Sail along the Canal du Midi, France, by traveling across a magical canal that connects the incredible waters of the Mediterranean Sea with the Atlantic Ocean. Around, stunning aesthetics take your breath away, some made up by nature, and some by men throughout different decades. Canal du Midi is truly one of Europe’s greatest engineering wonders. Its soft waters will take you across landscapes, villages, and towns that are the stereotype of French.
Activity/Place Highlights
Toulouse
Your journey will start from Toulouse, where you will be going through the lovely town of Castelnaudary. Here, houses with roofs made of terracotta emerge out of the waters, lining up to the spectacular cathedral with its huge spire. Now you’re in the heart of Cathar country, with its beautiful castles contrasting against the skyline and dotting the hills. If you have the chance, you should definitely visit them.
Bram
Heading east, the canal eventually takes you to an open country and a series of locks. As you admire the romantic tree-lined lock at Bram, the scenery will make you feel like you’re inside a fairytale from another era. Each lock offers the chance to take a coffee break; besides, the bigger ones are good for mooring overnight. The water gently rocks the boat from side to side, making you sleep like a baby.
Carcassonne
After Bram, you will find what definitely is one of the gems of the whole journey. The breathtaking medieval city of Carcassonne is located on the Aude valley, with its well-known ramparts. From this point, the canal will follow the path of the Aude River, taking you to the most typical French terrain. Wherever you look, vineyards, regimented planes, poplar and cypress trees will fill your line of vision.
Le Somail village
Once the Canal du Midi leaves behind the Aude River, you will be heading north to the village of Le Somail. This village is all about small cottages covered with ivy, some wonderful waterside restaurants, and the old medieval church.
Étang de Montady
The canal will take you from Le Somail to La Croisade, then to Capestang and Poilhes. After you go through Poilhes, you will pass the edge of the impressive Étang de Montady. Standing on a nearby hill, the village of Montady offers perfect views over the famous plain, its fields looking like pizza slices.
Your journey noticeably comes to an end once you reach the last big population of the canal: the beautiful city of Béziers. During the last day of your journey, the Canal du Midi will guide you through the old port of Agde, where you will see a fleet made up of colorful fishing boats.
How to get there
A huge variety of international airlines fly to Toulouse. In addition, you can pick from modern motor cruisers to traditional barges. It’s important for you to know that you don’t need a license for renting a boat. In fact, the hire company will teach you how to control a vessel. But if you prefer having someone else to drive then, you can have a professional pilot.
When to go
July and August are the peak summer months, which means high traffic levels that can be quite scary for beginners during these days. The Canal du Midi is open all year round, so you can try and travel any other time.
How long
Different companies along the canal rent boats from just one day to a whole week, or even more. Then, you can pick for just how long you want this journey to last.
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