River cruise on the Canal du Midi

River cruise on the Canal du Midi

Long used for the transport of goods and then people, rivers were first a network of natural waterways. As early as Roman times, many man-made canals were added to the existing network.Although boating has been practised since the 17th century, particularly on the Loire, the first cruises were organised by river transport companies in England as early as the 19th century. It was not until the 1980s that river tourism experienced real growth. Trade by river thus preceded the tourist use of these natural or artificial canals.We propose you to complete your cruise on the Canal du Midi with our inspirations of trips in France before or after your cruise.

Discover our inspirations

 

Cruise on the Canal du Midi to Toulouse, the Pink City

90 km

Sailing time: 22 h

28 locks

Who hasn't already dreamt of a licence-free river cruise on the Canal du Midi?It is France's most famous canal well beyond our borders.Some people walk or cycle along it, from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean. For a total immersion, cruise the Canal du Midi by boat, as its creator had imagined it.Go up the Canal du Midi from Port Lauragais to Toulouse. During this cruise of a few days, stop in charming bastides, discover the gastronomy of the South-West on the markets and in the restaurants along the canal.

Presentation of the trip

Points of interest

Canal du Midi - Toulouse - Gastronomy of the South-West - Maison de la Haute-Garonne - Port Lauragais - Villefranche de Lauragais - Montgiscard

Program

 

Sailing time: 11h

Port Lauragais

Situated halfway between Toulouse and Carcassonne, Port Lauragais is an excellent starting point to take a boat trip on the Canal du Midi and discover all the riches of the "Canal Royal du Languedoc" as it was called in the reign of Louis XIV. Cassoulets from the Lauragais, duck breasts or confits, terrines, foie gras, Cadours garlic, Fronton wines: take advantage of this opportunity to discover the local gastronomy of the South-West at the Maison de la Haute-Garonne. You can also visit the exhibition dedicated to the history of the Canal du Midi.

Port Lauragais - Villefranche de Lauragais

Sailing time: 2h30

The construction of the Canal du Midi contributed to the development of this 13th century bastide. To go back in time, take a stroll through its narrow streets to discover its turreted and half-timbered houses, its central hall and its covered passages. Not to be missed: its fortified bell-tower-wall in the Toulouse Gothic style.

Villefranche de Lauragais - Montgiscard

Sailing time: 4h30

Discover the village of Montgiscard, once fortified and its gothic church Saint-André. Feel like enjoying a good meal on the deck of your boat? At l'Escarbille, a charming restaurant with a terrace decorated with wrought iron set on the banks of the Canal du Midi, you can order a traditional cassoulet to take away.

Montgiscard - Toulouse

Sailing time: 4h

It's time to go to the Pink City. With more than 2,000 years of history, Toulouse is home to many treasures, unmissable monuments and little-known nuggets to be discovered in its narrow streets and squares, from religious buildings to private mansions: the Place du Capitole, the Musée des Augustins, the Basilique Saint-Sernin, the Jacobins Convent, the Jardin des Plantes. To have your head in the stars, visit the Cité de l'Espace, its life-size model of the Ariane 5 rocket and its replica of the MIR space station.In Toulouse, your discovery of the Canal du Midi by boat comes to an end. You can turn around to reach your departure base, Port Lauragais.ReturnSailing time: 11h 

River cruise on the Canal du Midi to the Medieval City of Carcassonne

124 km

Sailing time: 33h

52 locks

Sail on the mythical Canal du Midi and discover its timeless charm as well as the rich cultural and gastronomic traditions of the region. During your week by boat, you will discover the vineyards of the Minervois, cross canal bridges and locks to Carcassonne, a magnificent fortified city.

Presentation of the trip

Points of interest

Canal du Midi - Medieval City of Carcassonne - Castles of Ventenac-en-Minervois and Paraza - Villages of Somail, Ventenac-en-Minervois, Roubia and Argens-Minervois - Museum of Vine and Wine - Rice field of Marseillette

Program

The Somail

Renting your boat from the base of Le Somail in the Midi is the ideal place to discover one of the most famous destinations for barge holidays: the Canal du Midi. The charming little port of Le Somail is located halfway between Carcassonne and Béziers, in the largest bief of France (52 kilometres without a lock).The Hameau du Somail is one of the most beautiful villages crossed by the Canal du Midi. Discover its ice-house dating from 1684, its small shops and its picturesque atmosphere. Don't miss: the impressive bookstore Le Trouve-tout du livre and its 50,000 books for sale!

Le Somail - Ventenac-en-Minervois

Sailing time: 1h

Sail to this charming village of the Narbonnais, Ventenac-en-Minervois, built in an amphitheatre on a hill from where you have a beautiful view of the plain of Canet, Raissac and Saint-Nazaire, watered by the Aude. To visit: the cellar and the attic of the Château de Ventenac-en-Minervois winegrowers, to learn more about the Minervois wines and their grape varieties.

Ventenac-en-Minervois - Paraza

Sailing time: 0h30

It's time to leave this beautiful place and reach Paraza. At the bend of a meander stands this village with its majestic early 17th century castle where Paul Riquet stayed. The founder of the Canal du Midi came to Paraza to witness the launching of one of its most astonishing works, the Canal du Répudre bridge, the oldest in France, located one kilometre from the port of Paraza.

Paraza - Roubia

Sailing time: 0h45

Typical village of the Aude with its organization in circular form around the castle ("circulade"), you will discover with the wire of water, Roubia which does not miss charm. Stop at the Moulin de la Restanque to discover their olive oils.

Roubia - Argens-Minervois

Sailing time: 0h45

Beautiful typical village of the Minervois region, organized around a 14th century castle overlooking the canal and the river Aude, you will reach Argens-Minervois has the air of a bucolic postcard between vineyards, lake and scrubland. To find out more about the region's wine-growing tradition, visit the Musée de la Vigne et du Vin in Lézignan-Corbières (5 km).

Argens-Minervois - Homps

Sailing time: 2h

From the river port of Port-Minervois in Homps, you can walk to the lake of Jouarres (400 m). Lovers of swimming, windsurfing, canoeing, paddling or carp fishing will have a great time.

Homps - La Redorte

Sailing time: 1h

On the banks of the Canal du Midi at La Redorte, a remarkable structure was built in 1693: the Argent Double Spreader, built by order of Vauban. This architectural freestone edifice with eleven arches prevents flooding by automatically evacuating excess water from the canal.

La Redorte - Puichéric

Sailing time: 1h30

Then, head towards Puichéric, known above all to the boaters of the Canal du Midi for its lock which is like no other. Joël Barthès, lock keeper-sculptor, has populated his lock with strange beings and sculptures, to be discovered during your boating holidays. Also worth seeing: the pretty castle of Puichéric and its ramparts, the Romanesque church and the Minervois vineyards in the surrounding area.

Puichéric - Marseillette

Sailing time: 3h30

The agricultural landscape of the Aude is not limited to vineyards, arboriculture, market gardening and animal husbandry. Rice is also cultivated here... Discover the old pond of Marseillette, which is home to a rice field and is a revival of a historic local tradition. For the amateurs of telecommunications, a Chappe telegraph tower is to be discovered on the heights of the village.

Marseillette - Trèbes

Sailing time: 2h

You will arrive during your cruise on the Canal du Midi in the charming little town of Trèbes. It offers a pleasant stopover for lunch or dinner in its waterside restaurants. To visit: its Saint-Etienne Church, in southern Gothic style, with its 320 painted corbels from the 14th century (open on Sunday mornings). As you navigate on the canal, you will also discover the La Rode bridge, the Orbiel canal bridge and the monumental staircase of three locks.

Trèbes - Carcassonne

Sailing time: 3h30

Three kilometres of ramparts, two fortified walls, four gates and 52 towers: these are some of the characteristics of this medieval fortified town, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997. Its exceptional setting has been the setting for several films (e.g. "Robin Hood - the Prince of the Vows").The imposing fortifications of the medieval city of Carcassonne dominate the course of the Aude. Animations, markets, festivals, etc. In the summer, numerous cultural and local events animate the city, an essential stop on your cruise on the Canal du Midi.In Carcassonne, your cruise is coming to an end. You can turn back to your base of departure, Le Somail.ReturnSailing time: 4:30 pmAnd for more information on this mythical Canal, visit the official Canal du Midi Tourism website.