Boat rental on the Canal du Midi: how to do and where?

On holiday in southern France? Discover all the useful information about boat rental on the Canal du Midi, for a wonderful experience!

The Canal du Midi is undoubtedly a real must in the Occitanie region. The oldest canal in Europe still in operation, joining Sète in Toulouse, offers 240 km of waterways and crosses varied landscapes. In total, the Canal du Midi is 64 locks, 55 aqueducts, 7 bridges, 126 bridges and other pins, dumps and waterfalls!

Some like to walk the banks of the canal, others by bike... But for a unique experience, we recommend renting a boat on the Canal du Midi!

You are told everything you need to know to help you choose your boat rental on the Canal du Midi.

What type of boat rent on the Canal du Midi?

If you want to rent a boat on the Canal du Midi, then you will board a small motor boat, more commonly called péniche , or pénichette. A barge is by definition, a type of river transport boat. Some will say boats, but this is the same type of boat.

Many professional or private renters offer their barge to rent to go up or down the canal. It is also possible, if you are here only the time of a day, to rent a boat On time.

What is the price of a boat rental on the Canal du Midi?

The price of a boat rental on the Canal du Midi varies considerably according to several criteria:

• Sa size and number of passengers that he may receive;
• duration of rental;
• Demand and therefore, period.

You can easily navigate alone on this type of boat, but you can also choose to be accompanied by its captain (which will also serve as a tourist guide). This option will obviously change the rental price.

Thus, prices are understood between 700€ and 4 000€ the week, depending on your criteria. Prices per day vary from 120€/day for 3 people, and can climb up to 800€ for 10 people.

Know that at these rental prices must be added, the cost of fuel not included , and bail . However, the cost of lock passages is included in the rental.

How do I rent a boat on the Canal du Midi?

Renting a boat on the Canal du Midi is very simple. Already, because everything is optimized for this, the place being entirely dedicated to the tourist river navigation. Otherwise, there are Samboat to make your approach even easier. This is a platform specialized in boat rental, which lists all available ads from individuals and professionals.

After you have selected your criteria (date, model, sleeping, presence of a captain, etc.) you just have to compare and make your choice, it’s as simple as that!

Boat rentals on the Canal du midi begin in principle from 2 days. All day rentals are possible, but you will not have time to take advantage of them properly. Our advice is from opt for minimum 4 days , 1 week being the ideal to enjoy the maximum of the ride and all the treasures it has to offer.

Most renters offer to rent a boat on the Canal du Midi, on the basis of a return trip to your rental base. However, some of them (most of the time professional renters), propose to pick up your boat in one place, and to return it to another point agreed together. This will allow you, over the same period, to explore more kilometres and discover more landscapes.

Finally, some renters offer options on board, such as bike rental, barbecue or fishing cane, for example. Also consider checking whether the bed and toilet linen is included in the rental. This differs according to the leasing.

Is there a permit to sail on the Canal du Midi?

The good news is that it is absolutely not necessary to possess a boat permit to rent a boat on the Canal du Midi (the great paradox is that you will need one if you want to sail on the Canal du Midi with your own boat!).

Indeed, the boats proposed for rent are boats without permits, and no experience or prior knowledge is requested from you. A demonstration and briefing will be made before your departure by your rental. It will show you how the boat works, and the various manoeuvres (simples) of flight and accosting. A temporary pleasure card that covers the duration of your stay will be issued before departure.

Our tips to navigate the Canal du Midi

It is not possible to rent a boat on the Canal du Midi alone. Manoeuvres in locks ask to be at least 2 .

The passage of locks can be impressive first and foremost, but it is actually a simple and safe passage. You'll simply have to respect some basic rules that have been given to you at the time of the briefing.

The average speed of navigation is 6 km/h if you choose to rent a boat on the Canal du Midi. The latter is limited to 8 km/h maximum . You will be asked to adapt your speed in the presence of smaller boats, such as boats or canoes. Finally, as you approach locks and bridges, you will need to ensure that reduce speed to 3 km/h .

At the level of mooring, the rules are simple: you can stop where you want, whenever you want, provided you do not interfere with navigation, of course. You can use the terminals on the shores, intended for this purpose, or plant the pickets provided on the boat.

You can also, if you wish, park in a port and thus benefit from the corresponding services (water, electricity...). However, know that the mooring at the port is paid at night .

What is the best time to navigate the Canal du Midi?

It is possible to navigate the Canal du Midi from end March to early November . We will not surprise you by saying that the months of July, August, but also of September, are the most intense in terms of affluence (and therefore price).

To rent a boat on the Canal du Midi in the best conditions (climatic/tarifaires/tranquillity), we recommend the period from April to June .

Ideas of itineraries by boat on the Canal du Midi

Know that in 1 week, you can browse around 150 to 200km , due 20 to 30km per day (5 to 6 hours of navigation).

It is difficult to tell you a specific route to follow, because everything will depend on your place of departure and the time you have before you. But whether you decide to navigate the canal, in one direction or in the other, you will cross the same essential works and mythical cities.

Here is a small selection of places not to be missed, if you let yourself be tempted by boat rental on the Canal du Midi:

• The port of the mouth to Toulouseone of the ends of the Canal du Midi, whose arrival is marked by the passage under the Ponts-Jumeaux;
• The Naurouze thresholdwhere the highest level of the canal is located;
• Castelnaudary, known for its famous cassoulet;
• The city of Carcassonne, classified as Unesco World Heritage;
• The village of Somail, known as one of the most beautiful villages typical of the Canal du Midi;
• The deck-canal of Répudrethe oldest bridge-channel in the world;
• The Malpas tunnel, 173m long, which allows the channel to pass under the Oppidum of Ensérune ;
• Foneranes lock scale, a remarkable site entirely renovated in 2017;
• The Orb bridge-channel, which allows the Canal du Midi to cross the river of the Orb ;
• Agde Round Lock, which has 3 doors (instead of 2 usually);
• The pond of Thau and her oyster huts.

So, are you going for this adventure through the water?