midi guide eng 2022 : simplebooklet.com

VillepinteVillesèquelandeMarseillette CASTELNAUDARYCARCASSONNE TRÈBESHOMPSNarbonnePORT CASSAFIÈRESCarcassonneToulouseE M B R A N C H E M E N T D E L A N O U V E L L EC A N A L D U M I D I RoubiaCapestangÉcluses de FonseranesColombiersAgdeVentenac-en-MinervoisLe SomailVillefranche-de-LauragaisCastanet-TolosanMontgiscardPort LauragaisArgens-MinervoisSallèlesd’AudeBramPort-la-Nouvelle BéziersÉTA N G D E T H A UH È R A U LTTunnel de MalpasR I V I È R E A U D EGardouchAvignonet-LauragaisLe Seuil de NaurouzePoterie NotPexioraLac de la CavayèreMillepetitOlonzacLac de JouarresLa RedorteParazaArgeliersPoilhesCersPortiragnesLe Cap d’AgdeÎle de Ste LucieGruissanVilleneuve-les-BéziersVias8Maximum speed allowed on waterways in km/h3Maximum speed allowed in ports/marinas in km/hPass oncoming boats onthe right-hand side1 hr 20 min1 hr 35 minEnd of the Canal du MidiTo ulouseCastanet-TolosanMontgiscard1 hr 40 min3 hr Approx timeGardouchVillefranche-de-Lauragais 45 min1 hr 45 min3 hr 50 minCastelnaudaryPort Lauragais12 hr 35 min1261491 hr 20 minNo. of Locks2333VillepinteBram1 hr 15 min1 hr 35 minVillesèquelandeCarcassonne2 hr 50 min3 hr Trèbes13 hr 10 min3157314 hr 30 min15Puichéric1 hr 55 minMarseillette38La Redortehromps2 hr 40 min1 hr1 hr216 hr 35 min14Argens-Minervois1 hr 50 min10 minRoubiaParaza20 min3 hr 15 min5Ventenac-en-MinervoisLe Somail25 min40 min20 min100006Canal du MidiIntersection with Embranchement de la NouvelleToulouse (Le Boat)Castelnaudary (Le Boat) Homps (Le Boat)Carcassonne (Trèbes) (Le Boat)Intersection with Embranchement de la NouvelleCapestang30 minArgeliersPoilhes2 hr 5 min50 min40 minColombiers45 minAscender or descender Fonseranes Locks1 hr 25 min*BéziersVilleneuve-lès-Béziers40 minCers1 hr 10 min15 min1 hr 05 minPort CassaﬁèresViasAgde40 minEnd of the Canal du Midi1 hr 45 min30 min9 hr 25 min*00000722011 hr 10 min1 hr 45 min00022121 hr 30 min2 hr 30 minIntersection with Canal du MidiSallèles d’AudeNarbonneEsclusa Mandirac (5km from Gruissan)1 hr 40 min1 hr 20 min Port-La-NouvelleSainte-Lucie Island35 min3 hr 35 min52014 hr3510Embranchement de la NouvelleCanal du Midi Port Cassaﬁères (Le Boat)Approx timeNo. of LocksApprox timeNo. of LocksTimes are an approximation only and are calculated on the basis of an average speed of 7.5km/h and an average time of 12 minutes to pass through a lock. Your speed, the ow of the water and the time it takes to go through locks will all aect your progress.* Please note that there are set times to ascend and descend the Fonseranes Locks, so you’ll also need to factor in waiting time too.

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WEST OF CASTELNAUDARYThis quiet and less-explored stretch of canal will reward you with beautiful countryside, the occasional sleepyvillage and many churches with impressive bell towers. Toulouse, the fourth largest city in France, awaits at theend. Here you can enjoy submersing yourself in true French café culture, with a host of museums and culturalattractions to keep you occupied. It will take you the best part of a week to get here and back to Castelnaudary so,CASTELNAUDARYThe historic market town of Castelnaudary is home of the Cassoulet, aregional dish of white beans and chunky pieces of pork and duck. Whilehere, why not visit 17th century Cugarel Windmill which has its workingif just for the amazing view across the Black Mountain and surroundingcountryside from the site on which it stands. On the way you can stopat St.Michel Collegiate Church which is surprisingly grand inside with itsimpressive cloister, baroque alter and large classical organs.Recommended restaurants: Le Tirou or Maison du CassouletAmenities:There is a Spar supermarket 1.1km away in the town centre, where there are also ATMs, etc. If you spend over €100 they will usually beable to deliver your goods to your boat.BRAMA pretty, but quiet village built on a circular plan witha 13th century church at the heart. A pleasant walkor cycle along a pretty tree-lined avenue will take youArchaeology Museum housing more than 4,000artefacts discovered through excavations onsiteand nearby over the last 30 years.Eburomagus MuseumCugarel WindmillRecommended restaurant: L’lle aux Oiseaux, right by the canalAmenities:patisseries and several other shops in Bram.CARCASSONNEmain attraction here, this sleepy half of the city is the perfect contrastto the hubbub of the citadel which towers above. The large rose-shaped, stained-glass window of St.Michel Cathedral is worth a visit.And the 54m-high, octagonal tower of St.Vincent Church houses acarillon of 47 bells. Climb the 232 steps that’ll take you to the top andenjoy the stunning views.for its double wall of ramparts, running nearly 3km around theperimeter, and 53 conical-roofed, fairy-tale towers.Wander through the cobbled streets, shops and leafy squares toChâteau Comtal, located at the heart of the citadel. The tickets youbuy to get in allow access to the ramparts for breath-taking views overthe lower town, canal and Pyrénées. Then explore the château itselfwith the help of the audio guide.TRÈBESFrom Le Boat’s base, take a short stroll to the 13th century church,on visitors. Trèbes is an ideal place to sample some excellent localby tapas. Nearby, the owners of Domaine des Pères have been olivegrowers for three generations, and sell olive oil and its derivativesproducts such as soap, as well as local wines, honey, pâtés andtraditionally made beers. Say “hello” to the donkeys behind the building.Recommended restaurant: La Tratttoria Napoli, Restaurant- Bar - PizzeriaAmenities: There is a very large supermarket, 1km from the Le Boat base.Market: Carcassonne’s ‘lower town’ from the CitadelTrèbes ChurchToulouse
Recommended restaurants: Crêperie le Blé Noir in the lower town,or La Marquiere in the citadelAmenities: shops and a wide choice of restaurantsin Carcassonne,as well as many souvenir shops andrestaurants within the walls of thecitadel.Market: Tue to Sat, Les Halles Place CarnotThe Citadel of Carcassonne

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For a full 79 page version of this guide, download it now at xxx.comWEST OF CASTELNAUDARYThis quiet and less-explored stretch of canal will reward you with beautiful countryside, the occasional sleepy village and many churches with impressive bell towers. Toulouse, the fourth largest city in France, awaits at the end. Here you can enjoy submersing yourself in true French café culture, with a host of museums and cultural attractions to keep you occupied. It will take you the best part of a week to get here and back to Castelnaudary so, CASTELNAUDARYThe historic market town of Castelnaudary is home of the Cassoulet, a regional dish of white beans and chunky pieces of pork and duck. While here, why not visit 17th century Cugarel Windmill which has its working if just for the amazing view across the Black Mountain and surrounding countryside from the site on which it stands. On the way you can stop at St.Michel Collegiate Church which is surprisingly grand inside with its impressive cloister, baroque alter and large classical organs.Recommended restaurants: Le Tirou or Maison du CassouletAmenities:There is a Spar supermarket 1.1km away in the town centre, where there are also ATMs, etc. If you spend over €100 they will usually be able to deliver your goods to your boat. BRAMA pretty, but quiet village built on a circular plan with a 13th century church at the heart. A pleasant walk or cycle along a pretty tree-lined avenue will take you Archaeology Museum housing more than 4,000 artefacts discovered through excavations onsite and nearby over the last 30 years.Eburomagus MuseumCugarel WindmillRecommended restaurant: L’lle aux Oiseaux, right by the canalAmenities:patisseries and several other shops in Bram.CARCASSONNE main attraction here, this sleepy half of the city is the perfect contrast to the hubbub of the citadel which towers above. The large rose-shaped, stained-glass window of St.Michel Cathedral is worth a visit. And the 54m-high, octagonal tower of St.Vincent Church houses a carillon of 47 bells. Climb the 232 steps that’ll take you to the top and enjoy the stunning views.for its double wall of ramparts, running nearly 3km around the perimeter, and 53 conical-roofed, fairy-tale towers.Wander through the cobbled streets, shops and leafy squares to Château Comtal, located at the heart of the citadel. The tickets you buy to get in allow access to the ramparts for breath-taking views over the lower town, canal and Pyrénées. Then explore the château itself with the help of the audio guide.TRÈBES From Le Boat’s base, take a short stroll to the 13th century church, on visitors. Trèbes is an ideal place to sample some excellent local by tapas. Nearby, the owners of Domaine des Pères have been olive growers for three generations, and sell olive oil and its derivatives products such as soap, as well as local wines, honey, pâtés and traditionally made beers. Say “hello” to the donkeys behind the building. Recommended restaurant: La Tratttoria Napoli, Restaurant- Bar - PizzeriaAmenities: There is a very large supermarket, 1km from the Le Boat base.Market: Carcassonne’s ‘lower town’ from the CitadelTrèbes Church Toulouse Recommended restaurants: Crêperie le Blé Noir in the lower town, or La Marquiere in the citadelAmenities: shops and a wide choice of restaurants in Carcassonne, as well as many souvenir shops and restaurants within the walls of the citadel.Market: Tue to Sat, Les Halles Place CarnotThe Citadel of Carcassonne

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HOMPS Homps is adjacent to the beautiful Jouarres Lake There is a restaurant on site and a snack bar and at peak times you can hire kayaks and canoes.If you’re up for a 12km bike ride you can cycle from Homps to Minerve. This is one of France’s most beautiful towns, with charming cobbled streets, a maze of narrow alleys, quaint dwellings and a simple 12th century church. The town is perched high on a rocky promontory with rivers running through deep gorges on either side. It can be reached only by a high bridge and was the site of a famous siege in the medieval age. ARGENS MINERVOIS The village is overlooked by the square towers of a 14th century château and is a lovely little place to stop, with its narrow cobbled streets to wander around. Recommended restaurant: La Guinguette, al fresco barbecue restaurant next to the canal. Amenities: There is a grocery store, a café-bar and a restaurant here. A SCENIC LOOKOUTJust north of Argens Minervois, you can get some great views over the village by scaling a short but steep path at Pechlaurier Lock which leads to a look-out.THE BIG POUND Argens Lock is the last lock you’ll pass through for 54km, until you reach the Fonserannes Locks near Béziers. This whole section of the canal is knownRecommended restaurant:Amenities: There is a grocery store, a small selection of restaurants, a wine shop and a café-bar in the village.Market: If you happen to be in the area on a Tuesday morning, the nearby village of Olonzac has a market whichArgens-Minervois CastlePARAZAThe village of Paraza has a lovely church, Notre-Dame de l’Assomption, where the nave, choir and vaults are adorned with beautiful stencilled decoration dating from the 19th century. Near the centre of the village and dominating the brow of the hill is Château de Paraza, where wine is producedRecommended Restaurant: Café du Port, next to the canal.Amenities: There’s a well-stocked grocery store in the village.LE SOMAIL A beautiful little Languedoc village, home to some nice restaurants and a couple of artist studios.no less than 50,000 books, from cheap paperbacks to rare editions. VENTENAC-EN-MINERVOIS This tiny village is noted for its waterside wine cellar in the attractive canal-side Château de Ventenac-en-Minervois. Here, local wines can be sampled for free under the arches of its amazing vault. Recommended restaurant: La Grillade du Château Amenites: There’s a handful of restaurants, but not much in the way of shops here.Château de Ventenac-en-MinervoisLe Comptoir Nature, Le SomailRecommended restaurants: L’O a la Bouche or Le Comptoir Nature - both overlooking the canalAmenities: The grocery barge, moored pastries, basic groceries, drinks, wines and also a selection of regional products. It is recommended to pre-order your bread and Homps

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CAPESTANGThe Gothic St. Étienne Collegiate church in Capestang was built in the 13th century by the same team who built the cathedral in Narbonne.It is worth paying for a tour, which grants you views over the Cevennes foothills, the Pyrenees While the Archbishop’s castle is not much to look at from the outside, it’s worth a visit to see the palace staterooms and a ceiling adorned with 15th century paintings. The very helpful tourist COLOMBIERSThe small, pretty town of Colombiers is a lively place with a church and a number of restaurants. The remarkable glimpse into the past, from the Bronze Age to the Roman conquest. The museum houses a Recommended restaurant: Chez L’Éclusier or Au LavoirAmenities: There is a pleasure port here with fresh water and an electricity point. There is a supermarket, pharmacy and newsagents right at the port. After a 300m stroll lovely patisserie and more restaurants.Amenities: Capestang has a good range of shops, including a supermarket, three bakeries, several café-bars and restaurants Markets: THE MALPAS TUNNEL honk your horn before entering.FONSERANES LOCKS If you miss the allocated time, you may have to wait for most of the day, or overnight for the next timeslot. It will take about 1hr to travel through the staircase, so prior planning is essential, especially if you are short on time and need to return your boat to base. BÉZIERSBéziers is best seen by ambling through its medieval streets, animated squares and leafy parks. Visit the majestic St. Nazaire Cathedral, located on a rocky des Poètes garden and discover the works of a local of restaurants in Béziers. Recommended restaurant: along the towpath from the Béziers Moorings.Amenities: Supermarket, shops, restaurants and  Market:Semard. Moorings: Moor at the port of Pont-Neufs in Béziers. power, boat house open all year round from 15 march pm to 7 pm, from Monday to Sunday, including public PORT CASSAFIÈRES course and zip wires at the Azimut Adventures Park bike hire or a taxi to get you there.THE LIBRON CROSSINGRecommended restaurant: La Gibrine. Ask the base Amenities: There is a pizzeria on site. There is a small grocery store in Portiragnes-Plage, but there are plenty of other options further along the canal. There are bigger supermarkets close to the canal in short walk into Agde.VIAS1km north of the canal will take you into the historic centre of Vias with its picturesque streets and alleyways, and the gorgeous Vias Plaza in the centre where restaurants spill out onto the pavements.But the real reason to stop in Vias is its leisure parks, rides to quieter family rides.Recommended restaurant: Le Vieux Logis, in the centre of town.Amenities: There is a bakery, butchers, delicatessen, café, ice-cream parlour, and some nice restaurants.Market:around the church.St. Etienne Collegiate Church The dry Montady LakeBéziers and the Pont Vieux (old bridge) on the River OrbLe Boat’s Vision passing through the Works of Libron

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AGDEAgde is an ancient Greek city largely built using volcanic rock. Walking through its cobbled streets you can discover its ramparts, mansions and 12th century cathedral carved from black basalt. At the Éphèbe Museum, admire the city’s buried treasures shipwrecks. Then take the footpath that goes to the St. Loup Mount, an extinct volcano which is now a  SALLÈLES D’AUDEThis is a charming little village, worth a stroll Le Calvarie, a pretty, roofed structure of stone walls and arches which is now a park for the people of the village to share. At the side of the canal, between St-Cyr Lock and Sallèles Lock, the Domaine des 7 Écluses produces and sells red wines, dry white wines and a very fruity rosé. A tour of the cellars and a free tasting is in order, if time permits. Recommended restaurant: Chez Herve, a pizzeria next to the canalAmenities: In the village centre, there are a couple of grocery stores, a bakery and several restaurants.LA EMBRANCHMENT DE LA NOUVELLEBetween Le Somail and Argeliers, the Canal de Midi is intersected by the Canal de Jonction, at which point boaters can choose to leave the Midi and head southwards. After 5km, the Canal de Jonction then connects with the Canal de la Robine.The Canal de JonctionLe Calvarie, Sallèles d’AudeNARBONNENarbonne has a rich heritage where grand and ancient buildings sit majestically among a network of clean, modern and lively streets and boulevards. The most iconic building here, the Archbishop’s of Gothic origin making it an impressive, albeit unusual, building. It has housed, since the 19th century, the City Hall and is now also home to the Museum of Art and the Archaeological Museum. You can walk up the steep steps inside the 42m tower and get a great view over to the Mediterranean and the massive St. Just and St. Pasteaur Cathedral, the third highest cathedral in France. SANTE-LUCIE NATURE RESERVEKnown as the island of a thousand scents, this is a nature reserve of exceptional abundant wildlife. Walk or cycle in the shade of pine trees on a 3km or a 7km circuit, and look out for wild pigs and deer, as well as amazing birdlife.PORT-LA-NOUVELLEthe region on horseback! Whether you are a beginner or experienced on the beach and in the marshes. Recommended restaurant: Le XV, located not far from the moorings Amenities:There are many shops and restaurants here, especially along the seafront.Market:Night Market:  Place St. CharlesHELP SAVE THE PLANE TREESThe iconic plane trees that line much of the Canal du Midi la Nouvelle are under threat from an incurable disease. Please help prevent its spread by observing the following... • Do not damage trees • Do not moor in places where there are plane trees, infected or otherwise. • Do not tie ropes around trees, • Do not lean bicycles against trees • If you use mooring pins, disinfect them afterwards in the blue boxes provided at many locks. Recommended restaurant: Amenities:There are plenty of shops, restaurants and supermarkets in NarbonneMarket: the south of France.St. Just and St. Pasteur CathedralPort-la-NouvelleAGDE’S ROUND LOCKJust outside Agde the canal will bring you to Agde Round Lock. When it was built in the 17th century, distinction of having three gates: two gates access the Canal du Midi, whilst the third opens onto the Recommended restaurant: Mare Nostrum, overlooking the Hérault River.Amenities: There is a grocery store and plenty of restaurants in Agde.Covered Market: Agde’s Round Lock

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All locks are closed on 1st May on the Canal du Midi, Canal de Jonction and Canal de la Robine.*It will take about an hour to pass through the Fonserannes ight of locks – please allow enough time.LOCKSPlease refer to the onboard Boat and Navigation Manual for more information about how to operate and pass through locks. The majority of locks along the Canal du Midi are operated by a lock keeper, who will of course are user operated. Set a crew member ashore before the lock so they can walk to the controls. Only enter panel while the lock is in operation, ready to push the red stop button in case of emergencies.OPENING TIMES:Locks are open and passable seven days a week at the following times:#loveleboatFind uson Facebook Share with us on InstagramWatch us on YouTubeDisclaimer: We have endeavoured to ensure that all the information in this Guide is correct at time of printing. However, opening times and prices are subject to change. Attractions, restaurants, locks and even stretches of the canal can close without notice. Le Boat is happy to recommend all of the attractions and eating establishments featured within this Guide. However, they are not owned or managed by Le Boat and, as such, we cannot guarantee the quality of your experience at any particular time. If anything in this guide is not correct, we’d love to hear from you at guides@leboat.com so that we can revise future editions.MOORINGare: if there is a sign indicating to the contrary, if you are on a bend or if you are less than 50m from a structure such as a lock or a bridge. Most towns and villages have mooring bollards or rings to tie up to, and mooring are usually free. Otherwise, mooring stakes and a hammer are provided on board. You also have the option of mooring in a private marina for a charge of between €10-€40 - this is particularly recommended in the Camargue region.WATERarea, so please use it sparingly. Thank you.Image credits: MRW Zeppeline Languedoc, C. Jourdan, Ludovic Carini, Ville de Bellegarde, Henri Comte, F. Hebraud, Gilles Deschamps Béziers Méditerranée, Mairie de Marseillan, Dominique Demouy.RegionGuides_Canal_Du_Midi_ENGMONTH CANAL DU MIDICANAL DE JONCTION AND CANAL DE LA ROBINEFONSERANES LOCKS*FONSERANES LOCKS*UP March, April 1:15pm - 3:15pm 4.05 pm - 5.45 pmMay to September1:30pm - 7pm 1pm - 7pm1:15pm - 3:20pmOctober 1:15pm - 3:15pm4.05 pm - 5.45 pm

midi guide eng 2022

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