A rich heritage to discover between Toulouse and Castelnaudary
During a cruise on the western part of the Canal du Midi, you cross the Lauragais region. It is the ideal place for a getaway with friends or a family holiday. The Lauragais, located in the Toulouse/Albi/Carcassonne triangle, between the Pyrenees and the Mediterranean sea, invites you to relax and explore. On this preserved and sunny land in the south of Toulouse, we offer you an exquisite trip on a houseboat through this region known for its medieval bastides playing with the orange shades of the terracotta bricks.
The economy of the Lauragais has developed thanks to the cultivation of wheat, but also thanks to its connection with the Canal du Midi, which makes this area internationally renowned and attracts boaters from all over the world. Following the flow of this magnificent waterway, you will discover charming places full of history such as the Négra lock, the first stop of the famous "Barque de Poste" boat, which transported travellers on the Canal du Midi since the 17th century.
Villefranche-de-Lauragais is one of the town which you pass by while cruising through the Lauragais on the canal du Midi. Since the medieval times, this small town has been an essential passageway in the southern area of Toulouse. You will be seduced by the many restaurants in the town centre which offer all types of food. A real institution for centuries, the Friday morning market on the Gambetta square allows the curious and gourmets to discover a rich assortment of local specialities. Don't miss a visit to the magnificent church, with its subtle stained-glass windows by the Toulouse firm Gesta and its astonishing mermaid carved at the top of the entrance door.
A lively area that will appeal to the entire family
The Lauragais offers many walks and visits for families, such as the Six Wings Mill in Nailloux, or the many lakes such as the Lac de la Thésauque, a 33 hectare dam lake south of the Gardouch lock, and the Lac de Vallègue, about ten kilometres north of Villefranche de Lauragais, with its small beach perfect for families, which even accepts doggies. Nature lovers will be delighted by the gentle hills where the famous Pastel des Teinturiers was once grown.
But if there's one thing you can't escape in the Lauragais, it's the pleasure of the region's fine restaurants, with their generous south-western gastronomy. Imagine stopping off in a small, sunny village and sitting on the terrace of a traditional guinguette or bistro. You can admire the hilly landscapes while tasting a cassoulet, a pescajoune (traditional thick crepe), or a duck or goose speciality. This is what the south-western way of life tastes like !
To find out all there is to know about the Lauragais and its gems, we invite you to meet the team of the Tourist Office located on the square of Nailloux Outlet Village in Nailloux, a stone's throw from an astonishing red mill with six wings. We would like to thank them for their help in writing this article.
If you want to spend several days in the Lauragais region, choose to rent a licence-free boat for a journey on the Canal du Midi from Port-Lauragais or Castelnaudary, for example, in order to discover this magnificent region on a river boat.
To find out more, don't hesitate to contact us to find out about the cruises that will make you discover the beautiful Lauragais region!
