|
The following barges cruise in this area:
|
|
|
Where is it?
This waterway runs from Ramonville-St-Agne (just south of Toulouse) to Les
Onglous (east of Agde).
What are the cruises like?
You’ll cruise under the famous overhanging avenues of
poplar trees (see above right) and hear cicadas buzzing away all around you in fields that are full of
golden corn, blood red poppies or smiling yellow sunflowers. You’ll pass through tiny villages
made of creamy coloured stone, hewn centuries ago.
This is a very popular route and for a very good reason. Built from 1666 on, by up to 12,000 men,
crossing rivers and tunnelling through hills, the Canal du Midi flows with a grace, beauty and physical
agility for 235 kilometres through some of the most beautiful countryside in Europe. This stretch of
wonderful waterway cruises through the world-famous town of Carcassonne with its amazingly preserved
medieval citadel perched on the hill above you, and extends from just under Toulouse to the
Mediterranean Sea. Now over 300 years old, the Canal du Midi has been declared a UNESCO
World Heritage Site. There are lots of fun things to do along this route and because of the fantastic
beaches that are well within reach, this waterway is very popular with families who wish to
charter cruise, as well as groups of friends or couples who wish to soak up ‘la bonne vie’ (the good
life!) and enjoy the wonderful mediterranean climate, cuisine and lifestyle. The possibilities for
water sports are numerous and there are also water parks and many similar attractions designed to
give children and parents a really fun time. There are many excellent excursions for the adults, many of
which explore the fascinating history of the area.
From left, below, watermelon and jacuzzi on the Clair de Lune, and the pretty Emma
interior...
|
|
|
|
|
How does this canal compare with the others in the South
of France?
A wonderful ‘vacation atmosphere’ pervades this route as people
come to experience the amazingly brilliant sun light that the Impressionist painters tried to
capture in their art works. Tall cypress trees, palm cypresses, poppy and sunflower
fields typify the Languedoc landscape through which you’ll cruise. Minute little villages,
founded hundreds of years ago due to passing trade on the canal, remain today, often
still as little cafés or restaurants where you may stop and soak up the atmosphere. A
wonderful tradition of fresh cuisine is enjoyed in this region as in other areas of France,
with olive trees growing in many of the fields, and often just by the side of the road. The
wine-producing areas of Corbières, Minervois, St Chinian and Faugères are all here to
be explored and savoured.
Why would I want to cruise here?
So many reasons—you’d be crazy
not to want to! - Because you love the mediterranean cuisine, because you enjoy lots
of sunshine, because you love fantastic countryside and wonderful scenery, European
history and architecture, you want to escape to a paradise, away from the city ‘grind’
and enjoy the freedom of exploring a region of great natural richness, because it’s romantic,
because it’s great for cycling....the list of reasons is endless!
|
|
|
|
|
From left, clockwise, a Roi Soleil luxury suite, Tortue’s
elegant lounge and dining
table, Athos’s sundeck at
sunset, the Alouette's
pretty saloon, and the Roi Soleil moored up (right).
Enjoy the Canal du Midi
on any of these
barges...
|
|
Cruise highlights may include-
- Carcassonne, the largest fortified medieval
city in Europe (see bottom right)
- The ancient Roman town of Narbonne
and its vibrant market, cathedral
and art gallery, plus the recently discovered
Roman road, the ‘via Domitia’.
- the precariously perched village of
Minerve, home of the famous Minervois
wines
- The amazing Roman Oppidum d’Ensérune
which offers spectacular views
from the Mediterranean to the Pyrenees
And much, much more...
|
|
Relax on the sun
deck of the charming
Clair de Lune (left).
Enjoy hearty French
cuisine on the cheerful
sundeck of the
Caroline, (left and
below left).
Visit the mysterious
medieval citadel at
Carcassonne (below).
|
|
|
|
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)