Canal du Midi

From the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean sea

The Midi in the south of France

The Midi canal was built in the 17th century. It is a UNESCO world heritage site and among the most popular routes here in France. Step back in time as you explore the ancient trading ports and medieval towns and villages.

Map of the canals and rivers

Canal and river map for  Canal du Midi

Hotel barges

7 hotel barge cruises

Last dates!
Save 20%
Anjodi barge cruise

Anjodi

Midi Canal
8 guests
★★★★
Save 10%
Athos barge cruise

Athos

Midi Canal
10 guests
★★★★
New for 2023!
Elegance barge cruise

Elegance

Midi Canal
6 guests
★★★★★
Last dates!
Save up to 20%
Enchanté barge cruise

Enchanté

Midi Canal
8 guests
★★★★★★
Esperance barge cruise

Esperance

Midi Canal
6 guests
★★★★★
New!
Johanna barge cruise

Johanna

Midi Canal
4 guests
★★★★★
Last dates!
Saraphina barge cruise

Saraphina

Midi Canal
4 guests
★★★★

"Home & Away" barges

Self-drive boats in this region

Locaboat

Locaboat have 15 different self-drive boats for you to choose from.

Europa 400 self-drive
4 guests
2 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★★
Europa 600 self-drive
6 guests
3 cabins
3 bathrooms
★★★★★
P1020 FB self-drive
5 guests
4 adults, 1 child
3 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★★
P1022FB self-drive
3 guests
2 adults, 1 child
1 cabin
1 bathroom
★★★★
P1106 FB self-drive
7 guests
3 cabins
1 bathroom
★★★
P1107W self-drive
7 guests
3 cabins
1 bathroom
★★
P1120R self-drive
6 guests
2 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★
P1165 FB self-drive
7 guests
4 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★★
P1180 FB self-drive
7 guests
6 adults, 1 child
3 cabins
3 bathrooms
★★★★★
P1260R self-drive
10 guests
5 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★
P1400 FB self-drive
10 guests
4 cabins
3 bathrooms
★★★★
P1500 FB self-drive
12 guests
8 cabins
4 bathrooms
★★★★
P1500 R self-drive
12 guests
6 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★
P935W self-drive
5 guests
2 adults, 2 children
2 cabins
1 bathroom
★★
Penichette Evolution self-drive
4 guests
2 cabins
1 bathroom
★★★★

Nicols

Nicols have 18 different self-drive boats for you to choose from.

N DUO self-drive
4 guests
2 adults, child
1 cabin
1 bathroom
★★★★
N OCTO self-drive
10 guests
4 adults, 4 children
4 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★★
N OCTO Fly C self-drive
10 guests
4 adults, 4 children
4 cabins
4 bathrooms
★★★★★★
N PRIMO self-drive
4 guests
1 cabin
1 bathroom
★★★
N QUATTRO B self-drive
6 guests
4 adults, 2 children
2 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★★
N QUATTRO B + self-drive
6 guests
4 adults, 2 children
2 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★★
N QUATTRO FLY C self-drive
6 guests
2 adults, 2 children
2 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★★★★
N QUATTRO S self-drive
6 guests
2 adults, 2 children
2 cabins
1 bathroom
★★★★
N SIXTO self-drive
8 guests
4 adults, 2 children
3 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★★
N SIXTO FLY C self-drive
8 guests
3 cabins
3 bathrooms
★★★★★★
N SIXTO PRESTIGE C self-drive
6 guests
2 adults, 2 children
2 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★★★
N1000 self-drive
8 guests
3 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★
N1100 self-drive
9 guests
4 cabins
3 bathrooms
★★★★
N1170 self-drive
10 guests
4 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★
N1310 self-drive
12 guests
5 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★
N1350 B self-drive
10 guests
4 cabins
4 bathrooms
★★★★
N800 self-drive
3 guests
1 cabin
1 bathroom
★★
N900 DP self-drive
7 guests
3 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★★

France Passion Plaisance

France Passion Plaisance have 10 different self-drive boats for you to choose from.

Espade Concept Fly self-drive
9 guests
4 cabins
1 bathroom
★★★
Haines Rive 34 self-drive
6 guests
3 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★
Haines Rive 40 self-drive
8 guests
3 cabins
3 bathrooms
★★★
La Peniche F self-drive
12 guests
12 adults, child
6 cabins
3 bathrooms
★★★★
Tarpon 32 self-drive
8 guests
4 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★
Tarpon 37 self-drive
10 guests
4 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★
Tarpon 37 DP self-drive
6 guests
2 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★★★
Tarpon 42 self-drive
12 guests
6 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★
Tarpon 42 TP self-drive
8 guests
3 cabins
3 bathrooms
★★★★★
Tarpon 49 QP self-drive
12 guests
8 adults, 2 children
5 cabins
5 bathrooms
★★★★★

Le Boat

Le Boat have 31 different self-drive boats for you to choose from.

7 nights for 5!
Calypso self-drive
8 guests
4 adults, 4 children
3 cabins
2 bathrooms
Comfort rating
7 nights for 5!
Caprice self-drive
6 guests
2 adults, 2 children
2 cabins
2 bathrooms
Comfort rating
Cirrus A self-drive
4 guests
2 adults, 2 children
1 cabin
1 bathroom
Budget rating
Cirrus B self-drive
4 guests
2 adults, 2 children
2 cabins
1 bathroom
Budget rating
Classique self-drive
8 guests
6 adults, 2 children
4 cabins
2 bathrooms
Budget rating
7 nights for 5!
Classique Star self-drive
10 guests
6 adults, 4 children
4 cabins
3 bathrooms
Budget rating
Clipper self-drive
6 guests
4 adults, 2 children
2 cabins
2 bathrooms
Comfort rating
Consul self-drive
4 guests
2 adults, 2 children
2 cabins
2 bathrooms
Budget rating
Continentale self-drive
6 guests
4 adults, 2 children
3 cabins
3 bathrooms
Budget rating
Corvette A self-drive
4 guests
2 adults, 2 children
2 cabins
2 bathrooms
Budget rating
7 nights for 5!
Crusader self-drive
6 guests
3 cabins
3 bathrooms
Budget rating
Elegance self-drive
6 guests
4 adults, 2 children
3 cabins
3 bathrooms
Comfort rating
Grand Classique self-drive
12 guests
6 adults, 4 children
5 cabins
3 bathrooms
Comfort rating
Horizon 1 self-drive
5 guests
2 cabins
1 bathroom
Premium rating
Horizon 2S self-drive
5 guests
2 cabins
2 bathrooms
Premium rating
Horizon 3 self-drive
7 guests
3 cabins
3 bathrooms
Premium rating
Horizon 4 self-drive
9 guests
4 cabins
4 bathrooms
Premium rating
Horizon 5 self-drive
12 guests
5 cabins
5 bathrooms
Premium rating
Magnifique self-drive
10 guests
4 cabins
3 bathrooms
Comfort rating
Mystique self-drive
8 guests
3 cabins
3 bathrooms
Comfort Plus rating
Royal Classique self-drive
6 guests
3 cabins
3 bathrooms
Comfort rating
Royal Mystique A self-drive
6 guests
2 cabins
2 bathrooms
Comfort Plus rating
Royal Mystique B self-drive
6 guests
2 cabins
2 bathrooms
Comfort Plus rating
7 nights for 5!
Salsa A self-drive
10 guests
4 cabins
2 bathrooms
Comfort rating
7 nights for 5!
Salsa B self-drive
12 guests
4 cabins
2 bathrooms
Comfort rating
Sheba self-drive
5 guests
2 cabins
1 bathroom
rating
Tango self-drive
6 guests
2 cabins
1 bathroom
Comfort rating
Vision 3 self-drive
10 guests
6 adults, child
3 cabins
3 bathrooms
Premium rating
Vision 3 SL self-drive
10 guests
6 adults, child
3 cabins
3 bathrooms
Premium rating
Vision 4 self-drive
9 guests
8 adults, child
4 cabins
4 bathrooms
Premium rating
Vision 4 SL self-drive
9 guests
8 adults, child
4 cabins
1 bathroom
Premium rating

Le Boat

Le Boat have 34 different self-drive boats for you to choose from.

7 nights for 5!
Calypso self-drive
8 guests
4 adults, 4 children
3 cabins
2 bathrooms
Comfort rating
7 nights for 5!
Caprice self-drive
6 guests
2 adults, 2 children
2 cabins
2 bathrooms
Comfort rating
Cirrus A self-drive
4 guests
2 adults, 2 children
1 cabin
1 bathroom
Budget rating
Cirrus B self-drive
4 guests
2 adults, 2 children
2 cabins
1 bathroom
Budget rating
Classique self-drive
8 guests
6 adults, 2 children
4 cabins
2 bathrooms
Budget rating
7 nights for 5!
Classique Star self-drive
10 guests
6 adults, 4 children
4 cabins
3 bathrooms
Budget rating
Clipper self-drive
6 guests
4 adults, 2 children
2 cabins
2 bathrooms
Comfort rating
Consul self-drive
4 guests
2 adults, 2 children
2 cabins
2 bathrooms
Budget rating
Continentale self-drive
6 guests
4 adults, 2 children
3 cabins
3 bathrooms
Budget rating
Corvette A self-drive
4 guests
2 adults, 2 children
2 cabins
2 bathrooms
Budget rating
Corvette B self-drive
4 guests
2 adults, 2 children
2 cabins
2 bathrooms
Budget rating
Countess self-drive
6 guests
4 adults, 2 children
2 cabins
2 bathrooms
Budget rating
7 nights for 5!
Crusader self-drive
6 guests
3 cabins
3 bathrooms
Budget rating
Elegance self-drive
6 guests
4 adults, 2 children
3 cabins
3 bathrooms
Comfort rating
Grand Classique self-drive
12 guests
6 adults, 4 children
5 cabins
3 bathrooms
Comfort rating
Horizon 1 self-drive
5 guests
2 cabins
1 bathroom
Premium rating
Horizon 2S self-drive
5 guests
2 cabins
2 bathrooms
Premium rating
Horizon 3 self-drive
7 guests
3 cabins
3 bathrooms
Premium rating
Horizon 4 self-drive
9 guests
4 cabins
4 bathrooms
Premium rating
Horizon 5 self-drive
12 guests
5 cabins
5 bathrooms
Premium rating
Magnifique self-drive
10 guests
4 cabins
3 bathrooms
Comfort rating
Mystique self-drive
8 guests
3 cabins
3 bathrooms
Comfort Plus rating
Royal Classique self-drive
6 guests
3 cabins
3 bathrooms
Comfort rating
Royal Mystique A self-drive
6 guests
2 cabins
2 bathrooms
Comfort Plus rating
Royal Mystique B self-drive
6 guests
2 cabins
2 bathrooms
Comfort Plus rating
7 nights for 5!
Salsa A self-drive
10 guests
4 cabins
2 bathrooms
Comfort rating
7 nights for 5!
Salsa B self-drive
12 guests
4 cabins
2 bathrooms
Comfort rating
Sheba self-drive
5 guests
2 cabins
1 bathroom
rating
Tango self-drive
6 guests
2 cabins
1 bathroom
Comfort rating
Vision 2 self-drive
6 guests
4 adults, child
2 cabins
1 bathroom
Premium rating
Vision 3 self-drive
10 guests
6 adults, child
3 cabins
3 bathrooms
Premium rating
Vision 3 SL self-drive
10 guests
6 adults, child
3 cabins
3 bathrooms
Premium rating
Vision 4 self-drive
9 guests
8 adults, child
4 cabins
4 bathrooms
Premium rating
Vision 4 SL self-drive
9 guests
8 adults, child
4 cabins
1 bathroom
Premium rating

France Afloat

France Afloat have 8 different self-drive boats for you to choose from.

Euro Classic 129 self-drive
4 guests
2 adults, 2 children
2 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★★
Euro Classic 139 self-drive
6 guests
4 adults, 2 children
3 cabins
3 bathrooms
★★★★
Euro Classic 139 GC self-drive
4 guests
2 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★★★
Euro Classic 149 self-drive
8 guests
4 cabins
4 bathrooms
★★★★
Linssen 30.9 Aft Cabin self-drive
6 guests
2 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★★
Linssen 32 Aft Cabin self-drive
6 guests
2 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★★★
Linssen 33.9 Aft cabin self-drive
6 guests
2 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★★
Linssen 35 Aft Cabin self-drive
6 guests
2 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★★

Canal du Midi information

Canal du Midi

Built during the 17th century, the Canal du Midi, also known as the Canal des Deux Mers, is one of the oldest man-made waterways in Europe. At 360km long, the Canal du Midi was built to link the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. It is fed by the waters of the Black Mountain. This UNESCO World Heritage Site, in Southern France, runs from Toulouse in the west to the Mediterranean port of Sète in the east.

Shaded by plane trees lining its banks, the Canal du Midi’s green waters wind through the beautiful countryside, past fields of sunflowers and the vineyards of Languedoc-Roussillon.

Explore the busy port-town of Béziers and enjoy the stunning views from the former cathedral of Saint-Nazaire, perched on a hilltop. To the west, at Fonseranes, you will find the marvellous flight of seven locks. See the world’s oldest canal tunnel at Malpas, and discover the exciting village of Capestang with its lovely, floodlit St. Etienne Cathedral. Detour to Narbonne to see the impressive cathedral and Archbishop's Palace. Famous for its medieval fortress set high on a hill with drawbridges, towers and cobbled streets, Carcassonne is unmissable. The medieval town of Castelnaudary is also worth exploring. It was built around a castle in the 12th century and was the birthplace of cassoulet, a meat and beans dish named after the earthenware pot in which it is cooked.

Browse the traditional markets for a selection of local cheeses and enjoy tasting the wines of the region. The Canal du Midi passes through the wine-growing areas of the Languedoc, the Herault, the Aude, Minervois and Corbières.

Basking in warm sunshine almost all year round, a cruise along the Canal du Midi is an ideal holiday for sun-seekers! Air-conditioned boats are advisable in July or August as temperatures can be high.

A perfect boating holiday for experienced and first-time cruisers alike, this beautiful and tranquil waterway, with relaxed cruising through unique oval locks, stands testament to the technical mastery of its architects.

More information on the UNESCO site

Waterways in this region

The Canal du Midi, the Canal de la Robine, the canal latéral à la Garonne, the Canal de Jonction, Etang de Thau

Technical and construction information for the Midi Canal