The very next morning after arriving, we got our first taste of idyllic mishap when another boat got in our way and the French family sailing it, Choosing the boat was not an easy task as each couple wished to have their own bedroom. The best way to see this remarkable feat of construction and navigate the 150 miles of waterways on a Canal du Midi boat holiday. Our favourite is Hibou, a red wine made from Syrah and Carignan with a dash of Grenache and named after the owls they can hear in the fields at night. The ancient citadel can be seen for miles around, looming large on the horizon like something out of a fairy tale. This is the cause of most accidents. felt boaters were in any real danger of losing the plot, and onlookers willingly Wine can be bought cheaply as this is a major wine growing region. Previous damage to safety bars and gangway cable exposed cable strands.6. Toot your horn before sharp corners (there are quite a few) and also at bridges. Some parts of the canal have been reduced in width by the existing plane trees anyway so this is a good thing. But there are a number of other features that merit mention, There are not many boats that can accommodate 4 couples but we eventually decided on a Nichols Confort 1350. The British couple who manage the business in France are friendly ,knowledgable and helpful. - Whether you simply enjoy the town from the comfort of the barge or get out and explore by foot, there is so much to see in the city of Narbonne that you are sure not to be disappointed. This is another iconic religious and historic landmark, one of many that call the French canal routes home. That afternoon we whiled away the time The sun was shining beautifully, as we set off at a civilised hour, along the This historic town looms large over the canal and makes a stunning view as your boat approaches. Every so often cyclists would ride past on the gloriously flat canal-side the day (Innocent III) launched a viciously cruel crusade against the Cathars, We had no problems with hot water either providing a good 4 hours of travelling was achieved before mooring up.The accommodation varied. - So fish found its way into our shopping basked along with down with a glass of lovely Ros. Essential navigation guides, maps and books from publishers Breil and Imray. When cruising between Carcassonne and Toulouse along the Canal du Midi, boat hire customers love stopping off at Castelnaudary. sister, called the Le Cap d'Agde - a fishing port that has been not untastefully While you dont exactly need a special license to operate these locks, you may have to rely on the help of friendly locals to help you out and as historic locks, you need to take extra care. which goes to show that size isn't everything! Access to extension mains cable, water hose and gang plank was via a large heavy hatch in the cabin floor. out with that friendly touch of continental bonhomie. be free to accompany us on our first sortie; which meant that there was plenty This is a fairly chunky boat and there are no bow thrusters, something that we could have done with in the locks and also because, as the boats have fairly high sides, a cross wind will play havoc with the steering. The privacy rules and terms and conditions of use from Google apply. Bow bedroom toilet window had clear glass and no curtain so no privacy5. The British couple who manage the business in France are friendly ,knowledgable and helpful. You cant always guarantee that dreams will come true (although weve always found cruising the French waterways is a dream in itself), so to see the dreams of Arnstein and Tove coming true at Domaine de la Senche in real time is quite special indeed, their top wine is called Cuvee Somi Somi means dream in Occitan. and its vineyard have a great shop selling all sorts of viniculture goodies, and cruisers type. Some boats are only rentable from certain locations so we were left with either Bram or Le Somail as a starting point and then it was a question of how to get to and from the nearest airport/train station etc and whether to do a return trip to the departure point or go one way ( and then, west or east!). BoatTheGlobe - April 9, 2018 April 14, 2022. more, Private Day tour :Lastours, Wine tasting,Minerve,Canal du Midi From Carcassonne, This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Canal du Midi: Minervois Cruisers - See 1,069 traveller reviews, 1,274 candid photos, and great deals for Occitanie, France, at Tripadvisor. Canal du Midi: Minervois Cruisers - See 1,085 traveler reviews, 1,310 candid photos, and great deals for Occitanie, France, at Tripadvisor. The toilets were however flushed with canal water, so a bit smelly and dirty nonetheless. First in, first served! Fonsrannes really puts boaters through their paces, and the spectacle of 2 people - 235 per person. in Boat Repair, Fishing, Trailer Repair. well-equipped with bars/cafes/restaurants and all other amenities, most of which Front sliding window would not lock and could be opened from outside.2. tough rock to create the tunnel - some paying with their lives. Six of us just had the best holiday ever on the Canal du Midi aboard the Barge EmmaLiz and Renee were amazing. And they dont just make wine, they grow olives and produce extra virgin oil made from Picholine, Oliviere and Aglandau varieties. The Pont des Marchands also makes the city of Narbonne famous. The rear area was not much better, with a curved step feature on one side making the stern accessible only if the boat was moored at the stern.The saloon was reasonably spacious but had a few annoying attributes, like nobody could hear instructions from inside the boat (watch out for low trees! And so we visited Vias and the area of the Libron River. Minervois wine along the Canal du Midi | French Waterways minutes seemed to have got the knack. Departures by reservation for groups, also la carte cruises. Prices, floorplans and details are listed on each boat page: Midi Explorer 2 Berth !All in all an interesting experience. At some mooring positions there is power and water available. Nestled in the foothills of the black mountains is the village of La Livinire and like all villages in the Minervois, it is as pretty as a picture. Canal du Midi barge hire - Bziers & Narbonne Access This is a magical part of the world to explore by Pnichette from the unspoilt landscapes of the Petite Camargue and its unique plants and wildlife, to the amazing works of engineering and medieval citadels of the Canal du Midi, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. It offers the chance to taste excellent wines and explore a 100-metre-long wine cellar. french-waterways.com (founded 2003) is independent and impartial. Minervois leisure - Holidays in the South of France - Minervois Cruisers The aim of the village was to promote commerce and lifestyle around the canal. the saloon, providing a boat with total outside seating for the whole crew. The shower/toilet/basin area was an all in one facility so had to be cleaned each day. of tasty white fish called Gunard that was served with sweet peppers; all washed And take some away with you too! Minervois Wine | Minervois Wine Regions, Reviews & Ratings | Wine Some locks we went straight through ( most open at 9.0 am, close for lunch between 12.30pm and 1.30 pm and closed in the evening at 6.30 pm although in high summer at certain locks they may close later or not at all in Carcassonne for example but other locks we had to queue for about 1.5 hours.We were going to hire a couple of bikes and to be honest, we ended up not doing so for a couple or reasons. Beyond the lock is a very attractive large lake There may also be places to visit that couldn't be made on the outward journey, the weather perhaps having an influence on this. Cruise furnished with pleasant commentary, in different languages, if necessary (F, GB, E, D, NL, Cat.). are made very welcome. water. Thats life in the south of France! The chateau If you are navigating the Canal du Midi with a large group such as a family or a group of friends, it is much better to hire a medium-sized boat. It helps to establish yourself and crew on the canal if you talk with them and try some French. shaded outdoor dining terrace of rather swanky (but surprisingly volunteered to handle ropes to help secure boats in between locks. Sitting on the last leg of the canal, only a few miles from the Mediterranean coast, the city was historically a bustling port. It should definitely be on your bucket list. When we went for a tasting (its advisable to book in advance) we were there for two hours Arnstein took infinite care to explain the winemaking process and opened bottle after bottle for us to try. stopping for lots of photo opportunities. We had no problems with hot water either providing a good 4 hours of travelling was achieved before mooring up.The accommodation varied. We would have gone back for more but they didn't open until 10 and we wanted to leave before then. My three brothers and our wives decided that this year we would travel the most picturesque part of the Canal du Midi by boat. Also, different lock keepers have different methods of boat positioning so some locks will be crammed to the brim with boats of differing sizes, making manoeuvring something of an art.Firstly, let me say a few words about the boat. Ventenac Minervois. Minervois Cruisers narrowboat on Canal du Midi - Tripadvisor Accompanying me on this canals and rivers 10-day adventure was my countryside called the Minervois), courtesy of the suitably named Minervois 10 days on the Canal Du Midi, May/June 2014, Relaxing, picturesque and a great way to holiday. Up to 25% off river cruises with selected boats in June, July and August 2023 (offer valid for new bookings until 30th June) Cris Boat. The canal is so picturesque and the towns along the way are very pretty. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. As you approach the Etang de Thau, your boat gives you access to the largest stretch of water in the region. The locks are reasonably easy to operate as there is a lock master at them. provides an unforgettable conduit to the town of Sete at its other end. The superb lounge at Constantia - plenty of space for the holidaying family. summer. This Roman-built bridge is one of only three of this kind in all of France and is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. breakfast, we headed out of our gte and over the famous and rather historic Access to extension mains cable, water hose and gang plank was via a large heavy hatch in the cabin floor. Needless to say, the spacious 2 double bedroomed spread - with a large and eminently comfortable Residential canals are artificial waterways that provide boating access to intracoastal waterways, lagoons and the ocean, but are relatively shallow in depth. Made with by IRIS Interactive. The only thing I would say is try to avoid peak season as I think when the canal is very busy the queues at the locks would be a pain! Smaller vessels will also only hold a few people, so if your party is large, its more advisable to choose a bigger boat. Set between Carcassonne and Castelnaudary, our new base in Bram is the perfect starting point to explore Audes wealth of attractions. they slowly lost ground till Catharism was crushed. progressed ever onwards, following the canal as closely as we could, we struck And so we nipped down in literally ten minutes to Agde's maritime urban It's Privacy Policy Arnstein worked in the oil industry for many years, but always dreamed of owning his own vineyard and he snatched moments to study for the WSET Diploma of Wine while he was still working in Norway. The sun by this time was pretty strong and we retreated to the charming Tunnel. years ago, from this independent southern French soil sprang a benign, magnificent riverside promenade, and after working up an appetite marching Louis Choosing the boat was not an easy task as each couple wished to have their own bedroom. And, lo and behold, we were rather suddenly at our journey's end. Edit my cookies The only operator of English-style narrow boats on the Canal Minervois Cruisers by a duck and her ducklings, who frantically scampered out of the way to avoid invitingly as far as the eye can see! Then it was back for a siesta to Le Somail and our gte, medieval bridge that joins both sides of Le Somail's canal spectrum. This idyllic scene of flowing water, green fields and a charming stone bridge are what draws many to the south of France and the Canal du Midi in the first place. We cruised the canal du midi with friends, 5 of us on Le Boats Mystique 6. These were not serious though but there are some issues that need considering and some issues could be financially ruinous if not spotted as the deposit for the boat was 1000 (500 if extra insurance taken out). purpose-built indoor market. The gte, called Constantia, is a lovely Mediterranean-style Minervois, Languedoc-Roussillon - France Wine Region | Wine-Searcher Some parts of the canal have been reduced in width by the existing plane trees anyway so this is a good thing. The only drama on the way out was provided This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. which declares that it offers: 24 hours free-of-charge berthing. Residential Canal mangrove Program Environmental Challenge : Thousands of miles of canals have been cut into Florida's coastal landscape, particularly in the southern portion of the state. These were not serious though but there are some issues that need considering and some issues could be financially ruinous if not spotted as the deposit for the boat was 1000 (500 if extra insurance taken out). The upper controls (steering and throttle) were positioned on one side of the upper deck. We would have gone back for more but they didn't open until 10 and we wanted to leave before then. I took over the wheel of the Narbonne from Tony and within 15 Roots, rocks, mud puddles, brambles and narrow tracks are no fun on a road bike loaded with panniers. Our particular boat was 13.5 long x 3.8m wide. reach-the-eastern-end-of-the-canal, come hell-or-high water. On board a traditional barge, 2-hour outward and return cruise with the Saint-Ferrol. We cruised the canal du midi with friends, 5 of us on Le Boats Mystique 6. Best Buy See Full Review. Minervois Cruisers - Canal du Midi - Tripadvisor Visiting this statue can be a little homage to the man that made your canal boat holidays possible. The Montagne Noire range of mountains marks the northern limit of the title, with many vineyards located on slopes in the foothills of the range. nearest to us. The Domaine is owned by Tove and Arnstein Hernes, a Norwegian couple who have had the audacity to play the French at their own game. We chose a narrowboat from Minervois Cruisers, and found the boat to be just as one would have in Britain even down to the plugs. Your cruise in this famous waterways region, extended by the Canal Latral la Garonne, allows you to cover up to 500 km on your Pnichette or self-drive boat with no license needed! Glide beneath the famous arching plane trees and enjoy an historic journey through Cathar country and sunny rural vineyards with easy connections from Narbonne. the time that the Canal du Midi was built with teams of workmen hewing through Hotel Barge Enchant. following Saturday night (our final night). Boats of all types & sizes ply the placid waters of the Canal du Midi. Rear curtain rail bent so curtain could not be closed3. This is the cause of most accidents. canal craft and river cruisers trying to ascend the ladder with their dignity Agde is a peaceful and rather elegant place, with an air of faded old world explore a mere 40% of it, but within those 100 or so kilometres were enough charmingly characterful, large old town on the banks of the River Aude; and only Minerve. its destination at the point at which it meets the sea. 23 Jun 2016. June was ideal. Many are ladies so watch your language. Garonne River to the port of Sete, and we had only had a chance to thorough What really makes this area something special is the large stretch of lagoons that straddles the coast and inland of the region. Rear lockable door lock was difficult to open and close4. Luckily, for families like ours who cannot risk being on a boat 100% of the Wine cheaper and fantastic selection as long as it is French.I will add some more information later as to some walks and features along the canal. Catholicism. Everything was eminently peaceful and the people we did see on their boats waved we hired a "narrow boat' from Minervois Cruisers, using their base at Meilhan sur Garonne, ( roughly half-way between Toulouse and Bordeaux). Canal du Midi: Minervois Cruisers - See 1,063 traveller reviews, 1,267 candid photos, and great deals for Occitanie, France, at Tripadvisor. There may also be places to visit that couldn't be made on the outward journey, the weather perhaps having an influence on this. Either starring your journey here or stopping as you make your way down the canal is a must when navigating the Canal du Midi. This was our first canal cruise. Enjoy wine tasting, cycling, and sightseeing at medieval villages. In 1999 it achieved the coveted cru status, which means tighter regulations in terms of yields, planting, and types of grape. Minervois Cruisers: Canal du Midi - See 8 traveller reviews, 23 candid photos, and great deals for Meilhan-sur-Garonne, France, at Tripadvisor. Derelict chateau on the hilltop. Canal du Midi & Le Boat - An absolute MUST!. The upper controls (steering and throttle) were positioned on one side of the upper deck. Good weather helps and a bigger boat would have been better for 8 adults as snoring can be a problem with thin walls, and close bedroom proximity means you have to adapt to all situations (bring ear plugs). My three brothers and our wives decided that this year we would travel the most picturesque part of the Canal du Midi by boat. They can be narrow and low so watch your head!Respect the lock keepers. The current UK owners, Howard and Ann Davies, own one of the most successful hire fleets in the UK, Napton Narrowboats, and acquired the property in 2003. Food in France is generally of superior quality to the UK, prices on average about the same. The boat goes at the usual speed for a narrowboat ,which is considerably more leisurely than the ubiquitous cruisers that seemed to be hell bent on speeding, The locks are interesting and fun - the lock keepers are experts at their job and generally very friendly.The scenery is lovely, the food is wonderful,whether bought to eat on board, or dining out. Lunch is a serious affair in France (particularly Sunday lunch) and we headed Set atop a rocky outcrop, the village is a vision of extreme natural beauty as well as being a site of historical significance. called Thau, which has been settled by large flocks of pink flamingos; and The further we got from Le the narrow boats are based on the traditional "barge" type boats used on the canal 100 years ago, but they are modern boats, with all the amenities. intact always draws a big and amused crowd of onlookers, particularly in spring/ Just south of Montpellier, youll get a friendly welcome at the small marina in Lattes. Minervois Cruisers on the Canal du Midi - Tripadvisor For your waterways cruise on the Canal du Midi, boat hire regulations limit your speed to 8 km an hour, reduced to 3 km an hour when approaching bridges, docks or locks, to avoid disturbing the canals natural features or damaging the banks. is clearly a favourite place for river tourists to stock up with fine wine. respects to Riquet, whose brilliant vision and gritty determination made the After breakfast we jumped in our hire car and headed off to Narbonne, a Those with a little more time in the Minerve area should venture up the rocky outcrop and to the Pont Naturel de Minerve. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. The one thing that stands out for lovers of history and culture is the multiple historic sites scattered along the canal route, and there are a few more awe-inspiring than the town of Carcassonne. Although these smaller boats are great for manoeuvring the occasional narrow routes of the Canal du Midi, boaters must remember that fewer supplies can be taken on board. for visitors including a well-manned tourist office and a fine canal-side Mooring costs are reasonable but usually have to book in advance to secure a berth.Have showers and toilet facilities on land for use.Plenty of restaurants, and markets three time a week. Boasting a wealth of features, including beautifully fitted out accommodation You can cruise the justly famous World Heritage Canal du Midi and its locality piloting your own self-drive hire boat, or being pampered in fine style aboard a luxury hotel barge. What really stands out as one of Narbonnes shining features is the citys preserved and well-restored medieval quarter. and pot of rich local honey. Canals and Rivers. 18-month toddler named Louis. No lock on stern gas cylinder compartment housing mallet and stakes.We will come back to item 7 in a minute but the main concern, after climbing a few locks, was the style of the boat. Minervois Cruisers - Constania Canal du Midi - Holidays On Water The name Narbonne would play quite a part Minervois Cruisers - Canal Holidays in the South of France southern French canal-side life, Le Somail style. Vinci. Finding the right type of boat for sailing down the Canal du Midi is one of the most important things to figure out before you set out on your trip. It is now arguably one of the canal routes most picturesque villages and is also known for Le Somail boat hire. Although you can travel from either destination to the other, the most popular and practical route is to start in the city of Toulouse. This natural bridge of rock creates an otherworldly range of caves, caverns and watering holes. The penultimate day of our holiday was designated as a Also, different lock keepers have different methods of boat positioning so some locks will be crammed to the brim with boats of differing sizes, making manoeuvring something of an art.Firstly, let me say a few words about the boat. are based at Le Somail, a village renowned for its boating associations. On board a traditional barge, 2-hour outward and return cruise with the Saint-Ferrol. following the Canal du Midi and the surrounding countryside eastwards towards This is true, especially the route between Le Somail and Carcassonne. put up a very brave resistance to the invading Crusader armies, little by little Cruise in the heart of the Canal du Midi aboard a beautiful barge, with passage through a lock, bridges and canal bridge lasting 2 hours round trip. we bid farewell to Tony and Emily and agreed to meet up for dinner on the The regional culinary goodies on board are a feast for the eyes, and we which was to become a home from home. Many are ladies so watch your language. Jonathan gives Louis his first cycling lesson on a canalside tandem. down with a fine thirst-quenching ros. When you rent a boat on the southern canals, youre within easy reach of historic sites such as Carcassonne and its famous medieval citadel, Toulouse with its basilicas, the pride of the Pink City, and the Minervois vineyards skirting the foothills of the Black Mountain. This area of natural beauty overlooks the village and provides breathtaking views of the settlement below. We are heading towards Narbonne. Some boats are only rentable from certain locations so we were left with either Bram or Le Somail as a starting point and then it was a question of how to get to and from the nearest airport/train station etc and whether to do a return trip to the departure point or go one way ( and then, west or east!). We left "base camp" at around 04:30 and stopped at Portiragnes for our first night,as the lock was already closed, wondered into the small town and bought some bread, cheese, cold meat, pizzas and wine for dinner. Canal du Midi barge hire - Bziers & Narbonne Access. Sete - a Highly recommended & Minervois Cruisers excellent. good-value-for-money) Le Chateau de Colombiers; which has thrown open its Minervois Cruisers hire base at Le Somail, a village renowned for it's I'll not write about the attractions as information is easily obtainable online.Some words of caution. We were 4 couples on a Vision 4 Diesel (quite luxury, spacious and easy to opperate) and did quite the trip, from Port Cassafieres to Le Someil and back and then on to Marseillan and back again to Port Cassafieres.We found the Le Boat staff at Port Cassafieres very friendly and helpful, a real pleasure.