Anjodi is very much a hotel barge of the classic dutch design and also the founding member of our fleet, embarking on her first cruises along the historic canal du midi 35 years ago her beautiful interior makes the most of traditional materials such as african hardwoods and shining brass to create a warm onboard feel, reminiscent of a classic yacht. Monsieur paul riquet may not be known to many americans but if you cruise the canal du midi once, you will praise him to high heaven. Canal du midi a cruisers guide boat books australia. She is docked near poilhes, a charming village on the canal du midi, 12 km from beziers, 20 km from the mediterranean sea and close to narbonne.
You will either embark or disembark from this village that contains many remains from the roman times. Only the busy locks at trebes stay open during the summer months at lunch. View all attractions near canal du midi on tripadvisor. Once used to transport goods and people, the waterway is now mainly used by boaters and other tourists. The camargue and the canal du midi boathire routes present a dazzling show throughout the whole length of your cruise, with famous listed sites dotted along the way, in the heart of an extraordinary ecosystem. Philippe calas is the author of this original canal du midi cycling guide. Its also worth mentioning the 149mile canal du midi, one of the worlds oldest working canals, built between 1667 and 1694. Linking the bay of biscay with the mediterranean, it is not only renowned for its beauty and picturesque sights, it also performs the invaluable service of saving boaters the long and arduous trip around portugal and spain to reach the med. Canal du midi boat barge hire boating holidays canal. Canal maps, books, pdf downloads and navigation guides.
Cruising the canal du midi is a bucket list destination for empty nesters wanting to enjoy the french countryside, sipping wine and eating artisan cheese at a relaxed, unhurried pace, away from crowds. A bonus for those cruising in april are the value season prices which can save significantly making this a good option for value conscious travelers. But there is a way of exploring this impossibly romantic region that doesnt occur to most travellers. For more on cruising here, read bordeaux river cruise tips. Friendly cafes and gourmet restaurants abound on the canal du midi. Walking canal du midi towpath rick steves travel forum. Every year, hundreds of hire boats ply its emerald green waters, with some making the voyage all the way to the mediterranean coast. With no prior boating experience required, this guide reaffirms what a. Independent riverboat cruises in france usa today travel tips. But if you can afford the boat rental, you can afford the book. Book your tickets online for canal du midi, occitanie. For those bargees wanting warmer weather in early spring, cruises on the canal du midi in the south of france can have a drier mediterranean climate. This cruising the canal du midi guide will help you plan your bucket list vacation. The canal du midi, designed and built by pierrepaul riquet in 16621681, is a remarkable work of engineering, justifying its inclusion in the unesco world heritage list in 1996, and one of the most popular cruising waterways in france.
Canal du midi cruises sail through rolling countryside and canalside vineyards all under the dappled shade of plane trees lining the canal. Several companies offer boat hire on the canal du midi. Anjodi has never been more popular since rick stein brought her to the attention of the world in his very successful bbc tv series french odyssey. Cruising on saraphina canal du midi portiragnes plage to homps or reverse sunday transfer to barge near portiragnes we pick you up from your hotel, train station, or local airport and bring you safely aboard saraphina. Rising in the historic city of toulouse, this is the countrys most famous canal. Her present length now allows passage through the smaller locks of the famous canal du midi. Jul 10, 2019 top tips for cruising the canal du midi. As well as indulging in the fabulous cuisine of the. In short, we loved the canal trip we did on the canal du midi. A cruisers guide first edition by bernd w kiessler isbn.
Im currently doing some research to find the best guide. Books le site pratique du canal du midi et canal lateral. Embark on a journey along sections of the canal du midi aboard the enchanting hotel barge, anjodi, famous for taking rick stein on his 400 mile french food exploration in the tv series rick steins french odyssey. For this voyage, we are traveling east from toulouse and stopping at various points along the way to take in the views. Why your next trip to europe should be on the canals afar media. Breathe in the relaxation and warmth and light of the mediterranean, as you navigate along the 300 year old canal du midi, meandering inland, lined with plane trees and cruise under superb arched bridges, linking ancient villages, miles of vineyards and roman fortifications. It is the only one of the six guides i bought that was helpful. Ralph folsom and a great selection of similar new, used and collectible books available now at great prices. Cruise on the enchante on the canal du midi enchante. This is a magical part of the world to explore by penichette from the unspoilt landscapes of the petite camargue and its unique. Our canal du midi cruises this 330yearold waterway skirts the sundrenched shores of the mediterranean before meandering inland through ancient villages, roman fortifications and famed vineyards. Until we took a canalcruising holiday down the camargue canals.
Canal du midi cruises sail through rolling countryside and canal side vineyards all under the dappled shade of plane trees lining the canal. Despite toulouses bustling, hightech attitude, its wellpreserved centre villethe brickpaved streets between the garonne river and the canal du midiretains the feel of a small town, where. Every one will find in plaisance a lecluse the answers about locks, important sightseing, the waterways. Canal du midi cruises in 2020 canal du midi, canal boat. Canal du midi boat hire midi cruising holidays le boat. Museum fans will love castelnaudary, beziers, narbonne and toulouse. Anjodi is very much a hotel barge of the classic dutch design and also the founding member of our fleet, embarking on her first cruises along the historic canal du midi 35 years ago.
Though the canal du midi is by far frances most popular waterway for small craft cruising, you can take a riverboat through many of the countrys waterways. Sep 27, 2009 if you intend cruising the canal du midi this book is a must. Linking the bay of biscay with the mediterranean, it is not only renowned for its beau. This includes, smaller, boutique regions like herault, the aude, minervois and corbieres. A lock by lock, village by town description of how to navigate this waterway, and what to expect when cruising this. Her beautiful interior makes the most of traditional materials such as african hardwoods and shining brass to create a warm onboard feel, reminiscent of a classic. About the canal du midi it was the british who pioneered canal boating on languedocs canals many decades ago, as the french have never taken to canal boating with quite the same gusto. User praise for canal cruising many thanks for your splendid book it contains a wealth of information and i particularly like its readable style.
Sep 06, 2016 take in the laidback charm of beautiful canal du midi bathed in warm sunshine for most of the year, a cruise along the canal du midi, a unesco world heritage site, is the perfect holiday choice. The local knowledge driving guide for interstate75 between detroit and the florida border pdf. A lot of vineyards border the canal itself, so its easy to pull up and buy drink now varieties straight on the water free tastings are not only welcome, theyre encouraged. Cruising the canal du midi le boat australia youtube. If you intend cruising the canal du midi this book is a must. It was the brainchild of pierrepaul riquet, a minor noble and tax collector, who succeeded in convincing louis xiv and more importantly, his first minister, colbert of the merits of linking the atlantic and the mediterranean via the garonne. Canal du midi detailed navigation guide and maps french.
We used this book as a guide at least four of five times daily, referring to it as ralph. Cruise on the enchante on the canal du midi cruise critic. If you buy the latest edition from the author, its expensive. A remarkable work of engineering, the canal du midi twists and turns through some of the most beautiful countrysides in southern france. All barges canal du midi barge cruises inspired by the luxury, opulence, and quality of 1920s classic motor yachts, roi soleil plies the canal du midi in dapper and distinguished style. If you can i suggest you photocopy the maps you intend to used, put them in plastic sleeves and use those for navigating at the helm. This guide to cruising the canal du midi will help you plan your bucket list vacation. It cruised from carcassonne to narbonne in southern france on the canal du midi. The book also comes with a large fold out map that is one page high and 5 pages long. The canal is a waterway constructed by louis xiv to connect the atlantic ocean with the mediterranean, something both the romans and leonardo da vinci.
Canal du midi boat barge hire boating holidays canal du midi. Canal du midi cruise, barge trips on the canal du midi. May 09, 2019 canal and river boat holidays in europe. The canal du midi is probably the most popular canal in france. After a short cruise through the mini camargue and a champagne welcome, your first dinner will be served aboard.
When is the best time to go on a barge cruise in france. The book is quite small and does not lie flat which means having the map page for the bit you are currently cruising is difficult. 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. The canal du midi runs for 240km from the river garonne at toulouse via carcassonne to the mediterranean at agde. Since many barges work the same short stretch of canal season after season, shore excursions are enriched by close relationships with local people and a deep. Canal du midi cruise boat hotel luxury barge trips. There is something very special about the canal du midi, something that simply makes. Four of us recently cruised for 6 days on the enchante. Canal du midi occitanie 2020 all you need to know before. Sep 15, 2009 if you intend cruising the canal du midi this book is a must.
Home to flora and fauna, rural vistas, and lush vineyards, a canal du midi cruise features a romantic and idyllic waterway, perfect for luxury barging. Canal du midi the canal du midi was officially inaugurated in 1681. The 150mile long canal du midi begins at the garonne river in aquitaine, which flows from the pyrenees to the atlantic ocean and ends at the mediterranean sea in sete, located in the languedoc region. Boating holidays in canal du midi free quote le boat. 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. Hiring your own holiday boat is an ideal way to explore and experience the pleasures and treasures that the canal du midi has to offer. Whats really like selfchartering on the canal du midi. Through a canal du midi boat hire, youll see stunning cathedrals, grand chateaux, ancient ruins and medieval cities. Built in the 1600s with the goal of connecting the two bodies of water for the purpose of transporting wheat, canal du midi is one of the oldest continuously running canals in europe. Canal boating on the canal du midi, languedocroussillon. Dec 06, 2018 most of the ports along the canal du midi are easily accessible from paris via road, airplane or the extensive rail system. You can cruise the justly famous world heritage canal du midi and its locality piloting your own selfdrive hire boat, or being pampered in fine style aboard a luxury hotel barge. My family are looking forward to next week because by then i might just put the book down and start talking to them again. Two families 4 adults and 4 children aged between 9 and 14 on a le boat magnifique starting in port cassafieres one way up to trebes.
Nov 27, 2018 the canal du midi guide helps plan a bucket list vacation for empty nesters wanting to enjoy the french countryside, sipping wine and eating artisan cheese at a relaxed, unhurried pace, away from crowds. Cycling the canal du midi cicerone guides book pdf. If you can i suggest you photocopy the maps you intend to used, put them in plastic sleeves and use those for navigating at. Regardless if you choose to selfcaptain or hire a hotel barge, a vacation cruising the historic canal du midi will be a memorable and cherished experience for years to come. The canal du midi is also a love affair of man, nature and engineering.
Its around 120 kilometers and you climb 32 locks including the 9 lock staircase at fonserannes. The canal du midi is located in the south of france, in the departments of herault, aude, and hautegaronne. Our classic canal du midi cruise takes place aboard our pretty 8 passenger vessel anjodi, which has been cruising in the region for more than 25 years. This amazing engineering project opened the way to new economies. 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. Canal du midi guide to cruising this architecturally significant canal with tips on where to stop and what to do along the way. Candidly, the canal cruising adventure is wonderful because with a max speed of 8 kmhr on the canal, it is. Take in the laidback charm of beautiful canal du midi bathed in warm sunshine for most of the year, a cruise along the canal du midi, a unesco. Welcome aboard the french hotel barge alegria for an exclusive vacation cruise on the canal du midi south of france, imagine yourselves.
Canal du midi cruises hotel barges and selfdrive boats. If you cant find my post, please write back and ill send you mail. Cruising southern frances unescoprotected waterway. But as you cruise along the canal, you can go past these wonders without even noticing them. Originally, engineer pierrepaul riquet created the direct passage between the mediterranean sea and the atlantic ocean in the xvii century to help enable. Hello, im about to book my first canal boat trip to the canal du midi in june very excited. The lofty dream of engineer pierrepaul riquet to create a direct passage between the mediterranean sea and the atlantic ocean, bypassing the strait of gibraltar, enabling farmers and. The canal du midi is steeped in history and heritage. User praise for canal cruising, guide to the canal du midi. It meanders between toulouse and sete in southern france for a distance of 240 kilometers 150 miles.
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