What is the best part of the Canal du Midi?

Between Bram and Beziers is probably the most picturesque portion of the Canal du Midi. This segment includes Carcassonne as well as numerous small towns and excellent side excursions. Some of the lock keepers sell local produce: eggs, jams, sometimes cakes and bread.

How long does it take to sail the Canal du Midi?

10 days
It takes typically 10 days to travel the length of the Canal du Midi by barge, and provides an interesting way to see the countryside of the Midi. En route it passes by Castelnaudary, Carcassonne, Trebes (and a narrow passage between the cliffs), and across a canal bridge.

What is the Canal du Midi used for?

The Canal du Midi is the initial part of the Deux-Mers Canal project which aimed to link the Mediterranean and the Atlantic by connecting several sections of waterways.

Can you walk the Canal du Midi?

You are never too far from somewhere to sleep while walking along the Midi Canal. The longest section, from Castelnaudary to Villepinte, requires a walk of 12.4 kilometres (7.8 miles) and a further ten-minute walk from the canal into town.

Where is the Canal du Midi?

France
Midi Canal, also called Languedoc Canal, French Canal du Midi or Canal du Languedoc, historic canal in the Languedoc region of France, a major link in the inland waterway system from the Bay of Biscay of the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea.

Where can you cruise through a canal village?

Top 6 Places to Visit While Cruising on the Canal du Midi in the South of France

• Carcassonne. Carcassonne is a medieval fortified city set atop a hill overlooking the Aude River.
• Béziers. The hilltop town of Béziers is the wine capital of Languedoc.
• Minerve.
• Narbonne.
• Capestang.
• Le Somail.

Can you swim in the Canal du Midi?

Swimming in the Canal Du Midi is not allowed. The tourist boats on the Canal Du Midi (Le Boat, Hapimag, Nicols, etc) are boats that you do not need a permit for to rent and sail.

How deep is the Canal du Midi?

The design canal depth is 2 m with a minimum of 1.80 m. The draft allowed is 1.50 m although regular users advise that even with 1.40 m boats will occasionally touch the bottom because of silt deposits in many places. The width on the surface is 20 m on average with variations between 16 m and 20 m.

Does the Canal du Midi flood?

For those who are unaware, flooding occurred at the end of our cruising season in late October 2018 with the only the Trebes, Hompsand Narbonne Le Boat bases affected. Le Boat’s Canal du Midi holidays are amongst the operator’s most popular, with the company passionately committed to the region.

Why was Canal du Midi built?

Constructed between 1666 and 1681 to provide a water link between the Mediterranean Sea and the Garonne River (and thus to the Atlantic Ocean), the Canal du Midi exists today as a feat of incredible engineering and aesthetic genius, marked by its UNESCO World Heritage Site status. …

Which European city is built on canals?

Venice
Venice could well be the world’s most famous canal town: it’s hard to imagine canals without envisioning the Italian city’s winding waterways, gracefully arched bridges, sputtering vaporettos and striped gondoliers.

What is a barge cruise?

Barges are handsome vessels carrying 4-22 passengers that cruise through European canals, primarily in France. Barging focuses on gourmet food and wine, while exploring the countryside and relaxing. Barge season is from mid April – the end of October.

Which is the best barge for Canal du Midi?

Savannah cruises along the world-famous Canal du Midi and is a stunning hotel barge, her warm exterior colouring attracting envious looks all… Read more Roi Soleil is possibly the most distinctively elegant hotel barge – a true river yacht – cruising the French waterways.

Where does the Languedoc cruise on the Canal du Midi?

The Languedoc is responsible for more than a third of France’s total wine production. Board barge Athos as she cruises the Canal du Midi, and get a glimpse of barging in the south of France.

How many locks are there on the Canal du Midi?

It also has three sets of lock gates, each with a different water level – a very unique sight. There are actually 86 working locks to enjoy navigating on your cruise. Most ecluses are now user-operated – by the end of the first day you will certainly be a master. Remember, you can’t come to France without sampling the vin rouge!

Why is the Canal du Midi a World Heritage Site?

The Canal du Midi has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in acknowledgement of the astonishing feat carried out by its 17th century architect Pierre-Paul Riquet in linking the Etang du Thau in the south east with the River Garonne in Toulouse, effectively making it possible to convey goods from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic.