The Midi Canal
The canal passes
several works of art design by Pierre Paul Riquet : numerous canal bridges,
vaulted bridge, oval locks and even a small tunnel.
Leaving
from Colombiers
Weekend
: Argens and back ( 50km without a lock ).
Short
Week : Port-la-Nouvelle and back - Homps and back.
1 week
:
Carcassone
and back.
One
way : to Le Ségala.
2 weeks
: Toulouse and back.
Your ports
of call
To the
sound of the cicadas...
You will cruise on this most relaxing 50km stretch between Agens
and Colombiers.
Following
the several meanders of the canal to Capestang, you will have time
to admire the wonderful 13th-century abbey which overlooks the whole countryside.
On entering the port, you will discover a very lively and friendly town
whose life is totally based around the river.
Towards
Argeliers, the canal is lined with parasol pines ans oaks giving
it a very mediterranean which may entice you to take a few opportune moments
to go sunbathing.
Just as
the artists who settled here permanently, you will be won over by the
charms of the incredibly picturesque little village of Somail with
its 17th-century church right beside the old stone bridge.
From Homps,
where you will admire the castle of the Maltesse Knights,
the Musee traditionnel de la vigne et du vin, the traditional
viticulture and wine museum at Lézignan-Corbière is only
a bike-ride away and well worth the visit.
From
Trèbes, where you will dock in the shade of the old plane trees,
you will be able to visit the city of Carcassonne only a few kilometres
away.
Following
the footsteps of the Cathar knights, the city of Carcassonne, Europe's
largest fortress, restored by Viollet-le-Duc in the 19th century, will
open its gates to you.
In Castelnaudary
you will visit the very old pottery workshops which still do business.
You can also try the local speciality, Cassoulet.
In Villefranche
de Lauragais, an ancient 12th century walled town, which recommend
you discover by bike, you will admire a monumental gothic church build
in pink stone, with a belfry dating from the 12th century.
Toulouse
: in the charming Pink City, a visit to St Sernin's Basilica,
the largest romanesque church in France, as well as the 13th century Dominican
monastery, Capitole square and the various 18th century town houses will
all bring its rich past to life.
