
Boat rental on the Canal du Midi in the heart of Carcassonne
Crisboat - Expert in river boat rental for over 20 years

Highlights of this cruise on the Canal du Midi around Carcassonne
To navigate on the Canal du Midi, there are various routes available. You can either go towards Béziers to discover an area full of remarkable river structures, towards Castelnaudary for a gourmet cruise or towards the Camargue for a beautiful cruise within a natural reserve. Let’s focus on Carcassonne for now. In this area, there are 5 departure bases possible : Carcassonne, Trèbes, Homps, Argens et Le Somail.
Cities and villages to discover during your cruise
See the current offersRent a licence-free boat to navigate on the Canal du Midi around Carcassonne
Carcassonne and its area is a pretty simple zone to navigate on. During your river cruise, you will cross canal-bridges and automatic locks operated by lock-keepers. Be aware that the locks are opened from 9am to 7pm and closed between 12.30pm and 1.30pm. Navigation is strictly forbidden at night. Get onboard from 5 departure bases: Carcassonne, Trèbes, Homps, Argens and Le Somail. Before casting off, you will have a one hour training to get used to the boat and its steering.
- In the heart of the Minervois PDO
- Ideal for families with swimming area and playground
- Passage through the famous medieval city of Carcassonne
The locks are automatic or electric and manned by lock keepers. The locks are closed the 1st of may and the 14th of july.
The ladder of locks at Fonsérannes (near Béziers) is very busy during the high season. Frontignan Bridge opens twice a day, in the morning and mid-afternoon.
The one-way or the navigation towards the Carmargue while crossing the Etang de Thau can be canceled or interrupted if the climatic conditions, in particular the wind, do not allow to pass the Etang de Thau. This does not prevent you from sailing while waiting for the reopening of the pond to navigation.
You can moor anywhere along the banks on the Canal du Midi and in the Camargue.
The region of Carcassonne - our suggested cruises
Also to be discovered
Customer testimonials


"Ein sehr schönes Erlebnis, empfehlenswert, Strecke abwechslungsreich und ohne Stress machbar."

"Dépaysants et calme avec des passages d'écluses impressionnants."

"Very nice."

"Perfectly matches my expectations."

"Wonderful holidays."

"Great fun, would do again."

"Few interesting stops except Carcassonne."

"Peaceful."

"The route was beautiful, as always in the south of France."

"Beautiful route, in line with our expectations."

"Beautiful scenery, very pleasant area."

"Very pleasant. When there were operating problems, the technicians were very quick to respond, found solutions and were very helpful and friendly."

"A very pleasant and relaxing cruise, with magnificent scenery and very friendly lock-keepers."

"A serene and very pleasant cruise."

"For us, the conditions were perfect. Perfect weather, boat working properly, few people on the canal."

"Top, we loved it, everything was well prepared !"

"Amazing region."

"Very positive. Unfortunately, we were a bit unlucky with the weather. It was very windy for two days."

"First successful experience of river navigation."

"Very good."

"Brilliant!"

"Superb experience with lots of family memories."

"Amazing !!"

"We had a great time despite the bad weather."

"A wonderful experience; beautiful scenery."

"Good overall."

"A pleasant experience."

"An experience to be repeated, it was fantastic."

"Very happy with this 1st experience."

"Excellent."

"Pleasant cruise with friendly, helpful lock-keepers and magnificent weather."

"A great week on a well-maintained boat."

"It was great to experience 'slow' tourism. The locks are very charming."

"We had a great time."

"Pleasant cruise, good company, efficient and attentive lock-keepers."

"Superb and very pleasant. To be repeated. I recommend it."

"Very satisfied: good welcome, beautiful scenery, high level of comfort…"

"We loved the cruise. It's very pleasant to move around and still enjoy the scenery."

"Magnificent scenery, well-equipped ports."

"Peace and quiet guaranteed in April."

"Nice cruise, not too many people and that's nice. The April weather unfortunately cooled the climate, but did not spoil our pleasure."

"It was a gastronomic, cultural and sporty experience."

"Meets expectations. Good advice at reception."

"We forget the time... and that's what we were looking for"

"Much appreciated, we will come back with friends."

"Very nice."

"Totally in line with our expectations."

"Very relaxing... great river boat trip"

"Absolutely wonderful, but we chose an itinerary that was too long compared to the duration of our stay, which prevented us from visiting some great places."

"Relaxing and colourful holiday"

"''We have chosen to do only navigation without visiting''"

"auto-translation :''Relaxing cruise''"

"auto-translation :''Do it again!''"

"auto-translation :''Idyllic''"

"auto-translation :''Nice course''"

"auto-translation :''A relaxing and exotic experience''"

"auto-translation :''Very exotic and the pace was just what we were looking for''"

"auto-translation :''Original, pleasant''"

"auto-translation :''It was really cool. The setting is very relaxing. Luckily we had plenty of sunshine.''"

"auto-translation :''Nice experience''"

"auto-translation :''A moment of pleasure shared in family, another rhythm, serenity and good reception of the lock keepers throughout the course.''"

"auto-translation :''Very pleasant and relaxing moment. A pity that so many trees had to be cut down.''"

"auto-translation :''Great.''"

"auto-translation :''Our grandchildren are delighted, as are we.''"

"auto-translation :''Beautiful, Good, To Do and To Do again with children and grandchildren''"

"auto-translation :''Experience that appealed to all 6 passengers''"

"auto-translation :''We were lucky because the weather was very nice,''"

"auto-translation :''Well laid out, lots of space, large outdoor terrace''"

"auto-translation :''It was great''"

"auto-translation :''C'était parfait''"

"auto-translation :''Superb, friendly meetings with the lock keepers''"

"auto-translation :''Very nice journey''"

"auto-translation :''Rest, life at the rhythm of the canal, disconnection with everyday life, exactly what we were looking for!''"

"auto-translation :''relaxation and tranquility, freedom to dock wherever you want"'"

"auto-translation :''Super nature and rewarding experience''"

"auto-translation :''The one-way course Carcassonne / Agde is a pleasure and is very easy to achieve''"

"auto-translation :'Superb region! We want to come back in October. ''"

"auto-translation :''It seemed too short because I found it great.''"

"auto-translation :''Nice, relaxing but active''"

"auto-translation :''Delighted with our adventure''"

"auto-translation :''Very nice and meeting with other tourists and real sailors''"

"Very good experience"

"auto-translation :''A beautiful experience''"

"Excellent 10 days"

"auto-translation :''Cruise very nice''"

"auto-translation :''Cruise restful and exotic but unfortunately many boaters do not respect the safety rules of navigation (speed, order of passage at the locks, dangerous overtaking curve)''"

"auto-translation :''Relaxing''"

"auto-translation :''Great and more one way trip.''"

"Athletic"

"auto-translation :''Always as exotic''"

"auto-translation :''Very nice. We had already done this bike tour.''"

"Was even better than I expected it to be. Great mix of relaxing, excitement and adventure."

"Wonderful cruise , to enjoy the nature and travel along the country side with beautiful landscape"

"auto-translation :''Very nice and friendly''"

"auto-translation :''Very satisfied because few people on the channel in this period''"

"auto-translation :''We had a great week and the weather with us''"

"auto-translation :''Permanent wonder, calm and relaxation on the boat and stopover.''"

"auto-translation :''This discovery of the Canal du Midi was wonderful for us''"

"Very Good"

"Loved the scenery and peacefulness of the crusining. Enjoyed the small towns/villages in the evening for eating."

"auto-translation :''Very exotic''"

"auto-translation :''Quiet, pleasant and friendly''"

"auto-translation :''Calm and relaxing are the key words of our cruise.''"

"Very enjoyable would recommend the route, we were blessed with good weather"

"auto-translation :''Not enough mooring point, they are occupied by boats docked or reserved for passenger boats''"

"auto-translation :''Beautiful experience, beautiful encounters and beautiful sites.''"

"auto-translation :''Somail route to Port Lauragais very interesting with beautiful stops''"

"Great itinerary, although the locks for the first couple of days were quite challenging."

"auto-translation :''Pleasant and exotic''"

"auto-translation :''A superb and unforgettable experience, to be rebuilt as soon as the opportunity arises''"

"auto-translation :''Very relaxing and depaysant''"

"Plenty of time to visit towns along the way"

"auto-translation :''Restful and relaxing''"

"auto-translation :''Nice cruise on the Canal du Midi''"

"Very enjoyable- a canal cruise certainly takes ones mind off most other issues"

"Loved the canal scenery and wine cellars"

"auto-translation :''Exotic, ideal to disconnect and let live along the canal.''"

"auto-translation :''Very good, but many locks''"

"auto-translation :''Beautiful experience of a magnificent area where people are very welcoming''"

"We love the Canal du Midi"

"auto-translation :''Interesting works, very nice channel''"

"auto-translation :''Beautiful scenary ''"

"auto-translation :''Very nice''"

"auto-translation :''Very beautiful landscape , different view''"

"lovely scenery and people"

"auto-translation :''Very nice and varied river cruise''"

"Excellent, support of Canalous was excellent and their staff at pick up and drop off most helpful. We were happy with the time of year we chose to cruise as was quiet and peaceful"

"Great experience enjoyed by all crew"

"auto-translation :"The weather was not with us but the atmosphere on board is always remained good .""

"auto-translation :"Very well despite the weather that has not been great""

"auto-translation :"Very satisfying cruise""

"auto-translation :"Course and very friendly small villages""

"auto-translation :"We enjoyed the atmosphere of the canal , meetings with other users and landscapes.""

"auto-translation :"Very good""

"auto-translation :"Very good""

"auto-translation :"Very pleasant despite the wind""

"auto-translation :"Very nice and very exotic""
Travelling with CrisBoat
Crisboat has more than 90% of the French fleet of self drive river boats. Entrust us with your desires and your availabilities and we will shape your holidays on the water. Located in the heart of the Vienne, Crisboat is the leader in self driver river boat rental in France. Discover our team, made up of 6 experts ready to take up the challenge to design the cruise that will meet your expectations.
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