau
Ascend the The Fonserannes Locks – a marvel of the Midi

Example itinerary:

The following is only an example, you can explore this area in whichever order you want, so long as your boat is back at the end base at the end of your vacation

Depart Castelnaudary: The capital of the Cassoulet (a local specialty) try some before you leave. A stroll to the Cugarel windmill for stunning views across the Black Mountains is also worthwhile.
Pexiora: A delightful 2km walk or cycle from the canal, this quiet village has a bakery and small grocery store.
Villepinte: You will find all you need in town to replenish your provisions. Upstream of Villepinte Lock, look out for the Mézéran Aqueduct.
Bram: A pretty and quiet village built on a circular plan with a 13th century church at the heart. Check out the Archaeology Museum to discover more than 4,000 artefacts found onsite or nearby.
Villesèquelande: Seek out the pretty church and clock the Sully Elm, planted in the square outside; it is one of the oldest elms still alive in France!
Carcassonne: Breath-taking, UNESCO-listed, fortified citadel with 3km of ramparts, a castle, cathedral and shops and restaurants within the city walls.
Trèbes: Stock up on excellent local produce including wine, olives, jams and confits. Then visit the family friendly Cavayère Lake.
Millepetit: Stop for a wonderful cooking school – learn how to create classic French cuisine with a modern twist!
Marseillette: Famed for growing rice, a clock tower in the centre of Marseillette served as a relay for the first telecommunications network
Puichéric: A village full of medieval character with a lovely church and worth a stop if you love watersports – you can hire canoes, kayaks or standup paddle boards and ‘mess about’ on the adjacent River Aude.
La Redorte: A pretty and leafy town built around a grand Chateau, now a luxury hotel with an excellent restaurant..
Homps: The small village of Homps, where Le Boat has a base, was for a long time an active trading port where barrels of Minervois and Corbières wine were loaded for their journey to Bordeaux.
Argens-Minervois: Home to a 14th century château and cobbled streets, this is a lovely place to stop and enjoy the ample cafés and restaurants.
Roubia: Roubia is very pretty with an old stone church and tower, there’s also a grocery store and restaurant in the village.
Paraza: Small village famed for its Chateau which produces excellent wine. Stop for a wine tour and tasting.
Ventenac-en-Minervois: This village is noted for its waterside wine cellar in the canal-side Château de Ventenac-en-Minervois. Visit, and sample local wines for free.
Le Somail: Enjoy al-fresco dining in one of the fabulous canal-side restaurant in this popular and very pretty village. Check out the books and the antique bookshop
Argeliers: A 700m stroll along a tree-lined avenue and into town will take you to a handful of restaurants, a grocery store, a butcher, two bakeries and a café-bar.
Capestang: A small market town to stock up on provisions. Enjoy passing under the stone bridge, which is one of the lowest on the canal!
Poilhes: Poilhes is a charming canal-side village with a small shop and a handful of lovely restaurants
Colombiers: A lively place, just to the west of the town you'll come across the Malpas Tunnel, the first canal tunnel in Europe.
The Fonserannes Locks: Delight in ascending or descending the seven chambered Fonserannes Locks – one of the marvels of the Midi.
Béziers: The birthplace of Pierre-Paul Riquet, the engineer behind the Canal du Midi. Wander Béziers’s medieval streets, bright squares and leafy parks.
Villeneuve-lès-Béziers: The large and lively village of Villeneuve-lès-Béziers has great restaurants and bars. It is also an excellent spot to stock up on supplies.
Cers: A busy little town, but there’s not much to stop for besides the very large Intermarché.
Portiragnes: A cheery town, stop here for the Monday morning and Tuesday morning markets.
Arrive Port Cassafières: Port Cassafières is a small marina where Le Boat has a base with fresh water and electricity points.

33 hr(s) of cruising

157km 63 locks 7 nights

Book now

Castelnaudary

Pexiora

Villepinte

Bram

Villesèquelande

Carcassonne

Carcassonne (Trèbes)

14 hr(s) of cruising

52km 31 locks 4 nights

Book now

The Medieval Short Break

Castelnaudary to Carcassonne (Trèbes) ONEWAY

Castelnaudary to Trèbes

Scroll down using the grey bar to the right

Overview:

A short one-way cruise, that takes you past pretty quiet villages on your way to the magnificent Carcassonne

Top highlights:

Escape from it all - enjoy tranquil countryside
Sample the local wine in peaceful villages
Enjoy the café-culture of charming canal-side villages
Historic and famous fortress at Carcassonne

Example itinerary:

The following is only an example, you can explore this area in whichever order you want, so long as your boat is back at the end base at the end of your vacation

Depart Castelnaudary: The capital of the Cassoulet (a local specialty) try some before you leave. A stroll to the Cugarel windmill for stunning views across the Black Mountains is also worthwhile.
Pexiora: A delightful 2km walk or cycle from the canal, this quiet village has a bakery and small grocery store.
Villepinte: You will find all you need in town to replenish your provisions. Upstream of Villepinte Lock, look out for the Mézéran Aqueduct.
Bram: A pretty and quiet village built on a circular plan with a 13th century church at the heart. Check out the Archaeology Museum to discover more than 4,000 artefacts found onsite or nearby.
Villesèquelande: Seek out the pretty church and clock the Sully Elm, planted in the square outside; it is one of the oldest elms still alive in France!
Carcassonne: Breath-taking, UNESCO-listed, fortified citadel with 3km of ramparts, a castle, cathedral and shops and restaurants within the city walls.
Arrive Carcassonne (Trèbes): Stock up on excellent local produce including wine, olives, jams and confits. Then visit the family friendly Cavayère Lake.

14 hr(s) of cruising

52km 31 locks 4 nights

Book now

Homps

Roubia

Ventenac-en-Minervois

Le Somail

Paraza

Argens-Minervois

Homps

11 hr(s) of cruising

40km 12 locks 3 nights

Book now

The Languedoc Short Break

Homps RETURN via Le Somail

Scroll down using the grey bar to the right

Overview:

A short return cruise along a section of the Midi with lots to see and to do on your way to beautiful little Languedoc village of Le Somail.

Top highlights:

Charming Argens-Minervois, with its cobbled streets and château
Winetasting at the historic Paraza Chateau
Ventenac-en-Minervois' waterside wine cellar
The idyllic village of Le Somail
Stunning Minerve – one of France’s most beautiful towns (accessible from Homps)

Example itinerary:

The following is only an example, you can explore this area in whichever order you want, so long as your boat is back at the end base at the end of your vacation

Depart Homps: The small village of Homps, where Le Boat has a base, was for a long time an active trading port where barrels of Minervois and Corbières wine were loaded for their journey to Bordeaux.
Roubia: Roubia is very pretty with an old stone church and tower, there’s also a grocery store and restaurant in the village.
Ventenac-en-Minervois: This village is noted for its waterside wine cellar in the canal-side Château de Ventenac-en-Minervois. Visit, and sample local wines for free.
Le Somail: Enjoy al-fresco dining in one of the fabulous canal-side restaurant in this popular and very pretty village. Check out the books and the antique bookshop.
Paraza: Small village famed for its Chateau which produces excellent wine. Stop for a wine tour and tasting.
Argens-Minervois: Home to a 14th century château and cobbled streets, this is a lovely place to stop and enjoy the ample cafés and restaurants.
Arrive Homps (again)

11 hr(s) of cruising

40km 12 locks 3 nights

Book now

Chateau Les Carrasses — The Languedoc Vineyards Cruise

Homps

Puicheric

Millepetit

Carcassonne

Marseillette

La Redorte

Trèbes

Homps

20 hr(s) of cruising

80km 42 locks 7 nights

Book now

The Languedoc Vineyards Cruise

Homps RETURN via Carcassonne

Scroll down using the grey bar to the right

Overview:

A week-long return cruise past some of the top sites on the Midi to the historic fortress of Carcassonne and back.

Top highlights:

Historic and famous fortress at Carcassonne
Stop for a wonderful cooking school in Millepetit
Enjoy the café-culture of charming canal-side villages
Stunning Minerve – one of France’s most beautiful towns (accessible from Homps)

Example itinerary:

The following is only an example, you can explore this area in whichever order you want, so long as your boat is back at the end base at the end of your vacation

Depart Homps: The small village of Homps, where Le Boat has a base, was for a long time an active trading port where barrels of Minervois and Corbières wine were loaded for their journey to Bordeaux.
Puichéric: A village full of medieval character with a lovely church and worth a stop if you love watersports – you can hire canoes, kayaks or standup paddle boards and ‘mess about’ on the adjacent River Aude.
Millepetit: Stop for a wonderful cooking school – learn how to create classic French cuisine with a modern twist!
Carcassonne: Breath-taking, UNESCO-listed, fortified citadel with 3km of ramparts, a castle, cathedral and shops and restaurants within the city walls.
Trèbes: Stock up on excellent local produce including wine, olives, jams and confits. Then visit the family friendly Cavayère Lake.
Marseillette: Famed for growing rice, a clock tower in the centre of Marseillette served as a relay for the first telecommunications network
La Redorte: A pretty and leafy town built around a grand Chateau, now a luxury hotel with an excellent restaurant.
Arrive Homps (again)

20 hr(s) of cruising

80km 42 locks 7 nights

Book now

Homps

Argens-Minervois

Roubia

Paraza

Ventenac-en-Minervois

Le Somail

Argeliers

Capestang

Poilhes

Colombiers

Fonseranes

Béziers

Villeneuve-lès-Béziers

Cers

Portiragnes

Port Cassafières

13 hr(s) of cruising

77km 18 locks 7 nights

Book now

The Classic Midi Cruise

Homps to Port Cassafières ONEWAY

Homps to Port Cassafières

Scroll down using the grey bar to the right

Overview:

A week-long one-way cruise along an action packed section of the canal, taking in idyllic villages and the engineering marvels of the Malpas Tunnel and the Fonserannes Locks.

Top highlights:

Ventenac-en-Minervois' waterside wine cellar
The idyllic village of Le Somail
The Malpas Tunnel, built in just eight days and the first canal tunnel in Europe
Ascend the The Fonserannes Locks – a marvel of the Midi
Béziers, the birthplace of Pierre-Paul Riquet, the engineer behind the Canal du Midi

Example itinerary:

The following is only an example, you can explore this area in whichever order you want, so long as your boat is back at the end base at the end of your vacation

Depart Homps: The small village of Homps, where Le Boat has a base, was for a long time an active trading port where barrels of Minervois and Corbières wine were loaded for their journey to Bordeaux.
Argens-Minervois: Home to a 14th century château and cobbled streets, this is a lovely place to stop and enjoy the ample cafés and restaurants.
Roubia: Roubia is very pretty with an old stone church and tower, there’s also a grocery store and restaurant in the village.
Paraza: Small village famed for its Chateau which produces excellent wine. Stop for a wine tour and tasting.
Ventenac-en-Minervois: This village is noted for its waterside wine cellar in the canal-side Château de Ventenac-en-Minervois. Visit, and sample local wines for free.
Le Somail: Enjoy al-fresco dining in one of the fabulous canal-side restaurant in this popular and very pretty village. Check out the books and the antique bookshop
Argeliers: A 700m stroll along a tree-lined avenue and into town will take you to a handful of restaurants, a grocery store, a butcher, two bakeries and a café-bar.
Capestang: A small market town to stock up on provisions. Enjoy passing under the stone bridge, which is one of the lowest on the canal!
Poilhes: Poilhes is a charming canal-side village with a small shop and a handful of lovely restaurants
Colombiers: A lively place, just to the west of the town you'll come across the Malpas Tunnel, the first canal tunnel in Europe.
The Fonserannes Locks: Delight in ascending or descending the seven chambered Fonserannes Locks – one of the marvels of the Midi.
Béziers: The birthplace of Pierre-Paul Riquet, the engineer behind the Canal du Midi. Wander Béziers’s medieval streets, bright squares and leafy parks.
Villeneuve-lès-Béziers: The large and lively village of Villeneuve-lès-Béziers has great restaurants and bars. It is also an excellent spot to stock up on supplies.
Cers: A busy little town, but there’s not much to stop for besides the very large Intermarché.
Portiragnes: A cheery town, stop here for the Monday morning and Tuesday morning markets.
Arrive Port Cassafières: Port Cassafières is a small marina where Le Boat has a base with fresh water and electricity points.

13 hr(s) of cruising

77km 18 locks 7 nights

Book now

Child on deck of Horizon — The Cathar Short Break

Homps

La Redorte

Puicheric

Marseillette

Millepetit

Carcassonne

Carcassonne (Trèbes)

13 hr(s) of cruising

52km 28 locks 4 nights

Book now

The Cathar Short Break

Homps to Carcassonne (Trèbes) via Carcassonne ONEWAY

Homps to Trèbes via Carcassonne

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Overview:

A short one-way cruise perfect for those travelling with kids. Visit Cavayère Lake and Carcassonne for family fun that is sure to keep the little ones (and big ones) entertained.

Top highlights:

Stunning Minerve – one of France’s most beautiful towns (accessible from Homps)
Family fun at Cavayère Lake (accessible from Trèbes)
Stop for a wonderful cooking school in Millepetit
Historic and famous fortress at Carcassonne

Example itinerary:

Depart Homps: The small village of Homps, where Le Boat has a base, was for a long time an active trading port where barrels of Minervois and Corbières wine were loaded for their journey to Bordeaux.
La Redorte: A pretty and leafy town built around a grand Chateau, now a luxury hotel with an excellent restaurant..
Puichéric: A village full of medieval character with a lovely church and worth a stop if you love watersports – you can hire canoes, kayaks or standup paddle boards and ‘mess about’ on the adjacent River Aude.
Marseillette: Famed for growing rice, a clock tower in the centre of Marseillette served as a relay for the first telecommunications network
Millepetit: Stop for a wonderful cooking school – learn how to create classic French cuisine with a modern twist!
Carcassonne: Breath-taking, UNESCO-listed, fortified citadel with 3km of ramparts, a castle, cathedral and shops and restaurants within the city walls.
Arrive Carcassonne (Trèbes): Stock up on excellent local produce including wine, olives, jams and confits. Then visit the family friendly Cavayère Lake.

13 hr(s) of cruising

52km 28 locks 4 nights

Book now

Homps

Roubia

Ventenac-en-Minervois

Sallèles d'Aude

Narbonne

Le Somail

Paraza

Argens-Minervois

La Redorte

Puicheric

Marseillette

Millepetit

Carcassonne

Carcassonne (Trèbes)

29 hr(s) of cruising

120km 51 locks 7 nights

Book now

The Cathar Cruise

Homps to Carcassonne (Trèbes) via Narbonne & Carcassonne ONEWAY

Homps to Trèbes via Narbonne & Carcassonne

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Overview:

A week-long one-way cruise that lets you explore both the Canal du Midi and the Embranchment de la Nouvelle.

Top highlights:

Winetasting at the historic Paraza Chateau
The idyllic village of Le Somail
Roman Narbonne with its impressive Cathedral and Archbishop’s Palace
Stop for a wonderful cooking school in Millepetit
Historic and famous fortress at Carcassonne

Example itinerary:

The following is only an example, you can explore this area in whichever order you want, so long as your boat is back at the end base at the end of your vacation

Depart Homps: The small village of Homps, where Le Boat has a base, was for a long time an active trading port where barrels of Minervois and Corbières wine were loaded for their journey to Bordeaux.
Roubia: Roubia is very pretty with an old stone church and tower, there’s also a grocery store and restaurant in the village.
Ventenac-en-Minervois: This village is noted for its waterside wine cellar in the canal-side Château de Ventenac-en-Minervois. Visit, and sample local wines for free.
Sallèles d'Aude: Stroll around to find the quirky Chapel of St. Roch and Le Calvarie, then enjoy the village’s several restaurants.
Narbonne: Enjoy a wonderful southern French atmosphere with a Spanish twist. Visit the Saint-Just-et-Saint-Pasteur Cathedral (the third tallest in France) and the Archbishop's Palace.
Le Somail: Enjoy al-fresco dining in one of the fabulous canal-side restaurant in this popular and very pretty village. Check out the books and the antique bookshop
Paraza: Small village famed for its Chateau which produces excellent wine. Stop for a wine tour and tasting.
Argens-Minervois: Home to a 14th century château and cobbled streets, this is a lovely place to stop and enjoy the ample cafés and restaurants.
La Redorte: A pretty and leafy town built around a grand Chateau, now a luxury hotel with an excellent restaurant.
Puichéric: A village full of medieval character with a lovely church and worth a stop if you love watersports – you can hire canoes, kayaks or standup paddle boards and ‘mess about’ on the adjacent River Aude.
Marseillette: Famed for growing rice, a clock tower in the centre of Marseillette served as a relay for the first telecommunications network
Millepetit: Stop for a wonderful cooking school – learn how to create classic French cuisine with a modern twist!
Carcassonne: Breath-taking, UNESCO-listed, fortified citadel with 3km of ramparts, a castle, cathedral and shops and restaurants within the city walls.
Arrive Carcassonne (Trèbes): Stock up on excellent local produce including wine, olives, jams and confits. Then visit the family friendly Cavayère Lake.

29 hr(s) of cruising

120km 51 locks 7 nights

Book now

Knights fighting — The Merchant's Cruise

Narbonne

Le Somail

Paraza

Argens-Minervois

La Redorte

Marseillette

Trèbes

Carcassonne

Millepetit

Puicheric

Homps

Roubia

Ventenac-en-Minervois

Sallèles d'Aude

Narbonne

34 hr(s) of cruising

148km 58 locks 7 nights

Book now

The Merchant's Cruise

Narbonne RETURN via Carcassonne

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Overview:

A week-long cruise that includes the finest ancient sites along the Midi, from Roman Narbonne to medieval Carcassonne.

Top highlights:

Roman Narbonne with its impressive Cathedral and Archbishop’s Palace
Ventenac-en-Minervois' waterside wine cellar
Charming Argens-Minervois, with its cobbled streets and château
Stunning Minerve – one of France’s most beautiful towns (accessible from Homps)
Historic and famous fortress at Carcassonne

Example itinerary:

The following is only an example, you can explore this area in whichever order you want, so long as your boat is back at the end base at the end of your vacation

Depart Narbonne: Enjoy a wonderful southern French atmosphere with a Spanish twist. Visit the Saint-Just-et-Saint-Pasteur Cathedral (the third tallest in France) and the Archbishop's Palace.
Le Somail: Enjoy al-fresco dining in one of the fabulous canal-side restaurant in this popular and very pretty village. Check out the books and the antique bookshop
Paraza: Small village famed for its Chateau which produces excellent wine. Stop for a wine tour and tasting.
Argens-Minervois: Home to a 14th century château and cobbled streets, this is a lovely place to stop and enjoy the ample cafés and restaurants.
La Redorte: A pretty and leafy town built around a grand Chateau, now a luxury hotel with an excellent restaurant.
Marseillette: Famed for growing rice, a clock tower in the centre of Marseillette served as a relay for the first telecommunications network
Trèbes: Stock up on excellent local produce including wine, olives, jams and confits. Then visit the family friendly Cavayère Lake.
Carcassonne: Breath-taking, UNESCO-listed, fortified citadel with 3km of ramparts, a castle, cathedral and shops and restaurants within the city walls.
Millepetit: Stop for a wonderful cooking school – learn how to create classic French cuisine with a modern twist!
Puichéric: A village full of medieval character with a lovely church and worth a stop if you love watersports – you can hire canoes, kayaks or standup paddle boards and ‘mess about’ on the adjacent River Aude.
Homps: The small village of Homps, where Le Boat has a base, was for a long time an active trading port where barrels of Minervois and Corbières wine were loaded for their journey to Bordeaux.
Roubia: Roubia is very pretty with an old stone church and tower, there’s also a grocery store and restaurant in the village.
Ventenac-en-Minervois: This village is noted for its waterside wine cellar in the canal-side Château de Ventenac-en-Minervois. Visit, and sample local wines for free.
Sallèles d'Aude: Stroll around to find the quirky Chapel of St. Roch and Le Calvarie, then enjoy the village’s several restaurants.
Arrive Narbonne (again)

34 hr(s) of cruising

148km 58 locks 7 nights

Book now

Meal on the Canal du Midi — The Canal du Midi Long Break

Narbonne

Sallèles d'Aude

Le Somail

Paraza

Argens-Minervois

La Redorte

Marseillette

Trèbes

Carcassonne

Millepetit

Puicheric

Homps

Roubia

Ventenac-en-Minervois

Capestang

Colombiers

Fonseranes

Poilhes

Argeliers

Béziers

Narbonne

47 hr(s) of cruising

225km 78 locks 10 nights

Book now

The Canal du Midi Long Break

Narbonne RETURN via Carcassonne & Béziers

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Overview:

A long 10 night return cruise that will take you along sections of the canal with plenty to see-and-do. Perfect for those looking to mix historic sites, top-notch gastronomy and world-class wine.

Top highlights:

Roman Narbonne with its impressive Cathedral and Archbishop’s Palace
Winetasting at the historic Paraza Chateau
Stop for a wonderful cooking school in Millepetit
Historic and famous fortress at Carcassonne
Ascend the The Fonserannes Locks – a marvel of the Midi
Béziers, the birthplace of Pierre-Paul Riquet, the engineer behind the Canal du Midi

Example itinerary:

The following is only an example, you can explore this area in whichever order you want, so long as your boat is back at the end base at the end of your vacation

Depart Narbonne: Enjoy a wonderful southern French atmosphere with a Spanish twist. Visit the Saint-Just-et-Saint-Pasteur Cathedral (the third tallest in France) and the Archbishop's Palace.
Sallèles d'Aude: Stroll around to find the quirky Chapel of St. Roch and Le Calvarie, then enjoy the village’s several restaurants.
Le Somail: Enjoy al-fresco dining in one of the fabulous canal-side restaurant in this popular and very pretty village. Check out the books and the antique bookshop.
Paraza: Small village famed for its Chateau which produces excellent wine. Stop for a wine tour and tasting.
Argens-Minervois: Home to a 14th century château and cobbled streets, this is a lovely place to stop and enjoy the ample cafés and restaurants.
La Redorte: A pretty and leafy town built around a grand Chateau, now a luxury hotel with an excellent restaurant.
Marseillette: Famed for growing rice, a clock tower in the centre of Marseillette served as a relay for the first telecommunications network.
Trèbes: Stock up on excellent local produce including wine, olives, jams and confits. Then visit the family friendly Cavayère Lake.
Carcassonne: Breath-taking, UNESCO-listed, fortified citadel with 3km of ramparts, a castle, cathedral and shops and restaurants within the city walls.
Millepetit: Stop for a wonderful cooking school – learn how to create classic French cuisine with a modern twist!
Puichéric: A village full of medieval character with a lovely church and worth a stop if you love watersports – you can hire canoes, kayaks or standup paddle boards and ‘mess about’ on the adjacent River Aude.
Homps: The small village of Homps, where Le Boat has a base, was for a long time an active trading port where barrels of Minervois and Corbières wine were loaded for their journey to Bordeaux.
Roubia: Roubia is very pretty with an old stone church and tower, there’s also a grocery store and restaurant in the village.
Ventenac-en-Minervois: This village is noted for its waterside wine cellar in the canal-side Château de Ventenac-en-Minervois. Visit, and sample local wines for free.
Capestang: A small market town to stock up on provisions. Enjoy passing under the stone bridge, which is one of the lowest on the canal!
Colombiers: A lively place, just to the west of the town you'll come across the Malpas Tunnel, the first canal tunnel in Europe.
Béziers: The birthplace of Pierre-Paul Riquet, the engineer behind the Canal du Midi. Wander Béziers’s medieval streets, bright squares and leafy parks.
The Fonserannes Locks: Delight in ascending or descending the seven chambered Fonserannes Locks – one of the marvels of the Midi.
Poilhes: Poilhes is a charming canal-side village with a small shop and a handful of lovely restaurants
Argeliers: A 700m stroll along a tree-lined avenue and into town will take you to a handful of restaurants, a grocery store, a butcher, two bakeries and a café-bar.
Arrive Narbonne (again)

47 hr(s) of cruising

225km 78 locks 10 nights

Book now

Narbonne

Le Somail

Paraza

Argens-Minervois

La Redorte

Marseillette

Trèbes

Villesèquelande

Villepinte

Castelnaudary

Pexiora

Bram

Carcassonne

Millepetit

Puicheric

Homps

Roubia

Ventenac-en-Minervois

Sallèles d'Aude

Narbonne

54 hr(s) of cruising

236km 122 locks 14 nights

Book now

The Great Canal du Midi Long Break

Narbonne RETURN via Castelnaudary

Narbonne RETURN via Carcassonne & Béziers

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Overview:

An extensive 14 night return cruise that will let you balance the busier and quieter section of the canal. Relax and unwind or fill your day with adventure, this cruise lets you choose on a day-by-day basis.

Top highlights:

Roman Narbonne with its impressive Cathedral and Archbishop’s Palace
The Idyllic village of Le Somail
Winetasting at the historic Paraza Chateau
Stunning Minerve – one of France’s most beautiful towns (accessible from Homps)
Sample the regionally famous cassoulet in Castelnaudary

Example itinerary:

The following is only an example, you can explore this area in whichever order you want, so long as your boat is back at the end base at the end of your vacation

Depart Narbonne: Enjoy a wonderful southern French atmosphere with a Spanish twist. Visit the Saint-Just-et-Saint-Pasteur Cathedral (the third tallest in France) and the Archbishop's Palace.
Le Somail: Enjoy al-fresco dining in one of the fabulous canal-side restaurant in this popular and very pretty village. Check out the books and the antique bookshop.
Paraza: Small village famed for its Chateau which produces excellent wine. Stop for a wine tour and tasting.
Argens-Minervois: Home to a 14th century château and cobbled streets, this is a lovely place to stop and enjoy the ample cafés and restaurants.
La Redorte: A pretty and leafy town built around a grand Chateau, now a luxury hotel with an excellent restaurant.
Marseillette: Famed for growing rice, a clock tower in the centre of Marseillette served as a relay for the first telecommunications network.
Trèbes: Stock up on excellent local produce including wine, olives, jams and confits. Then visit the family friendly Cavayère Lake.
Villesèquelande: Seek out the pretty church and clock the Sully Elm, planted in the square outside; it is one of the oldest elms still alive in France!
Villepinte: You will find all you need in town to replenish your provisions. Upstream of Villepinte Lock, look out for the Mézéran Aqueduct.
Castelnaudary: The capital of the Cassoulet (a local specialty) try some before you leave. A stroll to the Cugarel windmill for stunning views across the Black Mountains is also worthwhile.
Pexiora: A delightful 2km walk or cycle from the canal, this quiet village has a bakery and small grocery store.
Bram: A pretty and quiet village built on a circular plan with a 13th century church at the heart. Check out the Archaeology Museum to discover more than 4,000 artefacts found onsite or nearby.
Carcassonne: Breath-taking, UNESCO-listed, fortified citadel with 3km of ramparts, a castle, cathedral and shops and restaurants within the city walls.
Millepetit: Stop for a wonderful cooking school – learn how to create classic French cuisine with a modern twist!
Puichéric: A village full of medieval character with a lovely church and worth a stop if you love watersports – you can hire canoes, kayaks or standup paddle boards and ‘mess about’ on the adjacent River Aude.
Homps: The small village of Homps, where Le Boat has a base, was for a long time an active trading port where barrels of Minervois and Corbières wine were loaded for their journey to Bordeaux.
Roubia: Roubia is very pretty with an old stone church and tower, there’s also a grocery store and restaurant in the village.
Ventenac-en-Minervois: This village is noted for its waterside wine cellar in the canal-side Château de Ventenac-en-Minervois. Visit, and sample local wines for free.
Sallèles d'Aude: Stroll around to find the quirky Chapel of St. Roch and Le Calvarie, then enjoy the village’s several restaurants.
Arrive Narbonne (again)

54 hr(s) of cruising

236km 122 locks 14 nights

Book now

Narbonne

Sallèles d'Aude

Le Somail

Ventenac-en-Minervois

Paraza

Roubia

Argens-Minervois

Homps

La Redorte

Puicheric

Marseillette

Millepetit

Carcassonne

Carcassonne (Trèbes)

20 hr(s) of cruising

90km 44 locks 7 nights

Book now

The Midi-Robine Cruise

Narbonne to Trèbes via Carcassonne ONEWAY

Narbonne à Trèbes via Carcassonne

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Overview:

A week-long one-way cruise that lets you enjoy some of the midi’s most charming villages, offering plenty of places to stop and enjoy the local food and world-class wine.

Top highlights:

Roman Narbonne with its impressive Cathedral and Archbishop’s Palace
The idyllic village of Le Somail
Sample the local wine in peaceful villages
Stop for a wonderful cooking school in Millepetit
Enjoy the café-culture of charming canal-side villages
Historic and famous fortress at Carcassonne

Example itinerary:

The following is only an example, you can explore this area in whichever order you want, so long as your boat is back at the end base at the end of your vacation

Depart Narbonne: Enjoy a wonderful southern French atmosphere with a Spanish twist. Visit the Saint-Just-et-Saint-Pasteur Cathedral (the third tallest in France) and the Archbishop's Palace.
Sallèles d'Aude: Stroll around to find the quirky Chapel of St. Roch and Le Calvarie, then enjoy the village’s several restaurants.
Le Somail: Enjoy al-fresco dining in one of the fabulous canal-side restaurant in this popular and very pretty village. Check out the books and the antique bookshop.
Ventenac-en-Minervois: This village is noted for its waterside wine cellar in the canal-side Château de Ventenac-en-Minervois. Visit, and sample local wines for free.
Paraza: Small village famed for its Chateau which produces excellent wine. Stop for a wine tour and tasting.
Roubia: Roubia is very pretty with an old stone church and tower, there’s also a grocery store and restaurant in the village.
Argens-Minervois: Home to a 14th century château and cobbled streets, this is a lovely place to stop and enjoy the ample cafés and restaurants.
Homps: The small village of Homps, where Le Boat has a base, was for a long time an active trading port where barrels of Minervois and Corbières wine were loaded for their journey to Bordeaux.
La Redorte: A pretty and leafy town built around a grand Chateau, now a luxury hotel with an excellent restaurant.
Puichéric: A village full of medieval character with a lovely church and worth a stop if you love watersports – you can hire canoes, kayaks or standup paddle boards and ‘mess about’ on the adjacent River Aude.
Marseillette: Famed for growing rice, a clock tower in the centre of Marseillette served as a relay for the first telecommunications network.
Millepetit: Stop for a wonderful cooking school – learn how to create classic French cuisine with a modern twist!
Carcassonne: Breath-taking, UNESCO-listed, fortified citadel with 3km of ramparts, a castle, cathedral and shops and restaurants within the city walls.
Arrive Trèbes:Stock up on excellent local produce including wine, olives, jams and confits. Then visit the family friendly Cavayère Lake.

20 hr(s) of cruising

90km 44 locks 7 nights

Book now

Port Cassafières

Cers

Béziers

Colombiers

Capestang

Narbonne

Sallèles d'Aude

Le Somail

Argeliers

Poilhes

Fonseranes

Villeneuve-lès-Béziers

Portiragnes

Port Cassafières

27 hr(s) of cruising

128km 44 locks 7 nights

Book now

The Sunshine Cruise

Port Cassafières RETURN via Narbonne

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Overview:

A week-long return cruise past quiet villages and historic sites, all within short distance of Mediterranean beaches.

Top highlights:

The golden sands of the Mediterranean
Béziers, the birthplace of Pierre-Paul Riquet, the engineer behind the Canal du Midi
Descend the The Fonserannes Locks – a marvel of the Midi
The Malpas Tunnel, built in just eight days and the first canal tunnel in Europe
Roman Narbonne with its impressive Cathedral and Archbishop’s Palace

Example itinerary:

The following is only an example, you can explore this area in whichever order you want, so long as your boat is back at the end base at the end of your vacation

Depart Port Cassafières: Port Cassafières is a small marina where Le Boat has a base with fresh water and electricity points.
Cers: A busy little town, but there’s not much to stop for besides the very large Intermarché.
Béziers: The birthplace of Pierre-Paul Riquet, the engineer behind the Canal du Midi. Wander Béziers’s medieval streets, bright squares and leafy parks.
Colombiers: A lively place, just to the west of the town you'll come across the Malpas Tunnel, the first canal tunnel in Europe.
Capestang: A small market town to stock up on provisions. Enjoy passing under the stone bridge, which is one of the lowest on the canal!
Narbonne: Enjoy a wonderful southern French atmosphere with a Spanish twist. Visit the Saint-Just-et-Saint-Pasteur Cathedral (the third tallest in France) and the Archbishop's Palace.
Sallèles d'Aude: Stroll around to find the quirky Chapel of St. Roch and Le Calvarie, then enjoy the village’s several restaurants.
Le Somail: Enjoy al-fresco dining in one of the fabulous canal-side restaurant in this popular and very pretty village. Check out the books and the antique bookshop.
Argeliers: A 700m stroll along a tree-lined avenue and into town will take you to a handful of restaurants, a grocery store, a butcher, two bakeries and a café-bar.
Poilhes: Poilhes is a charming canal-side village with a small shop and a handful of lovely restaurants
The Fonserannes Locks: Delight in ascending or descending the seven chambered Fonserannes Locks – one of the marvels of the Midi.
Villeneuve-lès-Béziers: The large and lively village of Villeneuve-lès-Béziers has great restaurants and bars. It is also an excellent spot to stock up on supplies.
Portiragnes: A cheery town, stop here for the Monday morning and Tuesday morning markets.
Arrive Port Cassafières (again)

27 hr(s) of cruising

128km 44 locks 7 nights

Book now

Carcassonne (Trèbes)

Marseillette

La Redorte

Argens-Minervois

Homps

Puicheric

Millepetit

Carcassonne

Villesèquelande

Bram

Villepinte

Pexiora

Castelnaudary

32 hr(s) of cruising

118km 53 locks 7 nights

Book now

The Medieval Cruise

Carcassonne (Trèbes) to Castelnaudary via Argens-Minervois ONEWAY

Trèbes to Castelnaudary via Argens-Minervois

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Overview:

A week-long one-way cruise that takes in some of the Midi’s top sites, as well as some of the peaceful villages that line the banks.

Top highlights:

Family fun at Cavayère Lake (accessible from Trèbes)
Historic and famous fortress at Carcassonne
Stunning Minerve – one of France’s most beautiful towns (accessible from Homps)
Pretty Bram, laid out on a circular town-plan
Sample the regionally famous cassoulet in Castelnaudary

Example itinerary:

The following is only an example, you can explore this area in whichever order you want, so long as your boat is back at the end base at the end of your vacation

Depart Carcassonne (Trèbes): Stock up on excellent local produce including wine, olives, jams and confits. Then visit the family friendly Cavayère Lake.
Marseillette: Famed for growing rice, a clock tower in the centre of Marseillette served as a relay for the first telecommunications network.
La Redorte: A pretty and leafy town built around a grand Chateau, now a luxury hotel with an excellent restaurant.
Argens-Minervois: Home to a 14th century château and cobbled streets, this is a lovely place to stop and enjoy the ample cafés and restaurants.
Homps: The small village of Homps, where Le Boat has a base, was for a long time an active trading port where barrels of Minervois and Corbières wine were loaded for their journey to Bordeaux.
Puichéric: A village full of medieval character with a lovely church and worth a stop if you love watersports – you can hire canoes, kayaks or standup paddle boards and ‘mess about’ on the adjacent River Aude.
Millepetit: Stop for a wonderful cooking school – learn how to create classic French cuisine with a modern twist!
Carcassonne: Breath-taking, UNESCO-listed, fortified citadel with 3km of ramparts, a castle, cathedral and shops and restaurants within the city walls.
Villesèquelande: Seek out the pretty church and clock the Sully Elm, planted I the square outside; it is one of the oldest elms still alive in France!
Bram: A pretty and quiet village built on a circular plan with a 13th century church at the heart. Check out the Archaeology Museum to discover more than 4,000 artefacts found onsite or nearby.
Villepinte: You will find all you need in town to replenish your provisions. Upstream of Villepinte Lock, look out for the Mézéran Aqueduct.
Pexiora: A delightful 2km walk or cycle from the canal, this quiet village has a bakery and small grocery store.
Arrive Castelnaudary: The capital of the Cassoulet (a local specialty) try some before you leave. A stroll to the Cugarel windmill for stunning views across the Black Mountains is also worthwhile.

32 hr(s) of cruising

118km 53 locks 7 nights

Book now

Carcassonne (Trèbes)

Carcassonne

Carcassonne (Trèbes)

7 hr(s) of cruising

26km 12 locks 3 nights

Book now

The Carcassonne Short Break

Carcassonne (Trèbes) RETURN via Carcassonne

Trèbes RETURN via Carcassonne

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Overview:

A short return cruise ideal for those looking to visit the magnificent citadel of Carcassonne - the biggest medieval construction in all of Europe.

Top highlights:

Historic and famous fortress at Carcassonne
Family fun at Cavayère Lake (accessible from Trèbes)

Example itinerary:

The following is only an example, you can explore this area in whichever order you want, so long as your boat is back at the end base at the end of your vacation

Depart Carcassonne (Trèbes): Stock up on excellent local produce including wine, olives, jams and confits. Then visit the family friendly Cavayère Lake.
Carcassonne: Breath-taking, UNESCO-listed, fortified citadel with 3km of ramparts, a castle, cathedral and shops and restaurants within the city walls.
Arrive Carcassonne (Trèbes) (again)

7 hr(s) of cruising

26km 12 locks 3 nights

Book now

Fonserannes locks — The Pierre-Paul Riquet Cruise

Carcassonne (Trèbes)

Carcassonne

Millepetit

Puicheric

Homps

Roubia

Ventenac-en-Minervois

Capestang

Colombiers

Fonseranes

Béziers

Poilhes

Argeliers

Le Somail

Paraza

Argens-Minervois

La Redorte

Marseillette

Carcassonne (Trèbes)

36 hr(s) of cruising

180km 58 locks 10 nights

Book now

The Pierre-Paul Riquet Cruise

Carcassonne (Trèbes) RETURN via Béziers

Trèbes RETURN via Béziers

Scroll down using the grey bar to the right

Overview:

A week-long return cruise that takes you past the Midi’s most impressive engineering feats at the Malpas Tunnel and the Fonserannes Locks. All on the way to ancient town of Béziers – birthplace of Pierre-Paul Riquet, the engineer behind the Canal du Midi.

Top highlights:

Historic and famous fortress at Carcassonne
Stunning Minerve – one of France’s most beautiful towns (accessible from Homps)
The Malpas Tunnel, built in just eight days and the first canal tunnel in Europe
Ascend the The Fonserannes Locks – a marvel of the Midi
Béziers, the birthplace of Pierre-Paul Riquet, the engineer behind the Canal du Midi

Example itinerary:

The following is only an example, you can explore this area in whichever order you want, so long as your boat is back at the end base at the end of your vacation

Depart Carcassonne (Trèbes): Stock up on excellent local produce including wine, olives, jams and confits. Then visit the family friendly Cavayère Lake.
Carcassonne: Breath-taking, UNESCO-listed, fortified citadel with 3km of ramparts, a castle, cathedral and shops and restaurants within the city walls.
Millepetit: Stop for a wonderful cooking school – learn how to create classic French cuisine with a modern twist!
Puichéric: A village full of medieval character with a lovely church and worth a stop if you love watersports – you can hire canoes, kayaks or standup paddle boards and ‘mess about’ on the adjacent River Aude.
Homps: The small village of Homps, where Le Boat has a base, was for a long time an active trading port where barrels of Minervois and Corbières wine were loaded for their journey to Bordeaux.
Roubia: Roubia is very pretty with an old stone church and tower, there’s also a grocery store and restaurant in the village.
Ventenac-en-Minervois: This village is noted for its waterside wine cellar in the canal-side Château de Ventenac-en-Minervois. Visit, and sample local wines for free.
Capestang: A small market town to stock up on provisions. Enjoy passing under the stone bridge, which is one of the lowest on the canal!
Colombiers: A lively place, just to the west of the town you'll come across the Malpas Tunnel, the first canal tunnel in Europe.
The Fonserannes Locks: Delight in ascending or descending the seven chambered Fonserannes Locks – one of the marvels of the Midi.
Béziers: The birthplace of Pierre-Paul Riquet, the engineer behind the Canal du Midi. Wander Béziers’s medieval streets, bright squares and leafy parks.
Poilhes: Poilhes is a charming canal-side village with a small shop and a handful of lovely restaurants.
Argeliers: A 700m stroll along a tree-lined avenue and into town will take you to a handful of restaurants, a grocery store, a butcher, two bakeries and a café-bar.
Le Somail: Enjoy al-fresco dining in one of the fabulous canal-side restaurant in this popular and very pretty village. Check out the books and the antique bookshop.
Paraza: Small village famed for its Chateau which produces excellent wine. Stop for a wine tour and tasting.
Argens-Minervois: Home to a 14th century château and cobbled streets, this is a lovely place to stop and enjoy the ample cafés and restaurants.
La Redorte: A pretty and leafy town built around a grand Chateau, now a luxury hotel with an excellent restaurant.
Marseillette: Famed for growing rice, a clock tower in the centre of Marseillette served as a relay for the first telecommunications network.
Arrive Carcassonne (Trèbes) (again)

36 hr(s) of cruising

180km 58 locks 10 nights

Book now

Our Feefo reviews

Feefo is an independent and impartial review service that requests reviews directly from those who have been on a Le Boat vacation. Below you can read what our past customers think about their Le Boat experience, and trust that what you read is unfiltered, unedited and uncensored.

Added on 1 September 2024

A customer said

Very good

Castelnaudary - Carcassonne (Trèbes)

Caprice

Added on 14 August 2024

A customer said

Booking with Linda Gadden (australia) her advice was amazing and we took it, thankfully. The team at Homps were very busy however efficient. Boat was not ready however did not take long to get underway. the team at Casteldaunary was simply amazing and everything was dealt with very professionally and timely. Christian was extremely helpful as was the Mechanic who worked on our boat. (Battery issues). Wonderful holiday - very relaxing and the scenery was amazing. Would do it again! Just to nice to be able to pull up along the Canal du Midi and relax. All the lock operation became second nature after round 2!. Thanks for such great service at Castelnaudary with our boat.

It was a pleasure having you on board one of our boats. We are delighted to read how pleased you were with our services, the destination and our staff. Thank you for taking the time to post such excellent feedback. We look forward to your next cruise. Best regards, Catherine from Le Boat

Homps - Castelnaudary

Caprice

Added on 12 July 2024

A customer said

Service was very good. We were seen promptly both on arrival and departure and the explanations were clear and the training sufficient. The written materials and guide book were very clear and helpful. We had a wonderful trip and found everyone we interacted with was very helpful and friendly. The boat was as described on the website and had everything we needed. Even though we explored the canal du midi in the middle of July, it was not overly crowded with boats - in fact we saw more bicycles than boats and rarely had to wait at locks. we passed through many charming and historic towns and villages and enjoyed many delicious meals both on our boat and in local restaurants.

Hello, Thank you for your fantastic review! We're thrilled to hear that you found our staff friendly and informed. We look forward to welcoming you on another great cruising holiday with Le Boat! Kind regards, Catherine from Le Boat

Carcassonne (Trèbes) - Port Cassafières

Clipper

Added on 17 June 2024

Nadine Fedeli said

The Le Boat Team's support was fantastic and they went above and beyond to accommodate us. Our 7 day cruise with Le Boat was truly memorable. The support was fantastic and we will return for another cruise.

Dear Nadine It was a pleasure having you on board one of our boats. We are delighted to read how pleased you were with our services, our staff and our destination. Thank you for taking the time to post such excellent feedback. We look forward to your next cruise. Best regards, Catherine from Le Boat

Port Cassafières - Carcassonne (Trèbes)

Salsa B

Added on 10 June 2024

A customer said

A lovely experience!!

Good day, Thank you for taking the time to give a five-star review of your boating holiday. We look forward to welcoming you onboard again. Kind regards Catherine from Le Boat

Carcassonne (Trèbes) - Port Cassafières

Calypso

Added on 8 June 2024

Wayne Penny said

I cannot speak more highly of the service we got from the Australian staff. They advised us on how to have a great time with the time we had, as we were looking at a longer trip but was advised that we would not have enough time to explore the town's on the way. Very relaxing at this time of the year. Great staff at each end . Would be great if the ports could have a list of costs that was available at the boat office. Saying that we had great port staff with lot's of helpful advice. Meet slot of people doing the same thing along the way

Dear Wayne, Thank you for taking the time to post such excellent feedback. We are so happy that the staff were able to make it such a memorable experience. We look forward to your next cruise. Best regards, Catherine from Le Boat

Homps - Port Cassafières

Elegance

Added on 1 June 2024

Lawrence Mayne said

Excellent team easy to communicate with great boat with 5 adult size 2 people cabins Great location easy travel times to beautiful spots

Castelnaudary - Castelnaudary

Grand Classique

Added on 27 May 2024

A customer said

Very helpful staff. But my husband was surprised when we got to France and were loking at other boats, that the price we paid in Sept 2023 was nearly four times what the cost was if we had paid that day in France. he was shocked. Even taking account for the extras, I could not see hwy the price was so different. There was a problem at one location so le Boat made some fast changes to another location, canal du midi. We very much appreciated their efforts to save the holiday, as we couldn't alter our plans.

Castelnaudary - Castelnaudary

Caprice

Added on 25 May 2024

A customer said

Friendly straightforward uncomplicated helpful service with a smile every time. Great holiday that anyone can do with their family.

Good day, Thank you for taking the time to write a five-star review of your boating holiday. We are delighted to hear that you had a great time on your Le Boat experience. Thank you for the air conditioning feedback, we will let the team know. We look forward to welcoming you onboard again. Kind regards Catherine from Le Boat

Port Cassafières - Carcassonne (Trèbes)

Horizon 2

Added on 24 May 2024

Dominique Hill said

Very friendly and easy to communicate with.

Good day, Thank you for taking the time to write a four-star review of your boating holiday. We are delighted to hear that you had a great time on your Le Boat experience and that you found the boat to your liking with great service from our staff. We are sorry for the minor problems for the boat. We look forward to welcoming you onboard again. Kind regards Catherine from Le Boat

Castelnaudary - Homps

Royal Mystique A

Canal du Midi: read our articles

Bateau Salsa sur le Canal du Midi au printemps

July 17, 2023

Canal du Midi: a travel and boating holiday guide

Situated in the southwestern region of France, the Canal du Midi spans over 240 kilometres (150 miles), the canal connects the Canal Lateral à la Garonne in Toulouse to the Thau Lagoon near the Mediterranean Sea. The two canals make up le Canal des Deux Mers, linking the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. Not just a remarkable feat of engineering and a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Canal du Midi is an iconic boating holiday destination where any crew will find activities to suit them.

Read Article

July 18, 2023

Guide of the wines to discover along the Canal du Midi

Did you know that the Canal du Midi flows through the largest wine-growing region in the world? With no fewer than 240,000 hectares of vines, the Languedoc-Roussillon wine region has something to offer to all palates. Since a boating vacation on the Canal du Midi is a great way of discovering the wine and gastronomy of the region, we’ve compiled this guide of wines to discover along the route, vineyards, and shops to visit, not forgetting a few food pairing recommendations!

To avoid disappointment, be sure to book tours in advance!

Read Article

July 19, 2023

15 things to do and see in Carcassonne

Carcassonne: a town, a city, a unique history... Carcassonne is a city in the Department of Aude, in the south of France, known worldwide for its medieval city, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997. It is situated in a strategic place, along the road which connects the Mediterranean Sea with the Atlantic Ocean. It is one of the most touristy places in Occitanie, and renting a self-drive canal boat on the Canal du Midi to get to it is an unmissable experience!

Read Article

View all articles

Canal du Midi

About Canal du Midi

Boat along the picturesque Canal du Midi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy wine tasting, cycling, and sightseeing at medieval villages.

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Port de Plaisance, Route de Béziers, 11800 Trèbes

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Le Grand Bassin , 11492 Castelnaudary

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Port Minervois, 11200 Homps

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Quai d’Alsace, 11100 Narbonne

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Port Cassafières, 34420 Portiragnes

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Port de Plaisance, Route de Béziers, 11800 Trèbes

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Le Grand Bassin , 11492 Castelnaudary

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Port Minervois, 11200 Homps

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Quai d’Alsace, 11100 Narbonne

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Port Cassafières, 34420 Portiragnes

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Canal du Midi map

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Interactive map of the Canal du Midi

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