France: The Canal du Midi
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Bathed in warm
sunshine for most of the
year, a cruise on the
historic Canal du Midi
is a perfect holiday
choice for experienced
and first-time cruisers alike. Cruise
from any of our five bases on the Canal du Midi through
to the heart of the Camargue and beyond – and tailor your
journey to be as cultural, astronomic or leisurely as
you choose.
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Listed by UNESCO as a world heritage site, the Canal du
Midi was built by Pierre-Paul Riquet in the 17th century
and is an amazing feat of engineering. Linking the Atlantic
with the Mediterranean, it takes you on a wonderful
journey through the heart of the Languedoc countryside
- France’s most prolific wine producing region.
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Regional Highlights |
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• Sunshine from March – October
• Automatic and fully-manned
locks
• Good links to motorways, regional
airports and TGV train stations
• Sightseeing at Carcassonne
and Narbonne
• The staircase of locks at
Fonsérannes (Béziers) |
Wind your way under the dappled
shade of the plane trees through
ancient and modern cities, past
pretty waterside villages and
neatly planted vineyards. Cruise
through beautiful oval-shaped
locks, over arched bridges and
ancient aqueducts. Near Beziers,
experience the amazing staircase
of locks at Fonsérannes – a tribute
to 19th century engineering
and ingenuity.
You will discover lots to see and
plenty to do on the Canal du
Midi - visit the medieval walled
city of Carcassonne, browse the
antique book museum in the
sleepy hamlet at Le Somail and
enjoy Cassoulet at Castelnaudary.
Cruise the Canal de la Robine
to Narbonne, famous for its
Merchant’s Bridge, impressive
cathedral and Roman museum and head for nearby bustling
Port la Nouvelle with its beaches
and abundance of great seafood
restaurants.
All along the canal, pretty
restaurants offering delightful
regional wines and speciality
dishes entice you to moor up
for impromptu long lunches.
Step ashore to shop in lively
markets or to step back in time
sightseeing. Or simply relax and
enjoy the amazing scenery from
the unique perspective of your
sundeck and raise a glass to the
wonderful south of France.
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Connoisseur Midi Fleet
Click vessel below for more details |
| Sleeping 8+ Passengers |
Valentré (1230FB A)
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Tower (1325 FB A) |
| Millau (1415FB) |
Magnifique |
| Sleeping 6+ Passengers |
| Marengo (1230FB B) |
| Normandie (1325FB B) |
| Commodore Plus (Comm 1370 B) |
| Traditional 1275 B |
| Continentale |
| Elegance |
| Sleeping 4+ Passengers |
| Merchant (1070FB) |
| Rialto (1140FB) |
| Caprice |
| Commodore (Comm 1230) |
| Traditional 1135D/E |
| Corvette A/B |
| Sleeping 2+ Passengers |
| Ha’Penny (900FB) |
| Traditional 900 |
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Suggested Cruises
Please see map above - routes shown by colour |
The Merchant’s Cruise
Narbonne - Carcassonne - Narbonne |
| Start your holiday in the pretty Roman
town of Narbonne and enjoy the scenery
of the Canal de la Robine before turning
onto the Canal du Midi and heading
towards the walled city of Carcassonne. |
Duration: One week
Cruise Type: Return
Locks: 78
Distance: 158kms
Cruise Time: 39hrs |
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The Wine Lover’s Cruise
Homps - Bram - Homps |
| From the small port of Homps – once
famous for shipping the many barrels of
Languedoc wine on to Bordeaux, head
up-stream under the shade of the plane
trees to the lovely waterside town of
Bram, stopping off en route to visit the
medieval walled city of Carcassonne. |
Duration: One Week
Cruise Type: Return
Locks: 56
Distance: 128kms
Cruise Time: 40 hrs |
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The Pierre-Paul Riquet Cruise
Trèbes - Béziers - Trèbes |
| Enjoy lock free cruising between Argens and Béziers as you pass through the heart of waterside towns and villages to the busy port-town of Béziers, birthplace of Pierre-Paul Riquet – founder of the Canal du Midi. Experience the staircase of locks at Fonsérannes and the oldest canal tunnel at Malpas en route. |
Duration: One Week
Cruise Type: Return
Locks: 50
Distance: 180kms
Cruise Time: 37 hrs |
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The Langudoc Cruise
Narbonne - Castelnaudary - Narbonne |
| An ancient Roman town and former
thriving sea port, Narbonne is famous
for its spectacular Merchant’s Bridge
– one of the few remaining bridges
lined with houses and shops. From here,
head up-stream past many delightful
villages and vineyards, and the medieval
city of Carcassonne, before reaching
Castelnaudary. |
Duration: Two Weeks
Cruise Type: Return
Locks: 128
Distance: 252kms
Cruise Time: 60hrs |
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The Canal du Midi Cruise
Homps - Castelnaudary or vice versa |
| Take this classic Canal du Midi cruise
in sunshine and shade between Homps
and the lovely town of Castelnaudary.
Spend time en route visiting the towns
of Trèbes, Carcassonne and Bram and
savour the slow pace of life along this
beautiful section of the canal. |
Duration: One Week
Cruise Type: One Way
Locks: 31
Distance: 81kms
Cruise Time: 21 hrs |
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The Midi-Robine Cruise
Narbonne - Trèbes or vice versa |
| A spectacular one week cruise along
the Canal du Midi and the Canal de la
Robine. Narbonne, with its spectacular
Merchant’s Bridge is a delightful city to
explore and is close to the beaches. |
Duration: One Week
Cruise Type: One Way
Locks: 29
Distance: 63kms
Cruise Time: 16hrs |
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The Classic Midi Cruise
Homps - Port Cassafières or vice versa |
| Set off from the wine centre of Homps
and savour the memorable sights and
sounds of the Canal du Midi en route to
Port Cassafières, situated at the edge
of the Camargue and close to lovely
beaches |
Duration: One Week
Cruise Type: One Way
Locks: 16
Distance: 77kms
Cruise Time: 16hrs |
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The Medieval Cruise
Castelnaudary - Trèbes or vice versa |
| From the old port of Castelnaudary,
visit medieval Carcassonne and enjoy
the timeless appeal of the waterway en
route to the medieval town of Trèbes,
situated at the confluence of the Canal
du Midi and the river Aude. |
Duration: 3-4 days
Cruise Type: One Way
Locks: 12
Distance: 43kms
Cruise Time: 46==13 hrs |
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