River cruise for a one way trip from Carcassonne to Colombiers via Homps

No licence, no experience, and completely safe

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Carcassonne - Homps - Colombiers - 97 Km - 26 Locks - 18 h of navigation - 5 Nights

From Carcassonne to Carcassonne, 0 km, 0 Lock(s), 0 h of navigation

Stopover : Carcassonne

Carcassonne

The medieval city of Carcassonne has had two designations as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997. Dating back to the Roman Empire, this fortified city later became a garrison town.

La Bastide Saint-Louis

La Bastide Saint-Louis is at the heart of the city. It embodies the warm, friendly spirit of Carcassonne and is home to many shops, restaurants, squares, and parks.

The Medieval City

Just a 10-minute walk from the Bastide is the famous Medieval City, open free of charge 24/7. Guided tours, both day and night, are offered to uncover the secrets and history of the City.

The Comtal Castle

In the heart of the medieval city, you will find the imposing Comtal Castle. Admission is paid, but free for visitors under 26 years old.

the Côtes de Malepère

the Artichauts à la Carcassonnaise

Le Petit Carcassonnais

This small oval cake, with a texture similar to a sponge cake or a madeleine, reveals subtle flavors of candied orange peel when you taste it. This specialty was created in 1928 by Mr. Gau and was later acquired by the Fuster family, who are currently the sole producers of this delicacy.

Le Poumpet

A cake originating from Soual and Sémalens, brought to Carcassonne in the 8th century, made with lemon and bergamot. Triangular in shape, it was traditionally made with lard. Today, it is usually made with butter. It has gained great popularity thanks to its blend of lemon, bergamot, and honey added after baking. It is perfect for lemon lovers.

Les Écus de la Cité

By far, this is the sweetest memory you’ll take away from Carcassonne. Small and round in shape, these little coins featuring the medieval city come in dark chocolate or milk chocolate. 7 Avenue Arthur Mullot, 11000 Carcassonne

From Carcassonne to Marseillette, 23 km, 10 Lock(s), 5.1 h of navigation

Stopover : Carcassonne > Trèbes > Marseillette

Marseillette

Wedged between the Minervois and Corbières vineyards, today this town is known for producing the most rice in the region; the rice fields can be seen from the lagoon.

Trèbes

The old village, with its narrow streets, was built around the Church of Saint-Etienne. The latter houses the "Treasures of Trèbes": 320 oak corbels which support the structural beams, each featuring a painted figure: men, women, animals…

Carcassonne

The medieval city of Carcassonne has had two designations as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997. Dating back to the Roman Empire, this fortified city later became a garrison town.

La Bastide Saint-Louis

La Bastide Saint-Louis is at the heart of the city. It embodies the warm, friendly spirit of Carcassonne and is home to many shops, restaurants, squares, and parks.

The Medieval City

Just a 10-minute walk from the Bastide is the famous Medieval City, open free of charge 24/7. Guided tours, both day and night, are offered to uncover the secrets and history of the City.

The Comtal Castle

In the heart of the medieval city, you will find the imposing Comtal Castle. Admission is paid, but free for visitors under 26 years old.

Saint Stephen’s Church

Saint Stephen’s Church, in the Southern Gothic style, houses the "Treasure of Trèbes": 320 oak corbels supporting the beams of a timber frame classified as a Historic Monument.

La Tour de l’Horloge

The Clock Tower served as a relay station for the world’s first telecommunications network.

The rice field

The Saint-Gabriel estate, which has focused primarily on winegrowing since 1925, stands out for its 70 hectares of rice-growing. The estate recently launched Orizginale, a gluten-free, organic craft beer made from rice grown on the estate.

the Minervois

the Côtes de Malepère

the Corbières

the Artichauts à la Carcassonnaise

Le Petit Carcassonnais

Le Poumpet

Les Écus de la Cité

Pont Marengo

The Marengo Bridge, downstream from Lock 40, is known to be the lowest on the canal. Be sure to warn all your crew members before passing under it.

The Moulins Locks

The Trèbes locks form a lock staircase consisting of three basins. Built around 1674, it is located downstream of the port of Trèbes, at the town’s exit toward the village of Marseillette. Taking advantage of the steep gradient of the lock staircase, a thriving milling industry developed on the left bank of the lock.

Les écluses et le Pont-Canal du Fresquel

The Fresquel site consists of the Fresquel aqueduct, a lock from the era of Pierre-Paul Riquet, and a double lock built at the same time as the aqueduct. The 135-meter reach between the two locks is the shortest on the Canal du Midi.

The Orbiel Aqueduct

This beautiful structure with three arches, where the Canal crosses the Orbiel Valley, was built based on Vauban’s plans in 1688. It is one of the first large canal bridges constructed in France. The original method for crossing the Orbiel was quite different. A causeway had been built to raise the waters of the Orbiel to the level of the Canal. Boats would pass behind this dam to reach the other shore.

From Marseillette to Homps, 18 km, 11 Lock(s), 4.6 h of navigation

Stopover : Marseillette > Puichéric > Homps

Marseillette

Wedged between the Minervois and Corbières vineyards, today this town is known for producing the most rice in the region; the rice fields can be seen from the lagoon.

Puichéric

A village with a medieval character located along the Canal du Midi, also known as “the Venice of Minervois” due to the three rivers that flow through it. It has a timeless charm that should not be missed.

Homps

A small village known for its harbor and pleasant recreational lake, Lac de Jouarres. Don’t forget to stop by the Maison des Vins du Minervois at the port, which offers a selection of the best wines. The famous blue footbridge leading to Lac de Jouarres is worth a visit.

La Tour de l’Horloge

The Clock Tower served as a relay station for the world’s first telecommunications network.

The rice field

The Wine House

At the port of Homps, you will find the Minervois Wine House, which offers a selection of the finest wines and showcases the expertise of winemakers from the Aude region.

the pond of Jouarre/Homps

A 100ha lake, situated a few meters from the Canal du Midi, where it is possible to bathe.

the pond of Jouarre/Homps

A 100ha lake, situated a few meters from the Canal du Midi, where it is possible to go sailing.

Le Pont-Canal du Rivassel

The Rivassel Aqueduct is one of the many bridges of this kind along the Canal du Midi. It crosses the small "Ruisseau de Naval" stream.

From Homps to Le Somail, 21 km, 5 Lock(s), 3.8 h of navigation

Stopover : Homps > Argens > Le Somail

Le Somail

In addition to its Hat-making Museum and its old bridge, Le Somail has 4 structures listed as historical monuments: the former icehouse, the chapel, the old guard building and the former inn.

the Canal Bridge of the Repudre

Throughout the length of the Canal du Midi there are 49 aqueducts, most of them built by Vauban; only the Répudre Aqueduct was completed during the building of the canal, in 1676.

Homps

La bibliothèque

The bookstore "Le trouve tout du livre" contains over 50,000 books and manuscripts.

The Wine House

At the port of Homps, you will find the Minervois Wine House, which offers a selection of the finest wines and showcases the expertise of winemakers from the Aude region.

the pond of Jouarre/Homps

A 100ha lake, situated a few meters from the Canal du Midi, where it is possible to bathe.

the pond of Jouarre/Homps

A 100ha lake, situated a few meters from the Canal du Midi, where it is possible to go sailing.

From Le Somail to Colombiers, 35 km, 0 Lock(s), 4.7 h of navigation

Stopover : Le Somail > Capestang > Colombiers

Le Canal du Midi

The Canal du Midi is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The oppidum ofEnsérune

Located above the Malpas tunnel, the Oppidum d'Ensérune is an archaeological site where relics of the Greek, Celtic and Roman civilizations were discovered. There are still traces of the human occupation of this site from 800 B.C. through to the Christian era.

the Tunnel of Malpas

In fact there are 3 tunnels placed on top of each other: an underground culvert for draining the water from the Montady Lagoon, the SNCF rail tunnel, and at the top the passage of the Canal du Midi. A unique piece of work navigated by barge without a permit.

Colombiers Castle

The former cellar of Colombiers Castle offers tours and exhibitions dedicated to viticulture.

The Collegiate Church of Saint Stephen

In perfect Gothic style, the Collegiate Church of Saint Stephen in Capestang was built in the 13th century on the site of an earlier Romanesque church, likely by the same team that constructed the Saint-Just and Saint-Pasteur Cathedral in Narbonne. The building was listed as a historic monument in 1906.

Colombiers

You'll be charmed by the appeal of its small river port, perfect for a stopover during your cruise on the Canal du Midi. Nearby, the Oppidum of Ensérune rises, known for its archaeological site and museum. Take advantage of this walk to admire the exceptional view of the drained Colombiers-Montady pond.

Capestang

Charming village nestled in the bends of the Canal du Midi, Capestang experienced prosperous times in the Middle Ages. Today, its heritage bears witness to that history.

The Archbishops' Castle

Come and discover the summer residence of the Archbishops of Narbonne in Capestang. This castle houses a painted ceiling dating back to the 15th century. You can admire numerous scenes from the era (animals, romantic and religious scenes) on the beams. At the end of the Middle Ages, the castle was a splendid residence that some documents even describe as a palace. The Interpretation Center will provide you with insights into the ceiling and the history of the castle.

the Saint Chinian

Le Pont-Canal de Cesse

The Cesse Aqueduct, built from 1689 to 1690 by Vauban and engineer Jean Goudet, is 64 meters long and 14 meters high. It is located at the level of the main reach of the Canal du Midi, which is primarily fed by the Cesse River.

Aqueduc de Quarante

This aqueduct was built by a certain Rusquier under the orders of Vauban. When it was completed in 1693, it had two arches, and a third was added in 1737.