Canal du Midi Cruise

Languedoc Cruise Canal du Midi

Carcassonne Castelnaudary - sample itinerary

Sunday Guests are met by the Captain, Earl. Between 4 and 5 PM at the arrange meeting point. Warm welcome on board with aperitifs, and cruise slowly through the vineyards near the village of Trebes, to whet your appetites for dinner and the days to come.

Monday Tour of the Cite of Carcassonne, to take in the fascinating medieval city, a wonderful journey into history. In the afternoon we cruise the "heights" of Carcassonne and passing through the Port of Carcassonne to a tranquil mooring for the evening.

Tuesday The hill top Cathar castle of Saissac is on offer for today's excursion. The drive up to the castle is beautiful, the Pyrenees Mountains, often capped in snow can be viewed across the valley from the castle. In the afternoon we cruise toward Villesequelande, a pretty and relaxing cruise to a quiet location for dinner aboard.

Wednesday In the morning, we visit the town of Limoux, and the Sieur d'Arques winery, information on the wines and not forgetting tasting including the Cremants and Blanquettes of Limoux. Lunch is taken ashore today. We cruise a very pretty stretch of the canal today, stopping for the evening beneath the tree near St Martin Lalande.

Thursday We visit the medieval market town of Mirepoix with half-timbered houses and a beautiful square. On the way back to Colibri we visit an ancient church made in the the rocks, an amazing site. We cruise in the afternoon through a series of locks, into the Grand Bassin of Castelnaudary, the home of Cassoulet, a local dish.

Friday Morning visit to Ravel, renowned for its covered market and Lac Saint Ferreol, taking in the new Museum du Canal du Midi and gardens. The museum beautifully shows the vision and working to create and operate the Canal du Midi, with delightful gardens. We cruise the final leg of our journey to the Seuil de Naurouze located on the highest stretch of the Canal, a 194 metres (650ft) above sea level. This is the watershed between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic. One can take a stroll and visit the obelisque to Pierre Paul Riquet, the builder of the canal set in a beautiful park. Farewell dinner aboard.

Saturday Leisurely breakfast, and transfer between 10 and 11am to nominated drop of point.

Note This is a sample itinerary, and we would be delighted to customise our itinerary to enhance your cruise and visits.

About Canal du Midi

The Canal du Midi is a 240 km long canal in Southern France from Toulouse to the Mediterranean. Originally named the Canal Royal in Languedoc and renamed by French revolutionaries to Canal du Midi in 1789, the canal is considered one of the greatest construction works of the 17th century.