CANAL DU MIDI GUIDE
HOLIDAY
HOMES FOR RENT
Le Pin SucreCapestang
Sleeps 8. Garden. Pool
Wifi Internet
Surrounded by vineyards - walk to restaurant on Canal
Pied a Terre, Olonzac
Balcony. Pool.
Garden. Sleeps 2
Le Gabachou, Bram
4 gite rentals. Pool.
Garden. Sleeps 2 - 5
Domaine de la Fontaine
Poilhes
Sleeps 6. Swimming Pool.
Walk to restaurant
Belle Roubia, Roubia
Sleeps 10. Swimming Pool.
Walk to restaurant café
Les Rosiers, near Ventenac
Sleeps 10. Swimming Pool.
Internet. Satellite TV
Walk to restaurant
Charming Village House, Poilhes
Close to restaurants, and Med. Sleeps 4 plus child
Maison Poilhes, Poilhes
Looks onto Canal du Midi, with garden.
Sleeps 4
Domaine St Pierre de Trapel
Carcassonne
Swimming Pool. B & B, Gites
La Maison d'Oc,
Carcassonne
Swimming Pool. B & B, Gites
Belle Bize,
Bize Minervois
Natural Swimming Pool.
Sleeps 6
MORE
Canal du Midi
Holiday Rentals
The Canal du Midi, near Trebes and Carcassonne
Canal du Midi Maps
Castenaudary to Carcassonne Canal du Midi Map
Carcassonne to Poilhes (also Narbonne) Canal du Midi Map
Poilhes to Beziers to Sete Canal du Midi Map
Sete to Aigues Mortes to Saint Gilles Canal du Rhone Map
See detail information on Sète to
AgdeIntroduction to the Canal du Midi,
Languedoc, South France
Be seduced by the Canal du Midi, built from 1666, by up to 12,000 men, crossing rivers, tunnelling through hills, irrigated from the mysterious Montagne Noir, with grace and beauty that lives on to this day. It runs 235 kilometers, requires over 100 locks. It is a love affair of man, nature, and engineering. The canal was created by Riquet, the tax farmer for Languedoc who wanted to join the economies of the Mediterranean to the Atlantic. He sacrificed everything to make sure of its completion - even using his daughters' dowries for the cause.
From the handsome city of Toulouse to the port of Sete, the canal cuts masterfully with grace and physical agility through the Southern France. Villages and towns reaped profit from its golden days, in grand homes, houses, chateaux that brace the waters edge. Now canal boats cruise full of tourists and leisure seekers where king fishers and bright birds sing. Lock keeper houses some still keep the keepers, whilst others have been opened up as restaurants, art galleries, and holiday homes.
TAKE A SHORT TRIP ALONG THE CANAL DU MIDI
Start the Canal du Midi guide at Sete where the canal opens onto the Mediterranean. Then to Agde, with its fortress church, small village streets, past the thriving town of Beziers famous for bullfights in the Summer and its Flower Market, on past to the incredible 13th century Etang de Montady, with nearby Roman oppidum. Squeeze under canal bridges such as at Capestang with its muscular village church, and Sunday market, and stop the night under trees. Then take a side trip, through the 1780's Ecluse de Gailhousty with dry dock, on the Canal de la Robine, to Narbonne with Cathedral, shops, and a huge outdoor Market. Yearning for bathing and beaches? go on to where the canal skirts the Mediterranean.Back on the Canal du Midi, stop in and taste the wine, as at Ventenac, glide past bluff top villages like Paraza, and sleepy Minervois villages of Roubia, and Argens Minervois, through graceful locks near Homps and be enchanted by master surrealist wood sculptures near Puicheric.
There are still more wonders and magic at every turn, visit Trebes, with Medieval paintings at the church then - Carcassonne - the Medieval castle and city featured in many a movie, Castelnaudary where the valley widens, and finally to Toulouse, full of wild exuberance, and colorful nightlife.
CANAL BOAT
HIRE
Canal du Midi Boat
Rentals Hire Save 15% on boat rentals on Canal du Midi for 2013! Boats can be rented at 6 ports on the Canal du Midi.
Hotel Barges
Take all inclusive guided tours for a week on the Canal
BOATS FOR SALE
Canal boatsPROPERTIES FOR SALE
Home Hunters
HF Immo
Hamiltons
Belle Aude
Own Direct
Canal du Midi Properties
RESTAURANTS
Au Lavoir
Colombiers, nr Beziers
Le Tournebelle
Narbonne - Gruissan
O Soleil
Marseillan
La Restanque
Argeliers
La Guingette
Argens
Café du Port
Paraza
La Fourchette Folle
Roubia.
L'Auberge de la Croisade
Port Seriege, near Cruzy
Chez Philippe
Marseillan
Maguelone
Aigues Mortes
Le Moulin de Trebes
Trebes