Our base in Castelnaudary
About Castelnaudary
Castelnaudary, the capital of Cassoulet offers a variety of things to see – not least the impressive views over the Black Mountains from the Cugarel Windmill view point. It is a great start (or finish) for boaters looking to enjoy pleasant countryside and a lazy meander past quiet towns and villages. A 7-night cruise to the west is a peaceful return journey to the contrasting hubbub of cosmopolitan Toulouse. However, most boaters choose to head east where, after two days of tranquil cruising, you’ll reach the spectacular fortified citadel of Carcassonne, the second most visited tourist attraction in France.
From Castelnaudary it is:
- 13 hrs (31 locks) to our base in Carcassonne (Trèbes)
- 20hrs (45 locks) to our base in Homps
- 32.5hrs (63 locks) to our base in Port Cassafières
View our Castelnaudary base on Google Maps
What you get on the base
Facilities
- Toilets and showers
- Wifi
- Luggage storage available (at own risk)
Extras & options for your cruise
The following extras are available to prebook or purchase locally at this base. A reduced fee will apply to items that are prebooked. Please see ‘Vacation Extras‘ for more details about each extra. Restrictions apply.
Extras
- Early check-in & late check-out
- Boat cleaning
- Parking – (see ‘Travel info‘ tab)
- Car transfer (see ‘Travel info‘ tab)
- Eco cleaning pack
- Lantern
- Top-deck cushions
- Grocery packs
- Wifi packs
Fun extras
- Bike hire
- Special occasion gift baskets
- Gas barbecues
Travel to Castelnaudary
View our Castelnaudary base on Google Maps
By Train
Closest train station:
- Castelnaudary: 650m from the base
By Road
Be prepared
It is your responsibility to familiarise yourself with local road rules and abide by them. Most European countries have a list of compulsory equipment that you must take with you. For example, there is a new legal requirement in France to carry a breathalyser in your car. For driving advice and a list of the equipment you’ll need, please visit https://www.theaa.com/european-breakdown-cover/driving-in-europe
Directions
Directions from Paris: Take the A10/E50 toward Bordeaux. Keep left to continue on A10/E5, follow signs for A71/ Toulouse/ Bordeaux. Keep right to continue on A71/E9, follow signs for A20/Toulouse. Take the exit onto A20/ E9 towards Toulouse. Take the A20/E9/A62 exit toward Toulouse/ Bordeaux. Merge onto the A62, continue onto A61, keep left to stay on A61. Take the exit 21- Castelnaudary toward Town Centre (Centre Ville). Pass 1 first roundabout by turning left to the Town Centre. Pass a second roundabout (next to the Mc Donald’s) and continue straight on to the Town Centre. Continue straight & after the roundabout, the road goes above the railway, and turns left. At this bend, just before the bridge above the canal, turn left on the ‘Quai du Cane lot’ and go on the road along the canal up to the base.
Car rental
- Castelnaudary: Rent a car: 32 Av. François Mitterrand, 11400 Castelnaudary (550 meters from the base)
- Toulouse airport
- Carcassonne airport
Parking
- Secure parking offsite (pre-bookable extra – fee applies)
By Air
Closest airports:
- Toulouse: 71 Km (E80)
- Carcassonne: 38 Km (E80)
Arrival at Castelnaudary
For more details about:
- when to arrive at our bases
- what to expect when you arrive
- how to prepare for check-in
- what happens on your final day when you return your boat
visit our ‘arrivals‘ page.