Enjoy an active, idyllic getaway on Midi Canal breaks
If you're looking for a getaway that lets you explore idyllic rural surroundings, consider booking a France boating holiday, like a Golden Midi Cruise. The Midi Canal in the south of the country is a particularly excellent location for visiting cultural hotspots and taking long, leisurely walks through the countryside.
Opting to visit a destination by boat is a great way to relax and soak up a peaceful, picturesque setting. Travelling in this way allows you to escape the hustle and bustle of city life if you'd rather experience some tranquillity during your holiday.
You can still visit thriving settlements during your time away from home, but the knowledge you have a peaceful spot to return to when night falls can help you achieve the most from your holiday.
The Canal du Midi is a UNESCO World Heritage site that was established in the 17th century and was regarded as a truly amazing feat of engineering for the time. The waterway connects the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, meandering through the prolific wine-producing region of Languedoc and passing antique settlements and landmarks along its course.
If you enjoy sightseeing, the areas around the waterway will certainly be ideal for you. Begin your Golden Midi Cruise in Port Cassafieres - a pretty little pleasure port close to the Med and numerous beaches. Here you can spend some time relaxing on the sand before getting settled on the vessel you've chosen as part of your Midi canal boat hire break.
Once onboard, head to Beziers - one of the largest cities along the waterway. Formerly a Roman settlement, Beziers has a rich history and boasts plenty of old landmarks, such as the Roman church of La Madeleine and the St Etienne Cathedral.
From the harbour you can access the city centre via Le Plateau des Poetes - a picturesque public park. If you're visiting in the morning, be sure to call in at the covered market, while a huge open market is held on a Friday.
You can also visit the Musee des Beaux Arts here, or enjoy a game on the greens at Golf Saint Thomas.
Head on next for a brief stop at the quaint little town of Ventenac, where you can admire the local chateau and call in at the wine museum located on the first floor of the castle, before making your way to the ancient port of Homps.
The location is where barrels of Corbieres and Minervois wines were once loaded on to boats destined for Bordeaux. Wine is now transported via other methods but the trade of producing the tipple is still going strong, and you can visit local wine cellars for a tour and a tasting session.
Afterwards, why not pay a visit to the Roman chapel, or call in at the tower of the Knights of Malta? Meanwhile, if you have energy to burn, head to the Lac de Jouarres, a reservoir close to the Canal du Midi.
Here, you can take part in a range of activities, from hiring a canoe or a pedalo to spending an hour or so learning to windsurf.
The next stop on your canal break may be the renowned UNESCO World Heritage site of Carcassone - a medieval city home to a castle and ramparts. Explore these, along with the 12th-century Basilica St Nazaire, which boasts both Romanesque and Gothic features.
You'll also find a leisure park in the town, where you can get active with a game of volleyball or golf, or alternatively call in at the outdoor forest park to enjoy a long walk through the natural scenery.
Castelnaudary is another spot you're sure to want to visit when looking for things to do on waterways. Here you can climb ashore to admire the old Cugarel Windmill and half-timbered houses in the town, before stopping off at the Presidial Museum to take a look at artefacts dating back to prehistoric times.
The town is known as the birthplace of the cassoulet - a dish comprising haricot beans and meat cooked in a stew - and this is something you're sure to want to taste during your time here. Often cooked with garlic sausage, duck confit or pork hock, the meal is both hearty and filling.
These are just some of the fascinating locations you can visit on a Golden Midi Cruise; start organising your getaway today to experience many more interesting stops along the way.
