River Cruise - Canal du Midi

Canal du Midi

Type : Canal. The Canal du Midi was classed as a Unesco World Heritage site due to its importance in canal history, the beauty of the canal and the fine locks, aqueducts and canal buildings. Though discussions on a canal link between the Atlantic and Mediterranean began with Charlamagne in the 8th century, and continued through the centuries (including consultation with Leonardo da Vinci) no actual construction began until 1666. Anyone interested in the canals history may like to visit the Château de Bonrepos and park; the home of Pierre Paul Riquet, the designer of the canal. This is located in the village of Verfeil, just outside Toulouse.

Locks : 63 in 240 km.

Along the way

• 0.0 km - Toulouse and the junction with Canal Latéral à la Garonne. Toulouse is an historic and cosmopolitan city with excellent shopping.
• 5.2 km - Port St-Sauveur – Boats visiting the city are requested to moor here. The moorings have a full range of facilities and the city centre is nearby.
• 8.1 km - Aqueduct – Toulouse ring road.
• 11.5 km - Ramonville-St-Agne
• 12.4 km - Port-Sud – Restaurant and shopping.
• 15.7 km - Castanet-Tolosan – Village with moorings. Some shopping and market on Tuesday mornings.
• 25.0 km - Montgiscard – Village with quay. Some shopping and market on Sunday mornings.
• 28.1 km - Aygues-Vives – Village with some shops and an attractive watermill. Nearby is the village of Baziège, home to the Château de Lastours; famous for its restaurant and antique shop.
• 33.3 km - Montesquieu-Lauragais – Moorings with village on the left bank.
• 39.0 km - Gardouch – Quay with village 0.6 km on the left bank. Some shops and a restaurant.
• 41.0 km - Hers Aqueduct – Small town of Villefranche-de-Lauragais 1.5 km on the right bank. Best shopping between Toulouse and Castelnaudary. The 13th fortified town is pleasant has restaurants and a market on Friday mornings.
• 43.0 km - Renneville – Small village on the left bank.
• 47.5 km - Emborrel lock – Village of Avignonet-Lauragais 1.5 km on the right bank.
• 50.0 km - Port Lauragais – Marina at an integrated autoroute station. Fuel, water, shop, restaurant and picnic area.
• 53.8 km - La Ségala – Small village with moorings, some shops, restaurant and railway station..
• 64.6 km - Castelnaudary –Pleasant town with moorings. Excellent shopping and wide selection of restaurants. Large market on Monday mornings. Access to the Bassin de St-Ferréol by road. The Bassin is a large and beautiful reservoir and dam and is used for watersports. The area s around the reservoir have many pleasant walkways.
• 70.6 km - Guerre lock – Village of Saint-Martin-Lalande 1 km on the left bank.
• 76.0 km - Villepinte – Village 1km on the left bank. Some shops and a restaurant.
• 80.3 km - Bram – Rental Station – Shops and restaurants in the village.
• 91.2 km - Villesèquelande – Bridge with small village 0.5 km on the left bank, past the vineyard. This pretty village has an ancient church.
• 95.9 km - Pezens – Village 1.5 km on the left bank.
• 105.0 km - Carcassonne – Spectacular fortress town with moorings near the town centre at the basin by the railway station. The town is UNESCO World Heritage Site. Carcassone was, in the 13th century, one of the largest fortified towns in Europe and tourists are well catered for.
• 108.7 km - Fresquel Aqueduct.
• 116.7 km - Orbiel Aqueduct.
• 117.3 km - Trèbes – Rental Staion - Small town with quay.
• 126.2 km - Marseillette – Village on the right bank. Some shops and restaurant.
• 135.0 km - Puichéric – Village 0.8 km on the right bank. The village has a square towered church, some shops and a restaurant.
• 139.5 km - La Redorte – Pont Vieux and restaurant. Village on the left bank with good shopping.
• 139.6 km - Ribassel Aqueduct.
• 141.0 km - Argent-Double Aqueduct.
• 145.5 km - Homps – Rental Station - Village with basin and moorings. Shops, large wine shop and aselection of restaurants.
• 151.1 km - Argens-Minervois – Pretty village with boat harbour and picnic area. The village of narrow cobbled streets is overlooked by the square towers of the 14th century château.
• 154.8 km - Roubia – Village on left bank. Canal-side picnic area and some shops in the village.
• 157.6 km - Paraza – Village with quay. The village has some shops, a restaurant and a wine shop selling a local wine. Château on the outskirts of the village.
• 158.8 km - Répudre Aqueduct.
• 160.9 km - Ventenac d’Aude – Village with quay. The village is noted for the waterside wine cave where the produce can be sampled.
• 165.9 km - Le Somail – Rental Station – Pretty village with quay. Of note is the Librarie Ancienne which houses thousands of rare books, prints and posters.
• 168.0 km - Cesse Aqueduct
• 168.7 km - La Robine – Junction with the La Nouvelle branch and moorings. Access to Narbonne - Rental Station - via the La Nouvelle branch.
• 172.6 km - Argeliers – Quay with large village 0.7 km on the left bank through the vineyards.
• 188.3 km - Capestang – Small town with moorings. The tree-lined canal loops and turns before reaching the village so you may find yourself quite close to the town as the crow flies but still be several kilometres away by canal. The town offers a good range of shops and restaurants and a 14th century church.
• 194.1 km - Poilhes – Village with quay. Several shops and a restaurant.
• 198.8 km - Malpas tunnel – This is the world’s first underground canalway. Length 160 m. Oppidum d’Ensérune ruins 1.5 km on the left bank. These roman remains were fully excavated and there is an archaeological museum on site.
  200.5 km - Colombiers – Village with marina. Supermarket, La Cave winery, some shops and restaurants.
• 206.5 km - Fonserannes eight lock staircase.
• 207.6 km - Orb Aqueduct – Length 240 m.
• 208.1 km - Béziers – Town with moorings. Town centre 0.5km on the left bank. A supermarket and a good selection of shops and restaurants in the town centre.
• 213.8 km - Villeneuve-lès-Béziers – Village on the right bank.
• At this point the canal is situated close to the coast and the sea is generally less than 8 km away. Note “Plage” in the French for beach.
• 218.3 km - Portiragnes – Village 0.4 km on the left bank. Several shops and restaurant.
• 222.0 km - Port Cassafières – Moorings and restaurant especially for boaters. Access to Redoute Plage 2km.
• 225.2km - Access by minor road to Farinette Plage.
• 226.4 km - Vias – Pont Vieux with village 1.2 km on the left bank.
• 231.3 km - Agde – Town with quay. Town centre 0.8 km on the right bank. The town is set on a hill and is dominated by the 12th century fortified cathedral. Good shopping and a selection of restaurants and cafés.5km from the town centre is the resort on Le Cap d’Agde. It has fine sandy beaches and numerous cafés, restaurants and hotel. On the Eastern side of Capd’Agde is one of the largest naturist resorts in Europe.
• 231.4 km - Round three-way lock.
• 233.0 km - Prades Flood lock – Open air café/bar.
• 235.3 km - Final lock of the Canal du Midi. Restaurant and campsite.
• 238.5 km - Les Onglous – Access to Marseillan Plage by road; 2km.
• 240.1 km - Les Onglous lighthouse and entry into Etang de Thau.