Australians favourite Le Boat destination is the magical Canal du Midi in the South of France. Le Boat have launched a 100 page guide for visitors to the regions with information including wines of the region, the cuisine and local markets, historical buildings, mini guides for each town, events and festivals, maps, when to go and how to plan your itinerary from lockless and loads to do, the energetic East, Active in the middle, the Far West, Overlooked and underrated, A peaceful saunter.
The Canal du Midi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and runs from Toulouse to the Mediterranean port of Sète. It’s arguably one of the most beautiful stretches of inland waterways in Southern France.
The Romans first had the idea of building this waterway to join the Atlantic and the Mediterranean but even Leonardo da Vinci was unable to contemplate this task. In 1667 construction began under Louise XIV when Pierre-Paul Riquet designed and built the Canal Royal de Languedoc (as it was then known) with the aim of transporting wheat, wine and textiles. It opened on May 15, 1681 after a workforce of 12,000 people, mostly women who fulfilled Riquet’s dream.
Today Le Boat’s clients can moor alongside and cycle or walk to local villages for morning croissants and coffee, visit a cellar door for a good red and some cheese and take some fresh produce back to the boat for an afternoon whiling away down the waterway.
Wine lovers will be spoilt for choice as the canal passes through areas such as the Herault, the Aude, Minervois and Corbieres. Spanning the regions of the Languedoc-Roussillon and Midi-Pyrénées, the Canal du Midi boasts twists and turn through the countryside, following the contours, bordered by an avenue of thousands of plane trees whose exposed roots interlock at the water’s edge, reinforcing the banks.
The canal passes through a great number of wine growing areas, including the Herault, the Aude, Minervois and Corbieres. Languedoc is France’s most productive wine region with many delicious ‘drink now’ varieties on sale, direct from the vineyards (free tastings welcomed) that border the waterway, for just a few euros per bottle.
Early Bird Offer
Be rewarded for getting in early – Book your next 2017 boating holiday with Le Boat and save! Le Boat offers you holidays from a different perspective. From the sundeck of your boat you will cruise at your own pace, discovering the local landscapes and specialities of your destination.
· Save 12% on 1-4 star boats when you book by 30th November.
· Save 5% on 5-star boats when you book by 30th November.
Offer applies to any departure in 2017.
Prices start from $1,307 with the Early Bird Discount for 7 days on a 3-star Caprice model in April and includes the hire of the fully equipped boat, towels and linen for all passengers, technical support and hands-on pre-departure briefing and demonstration.
For more information contact AU: 1800 118 940 or www.leboat.com.au
SOURCE: Le Boat