canal du midi cruise guide

We also walked through the Jewish ghetto neighborhood and learned about the history of Pézanas on the way. There are five cabins in total on the Athos barge, each with their own en-suite bathroom. “La vie est belle,” notes one of my companions as we sip wine and cruise a gentle waterway. Marianna has a masterful knowledge of wine and local wineries, knowing precisely which bottle to pair with each meal. The Canal du Midi runs for 240km from the River Garonne at Toulouse via Carcassonne to the Mediterranean at Agde. The Canal du Midi was an engineering marvel when it was finished in 1681. Cruising the Canal du Midi aboard a luxury barge is a stress-free, worry free journey from start to finish. Boating holidays in France are meant to be leisurely. See all Canal du Midi experiences on Viator. There’s also a hair dryer, so there’s no need to bring your own. Meals: Dinner onboard. It’s a small group sailing and you’ll instantly have a group of friends for your travels. I highly recommend cruising on the Canal du Midi for all of the reasons I mentioned above. Canal du Midi in the South of France The Canal du Midi is a remarkable engineering feat by Pierre-Paul Riquet dating back to 1681. Standard Cruises; Family and Friends Cruise; Specialty Cruises; Prices; Food & Wine. The area boasts over 300 days of sunshine a year. The Canal du Midi is considered one of the 17th century’s greatest engineering triumphs; as such, it’s popular among both history buffs and sightseers. You’ll have enough time to yourself, but you’ll meet a fabulous group of like-minded people. This was a great way to break the ice and get to know our fellow passengers even better. Our base at Bram is in an ideal spot to hire a boat on the Canal du Midi, just a few kilometres from Castelnaudary, famed for its cuisine, especially cassoulet (duck confit with beans).As you cruise towards the Mediterranean, you can easily get to Carcassonne. Wear light layers, as canal cruises can be breezy. All Barges Canal du Midi Barge Cruises The Esperance is owned and managed by the charming and artistic Mathias Gilles. As it was a little breezy and chilly at night in late May, we mostly dined indoors. My stateroom was just large enough to fit a queen bed, a small table, and shelves that wrapped around the room. You will cruise one of the most beautiful waterways in Europe - the Canal du Midi (and the Canal de Garonne) is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Visit Carcassonne. The Canal du Midi was constructed by 12,000 workers in the 17th century to let cargo barges take a short cut from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic. The canal is lined with towering plane trees making it picturesque and comfortable during the hot summers. Cruising the Canal du Midi. It is sort of interesting to see the ingenuity of solar and wind power options on these ramshackle dwellings until you realize the sewage from each of these boats goes into the canal. Visit beautiful chateaux, sample … There’s a captain, a hostess, a tour guide, and a chef. The Canal du Midi was constructed by 12,000 workers in the 17th century to let cargo barges take a short cut from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic. You can buy prints and housewares made from any of our pictures – click the ‘Buy’ button on any photo! Learn how your comment data is processed. Then you're off enjoying your … It is sort of interesting to see the ingenuity of solar and wind power options on these ramshackle dwellings until you realize the sewage from each of these boats goes into the canal. This may take a few seconds... Something went wrong. Many naysayers told Riquet that the canal would not have sufficient water to operate but not only were they wrong but the canal has been operating since 1681. The saloon is also a fantastic place to curl up on the couch on lazy afternoons. Most barge cruises, like this one on the Canal du Midi in France, take place aboard converted historic vessels, but the boats still have many of the same amenities as a boutique hotel. Along the way, Athos’ indulgent and well-versed crew guide visits to famous hilltop towns like Carcassonne and Minerve. YouTube 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 canal’s natural features or damaging the banks. My husband and I are always looking to do something different...we have river cruised 4 times and loved each cruise. Think of it as a luxurious, first class hotel that floats down the river. Most barge cruises, like this one on the Canal du Midi in France, take place aboard converted historic vessels, but the boats still have many of the same amenities as a boutique hotel. A large bookshelf lines one wall if you’d like to learn more about the region (or if you forgot to bring a book from home). It’s the perfect holiday for those who are even a bit introverted. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it traverses through the … The Languedoc and the Canal du Midi … This looks wonderful. One day, I hopped on one of the bicycles with a couple of the other guests and explored the area. Quick overview. There were merely inches on each side of the boat, yet he didn’t manage to bump into the concrete edges at any time. The regions of France we cruise are really beautiful and a world apart from the heavily touristed ones you see in the brochures (Canal du Midi and Burgundy canal for example). However, if it’s a sunny day (we only had sunny days without rain! Trèbes, Homps, Ventenac, Paraza, Marseillette and Capestang offer much for wine connoisseurs! He is so knowledgeable, sharing numerous facts and tidbits about the history of each place. Includes information on the Rideau Canal, Ottawa River, Saint Lawrence River, Richelieu River, Chambly Canal and Lake Champlain. Then, I had the chance to wander around the quiet streets on my own. Corinne, yes I brought Euros for the tip. It’s easy to unpack and store all of your belongings in the cabin. Magnificently restored by Viollet-le-Duc in the 19th century, Carcassonne is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was possible to walk from Athos right into town. However, the Athos barge is a great vacation for solo travelers. Travel Guide > Europe > France > Toulouse > Romantic cruise on the Canal du Midi Architecture; Romantic cruise on the Canal du Midi. While most people sail as couples or even within a small group aboard the Athos du Midi, I sailed by myself this time around. The canal itself is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site for its 17th century construction works. Here are some hotels you can book in Béziers to extend your relaxing holiday. The wine on board comes from dozens of local vineyards, perfectly paired with our food. Spend your first morning relaxing on board as you start your cruise on the beautiful Canal du Midi, one of the most stunning waterways in France. Our incredible hostess, Marianna, took care of us in so many ways on board. While we tasted white, red, and dessert wines in the evening, lunch was made for enjoying fragrant, light pink rosés. The Canal du Midi is considered one of the 17th century’s greatest engineering triumphs; as such, it’s popular among both history buffs and sightseers. The Canal du Midi is located in the Languedoc-Roussillon region in the South of France. Canal du Midi cruise tips & insights. I found the bathroom to be a little more spacious than that on an ocean cruise ship, and there was a window in the bathroom to let fresh air in, which was pretty nice. Chef Lee skillfully prepared all of our meals on board, and I was so grateful that he managed to make 100% vegan meals for me! All along the route of 240 kilometres, join us on a remarkable tour on the Canal du Midi with structures that evoke admiration. Sometimes it seemed as though our barge just barely fit inside each lock! There are four crew members on board, meaning that you’ll have lots of personal care. What was the head room like ? The Canal du Midi. Travel Guide > Europe > France > Toulouse > Romantic cruise on the Canal du Midi Architecture; Romantic cruise on the Canal du Midi. The Athos barge motors into the lock, the lock fills with water, and we continue on our way. It’s perfect for those wanting a more personalized, intimate vacation where you don’t need to plan anything at all. I stayed on board for the first lock or two, and then watched this incredible sight from the shore. Many naysayers told Riquet that the canal would not have sufficient water to operate but not only were they wrong but the canal … We'll reserve your spot today, and you can cancel up to two days* before your experience without making a payment. Although originally built to transport crops and goods between landlocked cities, European canal systems are mostly used today for tourism. Canal du Midi holidays are amongst our most popular offerings, and with so many bases to choose from there’s a perfect cruise for you! They will also be happy to provide up to date advice on the best cruising conditions and suggested itineraries on arrival and during your cruise. He has that right – life is beautiful on France’s Canal du Midi. There were always two vans by the ship where our guides transported us to our destination. As the morning went on, a few tourists started to emerge as the tiny shops opened, but it never got crowded or busy. You can see all of my photos from the Canal du Midi at our travel photo site. The book alerted us to wonderful wine shops (such as Le Ferme in Carcassonne), wine tastings and restaurants along the canal. Her and her husband, Julian met aboard the Athos many years ago. Save your favorites. And though it can be windy and a there can be a chance of rain – during the season, which only runs from April through October, you’re almost guaranteed good weather. Canal du Midi Waterway Guide: 07 covers Canal de Jonction, Canal de la Robine, Etang de Thau, Canal du Rhone a Sete, Lez, Petit Rhone, Canal d''Arles a Bouc. We like the flexibility of 'making it up' as we go along. Does a luxury hotel barge cruise on the Canal du Midi appeal to you simply for the experience of travelling in an original way? Unwind and unplug from your daily life as you admire the scenery of the South of France. Many of these were singular locks. Since the 17th century, this canal has connected the city to the … From Toulouse, the Canal du Midi takes you through one of France's most fascinating regions to the mediterranean coast and the Camargue. Athos Top Deck. A South of France canal cruise vacation on a European river barge can be the thrill of a lifetime for visitors from Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand, Japan, China, and other places. Definitely add European barge cruises to your bucket list. You don’t have to worry about anything on this six night barge cruise. It looks amazing ! Perhaps the only remaining connection to Athos’ origins is the association with wine. Twitter Before our day trip to Minerve, we stopped at L’Oulibo for an olive and olive oil tasting. After our visit to Noilly Prat, we played a few rounds of pétanque, a French game similar to bocce. The pick up and drop off spot for the Athos Canal du Midi cruise is in Béziers. Meander through a vast diversity of scenic landscapes and 328 locks, aqueducts, bridges and tunnels, all of which were imagined by the Romans and constructed … The book was particularly helpful in describing the appellations of the region. Monday, Day 2 - Cruise to Marseillette. This isn’t your only option. Among the major works to discover the famous 9 locks Fonserane and tunnel malpas. From Toulouse, the Canal du Midi takes you through one of France's most fascinating regions to the mediterranean coast and the Camargue. While he admitted that he hadn’t made an entirely plant-based menu before, he was up for the challenge. First, we rode past a marshy region that was home to many birds, including flamingos! I can’t say enough good things about our crew. He is well placed to guide you through your cruise on the canal or rivers, as he was born locally in Sete, the "Little Venice" of the European Midi from a long line of boat people. Were the bathrooms quite cramped ? 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