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Marseille
The base at Négra was the first stop of the "Mail Boat" which ran from Toulouse to Agde in the 19th century.
Beyond the canal banks, shaded by ancient trees, the surrounding hills are covered by a patchwork of little fields. Medieval villages , romanesque churches (Baraigne and Cazalrenoux), abbeys and monasteries (St Papoul) provide variety to the landscape.
At Castelnaudary, home of cassoulet , the many fine buildings form a treasury of the architectural riches of the region. Canal du MidiCanal du Midi, Canal du Rhone à Sète , Bassin de Thau, Canal de la Robine
From our base at Argens, the Canal du Midi winds gracefully through a typically Mediterranean landscape: vines, cypresses, pine trees and a riot of flowers exude their glorious aroma whilst cicadas and crickets shrill all around. Shaded by plane trees you will journey from town to town, each with its tale to tell from an eventful history.
Carcassonne, Béziers, Narbonne and many others invite you to taste mouthwatering regional specialities and such unusual wines as Pacherenc, made from late-picked grapes. To see on the skyline the towers of Carcassonne is a heart-stopping moment, so formidable are the fortifications restored by Viollet le Duc and now granted World Heritage status by UNESCO. 
These cruises are all virtually lock-free. Starting from Lattes, on the outskirts of Montpellier, you cruise the river Lez, a trade route since 800BC. You will cruise close to the Mediterranean beaches, in an area of amazing bird, animal and plant life. Make the most of the beaches before crossing the Bassin de Thau to reach its little ports and oysterbeds.
Pink flamingoes, white horses, and the massive outlines of the wild black bulls recreate a landscape that takes you back to the beginning of time. From this green paradise stands out in stately profile the silhouette of Aigues Mortes, the fortified port from which the Crusaders set sail. |
