Here, on the canal du Midi, everything is luxury, calm and voluptuous. The time that passes, at the pace of water. The location of the hotel is excellent. Narbonnaise wines to enjoy on a barge or on the terrace of a pretty Guinguette. This is simply luxury. When finally, at the end of March, the canal opens its waterways again to slow travel travelers. The Canal du Midi, the Robine and the Junction, we are already in the process of crossing these three channels classified as UNESCO World Heritage, not forgetting Narbonne, the Roman city through the Robine Canal, before throwing himself into the Mediterranean Sea. What is more pleasant in the spring than to let yourself be seduced by all these small picturesque villages on the edge of the canals, visit the wine cellars or wine cellars, and stop here and there in the art galleries for a fair… We have taken the path and we recommend it.
The Canal du Midi: first stop at Somail
It is a place with timeless charm on the canal du Midi which attracts so many visitors: The Somail, a small port where the passengers of the post of post stopped for the «bed», classified by UNESCO and Historical Monuments. This beautiful hamlet is a separate world, tinted with authentic conviviality. The unique atmosphere of a time that would have stopped. We feel really good at Somail. Between the stroll on the small bridge of the donkey which connects the two banks, the visit to the chapel where the masses are still celebrated, it is pleasing to sit on the terrace of one of the charming restaurants on the edge of the water, such as Le Comptoir Nature to taste good local fresh produce. We've got screwed-up cries of geese and ducks on the banks before you discover this curiosity that Somail finds: Find Everything from the Book, an ancient bookstore installed in a wine cellar, with more than 50,000 references, and whose owner, Nelly, in the innate sense of reception, will pass on the story brilliantly. Above all, we do not leave the port without having tested the boat promenade, on this ancient nineteenth century template, to discover the remarkable works of art of the canal du Midi, while welcoming the walkers and cyclists borrowing the banks. And then we crave for a canvas or sculpture by pushing the doors of the Festival's «Art and Words on the Edge» festival from April 4-6. A strong moment like we love them…
More info: [email protected] - 04 68 41 55 70 - On their website.
The Junction Channel: Aude Salles and its Gallo-Roman past
By continuing, after the Minervoise Gate, an old horse relay transformed into a shop of regional products, we exceed Port Robine where many beautiful barges are adorned. And then we come to the curiosity that is the canal of the Junction made up of seven lock locks by the way of parasols. This is the most recent canal, built in 1780 to connect the canal du Midi and that of Robine. Before, travelers and goods took the road, most often by donkey. From a fluvial point of view, we don't get tired of the landscape, the time is for contemplation. We continue regularly to Sallles-d 'Aude, a charming village bordering on the canal of remarkable masters houses. The time for a break on the land, we immerse in the history of potters and trade during antiquity at the Gallo-Roman site Amphoralis.
More info: www.amphoralis.com www.amphoralis.com
The Robine Canal: the Roman city, Narbonne
We sail to Narbonne in the shadow of the lanes, taking the Robine Canal which passes under one of the few covered bridges in France, the Merchants Bridge. Founded by the Romans in 118 B.C., Narbonne was said to be «the first daughter of Rome». As for the Robine Canal, he traveled the old bed of the Aude that the Romans already used by boat. It is a sudden change in the trajectory of the river that the Robine Canal owes its creation to connect Narbonne to the river lane. The Roman city will not have lost everything from its ancient port vocation. Here you will find a few hours to stroll along the canal's edges, take a bike tour, enjoy a drink in the heart of the city, on one of the terraces of the newly built promenade. And we're enjoying the sun. And why not, if the heart says, extend the stop by reserving at the Clarion Suites Île du Gua, for one night on the edge of the canal, this time luxury version?
More info: www.narbonne-tourisme.com www.narbonne-tourisme.com
Where the canal joins the sea: Port-la-Nouvelle and Saint Lucia Island
To reach the beautiful blue, we cross six locks on the canal. We don't get tired of this live show. Climb, descend on the dock, mob, listen to the sounds of the water rising… The Robine Canal completes its race in the Mediterranean Sea, in Port-la-Nouvelle exactly, after 32 km of waterway from the Junction channel. We enjoy it, and we appreciate the lively spray in the approach of the small family resort, which is also the 3 rd port of the French Mediterranean. A small, small boat boat, or huge cargos of all backgrounds, we feed on the unique universe of the ports. And we're going back to the Saint Lucia Regional Nature Reserve, where, by a small trail marked by the canal, one can observe a unique fauna and flora and breathtaking panoramic views of the lagoons.
More info: www.ot-portlanouvelle.com www.ot-portlanouvelle.com
