ACNet Search

Results for: Visit Chateau Villandry on a Barge Holiday in France

Places To Visit On A Canal Du Midi Barge Trip In France

The Canal du Midi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most famous canals in the world. The stunning seventeenth century waterway stretches 241km, connecting the Mediterranean to the Atlantic and providing plenty of scope for exploration. During a barge trip in France’s Canal du Midi region, you will be able to cruise to countless wonderful destinations. Owing to the diversity of options, prioritising the best places to visit can seem daunting. That’s why we have compiled this list of the canal’s cultural highlights. Carcassonne The fortified Medieval city of Carcassonne needs no introduction. The expansive citadel is uniquely well preserved in Europe. Almost three kilometres of ramparts, 53 conical-roofed towers, and a maze of quaint cobbled streets await you, with some of the best views to be experienced from Chateau Comtal. While in Carcassonne, don’t overlook the opportunity to explore St Louis Bastide. It offers a more peaceful atmosphere to the popular attractions of the citadel on the hill, but still boasts a rich history and ideal spots for a leisurely stroll. The ville baisse (lower town) can be explored from the level of the Canal du Midi during your barge trip. In France’s list of its most spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Sites, La Cité is sure to rank very highly indeed. Toulouse: La Ville Rose The distinctive pink terracotta bricks of Toulouse earned France’s fourth largest city the nickname of La Ville Rose (the Pink City). Make your way to the Place du Capitole to pay a visit to the town hall, which dates back to the twelfth century. Its exquisite frescoes, painted on the golden ceilings and walls of the Salle des Illustres, are a sight to behold. Wandering around this picture-perfect city, you will sense a truly relaxed French atmosphere. The university town is renowned not only for its accomplishments in the fields of aviation, space flight and rugby, but also for its charming café culture. Béziers A barge trip in France wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Languedoc’s wine-making capital. The clifftop town is not only famed for its delicious tipple, but for being the birthplace of Pierre-Paul Riquet - the mastermind behind the creation of the Canal du Midi. The town’s picturesque parks and ancient alleyways are perfect to amble through, with many shady nooks where you can sit and take in the views. An unforgettable section of the canal, Béziers features a majestic aqueduct that runs 12 metres high over the River Orb for a distance of 240 metres. As if this weren’t reason enough to visit Béziers on your barge trip in France, the town’s Fonserannes lock is epic in scope. The lock’s eight chambers run consecutively to form a huge staircase that will raise a vessel a total of 21.5 metres. With so much to see, it’s clear that the Canal du Midi is a wonderful choice when it comes to planning a barge trip in France. To get the most out of your experience, you should book with a reputable tour operator who will make the trip as hassle free and memorable as possible.

Author Plate Paul Newman is the Marketing and E-Systems Executive for European Waterways, the UK's most respected provider of all-inclusive itineraries for a luxury barge trip in France. Part of a team of experienced barging aficionados, Paul is first in line to endorse the perks of a slow-paced barge cruise to anyone looking for a unique holiday experience.