We are four adults planning 5-7 days on a canal boat in France in early October. It seems from the forums that for first timers the Canal du Midi is the most scenic. Can anyone clarify the best departure and arrival points in that area and which direction is recommended. This may seem a strange question, however, is it considered best to have as few locks as possible or the more the better ?!Also there seem to be mixed reports about the best boats to hire-I have checked out a few of the websites, however, am more confused than ever. We would like something reasonably clean and comfortable. many thanks
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%26lt;%26lt;the Canal du Midi is the most scenic.%26gt;%26gt;
The Canal du Midi is a good location for a first cruise. There towns along the way are generally spaced evenly making exploration and re-provisioning relatively easy.
%26lt;%26lt;Can anyone clarify the best departure and arrival points in that area%26gt;%26gt;
This depends upon the company you use which may depend upon rental cost and availability. My one strong recommendation would be that the departure and arrival points be different. One way travel keeps the route fresh and maintains a continued sense of discovery. In my opinion the return portion of an out and back over canal portions recently viewed is anticlimactic.
%26lt;%26lt;which direction is recommended.%26gt;%26gt;
Direction of course applies to one way travel and has no bearing on your ability to enjoy boating. For any perceived advantage going one direction, I can give corresponding advantages going the other. I have written that I recommend easterly travel along the Canal du Midi but this had nothing to do with the direction of the water flow, rather to allow time on a 10 or 14 day journey in which to venture out upon the Etang du Thau and see (up close) one of the world%26#39;s largest oyster beds.
%26lt;%26lt;is it considered best to have as few locks as possible or the more the better%26gt;%26gt;
Too many locks, more than 5 or 6 as a daily average, can really become a lot of work (as with some routes in Burgundy). Too few locks, one or two in a week (as in the Camargue) will not give a new crew sufficient experience to develop a rhythm and proficiency or to really understand the process.
%26lt;%26lt;Also there seem to be mixed reports about the best boats to hire%26gt;%26gt;
I recommend the following companies:
http://www.franceafloat.com/
http://www.leboat.com/
http://www.locaboat.com/
http://www.nicols.com/
http://www.rive-de-france.com/
www.minervoiscruisers.com/english/main/
As for the specific model you might select, it%26#39;s a matter of personal taste, budget, and the number travelling.
You might try a forum search using the words %26quot;Canal du Midi%26quot; and read what has already been written. There have been changes in the canal%26#39;s 400 year history but there is a great deal of pertinent information in the forum archives readily at hand.
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Many thanks for this information. I hope you do not mind a few more specific questions now.
To clarify, from reading many many forums, it seems a good route is easterly from Castelnaudery to Port Cassfieres.
Is this reasonable for a seven day trip ?
I have looked at all the websites for canal boat hire and can not find any that specifically have boats avail to be picked up in Castelnaudery and left in Port Cassifieres.
Is it worth liaising directly with the companies to find out if that is possible or do you know of a good company that definitely does this ?
What is the usual daily routine along this route in terms of boating time-hours per day- and time available to walk, cycle dine and sightsee ?
Is there a recommended chart/book which gives the lock opening times and is forward planning before arriving in France recommended in terms of what distance per day, what lock times to aim for and where to pull up for the night ?
That might be enough questions at this stage ! Any info gratefully received.
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%26lt;%26lt;Is this reasonable for a seven day trip ?%26gt;%26gt;
Yes
%26lt;%26lt;I have looked at all the websites for canal boat hire and can not find any that specifically have boats avail to be picked up in Castelnaudary and left in Port Cassifieres.%26gt;%26gt;
The company with this option is called Le Boat.
http://www.leboat.com
%26lt;%26lt;Is it worth liaising directly with the companies to find out if that is possible%26gt;%26gt;
Contact le Boat directly through their website.
%26lt;%26lt;What is the usual daily routine along this route in terms of boating time-hours per day- and time available to walk, cycle dine and sightsee ?%26gt;%26gt;
I am presently out of town and do not have immediate access to my charts to give you specific touring information. Plan on several hours a day traveling on the canal, with plenty of time to visit the adjacent communities. It is possible to bike almost the entire length of the canal.
%26lt;%26lt;Is there a recommended chart/book which gives the lock opening times and is forward planning before arriving in France recommended in terms of what distance per day, what lock times to aim for and where to pull up for the night ?%26gt;%26gt;
Again I do not have my charts but lock times are contingent upon season. The only real concern is near Beziers; the 6 locks of Forserannes are one way only, twice a day during the busy summer months. There is also a passenger boat running through these locks that always takes priority so plan ahead.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fonserannes_Locks
You can stop anywhere you like. There are several ports along the way and if you use Le Boat, they have ports all along the canal where you can tie up and connect electricity for free.
%26lt;%26lt;That might be enough questions at this stage !%26gt;%26gt;
There are never too many questions. Ask as often as you need.
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Many thanks again for your very prompt reply.
I am hoping you will not mind me taking a completely different tack.
I am wondering what the route Corbigny to Dompierre in the Loire/Nivernais region is like.
For some reason the Locaboat company appeals to me.They do have a route in the Canal Du Midi but not from Castelnaudry to Port C.I know the route travelled is more important than the boat, nevertheless, I would appreciate any comments on this alternative to Canal Du Midi from the point of view of scenery, places to visit along the way, weather in early October and manageability of Locks.
Many thanks.
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just a couple of comments. Early October is about the limit for doing the canals in southern France. The days can be good but the nights and mornings start to get cold. Most boats, however, have heating. Re locks: Don%26#39;t worry about the number of locks. After you%26#39;ve done a couple of locks you have it down to a fine art. Also in October you won%26#39;t have to hang around waiting your turn to get into a lock. You%26#39;ll sail (sorry, motor) straight in when you get to a lock. June, July and August are the worst months. You spend a lot of the day just waiting your turn to get into a lock. Almost 100% of the hire boat companies have a good reputation. Enjoy your trip.
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Thank you for your comments about weather and the locks and reassurance that most boat companies are ok.
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Just noted your comment/question about........
%26quot;I am wondering what the route Corbigny to Dompierre in the Loire/Nivernais region is like.%26quot;
In October in France we are in Autumn. The further north you are the colder it will be. In the south the good weather lasts until about mid November. The nights are fresh but the days are still warm and sunny. Further north, the nights are colder and the days can be chilly also. In October, I%26#39;d stay as far south as possible. Most hire boat companies shut up shop at the end of October. Generally, there are no people using hire boats on the canals after the end of October.The boats are out of the water being serviced for the following season (April to October).
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That is a good point and I appreciate your advice. We will stick to the Canal du Midi route which from all accounts sounds beautiful.
Thank you to those who have helped with our planning, it has made all the difference and it is fantastic to have such generosity from people all over the world sharing their travel experiences. I hope one day I can offer some helpful information also !
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As a first time traveler, I think that overall the Canal du Midi is the best choice because there really is a great number of places to see and easily explore. Please perform a forum search with %26quot;Canal du Midi%26quot; as the subject because over the years, much has been written about what to see, what to expect, and what to explore along this route.
Should you have additional questions, those of us who travel the canal often shall be very pleased to assist.
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Many thanks. Interestingly a travel agent friend of a friend commented that October is almost too late to do the canals because of the weather and chance of being confined on a boat in the rain. Unfortunately this is the only time we have so willhave to hope for the best. I am sure there will be questions later.
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