Canal du Midi

World heritage within easy reach

Watch the world go by

The Canal du Midi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, runs very close to Le Fort Pouzols-Minervois. The nearest point to Le Fort is at Le Somail, less than a 10 minute drive from Pouzols-Minervois.

The Canal du Midi links the Mediterranean with the Atlantic Ocean. The most popular stretch for tourists runs between Béziers and Carcassonne. There are many bars and restaurants along the canal to sit, enjoy a meal and watch the world go by.

Hire a boat

Le Somail is also a great place to hire a self-drive boat for a day or two to explore the Canal du Midi, one of the oldest man-made waterways in Europe.

Hundreds of motorised boats await you all along the canal. The canal itself has many unusual oval locks, bridges and aquaducts that are definitely worth exploring – including the popular Fonserannes staircase of locks. Shaded by trees, your boat trip takes you through the vineyards and past ancients towns and picturesque villages.

Guided cruises

A variety of scheduled cruises with expert guides are available all along the Canal du Midi. Enjoy a one or two hour boat trip with a local guide telling you about landmarks, history and wildlife along the Canal du Midi.

Longer cruises are also available at most bases along the Canal du Midi, including multi-day trips themed around food and drink, history and art. These often include demonstrations and meals cooked by experienced staff as well as visits to local markets and restaurants.

Other things to do in the area

The Canal du Midi can be accessed in many places from Le Fort Pouzols-Minervois. The nearest point is in Le Somail, with its beautiful bridge. You can book a full day boat trip including meals to Béziers and back from here. Capestang is also not far. Both have bars and restaurants along the canal.

Other places to visit along the canal include Carcassonne and Castelnaudery. Béziers is at one end of the canal. The Fonserannes locks here are a series of oval locks that form a staircase for boats.

Book your stay at Le Fort Pouzols-Minervois

Le Fort Pouzols-Minervois is a great base for exploring the Languedoc-Roussillon region.
Book your stay today on any of these great websites or directly with us.

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