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THE HERITAGE
As well as the medieval towns, cathar villages, castles and monasteries that you pass, you should appreciate that the canal itself and its engineering works constitute an equally valuable work of art. The Canal du Midi, from Toulouse to the Etang de Thau, has been listed in its entirety as a UNESCO World Heritage site,
a testimony to the genius of its builder Pierre-Paul Riquet who described it to Vauban as "The noblest work of its type
ever undertaken".
The recent reopening of the lower Lot, linking the Lot and the Garonne, gives you a chance to discover this delightful region with its chateaux and medieval bastides such as Aiguillon, Villeneuve-sur-Lot and Pujols, one of France's prettiest villages, as well as many other treasures of romanesque art.
ACCESS TO BASES
Lattes |
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Locaboat HolidaysPort Ariane F R - 34970 LattesTel : + 33 (0) 467 20 24 12 Fax : + 33 (0) 467 20 99 97 E-mail : lattes@locaboat.com
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Argens-Minervois |
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Locaboat HolidaysPort Occitanie FR - 11200 Argens-MinervoisTel : +33 (0) 468 270 333 Fax : +33 (0) 468 277 196 E-mail : argens-minervois@locaboat.com
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Base at Négra |
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Locaboat Holidays10 Rue de Villenouvelle Ecluse de Négra FR - 31450 Montesquieu-LauragaisTel : + 33 (0) 561 81 36 40 Fax : + 33 (0) 561 81 36 43 E-mail : negra@locaboat.com
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Info-region
FRANCE
Midi-Camargue
MIDI
Canal du Midi, Bassin de Thau
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.
CAMARGUE
Canal du Rhône à Sète, le Lez, Bassin de Thau, Canal du Midi, Petit Rhône
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.
LAURAGAIS
Canal du Midi, Canal latéral à la Garonne
The base at Négra was the first stop of the "Mail Boat" which ran from Toulouse to Agde in the 19th century.
From the surroundings of rose-red Toulouse , the Canal du Midi takes you through one of France's most fascinating regions.
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.
