7nt Port Cassafières to St. Gilles ONEWAY
7 nights | 135.50km | 2 locks | Approx. 18 hrs of cruising
We’ve packed a lot into this 7 night suggested itinerary which serves you the very best the Camargue has to offer… cruising across the open waters of the Etang de Thau, fun on the beach, strolling around the ancient walled city of Aigues-Mortes, a tour of the salt-flats, an evening on a cattle ranch and bird-spotting in the marshes. Phew! Thankfully it's broken up by a lot of relaxing, and virtually lock-free, cruising!
Suggested Itinerary
1
DAY 1: Arrive Port Cassafières
0km | 0 locks | Approx. 0 hrs 0 mins of cruising
Arrive at base
2pm - 5pm
After you have arrived and checked-in, we'll show you to your boat as quickly as possible. Spend time settling in, freshen up and await your pre-departure briefing which will be given by one of our base technicians. They will familiarise you with the boat’s domestic systems and give you a hands-on demonstration of the boat controls and how to operate it. They will make sure you are comfortable and confident controlling the boat, as well as navigating the waterway, before you set off.
Explore Portiragnes Plages
5pm - 6:30pm
While part of your crew is settling on the boat, you can take the opportunity to stock up on groceries for the week ahead at the Spar Supermarket in Portiragnes Plages (about a 25 minute walk or a 8 minute cycle from the base on the D37 - just before you reach the beach). If you're all set for your journey, take some time to enjoy a relaxing walk along the beach at Plage Portiragnes and Plage La Redoute - just keep walking for another 4 minutes after the supermarket and you'll find the Mediterranean Sea.
Dinner at La Côterie, Portiragnes Plages
7:30pm - 9:30pm
Enjoy dinner near the coast in this laidback local pizzeria. For bookings: +33 449066002 | la-coterie.negocio.site
Overnight in Port Cassafières
For families with younger children
I
nstead of Portiragnes Plages: Just a 10 minute cycle (or 30 minute walk) from our base, to the north of the canal, Eurl Azimut adventures operates a series of high rope course through the trees, and a climbing tower. They open until 2pm - 6pm (9am - 7pm in July and August). Book in advance at azimut-aventures.fr and note they shut down for the winter in early September.
2
DAY 2: Port Cassafières > Marseillan
19.70km | 2 locks | Approx. 3 hrs 30 mins of cruising
Breakfast on board
8am - 9am
Port Cassafières > Agde
9am - 10:30am
Approx. 1hr 30mins | 0 locks
Shortly after you leave base, the Canal du Midi intersects with the Libron River where you'll pass through the Ouvrages du Libron (Works of Libron). The River Libron has a propensity to flash flood, which would make passage along this part of the Midi impossible, if not for this nifty structure which cleverly diverts the flow of the Libron into two channels in times of flood. When this happens, each channel can be blocked in turn, allowing boats to pass as each channel is closed. A board, explaining how it works, is located next to it.
When you arrive in Agde, moor in the basin just before the Round Lock.
Explore Agde
10:30am - 12:30pm
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 center with cobbled streets, full of pleasant shops, restaurants and buildings with medieval architectural details. It also has a pretty church and a local museum.
Lunch at La Marina, Agde
12:30pm - 2pm
Take your pick from a smorgasboard of delicious homemade local dishes at this popular and unique restaurant, set on a barge on the banks of the river. Bookings are advised: +33 (0)9 82288864 | restaurantlamarinaagde.fr
Agde > Marseillan
2pm - 4pm
Approx. 2hrs | 2 locks
As you set off, you'll immediately need to pass through the Round Lock. When it was built in the 1600s, the lock was perfectly round but, in 1984, it was extended to accommodate lager barges. The lock gives access to three different water levels - two gates access the canal, while a third gate opens onto the Hérault River (although rental boats are not allowed this way).
Etang de Thau
Between Agde and Marseillian, you'll reach the end of the Canal di Midi and enter the Etang de Thau - a vast saltwater lagoon, separated from the Mediterranean Sea by a thin strip of sand. It's a lovely contrast to canal cruising and will be a highlight of your vacation. Stay within the marked channels which guide you to each lakeside town. Your first stop is Marseillian - which is only 1.5km from the entrance to the lake.
Explore Marseillan
4pm - 6pm
Finish your sightseeing day with a glass of Noilly-Prat, Marseillan's famous vermouth. The House of Noilly-Prat is only a few meters away from the Marseillan port. You can book a tour of the house and vermouth tasting directly on their website: noillyprat.com
Noilly Prat offers a free cocktail to Le Boat customers when booking a "Discover" visit on their website, with the promotional code: LEBOAT19.
Dinner at La Table d'Emilie, Marseillan
7:30pm - 9:30pm
Enjoy a delicious meal at this very popular restaurant with dishes based on traditional French cuisine. The pâté en croûte is excellent! For bookings: +33 (0)467776359 | la-table-demilie-marseillan.com
Overnight in Marseillan
3
DAY 3: Marseillan > Bouzigues
22.80km | 0 locks | Approx. 3 hrs of cruising
Breakfast on board
8am - 9am
Lunch at La Mezon, Mèze
12:30pm - 2pm
In the north of Mèze, Sesquier Park offers a pleasant setting for a picnic. However, if you prefer to sample some of the local cuisine such as world-famous, fresh oysters, we highly recommend La Mezon, one of Mèze's top restaurants overlooking the port. Bookings are a must: +33(0)6 18395649
Dinner at Le Grand Bleu, Bouzigues
7:30pm - 9:30pm
You could cook a delicious dinner on board with the oysters and mussels that you bought earlier in the day, while enjoying the sun setting over the Étang de Thau. Or, if you fancy eating out, we recommend Le Grand Bleu. Bookings are advised: +33(0) 4 67 78 72 09 | legrandbleu-bouzigues.fr
Overnight in Bouzigues
For families with younger children
Mèze: About 5kms from Mèze, you can visit the Dinosaur museum: +33 (0)4 67 43 02 80
4
DAY 4: Bouzigues > Frontignan (for Sète)
13km | 0 locks | Approx. 2 hrs of cruising
Breakfast on board
8am - 9am
Explore Sète
1:30pm - 5:30pm
Be enchanted by the colorful façades of Sète, where countless bridges criss-cross the canals. Travel between the lighthouse and the central food market where you should try a "Tielle", the local speciality that is a delicious pie filled with octopus and a spiced tomato sauce. For the best view of the city and the saltwater lagoons, catch a bus to the top of St. Clair Mount.
Dinner at L'Epicurien, Frontignan
7:30pm - 9:30pm
Just a 5 minute walk from the moorings in Frontignan, this small restaurant has an unassuming exterior but don't be put off. The warm welcome and the exceptionally tasty mediterranean cuisine is second-to-none. +33 6 19 13 12 66
Overnight in Frontignan
For families with younger children
Bouzigues: Kids will love to see the animals at the "Ferme zoo de Bouzigues". +33 (0)6 13 61 68 74
5
DAY 5: Frontignan > Palavas-les-Flots > Aigues-Mortes
48km | 0 locks | Approx. 6 hrs of cruising
Breakfast on board
7:30am - 8:30am
Frontignan > Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone
8:30pm - 10:30pm
Approx. 2hrs | 0 locks
IMPORTANT: Just as you leave Frontignan - there's a lifting bridge which, for most of the year, only opens twice a day - at 8:30am and at 4pm. So make sure you are ready to pass through promptly at 8:30am, otherwise you'll miss a day's worth of cruising. (Note: in July and August, the bridge opening times are 8:30am, 1pm and 7pm.)
Lunch in Palavas-les-Flots
1pm - 1:30pm
Picnic on the beach in Palavas-les-Flots
Relax and have fun on the beach, Palavas-les-Flots
1:30pm - 3pm
Spend some time at the beach for a well-deserved rest or enjoy one of the many sporting activities the area has to offer, including beach volleyball, bicycling and kayaking... among others.
For the more adventurous, L'effet Kiteschool offers special discounts to Le Boat customers on kitesurfing and wake boarding lessons.
Dinner at Le Dit Vin, Aigues-Mortes
7:30pm - 9:30pm
Enjoy local specialties such as tuna, cod and bull meat in this restaurant's cozy courtyard. For bookings: +33 (0)4 66 53 52 76 | leditvinaiguesmortes.eatbu.com
Overnight in Aigues-Mortes
For families with younger children
Palavas-les-flots: During summer, you can enjoy the funfair, which is open every night, at Lunapark.
6
DAY 6: Aigues-Mortes
0km | 0 locks | Approx. 0 hrs 0 mins of cruising
Breakfast on board
8am - 9am
Explore Salin d'Aigues-Mortes
9am - 12:30pm
Spend a fascinating morning on a guided tour to the heart of the Salin d'Aigues-Mortes and discover the salt tables, the fabulous Sel de Camargue and the pink waters which make this place so magical and other-worldly. Learn about the work of the salt workers, the harvesting of Camargue Salt and see exceptional flora and fauna. You can take the tour on a little tourist train, or by foot and they start just a 20 minute walk away from the moorings which are under the unmissable Tower of Constance. Bookings in advance: +33 4 66 73 40 24 | visitesalinsdecamargue.com
Entdecken Sie Aigues-Mortes
2pm - 4pm
Must-see stops include the Towers and Ramparts of Aigues-Mortes, and the Tour Carbonniere. This city truly is a unique jewel of medieval military architecture and well worth a leisurely stroll around the old town.
L'épicerie de Maman offers a discount to Le Boat customers. The store, located in the center of Aigues-Mortes, offers various natural and perfumed olive oils sourced from locally grown olives and products created by local craftsman and artisans.
Overnight in Aigues-Mortes
7
DAY 7: Aigues Mortes > Gallician > St. Gilles
32km | 0 locks | Approx. 3 hrs 30 mins of cruising
Breakfast on board
8am - 9am
Explore Gallician
10:30am - 12:30pm
If you’re feeling active, then cross the bridge and head south of the canal on your bikes. In 15-20 minutes, the dead-straight road will bring you to the Scamandre Nature Reserve. A raised boardwalk will take you to the heart of the marsh where you will spot an amazing variety of birds - from Ibis to hoopoe; bee eater to stork! camarguegardoise.com Or take a 10min walk through Gallician village to find ‘Cave Pilote de Gallician’ cellar, you can taste and buy Costières de Nîmes wine. gallician.com
Explore St. Gilles
3:30pm - 6:30pm
St. Gilles is famous for its magnificent Benedictine abbey, Abbatiale de St. Gilles, which is included in the UNESCO Heritage List, as part of the World Heritage Sites of the Routes of Santiago de Compostela in France. If your car has been transferred from Port Cassafieres, you could take a 10 minute drive north to Oliveraie Jeanjean, an organic olive oil mill in a 30 thousand hectare olive grove. They offer free self-guided tours and a tasting, afterwhich you can buy some olive-related souvenirs to take home. Our base team can help you arrange a taxi if you don’t have your car. oliveraie-jeanjean.com
Dinner at Le Cours, St. Gilles
7:30pm - 9:30pm
Enjoy a solid brasserie-style meal outside on the terrace of this local gem. For bookings: +33 (0)4 66 87 31 93 | hotelrestaurantlecours.site
Overnight in St. Gilles
8
DAY 8: Depart St. Gilles
0km | 0 locks | Approx. 0 hrs 0 mins of cruising
Breakfast on board
7:30am - 8:30am
Enjoy your final breakfast on board before tidying and vacating your boat by 9am (unless you have booked and paid for a late-checkout)
Depart St. Gilles
9am