Cruising Companion » Canal du Midi / Carmargue

Cruising in Canal du Midi / Carmargue

Listed by UNESCO as a world heritage site, the Canal du Midi takes you on a wonderful journey through the South of France allowing you to enjoy your boating holiday through the heart of the gastronomic Languedoc countryside.

Suggested Cruises
Featured Locations

Click on the place name to find out more about each location. Alternatively use Suggested Cruises list to help you decide where to cruise.

Argeliers

Argeliers is a little village with few facilities except a small grocery shop and a restaurant. Visit the Cave Coop�rative which sells good local wine.
Argens

Argens is a beautiful little town, typical for the Minervois region, clustered around a 14th century ch�teau and overlooking the canal and the river Aude.
Avignonet Lauragais

The village is historically connected with the start of repression of the Cathars.
Beziers

Beziers is the second largest town on the Canal du Midi. Once a Roman city; it's rich in history including the Cathars. Today it is renowned for winemaking, rugby summer festivals and bullfights.
Bram

Bram is an attractive town in pretty countryside, surrounded by vines. Built in a circular style, with the houses arranged in a concentric circle around the church, Bram is in the heart of Cathar country, and the remains of many castles can be spotted on the hilltops close to the town. There is a good range of shopping and faciltities here and it makes a very pleasant spot to moor and spend some time. The village is a bit of a walk (approx 1.5 kms) from the port.
Capestang

A very nice village built around the Collegiale Church (a southern monument from the 14th century) and the Castle, which was once the the secondar residence of the Archbishop of Narbonne
Carcassonne

Carcassonne is a world renowned UNESCO World Heritage site and is one of France's top tourist attractions. It has easy access from the airport and railway station and is an unmissable stop if you are cruising this part of the canal.
Castelnaudary

The ancient streets are lined with half-timbered houses and private mansions dating from the XVIIIth century. During the last weekend of August the town hosts a Cassoulet festival, celebrating its main claim to fame.
Colombiers

A nice little village on the Old Roman Way with all facilities
Gardouch

For the historical and architectural side of the Canal.
Homps

Homps is an ancient commercial port where barrels of Minervois and Corbi�res wines were loaded for their journey to Bordeaux. Several wine producers are situated here and you can visit them for tours and tastings.
Ile Ste Lucie

This is a nature reserve of great beauty - dogs are not allowed here. This is an idyllic spot for a peaceful and relaxing stop - use your bike to explore.
La Redorte

Customer recommended "a new restaurant in the town, where we had a truly gourmet experience though not high prices"
Labastide D'anjou

Before arriving at the lock M�diterrran�e (PK 57) you have the opportunity to visit the potery workshop of the brothers Not (3d generation) who make the typical earthenware container for the Cassoulet (cassole). You can see the successive stages of manufacturing and how the kiln works. A variety of items is for sale.
Le Somail

This is one of the most popular stops on the Canal du Midi , a very small but very attractive village.
Marseillette

A charming little village which retains a relatively 'undiscovered' air but boasts its very own radio station!
Montesqiueu Lauragais

An historic town on the canal. The Renaissance castle in the village is presently the town hall (mairie).
Montferrand

The feeder canal (la Rigole) bringing in the water from the Black Mountains is still paved with its original tiles. The obelisk here was erected as a tribute to Riquet who conceived and built the Canal du Midi, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Montgiscard

See the typical houses of the region in the village. The harbour, the lockkeeper's home, the pigeon house and (lavoir) wash house all date from the time of the construction of the Canal.
Narbonne

Narbonne was the first colonial Roman city to be founded outside the Italian peninsula. And is today a big and bustling town, offering many facilities - shopping, entertainment, museums, restaurants
Palavas Les Flots

This is a modern port with up to date facilities, all the advantages of a southern seaside resort. An excellent stopping place!
Paraza

A pretty little village, overlooking the Canal
Port La Nouvelle

Port la Nouvelle is one of the biggest commercial ports in the Mediterranean and offers fairly convenient access to the beach, which is approximately 2 kms from the moorings. There's also a municipal swimming pool here and a casino - should you fancy a flutter!
Portiragnes

This is a pretty little village. It's centre is built with volcanic stones
Ramonville Saint Agne

A private harbour with controlled access. It's quiet and friendly and charges a nightly mooring fee at approximately �15 (services, such as electricity are extra if required)
Roubia

This is a pleasant little village, surrounded by vineyards and near the river Aude with it's Cave Co-operative
Salleles D'aude

This is a charming village for an overnight stay, which offers restaurants and a small supermarket
Toulouse

One of France's largest cities. The warm glow of red bricks and tiles gives Toulouse its nickname, "La ville rose" (the rose red city). Culture is a keyword in Toulouse. The city is proud of its operatic traditions and has long nurtured music and entertainment: dance, theatre, concerts by the "orchestre du capitole", etc. Sport is also a tradition here, especially rugby.
Ventenac

This lovely little town has many features typical of the Minervois region. The village of Ventenac with restaurants, a post office and a bakery. also has a ch�teau, with it own wine museum, and this is the focal point of the village. Try the local wines which are reputed to be excellent!
Villefranche Du Lauragais

A typical southern town with several shops and restaurants. The church is built in red bricks and has a bell wall, typical for the area of Toulouse. Several houses have interesting architectural details on their front facades.
Villeneuve Les Beziers

A peaceful and attractive little medieval village with all facilities