Canal du Midi

From the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean sea

The Midi Canal in the south of France

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

Luxury hotel barges

7 hotel barge cruises

2026 offer!
Anjodi barge cruise

Anjodi

Midi Canal
8 guests
★★★★
Athos barge cruise

Athos

Midi Canal
10 guests
★★★★
New route for 2026
Elegance barge cruise

Elegance

6 guests
★★★★★
2026 offer!
Enchanté barge cruise

Enchanté

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

Esperance

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

Johanna

Midi Canal
4 guests
★★★★★
Saraphina barge cruise

Saraphina

Midi Canal
4 guests
★★★★

Half-board barges

Esperance barge cruise

Esperance

Midi Canal
6 guests
★★★★★

"Home & Away" barges

Saraphina barge cruise

Saraphina

4 guests
★★★★

Self-drive boats in the Canal du Midi region

Locaboat

Locaboat operate 15 different types of self-drive rental boats in this region.
Here is a random selection.

Last-minutes available
Last minute
Pénichette Panoramic P.1180FB rental boat

Pénichette Panoramic P.1180FB

7 guests maximum
3 cabins
Ideal for 6 adults
& 1 child
3 bathrooms
★★★★★
From 1988€/week
Last minute
Europa 400 rental boat

Europa 400

4 guests maximum
2 cabins
Ideal for 2 adults
& 2 children
2 bathrooms
★★★★
From 1918€/week
Last minute
Pénichette Panoramic P.1165FB rental boat

Pénichette Panoramic P.1165FB

7 guests maximum
3 cabins
Ideal for 2 adults
& 3 children
2 bathrooms
★★★★
From 1778€/week
Last minute
Pénichette Classic P.1107W rental boat

Pénichette Classic P.1107W

7 guests maximum
3 cabins
Ideal for 4 adults
& 1 child
1 bathroom
★★
From 1246€/week

The price shown is based on a 7-day cruise and indicates the lowest starting price, and excluding any special offer or discount.

Nicols

Nicols operate 17 different types of self-drive rental boats in this region.
Here is a random selection.

Last-minutes available
Last-minute
N900 DP rental boat

N900 DP

7 guests maximum
2 cabins
Ideal for 4 adults
& 1 child
2 bathrooms
★★★★
From 1420€/week
Last-minute
N1000 rental boat

N1000

8 guests maximum
3 cabins
Ideal for 4 adults
& 2 children
2 bathrooms
★★★
From 1397€/week
Last-minute
N SIXTO + rental boat

N SIXTO +

8 guests maximum
3 cabins
Ideal for 6 adults
3 bathrooms
★★★★★
From 2795€/week
Last-minute
N QUATTRO B + rental boat

N QUATTRO B +

6 guests maximum
2 cabins
Ideal for 4 adults
& 2 children
2 bathrooms
★★★★
From 2059€/week

The price shown is based on a 7-day cruise and indicates the lowest starting price, and excluding any special offer or discount.

Le Boat

Le Boat operate 33 different types of self-drive rental boats in this region.
Here is a random selection.

Last-minutes available
Last-minute
Save 500€
Royal Classique rental boat

Royal Classique

6 guests maximum
3 cabins
Ideal for 6 adults
3 bathrooms
Comfort rating
From 1319€/week
Last-minute
Save 500€
Dancer 3 (Calypso) rental boat

Dancer 3 (Calypso)

8 guests maximum
3 cabins
Ideal for 4 adults
& 4 children
2 bathrooms
Comfort rating
From 1659€/week
Last-minute
Save 300€
Cirrus B rental boat

Cirrus B

4 guests maximum
1 cabin
Ideal for 2 adults
& 2 children
1 bathroom
Value rating
From 659€/week
Last-minute
Save 300€
Cirrus A rental boat

Cirrus A

4 guests maximum
1 cabin
Ideal for 2 adults
& 2 children
1 bathroom
Value rating
From 1079€/week

The price shown is based on a 7-day cruise and indicates the lowest starting price, and excluding any special offer or discount.

France Passion Plaisance

France Passion Plaisance operate 13 different types of self-drive rental boats in this region.
Here is a random selection.

Last-minutes available
Last-minute
Tarpon 42 TP rental boat

Tarpon 42 TP

8 guests maximum
3 cabins
Ideal for 6 adults
3 bathrooms
★★★★★
From 1400€/week
Last-minute
La Péniche P rental boat

La Péniche P

7 guests maximum
2 cabins
Ideal for 4 adults
& 2 children
2 bathrooms
★★★★★
From 2475€/week
Last-minute
Triton 860 Fly rental boat

Triton 860 Fly

3 guests maximum
1 cabin
Ideal for 2 adults
& 1 child
1 bathroom
★★
From 879€/week
Last-minute
Haines Rive 40 rental boat

Haines Rive 40

8 guests maximum
3 cabins
Ideal for 6 adults
& 2 children
3 bathrooms
★★★
From 1679€/week

The price shown is based on a 7-day cruise and indicates the lowest starting price, and excluding any special offer or discount.

Canal du Midi cruise and boating information

Canal du Midi

Built during the 17th century on the eastern side of the Canal des Deux Mers, the Canal du Midi is one of the oldest artificial waterways in Europe. At 360km long, it was built to link the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. The waters of Black Mountain feed it. 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 imposing 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 impressive 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 local cheeses and enjoy tasting the region's wines. 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 offers relaxed cruising through unique oval locks, a 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.

Map of the waterways

Canal and river map for Canal du Midi

Information, history and details of the Midi Canal