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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Crown Blue Midi Fleet
Click vessel below for more details |
| Sleeping 8+ Passengers |
Challenger
|
Classique |
| Classique S |
Grand Classique |
| Nautilia |
| Salsa |
| Sleeping 6+ Passengers |
| Calypso |
| Condor |
| Crusader |
| Jamaica |
| Orion |
| Royal Classique |
| Sleeping 4+ Passengers |
| Asteria |
| Clipper |
| Comet |
| Consul |
| Countess |
| Tamaris |
| Tango |
| Viscount |
| Sleeping 2+ Passengers |
| Capri |
| Cirrus |
| Consort |
| Sheba |
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Suggested Cruises
Please see map above - routes shown by colour |
The Little Midi Cruise
Castelnaudary - Homps - Castelnaudary |
A classic cruise on the Canal du Midi
through rolling countryside under
the dappled shade of the plane trees.
Visit the impressive walled city of
Carcassonne, and the medieval Cathar
city of Argens Minervois close to the
pretty port of Homps. Spend time en
route visiting the wine towns of Trèbes,
and Bram and savour the slow pace
of life along this beautiful section of
the canal. Waterside restaurants and
‘caves du vin’ to suit all tastes line your
cruising route. |
Duration: One week
Cruise Type: Return
Locks: 62
Distance: 162kms
Cruise Time: 42 hrs |
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The Sunshine Cruise
Port Cassafières - Narbonne - Port
Cassafières |
| The magnificent staircase of locks at
Fonsérannes gives you stunning views
over the Orb valley and the city of
Béziers. Enjoy wines at the 400 year old
vineyard next to the Guery aqueduct
and browse for antique books at Le
Somail before cruising down the Canal
de la Robine into Narbonne. |
Duration: One Week
Cruise Type: Return
Locks: 46
Distance: 128kms
Cruise Time: 27 hrs |
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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 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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The Golden Midi Cruise
Port Cassafières - Castelnaudary
or vice versa |
| From the beaches and edge of the
Camargue, cruise to the vibrant city of
Bèziers. Head up the staircase of locks
at Fonsérannes and cruise in the shade,
stopping when the mood takes you.
Visit the famous ice-house and book
shop at Le Somail before heading on to
the 14th century town of Castelnaudary
– home to Cassoulet. Visit La Cité at
Carcassonne en route. |
Duration: One Week
Cruise Type: One Way
Locks: 64
Distance: 157kms
Cruise Time: 35hrs |
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