The 12 things to do on the Canal du Midi

Passing in the south? Discover the 12 essential things to do to visit the Canal du Midi

The Canal du Midi is not a stream like others. This human prowess has revolutionized river transport in the Languedoc. Today registered with Unesco’s world heritage, the Canal du Midi is now a major tourist attraction.

Wanderlix offers you to discover the 12 essential things to do to visit the Canal du Midi as it should be. Embark on and let yourself be guided!

1. Crossing the canal in a barge

How not to start our top of the must-have things to do to visit the Canal du Midi without a barge trip? It is indeed the most beautiful, but also the most interesting way to discover the mythical canal.

By renting your péniche , you will discover the sumptuous occitan landscapes, which you will not find anywhere else. Your journey, rhymed by the numerous locks on the canal, will allow you to discover impressive castles, the flourishing vegetation typical of Occitania and authentic occitane cities. Place to wonder!

2. Navigate to the Port of the mouth in Toulouse

Being one of the ends of the Canal du Midi, the Port of the mouth is a must to visit the Canal du Midi. Crossing with the Lateral Canal at the Garonne and the Brienne Canal, this is where the Canal du Midi ends. Thanks to this mouth, it is finally possible to connect the Mediterranean and the Atlantic.

The arrival in the port is marked by the passage under the mythical Ponts-Jumeaux and offers an exceptional setting. We strongly advise you to board a barge or a barge boat rental to enjoy the pink city .

3. Visit the Fonseranes locks

We talked about it above, navigation on the canal and its feeding was made possible thanks to the locks. But what is it? It is a work consisting of two doors and a basin. With the locks, it is therefore possible to control the water level and its flow rate. But it also allows boats to navigate and pass the different denivels. Without these locks, the Canal du Midi would not have seen the day.

No wonder the 9 Fonseranes locks located at Beziers be one of the most important things to do to visit the Canal du Midi. You can visit them on foot or on foot boat rental .

4. Cross the Orb Canal Bridge

If you go to the Canal du Midi, you will necessarily fall on a bridge-channel. This type of construction, like locks, also plays a key role in the project. How? A bridge-channel allows you to cross a barrier.

Among those of the Canal du Midi, the Canal de l’Orb is a wonder. Located in Béziers, it allows the Canal du Midi to cross the river of the Orb. But if the bridge-channel attracts attention, it is also for its architectural beauty.

5. Dress a cassoulet in Castelnaudary

Along the Canal du Midi, we find Lauragais and more particularly Castelnaudary. This name may be familiar to you, since the city is famous for its famous cassoulet .

Visiting the Canal du Midi is an opportunity to enjoy a gourmet break. An exhibition is even devoted to the dish at the Musée du Lauragais. The place is in charge of History since it is an old prison-trinal imagined by Catherine de Medici .

6. Discover the threshold of Naurouze

Here is one of the must-sees to visit on the Canal du Midi. It is here, at the threshold of Naurouze, that the highest level of the canal is located. From the beginning of the project, Pierre-Paul Riquet, the Toulouse entrepreneur who designed and realized the Canal du Midi, makes the threshold a strategic place. For yes, this emblematic place already existed during Antiquity.

But why is it so important? Simply because the threshold will allow to partially feed the canal, with water coming from the magnificent Black Mountain .

7. Cross the Malpas tunnel

The Malpas tunnel is also a structure that avoids a natural obstacle. Located in Nissan-lez-Ensérune, it allowed the canal to pass under the oppidum d’Ensérune .

The place is impressive, especially when you know it is a human construction... and it measures 173m long! You can cross the tunnel on foot, by bike or during a boat ride.

8. Explore Agde Round Lock

Here is another lock to visit on the Canal du Midi route. The lock of the ancient Greek city is Agde is a little special. Rather than having two doors, the round lock has three. In addition, the round shape of the basin allowed the boats to be manoeuvered inside. They could thus be in the desired direction of navigation.

9. Cross the Canal Bridge of Répudre

In the slate part of the Canal du Midi, you will find the oldest canal bridge in the world. The Canal Bridge of Répudre was also the only one originally planned by Riquet. The latter was therefore particularly proud of this work, which allowed the flooding of the Répudre.

Its history makes it an essential step to visit the Canal du Midi. Don't miss him!

10. Visit the beautiful city of Carcassonne

Originally, visiting the Canal du Midi did not include a passage to Carcassonne. It was only well after its commission in 1810 that the Canal du Midi will count a new section.

This time, the river passes in the medieval city. Today it would be a shame, if you visit the audacious part, not to stop at Carcassonne. The opportunity to discover the most famous fortifications of France.

11. Visit Cathar castles and the Black Mountain

A large part of the Canal du Midi crosses the Cathar country . This region is in charge of History, since it is here that the dissent towards Catholicism was the strongest. A movement that led the Kingdom of France to go to war against the so-called heretics.

Discover them Cathar castles as well as the villages of the Black Mountain. Among the many places to visit, do not miss the castles of Lastours and their viewpoint. The panoramic view is breathtaking.

12. Browse Narbonne by bike

Visiting the Canal du Midi is inevitably discovering the splendid cities it runs along. Among them, Narbonne is a must. For more fun, we offer you to ride the city and ride the canal by bike.

Thanks to the many bike paths, you will discover the phenomenal architecture of the city, as well as another facet of the Canal du Midi. If you take a little break, we advise you to take a tour of the Halles where typical products of the city are sold, such as whipped fries.

How to visit the Canal du Midi?

By boat

Embarking on a barge is obviously the best way to visit the Canal du Midi. Many tourist operators offer cruises ranging from a few hours to several weeks on a part of the course. You can also decide rent a boat and navigate freely, at the pace you like. In any case, the wonder will be at the meeting.

Bike

For the most athletic, many trails have been set up by the water. It is therefore possible to visit the Canal du Midi by pedaling under the Languedoc sun. You will easily find a mountain bike rental on any section. Moreover, know that the péniches are often rented with bikes, what to do with a stone two strokes!

On foot

If you are a walking enthusiast, the Canal du Midi is a perfect setting for hiking. Among the most favorable places, we recommend the course of La Caunette, in the heart of the Black Mountain. You can discover the Naurouze threshold during the walk.

In quad

Want speed? Opt for a balaed , with in the background one of the most beautiful backgrounds of Occitania. But be careful: look in front of you not to take a plane tree!

Starting from Toulouse, quad excursions last between half an hour and two hours. You can count 25€ per half hour, 40€ per hour and 70€ per two hours.

Canal du Midi : How to get there?

By plane

The aircraft is a fast and safe way to get to the Languedoc region and to discover the Canal du Midi. If you decide to discover the Canal from Toulouse, you will land at the airport of Toulouse-Blagnac. If you leave from Paris, the journey will last 1h15. If you want to discover the Canal from Béziers or Agde, then you will have to land at the airport of Montpellier (count 1h25 from Paris) then take the train, bus or car.

To get your tickets, go to Skyscanner , online tool for optimized flights and at the best price

By train

Always depending on where you want to start your visit to the Canal du Midi, you can reach Toulouse Matabiau train station in less than 5 hours and Saint Roch and South France train stations in Montpellier in 3h30. If you join Montpellier, you will then have to take a TER leading you to Béziers.

By car

A more playful and enriching way to discover the Canal de Midi is to go by "roadtrip" by car from Toulouse. You will then discover all the facets, even the most hidden, of the Canal and the region, while advancing at your own pace. You will have the freedom to go from one place to another by stopping on the road to take pictures of the beautiful occitan landscapes.

For you can just as well go with your own vehicle or opt for the car rental from Toulouse.

Where to stay near the Canal du Midi?

To find out where to sleep, you have to rely on the places you decided to visit on the Canal du Midi route. Depending on your choices, everything will be clearer. For our part, here are the cities we advise you. These cities are accustomed to receiving a tourist influx and are close to many places of interest.

• Beziers
• Castelnaudary
• Villefranche de Lauragais
• Toulouse

Regardless of the destination, you will find all types of accommodation. If you want a stay under the sign of relaxation and comfort, you will opt for a hotel instead. To find the one who will make your happiness, you can use one Compare hotels .

If you prefer a more intimate stay, then an apartment rental on Airbnb Looks perfect for you!

Are you lovers of unusual stays and want to live your discovery of the Canal du Midi? Be aware that you have the opportunity to stay at a cheaper price on a barge to enjoy as much as possible the exceptional setting offered by the Canal du Midi. For example, you can rent for one night (or several) on this beautiful houseboat located at the gates of Toulouse. Train those who have sea evil!

You now have the most useful information to visit the Canal du Midi. So, what are you waiting for?