Classic France River Cruise – Canal du Midi

The 340-year-old Canal du Midi skirts the sun-drenched shores of the Mediterranean before meandering inland through ancient villages, Roman fortifications and famed vineyards. A UNESCO World Heritage site, this canal is defined by its beauty, lined with shady plane trees which often touch to form an arc of green above the water from bank to bank, and crossed by pretty arched bridges. The warm Mediterranean weather and relaxed pace of life is sure to lull you into unwinding as your luxury Canal du Midi cruise meanders gently downstream.

Our Canal du Midi cruises are the perfect choice for cycling or walking along scenic tow paths, or simply watching the scenery pass by as you relax on the deck of your Canal du Midi barge with a cool drink. In the distance you can see the Pyrenees, whereas closer to hand are the vineyards that stretch for thousands of square miles. Enjoy private wine tastings at one of the various chateaux en route.

On a Canal du Midi boating holiday you will discover a marvellous blend of ancient Gallo-Roman and traditional influences reflected throughout this very historic region. Explore this further with your tour guide when you visit the medieval walled city of Carcassonne, the Cathar stronghold of Minerve or the underground Roman market in Narbonne.

Canal du Midi Cruise Highlights

With many of our cruises exploring some of the best wine-growing regions of France, our Canal du Midi cruise itineraries never fail to impress! Oenophines (wine-lovers), will appreciate our private wine tours and tastings at popular domaines such as the five-generation family-run Château Pech-Celeyran, aboard hotel barge Anjodi.

Carcassonne is a medieval fortified city set atop a hill overlooking the Aude River, and you can explore this city on any of our Canal du Midi cruises. Composed of a circle of towers and battlements, turrets and ramparts, with the longest city wall in Europe, it’s a perfectly restored medieval town. The oldest sections of its encircling wall were built by the Romans in the third century AD. Rising against the backdrop of the Black Mountains, Carcassonne is striking not only during the day but also at night, when it is floodlit!

Sitting atop a rocky outcrop at the junction of the Cesse and Brian Rivers, Minerve, the ancient capital of Minervois is considered by many as a quintessentially medieval French village. First founded in the 8th century, it is surrounded by deep limestone gorges and offers magnificent views of surrounding countryside. Wander in the shadows of a 12th century Cathar fort surrounded by these gorges as part of our Canal du Midi cruise itineraries.

Narbonne was the first town outside of Italy to be colonised by the Romans and grew to be the largest port outside Rome. Once a coastal port, it prospered until the sea receded in the Middle Ages. It is now eight miles inland. Today Narbonne has a well-restored medieval quarter and is famous for its magnificent art-nouveau covered food market, Archbishop’s Palace, Cathedral and Via Domitia (Roman road). Experience the very best of Narbonne on any of our Canal du Midi cruises.

Between Poilhes and Colombiers lies the Malpas Tunnel, the world’s first section of navigable underground canal. At 525 feet, it is not particularly long, but it is certainly wide and high! Cut through sandstone, look up and you’ll notice that most of the inside is lined with ornate stone vaulting. Local folklore suggests after the completion of the canal, that one of the workers built a small nook inside the ceiling of the tunnel and lived as a hermit inside it. When barges pass through the tunnel on our Canal du Midi cruises aboard Anjodi, look out as the captain and deckhands will often throw a piece of bread into the opening of the nook as a “gift for the hermit!”

And on the subject of architectural wonders and engineering feats, a key highlight on all our cruises are the unique lock experiences, such as the Seven-Rise Lock Staircase of Fonserannes on the Canal du Midi. On this Canal du Midi cruise highlight, you’ll get to travel 21.5 metres up or down seven ovoid chambers, over 300 metres – passing through just one set of gates between each chamber, so water levels are maintained by use of a side pond.

Whilst our Canal du Midi cruises pass from lock to lock, now is the perfect time to hop-off, and perhaps stretch your legs or take advantage of the barge’s bicycles to explore the towpath. Simply meet the barge at one of the approaching locks; or, if you’d like to explore further afield – many of our barges offer recommended cycling routes which your Captain will be provide more information on. If you prefer to use e-bikes, our Cruise Team can arrange this for you at the time of booking (supplement applies).

More departure dates on additional ships are available. Please contact us for more information.

• Experience a taste of barging history aboard 8-passenger Anjodi, a 1929 Luxemotor barge and the founding member of our fleet

• Travel in the height of elegance and style aboard ultra-deluxe Enchanté

• Witness a naturalist’s idyll on a river cruise through the ‘Petite Camargue’ aboard 10-passenger Athos