Barge rental in the South of France

From Carcassonne

Discover the most beautiful canal in the world, the Canal du Midi, renowned for its landscapes, its works of art and its gentle way of life, on board your rental houseboat departing from Carcassonne. Before setting off on your houseboat without a licence, a visit to the magnificent medieval city of Carcassonne is a must if you appreciate heritage and history.

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One-way only Suitable for people with reduced mobility

Carcassonne, an enchanting destination and the starting point for an unforgettable cruise

What more majestic starting point than Carcassonne… The medieval city, an architectural ensemble twice listed by UNESCO, overlooks the new town from its high ramparts, whose state of preservation is still astonishing today ! A gastronomic cruise, a cultural getaway or perhaps a combination of both : as captain of your houseboat, you decide the direction you want to take on this unusual voyage along the water.

Let yourself be seduced by a river cruise on the canal du Midi !

With its 61 locks, including the inevitable round locks, and its countless engineering structures, the Canal du Midi promises to offer you all the riches and advantages of a river cruise. So set off to cross the Cathar country or enjoy the soothing rhythm of your houseboat as you cruise through the region’s vineyards. Your river cruise can also be transformed into a gastronomic voyage (cassoulet from Castelnaudary, Minervois or Corbières wines…)

If your cruise takes you as far as Agde, make a stopover in the town of Béziers !

discover the region with our photos

1 / 5 The medieval town of Minerve Stop at Homps and hop on your bikes: just under an hour away lie the remains of the imposing Cathar town of Minerve, which is also worth a visit for its full-bodied, rounded, and fruity wines—the fruits of the Minervois vineyards, whose first vines were planted by the Romans. Nestled between the Montagne Noire and the Canal du Midi, the town of Minerve is also a majestic gateway to the Haut-Languedoc Regional Natural Park.

2 / 5 Castelnaudary cassoulet Stop off at Castelnaudary and sample THE authentic cassoulet. Here, cassoulet is served bubbling hot in its cassole! A taste will give you strength for the rest of the day: legend has it that during a siege of Castelnaudary by the English, famine threatened the inhabitants, who decided to pool what they had left to feed the soldiers protecting the town. Sausages, bacon, beans, pork and leftover meat were simmered in a large pot. The soldiers regained their strength and drove the English out of their lands... all the way to the English Channel!

3 / 5 The Naurouze Pass – Watershed Divide This pass rises to 190 m, making it the highest point of the Canal du Midi. It is located on the watershed divide between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic. Hence this curious spot, from which one can see water flowing both eastward toward the sea and westward toward the ocean.

4 / 5 Toulouse If you’re setting out for a long stay along the Canal du Midi, there’s no doubt you’ll stop in the famous “Pink City,” named for the red bricks that adorn its façades. If you want to focus on the highlights, don’t miss the Capitole, the Jacobins Convent, and the Saint-Sernin Basilica. The Aéroscopia Museum and the Cité de l’Espace are also must-see attractions for anyone traveling with family!

5 / 5 The former bastide of Villefranche de Lauragais Don’t hesitate to stop in Villefranche de Lauragais. You’ll find several restaurants offering local specialties, but above all, you can admire the remains of this 13th-century bastide: the bell tower—turreted red-brick walls of the Gothic church, half-timbered houses, arcades, the water mill, and the castle of Barelles, listed as a historic monument.

suggested itineraries Tested and approved

Set off from Carcassonne and navigate as your desires see fit, or follow our itinerary ideas:

Week-end
Round trip	48km - 10 locks	9h	Carcassonne > Bram > Carcassonne
One way	40km - 13 locks	8h	Carcassonne > Homps

Mini-week
Round trip	80km - 26 locks	16h	Carcassonne > Homps > Carcassonne
One way	95km - 18 locks	17h	Carcassonne > Colombiers

One week
Round trip	166km - 36 locks	30h	Carcassonne > Capestang > Carcassonne
Round trip	116km - 70 locks	40h	Carcassonne > seuil de Naurouze (line of the watershed between the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean) > Port Lauragais > Carcassonne
One way	126km - 36 locks	25h	Carcassonne > Agde
One way	143km - 28 locks	25h	Carcassonne > Bram > Carcassonne > Colombiers

Two weeks
Round trip	160km - 66 locks	30h	Carcassonne > Montgiscard > Carcassonne
Round trip	116km - 70 locks	58h	Carcassonne > Castelnaudary > Port Lauragais > Carcassonne
Round trip	252km - 72 locks	50h	Carcassonne > Agde > Carcassonne

Three weeks
One way	400km - 76 locks	70h	Carcassonne > Aigues Mortes > Carcassonne