Cruise the Canal du Midi in a solar-powered eco-boat :

The 17th century engineering masterpiece, the Canal du Midi, now a UNESCO world heritage site, can now be cruised by means of a craft adapted to its age and status: a pollution-free ecologically sound solar-powered barge, designed exclusively for this purpose, the SOLEIL D'OC.

From September 2006 you can book a berth aboard this extraordinary boat and find out more about the canal and its flora and fauna, the surrounding vineyards of Minervois and Corbières, and the numerous villages, churches and chateaux which line the itinerary.

These cruises go from the mediaeval citadel of Carcassonne to the town of Béziers (or vice-versa). Guests are accommodated in 2-berth cabins on board and treated to excellent meals either on board or in canal-side restaurants. First and last nights are spent in quality hotels on dry land in Carcassonne and Béziers.

The programme: Carcassonne-Béziers

day 1: arrive Carcassonne. Visit the citadel with its towers and turrets and breathe in the 8 centuries of history embedded in its walls. Overnight in magnificent 3* hotel over-looking the Canal du Midi.

day 2: embarkation aboard the 'Soleil d'Oc' (literally the 'Sun of Occitania') in the afternoon. Presentation of the boat and its crew, a little history of the Canal and we're off to Trebes with an introduction to the Canal du Midi's lock-gates. Dinner and overnight on board.

day 3: Navigation to Puicheric in the morning followed by a visit to a farm and lunch at the farmhouse. In the afternoon we can visit a 'Windmill farm' - another ecological phenomenon which is gaining ground in this windy part of France. Dinner and overnight on board.

day 4 : Today we float though the vineyards of Minervois to the little village of Homps. Lunch on board before visiting the artist's village of Minerve. Informal contact with local artists over dinner in a local restaurant Overnight on board the Soleil d'Oc.

day 5 : Today's trip takes us at a leisurely pace to Le Somail, one of the original 'ports' on the 17th century canal. A break in the morning for a spot of wine-tasting at the cellars at Ventenac. Lunch on board. This is the centre of the Narbonnais natural reserve: 8 different sorts of land use make up this 80,000 hectare park. Optional visits to a Hat Museum, a Pottery Centre or the European Patchwork Centre. Dinner (with musical spectacle) and overnight on board.

day 6 : On this section to Capdestang we discover the Aude and Cesse rivers and their vegetation and wildlife. In the afternoon visit the village and the ancient Collégiale. Dinner and overnight à bord.

day 7 : early start for this day replete with lock activity. First to Fonbserrannes where we lunch before attacking the 'ladder' of 7 lock-gates and a canal bridge. Arrival at the Pont Neuf in Béziers around 5pm. Overnight in hotel in Béziers. Dine where you will.

day 8 : breakfast at the hotel. Onward travel
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Dates and prices

call : 04 68 46 37 98

SARL CROISIERES POUR TOUS 32 quai de Lorraine 11590 Salleles
RCS Narbonne 500268 966 tel;0468463798 /06 88 40 76 21