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

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 ‘Holiday Extras‘ for more details about each extra. Restrictions apply.

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 

Secure parking offsite (pre-bookable extra – fee applies)

Parking 

• Castelnaudary: Rent a car: 32 Av. François Mitterrand, 11400 Castelnaudary (550 meters from the base)
• Toulouse airport
• Carcassonne airport 

By Air

Closest airports:

• Toulouse: 71 Km (E80)

• Carcassonne: 38 Km (E80)

Flights not available to book yet?

If your flight or ferry isn’t available to book yet, worry not! We’ll waive our amendment fee if you need to change your boat hire details to better suit the flight and ferry you eventually book. So book now with confidence. Terms & Conditions: Valid on all bookings made more than 6 months in advance of departure date. Only one amendment allowed free of charge. Departures to suit airline/ferry schedules cannot be guaranteed and any changes are subject to availability at time of making the amendment. Changes must be made within 4 weeks of the airline / ferry company releasing their schedule.

Great Deals on Flights

Check out the low cost airlines for some great deals to Europe. 

For the Midi…

Ryanair fly to Carcassonne (only 15mins approx from our base in Trebes) from Bournemouth, London Stansted, East Midlands, Liverpool and Glasgow.  Or to Beziers (approx 20mins from our base in Port Cassafieres) from Bristol, London Luton, Manchester and Edinburgh. Or to Montpellier (approx 50mins from our base in Port Cassafieres) from Leeds Bradford.

Easyjet fly to Toulouse  (approx 45 minute drive from our base in Castelnaudary) from Bristol and London Gatwick. Or to Montpellier (approx 50mins from our base in Port Cassafieres) from London Luton and London Gatwick

By Sea

Closest port(s):

• Santander (593km)
• St Malo (827km)

Book your ferry to France today with our partners Direct Ferries.

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.