About Homps
Homps is at the very heart of the Midi. It’s a great base if you wish to travel far and see lots – with loads of villages and attractions and very few locks to the east. You can branch off towards the Canal de la Robine and the Roman city of Narbonne (7hrs from Homps), or continue to the Fonserannes staircase of seven locks and lively Béziers (5-6hrs away). Historic Carcassonne is a quiet and peaceful 10hr cruise to the west. You can’t leave Homps without travelling 12km inland to the beautiful town of Minerve, perched high on a rocky promontory surrounded by deep gorges – spectacular!
From Homps it is:
- 20 hrs (45 locks) to our base in Castelnaudary
- 6.5hrs (14 locks) to our base in Trèbes
- 12.5hrs (18 locks) to our base in Port Cassafières
- 7.5hrs (16 locks) to our base in Narbonne
What you get on the base
Facilities
- Showers
- Toilets
- 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.
Practical extras
- Early check-in & late check-out
- Boat cleaning
- Parking (see 'Travel info' tab)
- Car transfer (see 'Travel info' tab)
- Eco cleaning pack
- L.E.D. lantern
- Top-deck cushions
- Grocery packs
- Wifi packs
Fun extras
- Bike hire
- Special occasion gift baskets
- Gas barbecues
Payment Means
Please note that payment of fuel, deposit & any extras booked and paid locally are required in the local currency of the base. Our bases accept Visa & Mastercard, but not American Express.
Hotels
L’Arbousier - Tel: +33 (0) 468 911 124
Le Jardin de Homps - Tel: +33 (0) 468 913 950
Domaine Val Au Clair - Tel: +33 (0) 6 81 61 78 86
Le Château de Siran - Tel: +33 (0) 468 915 598
Restaurants
Le Bistro Gourmand – Tél : +33 (0) 468 414 237
En Bonne Compagnie – Tél : +33 (0) 468 912 316
Le Foudre – Tel: +33 (0) 468 329 692
Les Tonneliers – Tel: +33 (0) 468 911 404
La Peniche – Tel: +33 (0) 468 912 434
La Guinguette du Lac – Tel: +33 (0) 468 912 620
Shops
In Olonzac, which is the next village along from Homps (10 minute walk) you will find the local supermarket. Opening hours: Monday - Saturday: 09:00 - 20:00
There is also a supermarket in Homps town centre, which is again a 10 minute walk from the base. Opening hours: Monday - Saturday: 06:30 - 20:30, Sunday: 07:30 - 20:30
Fishing
Fishing is allowed on the canal throughout the season. A fishing license is required (although not for children under 16) and a holiday license can be purchased near to the base.
Opening hours
Address
Telephone
Travel to Homps
To book a taxi to or from the base you can contact the numbers below.
Taxi Cathy Renard’ (+33 (0) 468 916 767 /[email protected])
Jean Paul Moïse’ (+336 17 70 66 87 / jea[email protected])
Taxi Manuel Fonseca’ (+33 6 07 637 365/ [email protected])
Accès Taxi’ (+336 79 10 56 09 / [email protected])
Approximate price (4 passengers) from:
- Carcassonne Airport (CCF) 75€
- Toulouse Airport (TLS) 235€
- Béziers Airport (BZR) 100€
- Lézignan Corbières Train Station 23€
- Narbonne Train Station 53€
- Carcassonne Train Station 65€
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, triangle & florescent jacket in your car. For driving advice and a list of the equipment you’ll need, please visit www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/overseas
Directions from Calais: From Calais take A26 Auto route to Reims, then A4 to Châlon-sur-Marne, then A26 to Troyes, then A5 to Langres, then A31 to Beaune, then A6 to Lyon, then A7 to Orange, then A9 to Narbonne, then A61 to Lézignan. Leave Autoroute at junction 25. Then follow directions Lezignan Corbieres, When in Lézignan Corbieres follow ‘toutes direction’ until you pick up signs for Homps. In the village of Homps follow Le Boat signs, after crossing canal turn first left then straight on you will find Le Boat. Road distance approximately 1150 kms 11.5 hrs.
Directions from Toulouse: Take A61 and exit at junction 25 at Lézignan and follow directions as above. Road distance approximately 150 kms 1.5 hrs.
Parking
Secure parking (pre-bookable extra – fee applies)
By Train
Closest train station(s):
- Lézignan Corbières:12km
- Narbonne: 35km
- Carcassonne: 45km
By Air
Closest airport(s):
- Carcassonne: 33km (E80)
- Toulouse: 129km (E80)
- Béziers: 45km (E15/E80)
Arrival at Homps
When to arrive
Your boat will be ready to depart for 16:00 - 18:00. We recommend that you arrive 60 minutes earlier for check-in and instructions. If you have booked an Early Check-in Service, please arrive at the base ready to depart between 11:00 and 12:00 or from 14:00.
Late arrivals
If you are going to be arriving at the base late, you will need to inform the base directly or our UK/IRE sales team. When you arrive at the base there will be a note on the reception door informing you where your boat is. The boat will be left open for you to stay on board that night. The base staff will do the full briefing the following morning.
Upon arrival
Our base staff look forward to welcoming you to their cruising region and aim to make your arrival and holiday as smooth and enjoyable as possible.
When you arrive our base staff will:
- Take a deposit to cover the fuel and gas you use during your holiday as well as engine wear and tear. Any extra fuel used will be charged on your return or we will refund the difference for fuel you have not used.
- Take a refundable collision damage deposit. This will be refunded if you return your boat and its inventory undamaged at the end of your holiday. The amount collected (and thus your liability) can be reduced by purchasing a Collision Damage Waiver in advance. Please contact our sales team for details.
- Familiarise you with your waterways guide, maps and other helpful documentation provided to help you plan where you want to go and where you’d like to stop.
- Brief you about your boat, the equipment on board, and the cruising area (places to visit, etc.).
- Give you a boat handling demonstration on the water with one of our technicians.
Your return
Your boat should be returned and unoccupied by 09:00 on your last cruising day (or by midday if you have booked a Late Check-out).